KTM Duke 390 (2016) - Long Term Ownership Review

[Mr_Many_Places]

Meanwhile, I got hold of a 2015 D390 ridden 20k kilometers this week. It has been serviced on time, has got the Apollo tyres fitted last year. Looking forward to some touring now.

 

[vijesh_360]

Looks good. Wishing you best of luck on your touring. Also would like to see your ownership of this beast.

 

[Mr_Many_Places]

Looks good. Wishing you best of luck on your touring. Also would like to see your ownership of this beast.

Thanks for the best wishes Vijesh. The ownership log will come up soon, maybe in a month or two, once I settle down with the bike. Bike does not need a service as it was done 2 weeks back by the previous owner. I am planning to do a check of all fluids and service in 3/4 months time.

 

[vijesh_360]

Great. Looking forward to one more D390 thread in TAI

 

[vijesh_360]

November 2021
Odo - 58900 Kms
The bike is doing fine with some signs of minor issues like Valve door Oil leakage(common in KTM’s), clutch lever having lesser pressure(may be clutch cable or clutch spring getting weak), brake calliper rebuild and chain almost at the end of its life.

 

[vijesh_360]

Renewed the Insurance from Policy Bazaar.
Total Premium Rs. 2909.

 

[Mr_Many_Places]

Vijesh, did you by any chance try out Indian oil XP95? I filled up the tank this past weekend and the usual jerkiness <5K rpm is gone. Bike pulls much cleaner and does not clatter as much. There is a 5 rupee difference to a litre though to swallow.

 

[vijesh_360]

Yes. I have been using XP95 for the last 2 months. It is definitely better than speed which is regular 91 octane only with additional cleaning agents unlike old times where regular fuel was 89 octane. I am getting 10-15 km more, on a tankfull which is 1-1.5kmpl more. So the price difference gets nullified I think.

 

[Mr_Many_Places]

Yes. I have been using XP95 for the last 2 months. It is definitely better than speed which is regular 91 octane only with additional cleaning agents unlike old times where regular fuel was 89 octane. I am getting 10-15 km more, on a tankfull which is 1-1.5kmpl more. So the price difference gets nullified I think.

Great to read your experience on the XP95. I think this fuel is easily showing its difference in our high compression steeds. Let me get done with 2/3 tankfuls to report back on my observations as well. On the price difference, for every 19 liters of XP95, we can get 20 liters of regular fuel. Personally, I think, it worth the extra.

 

[vijesh_360]

Personally, I think, it worth the extra.

Definitly. Also the recommended fuel is 95 Octane only and a minimum of 91 octane to be used. So the ~1kmpl mileage increase will benefit on the longer run along with a smoother ride.

 

[vijesh_360]

December 2021
Odo - 59474 kms

Ryuk completes 5 years as of today. It has been a really memorable journey so far. Wishing more years and kilometres together with him.

Also I’ve received few goodies from Timsun Tyres India.

 

[Mr_Many_Places]

December 2021
Also I’ve received few goodies from Timsun Tyres India.
View attachment 292075

The Timsun stickers remind of Crazy Frog video :D

 

[vijesh_360]

Went to the showroom to get my clutch cable replaced. They found a minor leak in the radiator, but I was given green signal to proceed with my ride tomorrow and I was asked to keep the coolant level in check.

But as soon as I left the showroom, coolant started leaking much more. So had to change the radiator.

 

[vijesh_360]

Went on a short 2 day 600 kms trip to Karaikudi to watch the Bull Taming (Jallikattu). It was a very new experience for me.
Route: Coimbatore - Palladam - Dharapuram - Oddanchatiram - Dindugal - Natham - Karaikudi - Kallal - Keelapoongudi.

Started at 3.45 Am in the Duke and Rc. A friend joined in his Himalayan at Dindugal. The riding time was a total of 4 hours as it was very cold.

Started the return journey at around 6.30 Am the next day. We parted ways with our friend at Dindugal. The riding time was 3 hours 30 minutes.

The bike consumed a total of 4 tank fulls. The mileage was around 27kmpl. The bike was less in oil and low oil pressure warning came up. Not a good sign at all. Topped up the oil at the Karaikudi KTM showroom. The bike is starting to show its age? Anyways will be patching him up soon with a doctor’s visit.

There is an aftermath from this trip. Will be updating it sometimes this week.

 

[Mr_Many_Places]

Went on a short 2 day 600 kms trip to Karaikudi to watch the Bull Taming (Jallikattu)

The bike consumed a total of 4 tank fulls. The mileage was around 27kmpl. The bike was less in oil and low oil pressure warning came up. Not a good sign at all. Topped up the oil at the Karaikudi KTM showroom. The bike is starting to show its age? Anyways will be patching him up soon with a doctor’s visit.

There is an aftermath from this trip. Will be updating it sometimes this week.

Jallikattu is something which I have always read in books, I need to experience this spectacle once. Coming to the bike, was it really 4 tankfulls? Or did you do 3 tankfulls during the trip and a final tankful upon reaching home?

Your previous service experience + current low oil pressure might actually suggest a complete teardown of the bike, the SVC would be good to suggest on this. I am saying this from the fact that, the bike is a maintenance hog, the high stress nature of the entire mechanicals warrant a faster interval of maintenance. On top of that, the bike is Indian made, the very first of a genre of intense power but cooked in the same bowl as it's younger cousins (Pulsar). Had it been a JAP, it would have been a different case.

How are the tyres holding up? The front looks as if it has clocked a substantial number.