Dropped my KTM 390 Duke for the first time: 15,000 km update

I'm not sad as it feels very funny to recollect how I dropped the bike.

BHPian saikishor recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Odometer:15329km

Here goes another update from my side.

My chain and sprocket (called as chain kit in some service centres) required a replacement, as the chain made a lot of squeaking noises. Even the gearshifts became hard. My bike's service is due in August and I was thinking it will last till then but the chain noise was unbearable so I got it done yesterday. Bill came to a cute 4000 bucks, 500 rupees more than the estimate and what I had expected.

Post the chain kit change, the chain noise is gone completely and in fact, I am loving the smooth sound the new chain is making. Gearshifts have become hard somehow but shifts are precise now with no false neutrals. Apart from that I also noticed that the rear sprocket design has changed. I prefer the previous one as the current one looks commuter ish but it is what it is.

Here is a comparison of the old sprocket and the new one:

Apart from this, I purchased a tank bag from Amazon. It cost 2100/-. Reason I bought this from Amazon was, all the tank bags that I checked out (Viaterra, Rynox) at riding gear stores (V Gears, Powersports etc) felt too expensive for my usage. I wanted something that could withstand daily rough usage but something which would not break the bank.

Viaterra and Rynox had options ranging from 3-4.5k but I found no point in spending that much. I actually wanted to return this bag back to Amazon but no guy showed up for return pickup despite my placing a return request 6-7 times. So yesterday I decided I will keep it with me and I took it out for a spin in the rain.

The bag comes with a rain cover and has magnets so it just sticks to the tank. Capacity of this bag is 28 litres if I am not wrong. First impressions, well, for 2100 rupees, I would say it is not bad. And yes just after I used the bag in the rain, today morning I got a call from an Amazon courier saying that he will be coming for a return pickup. I cancelled the return, as I feel this bag can be used for groceries and small trips etc.

I also did a short 120km weekend ride 2 weeks ago to a random location. It was a group ride with 15-20 other bikes as well. The ride was boring and I regret going to this ride. The location wasn't that great as well.

Some pictures that I took at a random location:

The Apollo Alpha H1s are doing their job well. Grip levels are really good, and the handling has also improved substantially compared to the MRFs that I had previously. I feel they are the best in their price range. No wonder why I see so many bikes in the 390 Duke's segment shod with Apollo Alpha H1 tyres.

To conclude this update on a sad note, I dropped my bike for the first time ever and that too in a very funny way. I was thinking about something when parking the bike and I forgot to open the side stand. The bike tilted halfway and by the time I realised, the bike fell down. This is the first-ever fall of Citrus and I must say I'm not sad as it feels very funny to recollect how I dropped the bike. There were no damages (scratch on the hand guard and crash guard) but I did learn a lesson: don't think too much when you're driving.

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