KTM Bust

[Mike123]

I too would like to know which KTM models have had cambelt issues for reference, if anyone can share please.

I was interested in a 2025 390 Adventure R, but wouldn’t touch one now unless there’s a substantial (and credible) rescue package. Which engines outside the 790/890 parallel twin would you say are chocolate? I’ve had several LC8 v-twin KTM bikes (used daily for commuting), none of those had the consistency of a cacao based confectionery item.

 

[Richard n Ann]

I was interested in a 2025 390 Adventure R, but wouldn’t touch one now unless there’s a substantial (and credible) rescue package. Which engines outside the 790/890 parallel twin would you say are chocolate? I’ve had several LC8 v-twin KTM bikes (used daily for commuting), none of those had the consistency of a cacao based confectionery item.

Just the 790 & 890. They are the ones I'd be interested in. I think the single cylinder engines are fine, mines been perfect just the odd unexplainable engine warning light that goes off after a while anyway, probably due to the rapid bike easy I fitted.

 

[Silver-Fox]

I’d buy a 250 two stroke if it was the right price, not just vat off.

Will be interesting to see what happens.

When Buell went belly up it used the H D engine so spares etc not a problem.

Different story with KTM.

 

[Tigertom]

Never wanted one before now, certainly don't want now.

Haha, this is from someone who owned a very expensive goldwing that spent more time broken than being ridden

 

[bobnick]

Haha, this is from someone who owned a very expensive goldwing that spent more time broken than being ridden

And i would buy another Wing, but still wouldn't buy a KTM

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[Silver-Fox]

And i would buy another Wing, but still wouldn't buy a KTM

You’re obviously a mature, mentally, rider.
I like the frantic approach of the KTM, especially super moto

 

[bobnick]

You’re obviously a mature, mentally, rider.
I like the frantic approach of the KTM, especially super moto

Too frantic for me.
This was a bit frantic but great fun. Had the top box done to match the tank.

 

[Jofang]

Haha, this is from someone who owned a very expensive goldwing that spent more time broken than being ridden

Sorry to hear you had troubles with your Wing. I had 2, a 1500 and after that an 1800 & did all the servicing myself. Other than a recall on the 1800 rear brake hydraulic cylinder neither ever gave a problem. Toured Europe on several occasions.

 

[bobnick]

Sorry to hear you had troubles with your Wing. I had 2, a 1500 and after that an 1800 & did all the servicing myself. Other than a recall on the 1800 rear brake hydraulic cylinder neither ever gave a problem. Toured Europe on several occasions.

Minor thing that took an age to find.
No way could i service a bike.

 

[Tigertom]

KTM are in financial trouble but it’s due to poor management and not down to some potentially bad cams in one engine model.
Every large motor bike manufacturer I can think of has had issues at some point in their history…….
I remember Honda having chocolate cams and chain tensioners on their v4’ s, they were slow responding to customers woes whilst denying the problem !

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[jerryz]

390 KTM is hit and miss , its made by Bajaj i know lots of owners some have had zero issues apart from poor finish but other have had real problems with poor manufacturing problems ,crap components but they are fun when they run nice..

The Cam problem is now so huge that its totally screwed any recovery , if they were Honda like with the VFR they would have owned up quicker and manufactured a proper solution not lied and tried to hide the truth ... 2.8bn euro losses for whole Pierer group of which KTM is 738m Euro so the whole group is teetering on the abyss ,, with more bad news to come over the 90 days administration .Some German financial papers are saying that the debts are likely actually over 4bn euros ,,,,, Bajaj also offered to buy KTM out but were refused and now have withdrawn their offer. CF moto are not interested either ...

 

[Richard n Ann]

Bajaj also offered to buy KTM out but were refused and now have withdrawn their offer. CF moto are not interested either

Maybe they'll buy the name when they go bust and in future KTM will be rebadged Chinese models like MG cars

 

[Tigertom]

390 KTM is hit and miss , its made by Bajaj i know lots of owners some have had zero issues apart from poor finish but other have had real problems with poor manufacturing problems ,crap components but they are fun when they run nice..

The Cam problem is now so huge that its totally screwed any recovery , if they were Honda like with the VFR they would have owned up quicker and manufactured a proper solution not lied and tried to hide the truth ... 2.8bn euro losses for whole Pierer group of which KTM is 738m Euro so the whole group is teetering on the abyss ,, with more bad news to come over the 90 days administration .Some German financial papers are saying that the debts are likely actually over 4bn euros ,,,,, Bajaj also offered to buy KTM out but were refused and now have withdrawn their offer. CF moto are not interested either ...

The cam issue is minor and has not ‘screwed any recovery’…….and in the case of Honda they did not own up quickly, they denied everything and still do (it’s the Honda way) they abandoned the bike and came out with the superb VFR.
FYI it was the VF and not the VFR that had issues.
I know as I owned the bike !

 

[Silver-Fox]

Too frantic for me.
This was a bit frantic but great fun. Had the top box done to match the tank.
View attachment 984946View attachment 984947View attachment 984948

I’m just a hooligan at heart

 

[DandJ]

The cam issue is minor and has not ‘screwed any recovery’…….and in the case of Honda they did not own up quickly, they denied everything and still do (it’s the Honda way) they abandoned the bike and came out with the superb VFR.
FYI it was the VF and not the VFR that had issues.
I know as I owned the bike !

The big difference between the two situations is the internet/social media.

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[Vansflyer]

The cam issue is minor and has not ‘screwed any recovery’…….and in the case of Honda they did not own up quickly, they denied everything and still do (it’s the Honda way) they abandoned the bike and came out with the superb VFR.
FYI it was the VF and not the VFR that had issues.
I know as I owned the bike !

Sorry but I strongly disagree that the cam issue is minor. The residual value of 790 & 890 powered bikes are falling through the floor and I am relieved I got rid of mine just before they bricked! You can now buy a new 790 Duke for £6499 and they still can't give them away due to the cam issues. KTM treated me like dirt when I had warranty issues with my 1290SAS and told me I didn't know how to wash a bike and it corroded as I used it in winter and the UK being an island nation gets more salt or words to that affect. Weird that I wasn't even in the country for most of the previous Winter and I never used it between November and March. Their arrogance was unreal... I vote with my wallet now so off the bike went despite loving it. Look at this FB group for failed KTM camshafts, over 11K members worldwide and for months KTM treated all the cases with utter contempt. https://www.facebook.com/groups/1499093983993632

 

[Tigertom]

Sorry but I strongly disagree that the cam issue is minor. The residual value of 790 & 890 powered bikes are falling through the floor and I am relieved I got rid of mine just before they bricked! You can now buy a new 790 Duke for £6499 and they still can't give them away due to the cam issues. KTM treated me like dirt when I had warranty issues with my 1290SAS and told me I didn't know how to wash a bike and it corroded as I used it in winter and the UK being an island nation gets more salt or words to that affect. Weird that I wasn't even in the country for most of the previous Winter and I never used it between November and March. Their arrogance was unreal... I vote with my wallet now so off the bike went despite loving it. Look at this FB group for failed KTM camshafts, over 11K members worldwide and for months KTM treated all the cases with utter contempt. https://www.facebook.com/groups/1499093983993632

On a personal level the cam issue is important , as to it impacting on the financial instability of KTM it is not significant.
And yes I’ve owned several KTMs the last being a 750 adv for three years……no issues.

 

[Tigertom]

Oh, the 11000 face book group members might reflect how many bikes were affected……but it might not.
I was a member just to keep abreast of the situation.

 

[LesW]

KTM treated me like dirt when I had warranty issues with my 1290SAS and told me I didn't know how to wash a bike and it corroded as I used it in winter and the UK being an island nation gets more salt or words to that affect.

This has echos of the bloke from KTM assuring Ewan & Charlie (Long Way Round) that the journey that had planned couldn't be done..

 

[bobnick]

I’m just a hooligan at heart

You young un's, what ya like

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[Vansflyer]

Oh, the 11000 face book group members might reflect how many bikes were affected……but it might not.
I was a member just to keep abreast of the situation.

Agreed and it is unlikely to affect 11000 members but enough in the group have had issues and not just on the early 790 engines as KTM claimed was the case. Having a problem with a bike is not the issue, it is the head in the sand 'blah blah blah no issue, very limited numbers blah blah" we got from KTM. I know my 790 was in fine health when I sold it as it had been on the Dyno 5 months previously and was producing loads of power. FI, On the dyno to cure the crap feeling and not to get more power. Just dug out the email from KTM ref my corrosion claim on my last 1290 SAS... look at the exclusions list!
I have underlined the part about the UK weather...... utter tosh and it could have written by a politician!!


Thank you for writing to KTM UK regarding your 1290 Super Adventure S 2021 - VBK



We are sorry you have had reason to contact us and understand you are disappointed after a recent warranty claim was declined. Having reviewed your warranty claim, we can confirm that your dealer, XXX Motorcycles, had informed you correctly as both brake discs and corrosion do not qualify for warranty consideration falling under the Warranty Exclusions detailed in your Delivery Certificate:



The following are excluded from the manufacturer warranty:

• Wear parts such as, in particular, pistons, cylinders, spark plugs, 12-V batteries, fuel filters, oil filter elements, drive chains, sprockets, rear sprockets, air filters, brake discs, brake pads, clutch plates, bulbs, fuses, footrest rubber parts, tires, hoses, throttle cables, and other rubber parts;
• Lubricants (such as: oils, greases etc.) and technical liquids (such as: battery fluid, coolant, etc.);
• Inspection, adjustment and other periodic service work, and all cleaning work;
• Lacquer or corrosion damage that can be attributed to external influences, such as stone chipping, road salt, industrial emissions, or other environmental influences, or to improper cleaning (e.g.due to unsuitable cleaning agents).;
• All direct and indirect consequential damage caused by defects and all direct and indirect additional costs arising from a damage or warranty claim (such as: telecommunication, board and lodging, rental vehicles, public transportation, salvage costs, towing costs, accommodation) and other financial losses (such as: loss of use, loss of earnings, loss of time);
• Any aesthetic or acoustic phenomena that do not, or only slightly, impair the usability of the vehicle (such as hidden or minor flaws in appearance, normal riding noises, and vibrations);
• Signs of ageing (such as the fading of painted or metal-coated surfaces).

We kindly refer you to your Owner’s Manual, in particular Section ‘20 Cleaning & Care’. Section 20.2 is particularly relevant to maintenance during winter use whereby the brake system specifically requires cleaning and drying after every trip on salted roads. Metal parts are also subject to corrosion from moisture in the air. With the UK and Ireland being islands by nature, we have a higher humidity and moisture content in the air compared to other countries. Corrosion damage caused by external factors is not covered by the manufacturer’s warranty.



Taking all the facts into consideration we cannot uphold your complaint. We do sympathise and appreciate this may not be the response you were hoping for; however, we trust this information helps to clarify the reasons for our position and decision on your claim. Should there be any other matter we can help you with, then please contact us via the KTM website www.ktm.com/en-gb/contact.html.



Kind regards,



Louise

KTM UK & Ireland Customer Service Team

 

[jerryz]

The cam issue is minor and has not ‘screwed any recovery’…….and in the case of Honda they did not own up quickly, they denied everything and still do (it’s the Honda way) they abandoned the bike and came out with the superb VFR.
FYI it was the VF and not the VFR that had issues.
I know as I owned the bike !

I also had a VF750s it was wonderful , I cured the oiling issue , in fact im actually restoring one now, also had a few VFRs ,, thing is KTM and Pierer at now 3-4 Billion euros in debt possibly worse,, HONDA in 1980s had the resources to develop the VFR 750 and were not in same trouble KTM and its parent Pierer are ,,,Hondas sales did not collapse like KTM and they did not have 100,000 unsold bikes that no one wants .. I have owned a few KTMs great performers but patchy qua;ity , and thats before the cam issues on LC8 engines ,,,

 

[jerryz]

The official cam problem issue actually is currently over 38,000 LC6 engined bikes according to audits thats very bad and is only the known failed bikes , from KTMs own figures , they are in total denial , i know one owner in Swindon who has a 3 year old 890 which has had cams changed twice and new heads by KTM and has failed again , this time his crank if toast too...another pal has a one year old 790 duke now in dealers for new heads and cams but he has been without the bike for 4 months and its only got 3640 miles on it ... he wants shot of it for a triumph 795 or Honda Hornet 750 but not even the Multi Franchise dealer he bought it from wants it in PX

 

[Tigertom]

Why do people always have a friend or know someone who has a third cousin whose sister had a problem relating to the issue at hand.
So after saying that I know lots of KTM 790 owners and their cousins who have no engine problems……….just sayin .
And all of that still has no bearing on KTM staying afloat or going under

 

[Vansflyer]

Why do people always have a friend or know someone who has a third cousin whose sister had a problem relating to the issue at hand.
So after saying that I know lots of KTM 790 owners and their cousins who have no engine problems……….just sayin .
And all of that still has no bearing on KTM staying afloat or going under

The cams on mine were fine but the rocker cover leaked and the rad hoses did as well just like most of them do. The cam issue may have a significant affect of them long term if they survive as owners consider class action legal action against them worldwide. Figures for a new head and cams etc seem to be around £2500 per bike, even at cost price that is going to hurt the profit, or add to the loss. I loved all of my KTM bikes and would still have one if they didn't have such a arrogant attitude regarding warranty. ... and the fact that they keep cutting the pieces so the residuals are killed for current owners.

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