Hi All
I got my 390 in Jan 2014 and as of now clocked about 4200kms.
So I thought it would be nice to keep posting about the experience and fellow users could update as well.
Long post, so might be pretty depressingly boring to some!
Running-in
I dont believe in babying the bike during running in and usually be somewhat gentle with stints of RPM bursts. So this is how I did it and on covering 320kms got the engine oil changed to Motul 15W50 7100 fully synthetic oil. The magnetic drain filter did have good amount of metal shavings.
The first free service was done at 1200kms and a change of engine oil, oil filter, cleaning up of the air filter and brake pads were done.
Engine
Initially, I felt that there is intolerable amount of heat with the short inter-city commute, especially with fender to fender traffic. But now, after 4k kms, I think the heat level has slightly gone down but sometimes still gives me of wearing a just ironed out trousers.
Adjusting to the gearing was another challenge I faced. Am not used to
the short gearing the KTM has since my RE allowed me liesurly shifts without the need for high rev shifts.
But after I got used to this, am actually enjoying the racy nature of the engine. However, puttering in 1st is a pain since there is not a great amount of torque available and the heat builds up pretty fast.
I usually shift into second on reaching 20kmph and 3rd at 30kmph.
Electricals
The LED brake and turn signal lamps are good - very bright and lower power consumption as well, add to it the long life of the bulbs hence avoiding the usual chore of replacing the incandescent bulbs often.
Headlamp - well this one is a bit of a disappointment to me. The 60/55W lamp doesnt inspire much confidence for speed runs in the night. I could only dare speeds of 110kmph without being scared of rear ending onto the vehicles ahead of me.
The digital console is pretty neat, wish they had a big analog tachometer though!
It does not have any faults unlike a few others who reported of wrong readings and the meter dying down while riding. However, since the past couple of weeks, I notice that if the gear shift is not precise, the indicator on the console assumes the vehicle is in neutral and hence speedometer displays 0, even when on the move.
The gear linkage needs adjustment, perhaps.
Brakes
ABS - good.
Am I happy after all these kilometers? NO.
Reason being the front brake(I rely mostly on the front) has lost most of the bite and I would have to pull in the lever so hard that the lever almost touches my gloved finger on the throttle.
Not good at all.
Rear brake is still going strong but am not really keen on using more of it.
So I am getting to think if I need to bleed the front brake and see if that improves. But again, I did hear this from a lot of 390 owners and frankly do not understand how the brakes would lose the bite so early.
Fuel efficiency
During the run out of the showroom, I read the FE to be 18kmpl.
Now, the city commute gets me about 24-27kmpl and the freeway runs yeild about 30-32kmpl.
I dint buy this bike for FE anyway!
Issues
The engine head gasket had to replaced at 3k kms since the stock one started weeping oil.
Now, yesterday, I see that the area around the spark plug cap on the engine head cover has oil smeared all over.
The mechanic says its nothing major - I am pissed off.
Oil filter cover usually starts a slight oil weep after running hard and long.
Chain slap - actually annoying. Even minor irregularities on the road cause the chain to hit against the swingarm and the chain is not really slack.
Modifications done
- Changed the horrible handlebar grips - got a set of Givi grips. Its so perfect and I never got an aching palm after this change.
- Fabricated a luggage rack that also seconds as a grab rail for me to move the bike around with the engine off.
- Installed adjustable levers but the service center folks told me to switch to stock levers or the clutch would go bust and the front disc master cylinders can get jammed on hard braking. Not sure what to make of these comments.
- Replaced the rear view mirrors from another bike since with the jacket on, the mirrors mostly served the purpose of letting me see my own arms
Mods planned
- Got a cigarette lighter socket and have to install this next to the speedo.
- Handle bar raise - absolutely not able to find any solutions for this.
- LED fog lamps
The maximum speed I have done until now is 163kmph(am slightly on the heavier side, 86kg).
On an overall note, the Katoom is so much fun and gets me thrilled whenever I step out for a ride.
Touring gets a new perspective with faster speeds and safer brakes. I am happy and sincerely pray the quality holds up in the long run.
Will post a few pics once I get back home
I got my 390 in Jan 2014 and as of now clocked about 4200kms.
So I thought it would be nice to keep posting about the experience and fellow users could update as well.
Long post, so might be pretty depressingly boring to some!
Running-in
I dont believe in babying the bike during running in and usually be somewhat gentle with stints of RPM bursts. So this is how I did it and on covering 320kms got the engine oil changed to Motul 15W50 7100 fully synthetic oil. The magnetic drain filter did have good amount of metal shavings.
The first free service was done at 1200kms and a change of engine oil, oil filter, cleaning up of the air filter and brake pads were done.
Engine
Initially, I felt that there is intolerable amount of heat with the short inter-city commute, especially with fender to fender traffic. But now, after 4k kms, I think the heat level has slightly gone down but sometimes still gives me of wearing a just ironed out trousers.
Adjusting to the gearing was another challenge I faced. Am not used to
the short gearing the KTM has since my RE allowed me liesurly shifts without the need for high rev shifts.
But after I got used to this, am actually enjoying the racy nature of the engine. However, puttering in 1st is a pain since there is not a great amount of torque available and the heat builds up pretty fast.
I usually shift into second on reaching 20kmph and 3rd at 30kmph.
Electricals
The LED brake and turn signal lamps are good - very bright and lower power consumption as well, add to it the long life of the bulbs hence avoiding the usual chore of replacing the incandescent bulbs often.
Headlamp - well this one is a bit of a disappointment to me. The 60/55W lamp doesnt inspire much confidence for speed runs in the night. I could only dare speeds of 110kmph without being scared of rear ending onto the vehicles ahead of me.
The digital console is pretty neat, wish they had a big analog tachometer though!
It does not have any faults unlike a few others who reported of wrong readings and the meter dying down while riding. However, since the past couple of weeks, I notice that if the gear shift is not precise, the indicator on the console assumes the vehicle is in neutral and hence speedometer displays 0, even when on the move.
The gear linkage needs adjustment, perhaps.
Brakes
ABS - good.
Am I happy after all these kilometers? NO.
Reason being the front brake(I rely mostly on the front) has lost most of the bite and I would have to pull in the lever so hard that the lever almost touches my gloved finger on the throttle.
Not good at all.
Rear brake is still going strong but am not really keen on using more of it.
So I am getting to think if I need to bleed the front brake and see if that improves. But again, I did hear this from a lot of 390 owners and frankly do not understand how the brakes would lose the bite so early.
Fuel efficiency
During the run out of the showroom, I read the FE to be 18kmpl.
Now, the city commute gets me about 24-27kmpl and the freeway runs yeild about 30-32kmpl.
I dint buy this bike for FE anyway!
Issues
The engine head gasket had to replaced at 3k kms since the stock one started weeping oil.
Now, yesterday, I see that the area around the spark plug cap on the engine head cover has oil smeared all over.
The mechanic says its nothing major - I am pissed off.
Oil filter cover usually starts a slight oil weep after running hard and long.
Chain slap - actually annoying. Even minor irregularities on the road cause the chain to hit against the swingarm and the chain is not really slack.
Modifications done
- Changed the horrible handlebar grips - got a set of Givi grips. Its so perfect and I never got an aching palm after this change.
- Fabricated a luggage rack that also seconds as a grab rail for me to move the bike around with the engine off.
- Installed adjustable levers but the service center folks told me to switch to stock levers or the clutch would go bust and the front disc master cylinders can get jammed on hard braking. Not sure what to make of these comments.
- Replaced the rear view mirrors from another bike since with the jacket on, the mirrors mostly served the purpose of letting me see my own arms
Mods planned
- Got a cigarette lighter socket and have to install this next to the speedo.
- Handle bar raise - absolutely not able to find any solutions for this.
- LED fog lamps
The maximum speed I have done until now is 163kmph(am slightly on the heavier side, 86kg).
On an overall note, the Katoom is so much fun and gets me thrilled whenever I step out for a ride.
Touring gets a new perspective with faster speeds and safer brakes. I am happy and sincerely pray the quality holds up in the long run.
Will post a few pics once I get back home