TVann
Member
I really wanted to like the RC390. I've always been a fan of thumpers and lightweight small displacement race oriented sport bikes.
Bought a used 2017 RC390 with 5k miles and good service history. Rode it about 1000 miles when it overheated and blew the head gasket. Spent $3500 having the head milled, new KTM hi-comp head gasket installed, plus a larger radiator fan, radiator shield, silicone hoses etc to lower the engine temp.
Took it out for my first ride after having been rebuilt - blew head gasket in 50 miles. Guy who rebuilt engine is some old guy who used to build engines for Gary Nixon (google for specifics) and knows more about doing so than everyone on this forum combined. He's rebuilding it again, at his expense, but says he can't warrant it further and frankly, based on what he's researched about the engine, suggests I stay as far away from KTM's Indian built 387cc engine as I can.
Meanwhile, my little ninja 250, built to the hilt and thrashed past redline to 14k rpm for 11k miles, runs like a champ; never a problem.
Live and learn.
Bought a used 2017 RC390 with 5k miles and good service history. Rode it about 1000 miles when it overheated and blew the head gasket. Spent $3500 having the head milled, new KTM hi-comp head gasket installed, plus a larger radiator fan, radiator shield, silicone hoses etc to lower the engine temp.
Took it out for my first ride after having been rebuilt - blew head gasket in 50 miles. Guy who rebuilt engine is some old guy who used to build engines for Gary Nixon (google for specifics) and knows more about doing so than everyone on this forum combined. He's rebuilding it again, at his expense, but says he can't warrant it further and frankly, based on what he's researched about the engine, suggests I stay as far away from KTM's Indian built 387cc engine as I can.
Meanwhile, my little ninja 250, built to the hilt and thrashed past redline to 14k rpm for 11k miles, runs like a champ; never a problem.
Live and learn.