Living With KTM Duke 390 BS-IV (2017)

[sacbiker]

Ride to Dhanushkodi

I went for a long ride after a long time.
It was 764 KM to and fro.
The bike performed flawlessly except for slight pulsating feel during hard breaking. This was later diagnosed as steering bearing play. Initially, I thought it would be loose, so I tightened it, but then the play shifted to sideways and there is a play in the front end while cornering. Anyways it's 30000km in the odo and I have never replaced the steering bearing, so looking forward to get it replaced at the SVC.

The TFT was on its last leg and the direct exposure to sunlight during the ride made it worse, this have to be fixed sooner or later as it's getting close to impossible to read values.
There was no oil consumption during the ride.
The bike returned an average mileage of 29kmpl which is impressive. This included cruising mostly at 90-100kmph in TN roads and 70-80 kmph on KL roads.
Both front and rear tires have pretty much worn out with the rear one needing a replacement soon.

Tires were replaced 9500 km back, the rear would last another 1000 km and the front, maybe another 2500km.
As much as people hate Indian brands, rightfully so in certain cases, Ceat did an impressive job with their Zoom Rad X1 tires. Never once have I felt the tire lacking grip during hard accelerations or cornering. They hold the air pretty well too with minimal loss in pressure over time.

Lean angle achieved on the front tyre.
The oil also needs to be changed in another 600km, but it's performing flawlessly.

 

[sacbiker]

I decided to get the steering bearing replaced today at the KTM service center, Kollam.
It was a 2 hour job.

Invoice

473 for parts and 1065 for labour.
I also bought an oil filter and and an air filter for 343
In total, 260 in GST was paid for all of the above.

The bike feels a lot more controllable now. The front end feels planted as it should which is obvious.

While waiting for the work to be completed, I test drove the new Duke 390 and Adventure 390.
As with the Adv 390, the bike felt so slow, as if I was riding a Duke 250. Their test ride bike was supposedly a lot abused and that's why it was low on power. It had 30000km on the odo. The Duke 390 had just under 5000km and it was a sorted out bike. The moment I got in it, I felt at home, yes I intentionally wrote 'in' instead on 'on', we get a feeling that we are setting inside the bike rather than on top of it. It was just like sitting on my FZ. I could flat foot both my feet. The handle bar was also lower like the FZ. Add to this the new underbelly exhaust and low weight wheels, it felt like a 200cc bike. The engine is a lot more smoother and tractable. The power output was also impressive. I rode it in the Track mode and the bike got instantly familiar and easy to handle. There is also a pleasant whistling air intake sound.

I really wish to get this bike some day. But, it costs 4.06L on road here in Kerala, even if I sell my bike for 2L, I'll have to shell another 2L for it. And it doesn't feel worth doing all that. Plus, im not a fan of the new Duke's design as it feels 'overdesigned', more like how Mahindra designs their cars!

 

[sacbiker]

The TFT speedometer was given for fixing and while fixing it they broke the TFT glass. Right now, only half of the speedometer works.
KTM increased the price of the speedometer from 18000 to 30000. Due to this increase, third-party websites which were selling it for 5500 earlier like mysparemarket also increased their prices to 10000.
It felt like a d**k move from Bajaj/KTM. First of all, it's not even a well-engineered product; it's cheaply made by JNS India with third-quality components. Second, it's not at all repair-friendly, and they expect a part replacement when the display fades.
Then, the part is particular to the 2017 bike, as the ABS is connected to it, and the ABS will not work if the speedometer is not connected.
I am not going to pay 30K for a new crappy display anyhow, It makes more sense to prototype and design a speedometer!

 

[sacbiker]

Oil change disaster.
It's been 3600 km since the last oil change. Since I was free this weekend, I decided to change the oil. While putting the drain bolt back on after draining old oil, the drain bolt cracked in half. It's made using an aluminium alloy unlike the bottom drain bolt which feels like steel.
Thankfully, I was able to drive it loose by using a drift and hammer.
This part costs Rs. 60 and as far as I remember I have never replaced it. I suggest everyone to replace this if it looks bad. Had it not come out, it'd have been a task to get it off.

The condition of the drained oil was not so bad considering it ran 3600km. It was dark brown but it retained its viscosity.

Cracked like a biscuit.

New drain bolt from KTM Kollam. Such a high performance engine can do with a Rs. 48 drain bolt. The drain bolt and washer of a Tata Harrier costs Rs. 1000.

Oil level after riding 10km. Used 1.75L of new oil (Castrol Power 1 Ultimate 10W50 Sports Bike).
The old oil filter was amazingly still in good shape. It could easily last 4000km.

Total cost of service was about 1100.

I was recently talking with my friend about upgrading and prospective big bikes we could get. Nothing under 10L made any sense as an upgrade. If anything, the CBR 650 or a Z900 would be an 'upgrade'. The Z900 again is a naked which is a huge turn off. It's impossible to sit on a naked after 120kmph.
I am looking for used CBR650s if any for under 5L if it's outside KL reg, and under 6L if its KL reg.
TBH, the 390 doesn't feel low on power or anything, it provides more than enough power on twist of the throttle and I mostly ride it in its 50% potential. It's currently daily driven, 34 km a day. It returns about 26kmpl which is satisfactory. Consumable spare parts are cheap including tyres. Insurance is cheap as well.