[Red Liner]

Originally Posted by Darth Sid

Sorry for the late reply. Was off the site for some time.


See the attached picture. It was taken at Globe Engineering where I got my tyre from. The Duke 390 behind my 200 had its rear MRF Mogrip 120/80-17 replaced with with a Pilot Street.


True, but the Speed Blaster is now available in 140/70-17.

I like the retro music in that video. The tyre is not too bad. It is just the mixed reviews that are confusing.


I was going to reply to the second part of your previous message but this news sounds promising. Hopefully, this will solve your conundrum. In the meantime I will test out the Vee Rubber. Maybe it will wear out slower on the 200 during acceleration because of the lack of power. Downshifts are a different story though as I tend to drop 2 gears at a time to make the rear slide out.

Thanks man. Unfortunately the 120/80 is not rated to fit with a 3.5 inch rim width (it is rated to fit on 2.5-3.00). I dont know if i am making too big a deal with this, but i am referring to online tyre to rim calculators.

I am heading out with the pilot streets to the mountains.

[Darth Sid]

Originally Posted by Red Liner

Thanks man. Unfortunately the 120/80 is not rated to fit with a 3.5 inch rim width (it is rated to fit on 2.5-3.00). I dont know if i am making too big a deal with this, but i am referring to online tyre to rim calculators.

I am heading out with the pilot streets to the mountains.

Well, a lot of people fit tyres on their Dukes that are meant for rims narrower than the recommended width. I haven't heard of anyone running into any trouble because of it but handling and stability are affected somewhat.

However, several riders do ride to Leh on stock tyres and they manage fine, too.

[shaikhmimran]

This is about Duke 250 [Sorry I could not find more appropriate thread to post this].
My friend got his D250 delivered yesterday & the showroom guys told him that the bike will stall several times during idling till the 20 kms mark. And it really did. They said it is due to some engine management system. Can anyone shed more light on this?

[anilp]

Originally Posted by shaikhmimran

This is about Duke 250 [Sorry I could not find more appropriate thread to post this].
My friend got his D250 delivered yesterday & the showroom guys told him that the bike will stall several times during idling till the 20 kms mark. And it really did. They said it is due to some engine management system. Can anyone shed more light on this?

Umm, that sounds quite shady. I suggest that you escalate this to the KTM India guys. My 390 Duke had a similar issue when I'd bought it. It wouldn't idle, and would often stall at very low speeds. It was traced back to being a valve clearance setting issue. Never gave any trouble in the three years after getting it fixed.

[bdman]

Originally Posted by shaikhmimran

This is about Duke 250 [Sorry I could not find more appropriate thread to post this].
My friend got his D250 delivered yesterday & the showroom guys told him that the bike will stall several times during idling till the 20 kms mark. And it really did. They said it is due to some engine management system. Can anyone shed more light on this?

My Duke 390 stalled a number of times, especially when the throttle was opened from idle. I think this was due to the increased friction -- when new -- and low fly weight. Now, (2000km later) it's better. not sure, if it fixed it self. Or, if I have sub-conciously made some adjustments.

[ashwin1224]

Originally Posted by Red Liner

Thanks man. Unfortunately the 120/80 is not rated to fit with a 3.5 inch rim width (it is rated to fit on 2.5-3.00). I dont know if i am making too big a deal with this, but i am referring to online tyre to rim calculators.

I am heading out with the pilot streets to the mountains.

Ive got a 120/80 Speed Blaster on my duke on a trial run. Haven't had the opportunity to test it out thoroughly,will do it this week. Ive got about 11k run Pilot street on the front.

Ive been reading about people getting speed blasters in 140 section, i advice them to please check again because the website does not show speed blasters in 140 section and nor are distributors aware of any such size. You might be confusing it with "Blaster Pro" which is available in 140 section but is far from dual sport-ish tyre. I maybe wrong, so if anyone can get a reliable source please let me know.

[Urban_Nomad]

Originally Posted by ashwin1224

For himalayan rides....

Hi Ashwin. Quick question around the fork spacers you installed on your duke. I have a set lying with me that I took to the service Center. While the svc was able to fit it, the forks started spewing a lot of oil shortly after, which meant the forks weren't properly tightened. When I took it back to the svc, the mech guy mentioned that he couldn't tighten it as much as the original fork caps as there was no nut on top to hold down the spacer

How did you manage it? Any specialist tools used to get it on your bike?

Any pointers in this regard would be much appreciated. Thanks!

[ashwin1224]

Originally Posted by Urban_Nomad

Hi Ashwin. Quick question around the fork spacers you installed on your duke. I have a set lying with me that I took to the service Center. While the svc was able to fit it, the forks started spewing a lot of oil shortly after, which meant the forks weren't properly tightened. When I took it back to the svc, the mech guy mentioned that he couldn't tighten it as much as the original fork caps as there was no nut on top to hold down the spacer

How did you manage it? Any specialist tools used to get it on your bike?

Any pointers in this regard would be much appreciated. Thanks!

Can you post a picture of your spacers? The thread on top of the fork is a very tricky thread and if you fabricate your own it is very easy to get improper threads in the spacer. This would mean the spacers no longer seal shut and the oil would leak. The stock caps have a hex nut IIRC, while fabricating mine i couldnt replicate the top so just made a square head the same size as the hex head. Im not facing any sort of problems with it.

If you are planning to install 2 inch spacers, note: your headlight will no longer work unless you mod it a bit so that it's now tilting towards the ground. Second, you need to work out something for the stand as the bike now tips too much. For smaller spacers i don't think there will be any problem.

[unk9ja]

Update on Ka, my 2013 D390.
The stator coil gave away finally on my bike after 34800 kms. I had planned to ride down to Udupi on 14th for my nephew's marriage. On 13th while I was pottering in the mad Bangy traffic, saw the speedo going to intermittent 0. By evening, the speedo stayed on 0 and also low battery showed up on the MID. Left the bike back and took a bus next day. After my return, left the bike at SVC for an early service and diagnose the cause of the speedo 0 error.
The SA fom the SVC confirmed on Thursday, it indeed is a stator failure. Went ahead and replaced the same along with the chain and sprocket set. Total damage to wallet was 8100. 2700 odd for the sprockets and chain set with another 540 for labour, 1004 for the stator and rest for the oils and consumables.

[Urban_Nomad]

Originally Posted by ashwin1224

If you are planning to install 2 inch spacers, note: your headlight will no longer work unless you mod it a bit so that it's now tilting towards the ground. Second, you need to work out something for the stand as the bike now tips too much. For smaller spacers i don't think there will be any problem.

Got the spacers fitted. They are perfect!! Loving this set up. The steering is a bit slower but I should be able to get over it with time.

You are right about the headlight. It's pointing skyward. If you have modded it for proper aim, could u share details or better - pics?

[PrasannaDhana]

Originally Posted by unk9ja

Thursday, it indeed is a stator failure.

Cheers mate! My duke 390's stator coil went kaput too(not literally, low battery warning popped up twice and intermittent 0 came up frequently on console)

Checked the battery, it was good. SVC found the stator was weak and needed to be replaced.

My 390 has 44500 on odo.

[Siddy]

My 2016 Duke 390 completes 1 year today! I upgraded from a bullet 500 & done 11,500 kms till date, the journey so far is a mixed bag of adrenaline rushes and disappointments!

First 5 months of ownership was absolutely hassle free. The bike performed well & gave me no problems. Then the issues started to pop up one after the other

List is as below:
1. October 2016, during my velneshwar (konkan) ride i could see oil leaking near the stand, turned out be a busted output shaft seal which was replaced for free
2. November 2016, the coolant level started to drop (1 cm every 200 kms), the funny part is this issue is still not fixed! The SA keeps my bike for 4-5 days to pin point the issue and failed thrice till date, I'll be visiting ktm service tomorrow again
3. Rust spots developed on the tyre hugger support and side stand after 3-4 months of ownership
4. My rear alloy lost color & I noticed this during cleaning sometime back, this was replaced under warranty
5. Lately my engine has become really noisy, I can hear high frequency metal clatter which appears intermittently
6. The plastic parts on the bike vibrate and make annoying noises!

Well, I still enjoy riding her. She puts a grin on my face every time I take her out. But then so many issues after paying 2.2 lakhs is plain disappointing! I visit the service station atleast once every month with some minor niggle, sad. I never had any issue with my bullet, just the cracked crankcase breather pipe twice, I hope ktm is listening.

Regular free service costed me 2200 for 3 times last year which is pretty reasonable. Changed the rear tyre (metz H rated) for 6400 inr. I plan to keep her till the warranty covers me, not a day beyond it!

[ashwin1224]

Originally Posted by Urban_Nomad

Got the spacers fitted. They are perfect!! Loving this set up. The steering is a bit slower but I should be able to get over it with time.

You are right about the headlight. It's pointing skyward. If you have modded it for proper aim, could u share details or better - pics?

There are a few things Ive done over the course of a few months that I have them fitted to my bike:

1. Got Ralco Speed Blasters fitted, they are a few mm higher than michelins so the bikes bum went up making the head point lower.
2. Lowered the spacers by 13mm. This amount will vary by riders weight probably and you should try a few settings before settling for one. Ideally you are looking for the lowest you can go without compromising the position. This helped lower the angle a lot.
3. Installed Auxiliary Fog Lamps. My previous lamps were spot beams and white in color, basically useless. However, they saved my sore behind the first night I had to ride on the dark open highway, 1500kms from home. This time around I got 20W lamps, these are yellow coloured and are spread beams. I am extremely happy with these.

Other than that, I use Phillips extreme vision lamp in my headlight, which is a huge upgrade over stock itself.

[VW2010]

November 2016, the coolant level started to drop (1 cm every 200 kms), the funny part is this issue is still not fixed! The SA keeps my bike for 4-5 days to pin point the issue and failed thrice till date, I'll be visiting ktm service tomorrow again

Coolant check list

- start with whats in the oil (check how your oil is in the next service)
- Cant be milky
- Cant be like chocolate milk shake either
- Check oil drain plug and see for white foam or white material post foaming

The above two probably indicates head gasket problem

- Check the coolant reservoir cap. Many times they fail to close it fully and you are silently leaking coolant
- Check for coolant overflow pipe. Connect a plastic bag and tie a rubber band and ride around. If you are collecting coolant, thats where you are loosing it. There is nothing you can do but keep refilling it. Its 250 rupees a litre if i am right and by refill and emptying you can keep running for a year.

- Take few drops of coolant and drop it on hot exhaust. Did you feel this smell before. Unlike burnt smell coolant smell is actually pleasant to an extent they term it sweet. This means coolant is leaking and dropping on to hot metal.

Even the radiator pipes develop cracks that will not be visible, and coolant leaking via those pipes at high speed are hitting your exhaust or engine case and evaporating so fast that you dont feel the smell or see signs.

Its a fairly long process but you can easily trace the issue. Also air locks can wreck some coolant via reservoir and its better to do a flush.

[Siddy]

Originally Posted by VW2010

Coolant check list

Also air locks can wreck some coolant via reservoir and its better to do a flush.

Thanks VW2010, I've checked the engine oil and it looks ok (dark pink). As per the SA there was an air lock which was never fully removed and the system was flushed again, after 200 kilometers of riding the level went down a little & they topped up a little saying that's normal suction after a coolant flush. The head gasket & water pump seals are ok, no external leaks too. I am still not sure if the issue is fully sorted, keeping a watch now The Motul Inugel 1 ltr coolant bottle is for 200 rs + taxes, planning to pick one soon.