Team-BHP - The KTM Duke 390 Ownership Experience Thread

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rollin' Thunda (Post 3288677)

This is off-topic, but as this thread seems hijacked into discussing mods, I have one query of my own:

Does anyone else feel the Duke 390 rear-view mirrors to be inadequate? The mirrors are fine, and do not fold up at high-speeds due to air-resistance drag, but they really do not give a wide-enough view of the rear. I have to move my elbows out of the way and struggle to get a view of the space directly behind the bike. Does anyone have any solution?

I don't need to move my elbows but it's not wide enough as in I can't see anything that is not atleast half exactly behind me. Anything on the left or right is quite next to impossible to see.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rollin' Thunda (Post 3288677)

The mirrors are good and gives a good view but the problem is the mirrors are a little close each other. So naturally riders elbow gets in the way especially if you are well built person. Me being skinny, absolutely no problem at all even when I am on my riding gear.:D You can try adjusting the mirrors by loosing the nuts at the mirror mounting and see if you can improve the situation.:)

went for a ride around Bangalore yesterday. covered about 320kms on the ride including some highway + country roads. odo now reads 500+ kms. A few observations:
* The bike is a pleasure on the smooth highways, and smooth country roads, including smooth twisties, especially 3rd gear onwards.
* Well balanced, very good grip, firm, holds the line nicely coupled with good brakes.
* A bit tough to ride on broken and patched country roads, as speeds comes down to 20-50kmph, gotta keep it in 1st 3 gears, which means jerks on the body resulting from constant acceleration and engine breaking, eventually taking a toll over a period of time. Although the suspension does a decent job of absorbing small undulations of the road, Its not the same like my C5 for which these type of roads hardly mean anything.
* maybe i am used to touring (ergonomics) of the c5, i did find the foot rest position on 390 a bit uncomfortable, after riding for a while. Also, the slight forward inclined position from the torso upwards gave me a bit of discomfort at the end of the ride.
* the seat for some reason feels hot after sitting on it for a while.
* No heating issues when on open roads, no starting issues whatsoever.
* RVMs have scope for improvement wrt visibility.
* On my bike, there was this constant chain slapping sound highly pronounced on broken roads, to the point that it became bothersome. Its something that took a part of the pleasure away from the ride. :(
* turning radius feels larger compared to the C5.
* horns suck big time.
* Small tank capacity is a bit of concern as the fuel level indicator always playing with peace of mind. cannot fill it, shut it and forget it. :(
* verdit: i am happy but would be happier if i could mate the riding ergonomics and a bit of weight from my c5 with engine, handling, braking, and performance of the 390. I guess that really asking for a lot :D

UPDATE: for the first time, went to the AUTOSERVICE @ banashankri today. Its a nice little place with a small garden with a pond with fishes, and busas and ninjas being serviced around, and ofcourse a whole lot of ktms and other bajaj bikes. I had gone there to get the 3M PPF (paint protection film) done on the 390. I was under the impression that ppf would be like a stretchable film which could be laminated all over the painted surfaces of the bike. But its just pre-cut generic films much similar to screen protectors, and can only be applied at selected, and straighter surfaces, as it does not stretch greatly. Got a piece stuck on the area where usually tank pads are placed. Expensive, as that little piece of material costed 600 bucks..
While i was there, got the chain checked. It was loose according to them. Got it tightened, and hoping it will resolve the slap sound greatly which really was the biggest bummer on yesterdays ride.
some pics from yesterday:

I have got something to share. Yesterday, the fuel level touched reserve mark and the low fuel warning came on and I continued to ride as the DTE shows 55 kms with an FE of 37 kmpl on the console. I rode for about 15 kms and pulled over to a BPCL station to refuel. But what surprised me is the tank got topped off at 8.02 litres. This means when the low fuel warning came on, the tank had more than 3 liters of fuel. What is the exact reserve tank capacity? Is it possible for the fuel guage to be inaccurate by such a a large margin?

Another thing I have observed is when the guys at the fuel station insert the nozzle of the dispenser into the tank, it rubs the black paint on the brim of the tank and the paint gets dislodged and falls into the fuel. Poor tank design by Bajaj. This when combined with frequent refueling is sure to cause clogging issues. I have never seen any motorcycle painted beyond the filler hole.

Once you hit reserve i think the tank has something between 3-3.25 L. I roughly calculate this to give me 45-50kms max. The FE based ODO switches on and you can use that to risk pushing your bike.

Post 40-45kms i fill around 9-9.5 litres meaning there is more left in but i aint taking a risk.

Going to fix the Fazer visor today and i can give a comparison. The CBR visor is very highly functional where 140 is pretty good and i reach faster to 140 than without the visor.

The Visor angle can be slightly better where it hits my chin(the wind blast) but having it slightly angled outward can also create drag because of the visor.

Better to have a slightly taller visor is my guess. Anyway will try fazer and compare.

Quote:

Originally Posted by junaid12345678 (Post 3289535)

Hi @junaid12345678

I believe this is because of the FI sensor which requires minimum quantity of fuel to be in your vehicle's fuel tank as the sensor is submerged in the oil. The DTE is showing the distance after exclusion of that much fuel IMO.

Hope this helps.

I've been quietly following this thread, and some of the other ownership threads, for several weeks now. It's really great to see things shaping up here, the scene is coming together with a bunch of enthusiastic early owners coming up with some interesting stuff to enhance their ownership experience as well as help other community members - truly what Team-BHP is all about :)

The reason I'm here? I'm set to take delivery of the D390 tomorrow. This has been a long and tedious journey. There's been a lot of convincing, a lot of searching and consideration, and of course some I-4 dreams, interspersed with some incredible roadtrips (most recently, Leh-Nubra last year). Thanks to a kind-hearted member here, I had my first SBK experience last year, and haven't been able to stay off that bike since! After a long and indecisive journey, I was about to bring home a P200NS when I heard about the D390. One test ride and I was convinced.

I've noticed, the PDI done by various KTM dealers has been less than satisfactory, with hanging connectors, disconnected cables, loose nuts and bolts, and what not. I am as clueless about a two-wheeler PDI, as I am thorough with a four-wheeler PDI. So if anyone here with experience could chip in and jot down a list of things that are a must-check, members like me who are awaiting delivery of their D390 would definitely benefit. Request your help with this, guys. Thanks in advance.

Quote:

Originally Posted by FlyingSpur (Post 3290312)

I've noticed, the PDI done by various KTM dealers has been less than satisfactory, with hanging connectors, disconnected cables, loose nuts and bolts, and what not. I am as clueless about a two-wheeler PDI, as I am thorough with a four-wheeler PDI. So if anyone here with experience could chip in and jot down a list of things that are a must-check, members like me who are awaiting delivery of their D390 would definitely benefit. Request your help with this, guys. Thanks in advance.

Yes, the PDI is a joke when KTM is considered. I have been one among the sufferers. In my case, it was a loose oil drain plug, an unfastened battery band, a broken mirror clamp and a missing tool kit which I haven't got yet.
As you are aware of the terrible PDI job, make sure to check some things such as

ODO reading ( KTM won't do extensive test run as many dealers say. I got the bike with 5km on the ODO)
Chain slack and lubrication as most of us got chains dry like desert sand
paint job for any scratches
All the connectors that's visible (There is one under the seat for plugging the diagnostic device and should be left unconnected)
The reflector (crack)at the tail end and the whole fender assembly for excessive shaking
Switches and controls for smooth operation and desired result
Brake and clutch and gear lever play
Check all bolts and the oil level
The coolant level. (In my case, it was at the minimum level)
closely check all plastic parts for any breakage as its quite possible to happen in transit or during unloading or from over aggressive PDI by the dealer
Check the tool kit, FA kit and remember to collect user manual
Download the user manual online from KTM website and go through it well before going to the dealer for delivery.
Check the fuel level and refuel at the earliest (Keep in mind the octane ratings, 91 minimum)
Ride out before the KTM guys say ''get out''. I am one among them who got to hear congrats (I watered my eyes)

Close the visor and keep the big:D. I may have missed many things and contributions to the list are welcome:)

Got my 390 yesterday – here are some initial reactions. I also own a Duke 200 so my thoughts are relative to the 200:

The tyres are GREAT – what a difference in the handling
Low end power way more tractable than the 200. Puttering about in 1st gear at idle speed is a breeze (as compared to the 200 when I always feel like the bike is about to stall)
Low speed torque is great as long as gear selection is correct, the engine is unforgiving if it is ridden in a gear lower than optimal
Seems marginally shorter than the 200 and thus inspires a little more confidence while cornering
Accelerates away from a standstill or to pass without the drama of the 200
The bike has not stalled even once
Suspension feels a little softer – I am now inspired to see what I can do to soften the settings on my 200
Does not seem as playful a bike as the 200 – demands a little more respect