re: The KTM 390 Adventure (Gen- 1) Ownership Thread! Update: Quick shifter fix
I was following the conversation of the Bangalore 390 Adventure whatsapp group and I was guided to Mekhri circle KTM (Dealer Popular), folks seemed to have got their Quick Shifter sorted by them. I walked in on Saturday morning and another 390 adventure owner also joined me. Take 1
They seemed to know the issue and take in my bike for the fix. I was watching what they were doing and realized it was the normal Quick Shifter adaptation process that was done. The floor manager took the bike for a spin and when he returned I noticed that the shifter warning lights were On. Obviously he forcefully tried and mentioned it is not working. Take 2
The internet network was down at the workshop, but the folks managed to tether their phone and get one more round of ECU update done for my bike. Went through the quick shifter adaptation cycle and while downshifting into 1st gear (within the learning cycle), the error again came up. They tried this multiple times and the same outcome.
Damn it! I thought this is it, I will have to now raise it with KTM and wait. But the Service Manager came in and then he, in turn, made a call, I am assuming this is to a Senior KTM technical person in charge. Anyhow he took some instruction and the following was done. Take 3 Final fix if your quick shifter is not working at all and throwing error on TFT. Remove shifter sensor - If you remember old Yezdi's and Jawa's and the mechanical auto clutch?? The implementation is similar in Adventure 390. There is a shaft/lever that pushes out and in when you move the gear lever and this, in turn, activates an electronic senor/switch sitting on the clutch side. So good news, one does not have to remove the gearbox or engine, it is just two bolts and the cover along with shift sensor comes out. Sensor was then removed, a visual inspection and some clean up using some cotton waste and were put back in. Mind you a small amount of oil can come out.
I prompted him to also check the connector at other end of the wire, so he removed the same and give it a good blow of mouth before it was put back. Disconnected battery - waited for a few seconds and then connected back, assume this is one more step to reset ECU, but then noticed that the clock setting was intact. So not sure if this works or if the TFT has some reserve power source, apart from battery. Quick Shifter adaptation - Connect the OBD and go through the quick shifter learning cycle. While running the bike on paddock stand, they run the engine to about 2-3k RPM and then shift from gear 1 to 6, then shift down 6 to 1. My bike before this extended fix, used to throw the shifter error by the time it reaches 2nd gear in this downward cycle. Fingers crossed, and this time it did not throw the quick shifter error! This was a good sign as per me! Also do note while running on paddock like this, the traction control as well as ECU failure error would come, this can be ignored.
The floor manager again took the bike for a test and this time he came back with a positive nod of his helmet! The issue is resolved!! Finally!
A big shout out to Ashlay the Service Manager and Shiva the floor manager of KTM Mekri circle, Bangalore! You guys rock! and Thank you! I checked if I need to pay and Ashlay confirmed there is nothing to be charged and gave me his number to call if I faced any issue.
I took the bike and it was immediately evident that the shifter is working!
1- That annoying jerk/cut off is gone, so when the gear lever is moved this should happen to enable the shift. When the system is not working/configured correctly, ECU is confused and sending the same signal randomly based on engine load (my guess) and hence the jerk.
2- A gentle pressure on the gear lever, while holding the rev and the gear shifts to the next higher gear. Initially, some gears were not working as it should but within some riding things seems to be AOK.
But more than the upshift, it is the downshift where this Quick Shifter is really a boon, one can quickly go down the gears to complement the stopping with some additional engine brake. Cut the throttle and apply gentle pressure on the lever, and the bike will automatically shift down and adjust to the wheel speed. If I remember correctly the manual says to do this only below 9500 RPM for gears 6 to 3 and below 9000 RPM for 2 to 1. I guess this is to prevent overrevving of the engine. Similarly minumum of 2000 RPM for shifting higher, though the action improves as the RPM goes higher Vs lower RPM where it can result in slight head bobbing/jerk.
To summarize, if your quick shifter is erratic or rough, doing just an adaptation cycle should be enough. But if your quick shifter is totally dud and you are getting the shifter error band in red in your bike, you might want to go through this slightly longer procedure.
I hope the above post helps others to get the quick shifter issue solved.
Last edited by Jaggu : 16th March 2020 at 18:42.
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