KTM Duke 390 Engine Case Breaks Open Completely While Riding: Watch Video Here!

A video has been doing the rounds on social media, showcasing the engine case of a KTM Duke 390 completely broken apart. The motorcycle can be seen parked on the side, with its crankshaft counter balancer hanging out of its engine case and coolant leaking all around it.

The video of the motorcycle doesn't show any obvious external factors which could have caused the bike to suffer such major damage. Sources say that the engine case broke while riding, however, the exact how and why of it is yet to be determined.

KTM Duke 390 Engine Case Breaks Open While Riding For No Apparent Reason: Here’s The Video Of Bike Spilling Coolant

The new KTM Duke 390 was launched in India in 2017, just months after its global debut at EICMA 2016. The motorcycle for the Indian market is manufactured at the company's facility in Chakan, Pune.

Engine cases are made out of cast aluminium alloy, which is generally strong and not that easy to break. KTM even claims that they use the best of materials in the manufacturing process of their motorcycles.

While the exact reason for the engine case of the Duke 390 to crack open is yet to be determined. There are a few possible technical reasons to explain what exactly could have happened, though these are just probable assumptions at this point.

KTM Duke 390 Engine Case Breaks Open While Riding For No Apparent Reason: Here’s The Video Of Bike Spilling Coolant

One of the possible reasons could be excessive heat, which could have caused the engine case to expand, creating minute fissures. These fissures eventually increase over time, leading the engine case to eventually crack.

To avoid this, antifreeze is passed through the block, allowing the engine to remain in a safe temperature range. The leakage of antifreeze can lead to overheating of the engine as well.

KTM Duke 390 Engine Case Breaks Open While Riding For No Apparent Reason: Here’s The Video Of Bike Spilling Coolant

Another possible reason could be a manufacturing defect of the engine cases. Improper moulding process could lead to thinning of certain areas, which result in having a higher risk of developing cracks or not being able to handle required pressure. If this is the case, then we can expect KTM owners to get a possible recall alert anytime soon.

KTM Duke 390 Engine Case Breaks Open While Riding For No Apparent Reason: Here’s The Video Of Bike Spilling Coolant

Coming back to the incident itself, it seems to have taken place somewhere in Pondicherry, as per the ‘PY' on the motorcycle's registration plate. There is no immediate solution for this as even re-welding does not seem to be an option. The owner of the KTM Duke 390 seems to have gotten himself into an expensive affair!

KTM Duke 390 Engine Case Breaks Open While Riding For No Apparent Reason: Here’s The Video Of Bike Spilling Coolant

This isn't, however, the first time owners of the new KTM Duke 390 have reported problems with the motorcycle. Another customer of the Duke 390 in Bangalore had reported few issues with the TFT display, fuel leakages, headlamps remaining switched on as well — here are the exact details.

KTM Duke 390 Engine Case Breaks Open While Riding For No Apparent Reason: Here’s The Video Of Bike Spilling Coolant

Thoughts About The KTM Duke 390 Engine Case Cracking Open

All we know at the moment is that the engine case of the KTM Duke 390 cracked open, popping out the crankshaft counter balancer. We will have to wait a while to get a clearer picture of what exactly happened, until then - the blame-game begins!

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Article Published On: Thursday, August 6, 2020, 22:09 [IST]
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