I'm a new rider and the 390 Duke is my first bike. I'd like it to be my only bike for a while. So although I have no intentions of incidents or laying it down it does seem prudent to protect the bike. Pretty small investment to make right?

Question is do I need protection all around? Crash bars, front fork, swing arm... I suppose levers and engine cover are also options.

I don't want all this and would prefer only what's largely necessary- eg the most statistically likely stuff.

Thoughts?

No you don't need all round protection, just a basic crash bar around the engine compartment would be enough. Although, I'm pretty sure there are bigger crash bars, you just need to look for them.

My question is if there is any difference between 2015 vs 2017 crash bar mounting points? I bought a 2015 one without properly reading the title for my 2017 Duke 390, I'm waiting for the delivery to arrive and I'm actually really worried...

 

Sadly, from what I heard from my dealer during a insurance claim, KTM doesn't release color codes - intentionally, because they want parts like the frame to be replaced rather than fixed and painted.

 

I’ve used mine and I expect to do so again. But I went for orange knowing it was going to happen which is why I could do with the colour code [emoji23]

 

Those look pretty much the same as OEM bars, maybe minus the color. Not bad.

Personally, I went with black crash bars because it's easy to touch up after a slide. And painting after a crash is not just for looks but to avoid rust. I guess it depends on whether you plan on "using" them or just a precaution/insurance. Mine will definitely see the pavement, so I traded looks for practicality.

 

This is one reason people pay a bit more for the OEM ones. Getting the colour right appears to harder than you might expect and there are many threads if you Google on exactly what the correct colour code for KTMs orange but I’ve yet to see a definitive answer with pictures.

 

Agree. I am looking around online trying to find the best match paint I can so I can take them off and paint them to be as close of a match as possible.

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I just bought and installed these "Copart" branded ones from ebay/Amazon for around $110. They came fast and packed very well. No instructions.

I like them overall but it kind of bugs me that the color isn't an exact match. Is it really that hard to manufacture and paint them to match? I think overall it wont be that noticeable but for some of us it is just an OCD thing.

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I've ended up with KTM engine sliders and SW-Motech crash bars. Hadn't had the chance to crash-test them yet, but I did manage to verify they don't limit the lean angle. The stock rearsets will drag much earlier than either of them.

 

I have the Motech bars, very sturdy construction but tend to protect the rad only in my opinion. I'm looking at the lower bars or making my own to offer true lay down protection.

 

Thanks for the input, I think I'll get KTM engine sliders though since R&G doesn't make the Racing variant for 2017+, only the standard one with no replaceable pucks (I asked). That and SW Motech crash bars.

Are other parts still vulnerable? Rearsets, exhaust?

 

The engine case is still vulnerable. For your purposes, I would suggest looking for something like the R&G Racing case covers with replaceable pucks.

https://www.rg-racing.com/browsebike/KTM/RC_390/2016/ECC0164R/#

 

Ok, cool, if I can figure out if this will fit on a '17 I'll hit you up!

 

KTM have a new part number for the 2017 Duke (90212968144EB) but I have seen listings of old style that include 2017 fitment on eBay, but probably prudent to wait for proper confirmation.

 

C$150

KTM Duke 390 crash bars, not OEM | motorcycle parts, accessories | Ottawa | Kijiji

 

I'll also start researching case protection, probably R&G race series with replaceable pucks.

 

I'll be selling my Chinese crash bars. With the bike lowered, I ended up touching one down yesterday at the track so will be looking to get higher mounted protection, probably the Motech bars.

This would not occur with regular suspension but our bike is lowered 45mm F&R.

 

I'll be selling my Chinese crash bars. With the bike lowered, I ended up touching one down yesterday at the track so will be looking to get higher mounted protection, probably the Motech bars.

@CDN Duke, how much are you looking to sell them for ?

 

The KTM "aluminum sliders" belong to the category of protective devices known as "engine case covers". Most are made of made of very tough plastic (R&G) or carbon fiber-Kevlar (Tyga) and actually cover the engine's crash-vulnerable areas: stator and clutch covers.

KTM made an unannounced modification to the 390 stator cover for the 2016 model year. This means that stator case covers made to fit the 2013-15 390's will not fit the 2016> models. This limitation includes the KTM aluminum sliders. As far as I know R&G is the only vendor currently selling stator covers to fit all 390 models - they offer different, bespoke stator covers for the 2015 and 2016 models. R&G's Racing Series of engine covers have another useful feature - replaceable "pucks" at the points of greatest wear during a crash. Additionally, they are considerably less expensive than KTM's aluminum sliders.

Engine case covers offer very useful protection to vulnerable areas of the 390 engine in the event of a mishap.

 

Hello!

Thank you for your comments/opinions.

There are two main aspects that lead me to not consider this Motech bars as first choice. First is the aesthetic of the thing (quite arguable though). Second the robustness. As mentioned, they are built like a tank, thus, as they are so stiff, in case of crash, all (not all, but the most) the energy will transmitted to the connection points.

As far as I can guess, the powerpart model (the tubular) will be quite more flexible will provide a kind of pillow effect, spreading energy more evenly. On the other hand, the level of general protection will be lower if we consider fuel tank fairings, radiator, etc.

About the aluminium sliders, well they are aesthetically more appealing (arguable again) but they will only protect engine cases, which was the reason I started looking into this protection items...

After this, I accept you might suggest a kind of invisible protection shield (star wars like) [emoji55]

RM

 

Hello, reviving an old thread since I'm looking into armoring my new 2019 390

There are two main aspects that lead me to not consider this Motech bars as first choice.(...) they are built like a tank, thus, as they are so stiff, in case of crash, all (not all, but the most) the energy will transmitted to the connection points.

Seems to me, when looking at the design, that the crash bars' mounting points are not directly over the bolts (which are connection points to the frame/engine), but rather on an extended plate. In an event of a strong crash, it's likely that the plate will bend or even break before transmitting too much force to the frame bolts.

Granted, a more flexible bar would absorb even more energy, but you'll never know whether you'll benefit more from a sturdy of bendy bar in your next crash

I plan on falling often but at low speeds/energies during gymkhana practices, so I'm thinking of SW Motech for durability. Any newer opinions, especially for 2017+ models? Are engine cases protected as well as the radiator and tank?

 

I second Haiqel's recommendation, absolutely. The SW Motech bars are, IMO, the strongest and most protective on the market. Built like a tank. Fit perfectly, with high-quality hardware/fasteners. These are the bars most likely to keep your radiator, fuel tank and control levers out of harm's way. Also they cannot trap your foot underneath. They make an excellent mounting place for accessories such as lights or horns. A bit pricey, but German quality and worth it. You can't go wrong with these.

 

SW-Motech Crashbars, Tried & Tested.

You can also get these SW-Motech crash bars. Looks better finished in my opinion although they do not sell in Orange.

Mine has certainly been tested after a crash as attached.

 

Hello!

As my doubt/question is the same as in the title of this thread, I guess I'll use it to try to get your opinions.

I'm kind of in between of these two options:

1) tubular crash bars - powerparts #9021296803304 - aprox 135? for the set

2) aluminium slider - powerparts #90812967144 plus its sister - aprox 220? for the set

There are other options, like R&G, Tyga, and probably others.

After some search and reading I'm quite in the middle of the listed two options.

I'd like to hear from you...

Thank you,

RM

 

Just got all the bits, so thanks for the advice. I'll be hitting it hopefully tonight or tomorrow.

I gotta say, even though I only paid ~$10USD more the Powerparts crashbar, I cannot imagine it's any better quality in any way than the non-OEM. Particularly if you're right about poor threads.

 

Thanks everyone for the advice. Went ahead and got crash bars and rear and front sliders.

I think Spal fan and ECU map will happen when I get to the first service and plan on brake pads and levers as a nice present for next year's riding season. Assuming I keep racking up the miles.

(And yes zippy I already got the full set of gear head to toe. And Proficient Motorcycling).

 

I hope you have an easier time installing the KTM crash bars than I did. My advice is to pre-fit the front mounting bolt into the right side crash bar before trying to fit it onto the bike. I had to chase those ill-fitting threads a few times before getting the bolt to start into them. A longer bolt with a nut on the end would be a better way to fit those things. Oh, well.....

 

pic:

 

Yes, yours look excellent in that color - if mine didn't match as well as they did, I would have gone a similar route.

 

There are some subtle differences - the tab structure at rearmost mounting point is not as clean as I've seen on the KTM piece photos... but these were also half price. I sort of doubt they are stainless per description, but again, not critical IMO. Paint/powdercoat looks decent and color is pretty close. I'll post pics of my bike Sunday night after I get the T-Rex lowering kit installed (arrived this afternoon).

 

There are some subtle differences - the tab structure at rearmost mounting point is not as clean as I've seen on the KTM piece photos... but these were also half price. I sort of doubt they are stainless per description, but again, not critical IMO. Paint/powdercoat looks decent and color is pretty close. I'll post pics of my bike Sunday night after I get the T-Rex lowering kit installed (arrived this afternoon).

my pal bought his Duke a couple of months before me and went for the OEM crashbars - looked good and paint match was ok, albeit expensive i thought for a few bits of tube steel...

when i got mine, i bought copy bars mail order for half the OEM price....

After fitting, you could see the colour match with the frame wasn't brilliant - every time i looked at the bike a was drawn to the bars and the colour match...

in the end, it wound me up so much - i had them painted gun metal to match the rear swinging arm....

Pleased with the results...

 

They may well BE the OE parts. I would be very surprised if KTM Power Parts does not source many of its OE parts from China or another developing-world supplier.

 

I bought these exact crash bars plus front and rear sliders and rear spools.

Orange Crash Protection Bars Frame Engine Guards for KTM DUKE 390 2013-2015 2016

I would suggest front sliders, rear spools and crash bars, whether you go OE or eBay special is up to you. The crash bars protect the most, including engine, but they're definitely bigger on the bike and more noticeable. I think they're worth it.

If you have rear spools, the rear sliders are somewhat redundant. I didn't know that before purchasing.

 

Wow, an exact rip-off of the OE items!