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-   -   The KTM Duke 390 Ownership Experience Thread (https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/motorbikes/138082-ktm-duke-390-ownership-experience-thread-429.html)

Thumbs up for Angel GT' - they are amazing tires. Also you can consider Metzeler Roadtec 01 if they come in your tire size - a bit longer life than Angel GT's and more rain grip - with slightly poorer dry grip.

Brother, I have Pirelli Diablo Rossi II on my RC 390 (both front and rear). You can also try these ones. Even a newer Mk III is available on sale now which has treads similar to their premium line-up SuperCorsa.

I have done multiple road trips as well as track day at BIC last year using this tire.

These tyres have performed really well and do last better than Metzeler in my opinion. These are dual compound tyres (medium hard compound in centre and soft compound on sides) and are suitable for both Track as well as rough Tarmac.

Price wise, they are bit cheaper compared to Metzeler.

Touring long distances usually involves different terrains. Super smooth highways transitioning into pot holed roads. You have 2 clear parameters viz grip and puncture resistance. I would add another one - Rim (wheel) protection

Hitting an imperfection on the road at the wrong speed / angle could mean cracked rims and pretty much the end of your ride (not to mention the worst case scenario)

Grip is also a relative term. Frankly, most (not all) tyres today provide adequate grip for mortals such as ourselves. A warmed up tyre offers much more grip than you and I would ever need. You don't need the stickiest sportiest rubber to travel and have fun. I have dragged pegs on my KTM with a 100/90-17 Sirac front and a 130/80-17 vee rubber rear

I recommend a dual sport tyre for your usage. Timsuns come to mind... 822 and 823 (model no.) IIRC. These will offer you more than enough grip, last a fair distance and will be way more puncture resistant than any street tyre can ever hope to be. While these are available in the stock size for the Duke, I would also recommend that you go for a 100/90 front and a 140/70 rear. You get some more cushion on your sidewall and this really helps protect the rims

I have used enough street / sport tyres and don't recommend them for daily usage; unless your daily usage involves heading down to your favourite road(s) with your favourite corners. These tyres get punctured so easily and soon you will have poked enough holes into it. They usually have a rather curved profile so long distances on the highways mean the centre gets flattened... "squaring out" the tyre. Tipping such a tyre over into a corner is downright scary and IMO unsafe! It sort of feels like when you are rocking your wooden desk chair back and forth and sometimes go too far back :)

All the best

PS - I am not affiliated to Timsun in any manner. The reason I recommend it is simply basis availability. Havent mentioned similar examples from vee rubber or IRC as they aren't exactly available everywhere

@urban_nomad Whats the speed rating of the Timsun tires you are recommending ? Duke 390 can do well over 150kmph and we need to keep that in mind while putting the tires on - or make sure we keep under the Speed rating limit.

BTW dual sport tires make sense only if you do a lot of off-roading - otherwise touring tires like Angel GT / Roadtec 01 make a lot more sense. They have better grip levels on the road, are much quieter & last longer as well. They will easily take potholed roads no issues.

I'm facing a weird starting problem on my 390. Somedays it does'nt start, and somedays it does! When it starts, it runs fine that day. The next morning it may or may not start. I give up and try the day after that, it starts without drama. There is no pattern to this behaviour. I'm not sure what's going on. Any troubleshooting ideas?

Check the electrical connectors for battery and ECU for any loose connection. Next would be to check the fuel pump I guess.

When you switch on, does the fuel pump start priming? and does it crank?

Yes, i can hear the pump priming and it cranks, but won't start. Battery is pretty new as well.

Check for loose battery connectors, rat bites, clogged fuel lines/filter/pump.

However this reminds me of the intermittent starting issues on my 2013 390 when it was brand new. It would start easily at times and wouldn't start at all some times. It was diagnosed to be wrong valve clearance after they opened the engine head. Accordingly, shims were replaced and valve clearances were in the expected range.

This is a remote possibility but you can check if nothing else works.

Hope you are not giving any throttle inputs? Get the fuel pump and filter checked apart from any loose electrical connectors. ECU connector especially.

Thanks everybody for your comments and advice. I finally went in for the set below after evaluating Metzlers, Michelin, Apollo Alpha H1, Ceat and Pirelli. I could not find Timsum anywhere in Ahmedabad

You would simply love them.

They even look premium too. You can highlight Rosso II with White Highlighter pen to make them stand apart from others. This can be bought from AliExpress at cheap rate.

Reference image of my KTM having Rosso II as rear tire with highlights done.

Thank you so much. Your tyres look awesome. I will look for the marker online. Any chance of finding one or Amazon or will i need to go to AlieExpress only?

Better to go with AliExpress as I have bought 5 pieces at a steal deal price.

Even, I think Black Friday kind-of sale is going on there. Please check.

Guys I have a serious problem.
Yesterday I was riding my bike as usual and the engine became suddenly louder and hollow sounding. In under a minute engine died. Attempts to restart failed. There was no cranking sound even.
Fortunately very nearer to the spot service center was there. I pushed the bike there and left it with them. The service guy called me just now and says the tensioner became loose and the engine seized.
Anything anybody can tell me on this ?