This Problem Across All Years
At approximately 14,700 Miles, the motor on the bike shut off abruptly while riding at 60 mph down the road while negotiating a blind curve. The vehicle was catastrophically disabled with no warning sounds, lights, or codes and left me stranded in an area with limited cell reception and in a blind spot for approaching vehicles with no shoulder to safely park on. The bike had not yet seen its first scheduled maintenance interval (manufacturer recommends 18,000 miles) and had received multiple oil changes well before scheduled intervals. No aftermarket modifications were done to the engine, air, fuel or other pertinent systems. Upon disassembling the motor for inspection, there was substantial catastrophic damage to the cam shafts and cam followers. It was concluded by a BMW certified master mechanic that the failure was due to premature wear of the cam followers and cam lobes. The cam follower broke in the motor causing a jump in timing and ejection of valve shims. The force of the malfunction was severe enough to spin a cam lobe 90 degrees out of position on the shaft, bend valves, and other damage. Upon inspecting the air box and oil jets, these components appear in good form and do not appear to have contributed to this malfunction. Upon contacting KTM, I was denied any assistance and have had to facilitate these repairs on my own out of pocket expense (approximately 2500 dollars so far). KTM also denies accountability for what appears to be a design or parts flaw that has been happening to other motorcycles manufactured between 2020 and 2023.
At approximately 14,700 Miles, the motor on the bike shut off abruptly while riding at 60 mph down the road while negotiating a blind curve. The vehicle was catastrophically disabled with no warning sounds, lights, or codes and left me stranded in an area with limited cell reception and in a blind spot for approaching vehicles with no shoulder to safely park on. The bike had not yet seen its first scheduled maintenance interval (manufacturer recommends 18,000 miles) and had received multiple oil changes well before scheduled intervals. No aftermarket modifications were done to the engine, air, fuel or other pertinent systems. Upon disassembling the motor for inspection, there was substantial catastrophic damage to the cam shafts and cam followers. It was concluded by a BMW certified master mechanic that the failure was due to premature wear of the cam followers and cam lobes. The cam follower broke in the motor causing a jump in timing and ejection of valve shims. The force of the malfunction was severe enough to spin a cam lobe 90 degrees out of position on the shaft, bend valves, and other damage. Upon inspecting the air box and oil jets, these components appear in good form and do not appear to have contributed to this malfunction. Upon contacting KTM, I was denied any assistance and have had to facilitate these repairs on my own out of pocket expense (approximately 2500 dollars so far). KTM also denies accountability for what appears to be a design or parts flaw that has been happening to other motorcycles manufactured between 2020 and 2023.
Engine requires multiple tries to start when cold due to inadequate fuel supply from fuel sensors or fuel injectors. A recurring issue, this happens upon starting every time the engine is cold. This is a known issue by KTM. When the bike was returned to dealer, they reset the sensors and the bike operated normally for a short time and then returned to faulty starting procedure. The starting issue places an inordinate drain on the battery putting the rider at risk of being stranded.
Engine requires multiple tries to start when cold due to inadequate fuel supply from fuel sensors or fuel injectors. A recurring issue, this happens upon starting every time the engine is cold. This is a known issue by KTM. When the bike was returned to dealer, they reset the sensors and the bike operated normally for a short time and then returned to faulty starting procedure. The starting issue places an inordinate drain on the battery putting the rider at risk of being stranded.
The engine’s intake crank lobe (left side) and it’s follower wore unexpectedly to a point that the engine is unusable without inspection and replacement of internal parts. All manufacturer’s service instructions were strictly adhered to and the motorcycle (and original engine) has little more than 10,500 miles on it. Engine can break down completely if operated in its current state and leave the vehicle’s operator in a position of potential harm, especially during off-highway use, which this vehicle is designed for. Vehicle is available for inspection upon request. (Pictures of internal engine damage are attached.) Dealer currently has vehicle; states they will not be able to independently inspect it until 27 September 2022 at the earliest. Problem had thus not been independently reproduced by the dealer, but the attached pictures clearly show the engine damage. Problem first noticed by the owner/operator through unusual engine noise on 8/14/2022. Other than unusual noise, no vehicle-produced information (lights or messages etc.) informed the operator of potential issues. Operator did not know of the engine damage until he inspected the engine — by removing the valve cover — on 8/27/2022 and notified a local dealer on the same day.
The engine’s intake crank lobe (left side) and it’s follower wore unexpectedly to a point that the engine is unusable without inspection and replacement of internal parts. All manufacturer’s service instructions were strictly adhered to and the motorcycle (and original engine) has little more than 10,500 miles on it. Engine can break down completely if operated in its current state and leave the vehicle’s operator in a position of potential harm, especially during off-highway use, which this vehicle is designed for. Vehicle is available for inspection upon request. (Pictures of internal engine damage are attached.) Dealer currently has vehicle; states they will not be able to independently inspect it until 27 September 2022 at the earliest. Problem had thus not been independently reproduced by the dealer, but the attached pictures clearly show the engine damage. Problem first noticed by the owner/operator through unusual engine noise on 8/14/2022. Other than unusual noise, no vehicle-produced information (lights or messages etc.) informed the operator of potential issues. Operator did not know of the engine damage until he inspected the engine — by removing the valve cover — on 8/27/2022 and notified a local dealer on the same day.
* Severe camshaft lobe and follower wear at 17,500 miles with very loud valve knock. I have photos of the wear, and the motorcycle is currently at the dealer for work. And yes, it is available for inspection. *Valve clearance check is due @ 18,600 miles. I checked my valves at 17,500 due to a long upcoming trip. Since the valve follower on the intake of cylinder #1 inboard was worn down severely, this could've caused catastrophic engine failure while on the road and possibly caused a sever accident. *The dealer has witnessed the problem and have serviced other similar model KTM bikes for the same issue. *The bad components have been inspected by the KTM authorized dealer. *The only warning was a clicking sound coming from the engine, but one had to carefully listen for it.
* Severe camshaft lobe and follower wear at 17,500 miles with very loud valve knock. I have photos of the wear, and the motorcycle is currently at the dealer for work. And yes, it is available for inspection. *Valve clearance check is due @ 18,600 miles. I checked my valves at 17,500 due to a long upcoming trip. Since the valve follower on the intake of cylinder #1 inboard was worn down severely, this could've caused catastrophic engine failure while on the road and possibly caused a sever accident. *The dealer has witnessed the problem and have serviced other similar model KTM bikes for the same issue. *The bad components have been inspected by the KTM authorized dealer. *The only warning was a clicking sound coming from the engine, but one had to carefully listen for it.
Motorcycle takes multiple attempts to start and run - minimum 3 at this point.
Motorcycle takes multiple attempts to start and run - minimum 3 at this point.
The vehicle can take 4-6 attempts to start when cold. Following the exact procedures in the Owner's Manual, or attempting other things like putting a hand over the exhaust to increase back pressure or slightly adding throttle during start makes no difference. This has the potential to be a serious issue as these vehicles are often taken far into the backcountry where there are no services. Should the vehicle not start after multiple attempts the owner will be stranded. Owners have been led to believe this issue is the result of KTM trying to meet emission standards, though no other models (other than 790/890 vehicles) exhibit this fault.
Engine starts then stalls multiple time when cold starting. Problem has existed since the first service at the dealer at 1000 kms at which time the break-in period ended and the computer was updated at the dealer. Bike was returned to said dealer to report this problem and no solution was found. Currently have 13000 kms on the bike with no resolution or improvement to this problem.
The vehicle can take 4-6 attempts to start when cold. Following the exact procedures in the Owner's Manual, or attempting other things like putting a hand over the exhaust to increase back pressure or slightly adding throttle during start makes no difference. This has the potential to be a serious issue as these vehicles are often taken far into the backcountry where there are no services. Should the vehicle not start after multiple attempts the owner will be stranded. Owners have been led to believe this issue is the result of KTM trying to meet emission standards, though no other models (other than 790/890 vehicles) exhibit this fault.
Engine starts then stalls multiple time when cold starting. Problem has existed since the first service at the dealer at 1000 kms at which time the break-in period ended and the computer was updated at the dealer. Bike was returned to said dealer to report this problem and no solution was found. Currently have 13000 kms on the bike with no resolution or improvement to this problem.