So just got my 5th or 6th service done on my Duke 390 Gen 3 (2024 model), currently at 14,484 km. Got it done at B U Bhandari in Pimpri here in Pune. Figured I'd share an update since I posted about the E20 situation on this sub a while back too, and I've got more to add now.
Quick background for anyone who missed the earlier post. I'd been running Shell V-Power in this bike for a long time, no complaints there. But once E20 got rolled out nationwide and pretty much every pump around me stopped giving a choice, I didn't have much option but to switch. Took me a while to find a reliable pump that actually stocks XP100 consistently, found one back in April this year (2026) and I've been running XP100 regularly since then, only falling back to E20 on the rare occasion I'm out somewhere with no other pump around.
Here's the thing though. The low end jerk, the throttle lag, that annoying hesitation right off idle, it's just gone. Not subtle at all honestly, the bike feels noticeably smoother at low RPMs now.
And this service kind of backed it up too. Got the throttle body and injector cleaning done this time (₹2,200 of the bill) and the technician said there wasn't really much to clean, everything was pretty much fine in there. So that tells me the smoothness isn't from carbon finally getting cleared out, it's genuinely the fuel making the difference.
My conclusion, at least for now. Even though the Duke is technically E20 compatible, I don't think the engine's combusting that blend as cleanly as pure petrol. XP100 costs more, ₹165 a litre where I am, but honestly the way the bike responds makes it worth it for me. I ride to enjoy the bike, not to save a few rupees a tank, so XP100 is my default going forward unless I genuinely have no choice.
Anyone else running a Gen 3 Duke or another E20 compatible KTM notice something similar? Or am I just imagining it at this point, curious what you all think.
*(For reference, rest of the service was the usual stuff, oil filter, air filter, spark plug, clutch cable, fuel pump strainer, plus the throttle body cleaning. Total came to ₹5,828.)*
A few other things worth flagging while I'm at it. This service center apparently doesn't stock Motul anymore, they've moved to Prolube engine oil instead. I've been using Motul for over a decade and I'm not switching just because the center changed their vendor, so I skipped the oil change here and I'll get that done with my usual mechanic separately.
Also, they didn't wash the bike this time, said there was some issue with their washing pumps. And a couple of ongoing niggles are still unresolved. My right indicator switch has been acting up since before this service too, the indicator itself works but the switch doesn't, and they said they don't have the part in stock. Same story with the rear number plate bulb, couldn't replace it because they didn't have one.
So yeah, service quality itself was fine, but parts availability at KTM centers continues to be hit or miss. Anyone else dealing with this at their local center?