KTM Duke/RC 390 - will I regret it?

slowside · Nova Slayer Joined: 23 Apr 2019 Karma :

Both these bikes really appeal to me as fairly affordable fun bikes to use as my commuter and weekend fun. 100 miles per week commuting and prob the same again at the weekend.

However, I know there have been issues with these and I’d rather not be on first name terms with my local KTM dealer as a result.

Have they improved at all in recent years or I’m a still setting myself up for a world of broken bikes?

struan80 · World Chat Champion Joined: 04 Nov 2014 Karma :

The way I look at it is that you may as well follow your heart as you'll be dead soon enough, hopefully not from a motorbike accident. The RC is nice, considered one myself.

Will it break down? I don't know sorry, but I personally would take the risk cos bike.

Easy-X · Super Spammer Joined: 08 Mar 2019 Karma :

Get AA/RAC cover... fuck it! I'm riding off into the sunset, bebe!
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temeluchus · World Chat Champion Joined: 01 Oct 2008 Karma :

Dottyduck here on the forum had to return hers because of an apparently common electrical issue where the ECU loses power ( i think a bad earth or similar) and it will stall and refuse to restart for 20-60 seconds randomly at standstill or when coming down the box.

The usual suspect is the sidestand switch, but you shouldnt have to invalidate your warranty to make the thing work.
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stevo as b4 · World Chat Champion Joined: 17 Jul 2003 Karma :

Couldn't a simple wiring mod or better quality earth strap lead sort this out without rejection of a bike though?

I personally think that the road going KTM's look of a better quality and finish than the MX and enduro models, that have a fast and light but short lived reputation.

G · The Voice of Reason Joined: 02 Feb 2002 Karma :

redeem ouzzer · World Chat Champion Joined: 06 Oct 2015 Karma :

Can’t find any definitive UK based whinging about the 390, most of it seems to be from the Indian market so not to be trusted as their standards aren’t particularly high and any mode of transport that doesn’t require milking is automatically awesome.
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G · The Voice of Reason Joined: 02 Feb 2002 Karma :

The only experience I've had of one (RC390) was a brand new one which would randomly cut out and not restart.
KTM fiddled with a few times, but it was eventually "rejected" and went back for a full refund.
It seems there were others with similar sorts of issues - but I don't know how representative this was of the model.

ocatoro · World Chat Champion Joined: 06 Sep 2012 Karma :

P. · Red Rocket Joined: 14 Feb 2008 Karma :

slowside · Nova Slayer Joined: 23 Apr 2019 Karma :

Hmm... bit of a mixed bag then. Sensible head says I should probably steer clear, but then sensible head says motorcycles are impractical and dangerous so what does he know.

G · The Voice of Reason Joined: 02 Feb 2002 Karma :

grr666 · Super Spammer Joined: 16 Jun 2014 Karma :

I thought the 690 was a bit pants tbh, so the 390 must be a lot pants.
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stevo as b4 · World Chat Champion Joined: 17 Jul 2003 Karma :

I'm not against the competition KTM's at all, but though I can't prove it my mind says making something very fast but also as light as possible is going to at the expense of durability and longevity for the trade off of race wins?

In the same way as that the championship winning top fuel drag cars are unlikely to be the heaviest and most overbuilt with bullet proof heavy components.