2017 KTM Ticking time bombs..

eric513anderson 3/28/2017 1:08am
3/28/2017 1:08am
Remember all the problems Stankdog had with his TC125 ? Of course he was riding the piss out of that bike. But yes if I recall right mx revival on Instagram had pictures of a reed cage failure after just 11hrs. Sorry but I'll sacrifice some performance for more reliability with my Yamaha 2 stroke!
Bultaco
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Bultaco 3/28/2017 2:33am
3/28/2017 2:33am
MMCDan wrote:
A handful of failures out of thousands of units sold does not prove serial defect, at least not to me. With all due respect to the...
A handful of failures out of thousands of units sold does not prove serial defect, at least not to me.

With all due respect to the OP, you are naïve to think this will never happen just because you ride one brand or another. These are high performance machines, operating in hostile environments, being maintained by non-professionals (in most cases) so something is going to let go eventually.

I have recent, first-hand experience with major failures on Yamaha (2014 YZ250F shift assembly failure @ 17 hours, $2100) and Honda (2015 CRF450 5th gear failure @ 9 hours, $2000) and neither OEM would answer my calls. I have yet to suffer a KTM failure but from what I have read on various forums it appears that they do a better job of supporting their customers than any of the Japanese OEMs.
This is the common sense, non-inflammatory, intelligent view. I concur.
Jeff_Crutcher 3/28/2017 2:45am
3/28/2017 2:45am Edited Date/Time 3/28/2017 2:45am
seth505 wrote:
Thanks, should I sell?! Silly
For sure. No other brand ever malfunctions ever. Yamahas don't snap kick starts off, no wait I did that once... Honda's don't drop valves, no wait I know of three... Suzuki transmissions are known for reliability, except for false neutral being a bonus gear after second... kawasakis bolts never fall out except for all of them...

Ehhh I think I'll keep my 17 250sx
assu
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assu 3/28/2017 2:50am
3/28/2017 2:50am
Had 20 hours when first time engine failure, no warranty from ktm or dealer. Second engine failure 40 hour(same thing), dealer would fix free because i paid the first time. So it seems if you live in country where is small dirt bike market( no money) ktm dont give a f. Bike is 2016 250sxf.

The Shop

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305FC250
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305FC250 3/28/2017 4:22am
3/28/2017 4:22am
Im only hearing about problems on the internet. Seen tons of 2017 KTMs and Huskys in person both 4 stroke and 2 stroke including my own 125 and have not seen or heard of any issues. No issues with my reeds. All I see is internet complaining and I suspect that the bikes having these issues represent a very small percentage of the total sold.
1
EastFlorida
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EastFlorida 3/28/2017 4:28am
3/28/2017 4:28am Edited Date/Time 3/28/2017 4:30am
Fog 25 wrote:
Had a 2012 300xc it pump the radiator fluid from day one. Found out it was a crack head after a complete rebuild and changing out...
Had a 2012 300xc it pump the radiator fluid from day one. Found out it was a crack head after a complete rebuild and changing out the barrel and head. Will never buy another KTM again.
Never had a lick of problems with my 2012 300XC. Haven't had a problem with my 2016 350 XCF. Didn't have problems with my 2005 525 EXC.

Just like anything, things can happen. However, if there is a trend, I've seen KTM step up and fix the issue which I didn't see when I rode new Japanese bikes...
Dtat720
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Dtat720 3/28/2017 6:07am
3/28/2017 6:07am
Its one thing when its one issue happening on a bike. Hondas ate valves. Yamahas break kick start shafts on 2t's and the 4t had tps issues when it was new, rod issues as well. These KTM's have issues all over the bikes and it isnt narrowed to one specific bike or line, its a wide range of their models. That is the difference between the japanese bikes and ktm. Yeah, they are taking care of them which is great, but they shouldnt have to be doing that to begin with. They need to slow down on the release of new designs and get it right before hand. When that happens, that is when KTM will make a serious dent in the japanese hold on the market.
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slipdog 3/28/2017 6:27am
3/28/2017 6:27am
I've had my TC 250 since September and tore it down last week to do some motor work when I got an invite to ride a new track being built here in NorCal. Borrowed a friends YZ 250 for the day. Didn't realize how little vibration my TC motor had until I started that YZ. It shifts like shit under a load, but is better than that YZ in every way possible.

I'll keep the Chainsaw...
ehr400
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ehr400 3/28/2017 6:29am
3/28/2017 6:29am
Here is buddies 2017 KTM125. 56 y/o vet rider who isnt really a jumper. Luckily it was a minor crash.

Same bike broke 3rd gear at 5 hours. I will say on the gear thing KTM warrantied it and replaced his whole trans and labor.



Harry Backmon 3/28/2017 6:35am
3/28/2017 6:35am
slipdog wrote:
I've had my TC 250 since September and tore it down last week to do some motor work when I got an invite to ride a...
I've had my TC 250 since September and tore it down last week to do some motor work when I got an invite to ride a new track being built here in NorCal. Borrowed a friends YZ 250 for the day. Didn't realize how little vibration my TC motor had until I started that YZ. It shifts like shit under a load, but is better than that YZ in every way possible.

I'll keep the Chainsaw...
You need to get Slipdog to rebuild the crank on that YZ!

I'm still waiting for Yamaha to admit their third gear on the YZ250s is made of hardened cheese. Never gonna happen.
Motofinne
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Motofinne 3/28/2017 6:39am
3/28/2017 6:39am
Well i have 60h on my 2016 450 and it has been the most reliable bike that i have ever had. Not a single issue except the WP AER fork X-ring that had to be changed.

You can read these "horror" stories about most bikes.
BAMX
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BAMX 3/28/2017 6:49am
3/28/2017 6:49am
I'm more amazed at how many of these issues get fixed under warranty even after a substantial amount of hours. Has anyone on here had a warranty repair from a Japanese OEM?
bultokid
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bultokid 3/28/2017 6:55am
3/28/2017 6:55am
Having owned Euro from Husky, KTM,GasGas, TM, Maico/M-Star all the way back to Bultaco ( and every Jap brand as well ) must say have pretty much always had better support/help with the Euro manufactures. Lets face it ALL the majors bikes are good these days.
JAFO92
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JAFO92 3/28/2017 7:02am
3/28/2017 7:02am
People praise KTM for having a large product line and making lots of changes year-to-year, and ridicule Suzuki for running a stable platform for years and years. (getting every bug ironed out in the process). Pick what you want: New and 'updated' frequently with a myriad of potential bugs to iron out, or a platform that has been been refined over time and is more trouble free. When you put out new designs, more often than not they are gonna have weak-links and bugs. Like it or not, the OEMs use the customer as their guinea pigs.
newmann
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newmann 3/28/2017 7:05am
3/28/2017 7:05am
I had a first year YZ250F drop a valve through the piston and back up through the head. Over 2 grand to repair. Had a first year CRF250 shred a tensioner block and plug the oil filter. Welded to cam in the head and torched the crank and piston. Over 2 grand to repair. Japanese warranty for any of this?Laughing Silly Sideways Laughing Silly Sideways Laughing
user760a
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user760a 3/28/2017 7:17am
3/28/2017 7:17am
I come to this thread as a KTM admirer who owns a japanese bike . I like what KTM is doing, I like that they stand behind their product and would be somewhat willing to cut slack on shitty part failures due to the fact that they are on the forefront of moto and off road technology, and they apparently don't leave buyers high and dry in the event of problems

Here is one angle to this situation that I have not seen anyone mention, and it is a very valid point: KTM has significantly lightened their bikes over the last few years. They have shaved grams everywhere. I know from my sportbike days that when you construct the lightest possible bike by whittling every part down to its bare minimum , durability goes down.

wy back in the day, a wrecked sportbike may need some bodywork and a clip on, but around 2000-ish the bikes took a turn toward roadracing spec and everything was made as light as possible. As a result, I see bikes that have had moderate wrecks that are totally demolished. Frames broken , wheels broken, twisted junk. Making everything as light as it possibly can be can have a downside when stress is applied
Moto_Geek
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Moto_Geek 3/28/2017 7:45am
3/28/2017 7:45am
Pretty much KTM for life, had a carb issue and the local KTM dealer contacted corporate and corporate gave them a thumbs up to fix. I agree, KTM backs the riders way more then other manufacturers Alot of corporate KTM are riders as well. They get it!.
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IceMan446 3/28/2017 8:01am
3/28/2017 8:01am
305FC250 wrote:
Im only hearing about problems on the internet. Seen tons of 2017 KTMs and Huskys in person both 4 stroke and 2 stroke including my own...
Im only hearing about problems on the internet. Seen tons of 2017 KTMs and Huskys in person both 4 stroke and 2 stroke including my own 125 and have not seen or heard of any issues. No issues with my reeds. All I see is internet complaining and I suspect that the bikes having these issues represent a very small percentage of the total sold.
Ive seen three motor failures from one buddy and countless cracked frames and I dont know how many blown out wheels, both KTM and Huskys.

But then again I own a 16 Yamaha and everyone said that thing was a ticking time bomb. Not a single issue.

Guess its the luck of the draw.

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Crush
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Crush 3/28/2017 8:23am
3/28/2017 8:23am
IceMan446 wrote:
Ive seen three motor failures from one buddy and countless cracked frames and I dont know how many blown out wheels, both KTM and Huskys. But...
Ive seen three motor failures from one buddy and countless cracked frames and I dont know how many blown out wheels, both KTM and Huskys.

But then again I own a 16 Yamaha and everyone said that thing was a ticking time bomb. Not a single issue.

Guess its the luck of the draw.
One dude did three engines? Didn't George Dubya say something about that?
RCMXracing
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RCMXracing 3/28/2017 8:51am
3/28/2017 8:51am
Hey @rockyrider (OP), you say this isn't a brand bashing post? Really?! it absolutely is! But I'm totally ok with it because the manufacturers are reading and it will make them better. Stating the obvious, brands have failures, they are machines. I personally am not brand loyal. I have owned all the major brands except Kaw. I've never had failures on any bike. Percentage wise failures are few, the forums blow them up, and no doubt many posters are sock puppets...and maybe you're one too?
At 50+ hrs my '16 KTM 450 SXF is going strong, just like all my other bikes in the past have. I have to say KTM does have a positive reputation for addressing warranty issues.
bigmaico
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bigmaico 3/28/2017 9:08am
3/28/2017 9:08am
KTM Has been warranting their Motorcycles problems for years & still does!

Sometimes you just need to go above the dealers head, I has 2nd gear go bad on my 03' 525Sx after 60 days!

The dealer said "sorry KTM only give us a 30 days on dirt bikes" the shop foreman said call KTM technical dept.

I called KTM & explained that 2nd gear had gone out & that I knew it was a bad heat treat issue, they said take it to the dealer that I bought the bike from! They call the dealer & they not only replaced 2nd gear, But the whole transmission!

I even got a note from KTM saying that if I had another problem to please let them know!
Acidreamer
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Acidreamer 3/28/2017 9:09am
3/28/2017 9:09am
Buy a kawasaki next time. Ktms have only recently become a "not" low quality machine. I still see every ktm having broken frames where the triple clamps attach. Its quite comical. Theyre getting there though. These issues are one of the reasons spending 3-4k more for a ktm 450 vs a kawi 450 doesnt add up.
assu
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assu 3/28/2017 9:19am
3/28/2017 9:19am
bigmaico wrote:
KTM Has been warranting their Motorcycles problems for years & still does! Sometimes you just need to go above the dealers head, I has 2nd gear...
KTM Has been warranting their Motorcycles problems for years & still does!

Sometimes you just need to go above the dealers head, I has 2nd gear go bad on my 03' 525Sx after 60 days!

The dealer said "sorry KTM only give us a 30 days on dirt bikes" the shop foreman said call KTM technical dept.

I called KTM & explained that 2nd gear had gone out & that I knew it was a bad heat treat issue, they said take it to the dealer that I bought the bike from! They call the dealer & they not only replaced 2nd gear, But the whole transmission!

I even got a note from KTM saying that if I had another problem to please let them know!
My dealer did not even contact ktm and no response from ktm.com, i send 2 letters. It seems Usa is priority. But yes japanese bikes have zero warranty, at least with ktm you have a chance.
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IceMan446 3/28/2017 9:22am
3/28/2017 9:22am Edited Date/Time 3/28/2017 9:23am
IceMan446 wrote:
Ive seen three motor failures from one buddy and countless cracked frames and I dont know how many blown out wheels, both KTM and Huskys. But...
Ive seen three motor failures from one buddy and countless cracked frames and I dont know how many blown out wheels, both KTM and Huskys.

But then again I own a 16 Yamaha and everyone said that thing was a ticking time bomb. Not a single issue.

Guess its the luck of the draw.
Crush wrote:
One dude did three engines? Didn't George Dubya say something about that?
Two transmission problems which are widely known and a valve problem.

The valve problem wasn't covered by KTM being it was out of warranty and not a "known" problem.

The transmission was covered both times, first time got it fixed rode an hour and same thing happened again. They didnt cover his mangled bike as it locked up on the face of a jump though.

BobPA
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BobPA 3/28/2017 9:33am
3/28/2017 9:33am
These threads bring out the same circle of belly achers. Show me one picture of a KTM broken frame, modern chassis of course.
Ted722
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Ted722 3/28/2017 9:44am
3/28/2017 9:44am Edited Date/Time 3/28/2017 9:46am
slipdog wrote:
I've had my TC 250 since September and tore it down last week to do some motor work when I got an invite to ride a...
I've had my TC 250 since September and tore it down last week to do some motor work when I got an invite to ride a new track being built here in NorCal. Borrowed a friends YZ 250 for the day. Didn't realize how little vibration my TC motor had until I started that YZ. It shifts like shit under a load, but is better than that YZ in every way possible.

I'll keep the Chainsaw...
That's funny slipdog. Next new bike for this old dog will be a Husky. Love the tattoo. Works for their dirt bikes too.



RCMXracing
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RCMXracing 3/28/2017 9:48am
3/28/2017 9:48am
...wait for it...gonna see some Japanese frame breaks here in a bit...I've seen this movie before.
BobPA
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BobPA 3/28/2017 9:49am
3/28/2017 9:49am
BobPA wrote:
These threads bring out the same circle of belly achers. Show me one picture of a KTM broken frame, modern chassis of course.
SeaClassExpert wrote:
http://m.vitalmx.com/forums/Moto-Related,20/New-KTM-Frame-Issues,1303287


Literally a 4 second search shows you this
Sweet, I'm happy I gave you a meaningful activity to perform today.

Stank Dogs crank was aftermarket, confirmed by GuyB

Shit breaks, it's just funny when it is KTM thread how the same few characters come out and take shits in the threads.
GrapeApe
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GrapeApe 3/28/2017 9:54am
3/28/2017 9:54am
BobPA wrote:
These threads bring out the same circle of belly achers. Show me one picture of a KTM broken frame, modern chassis of course.
SeaClassExpert wrote:
http://m.vitalmx.com/forums/Moto-Related,20/New-KTM-Frame-Issues,1303287


Literally a 4 second search shows you this
BobPA wrote:
Sweet, I'm happy I gave you a meaningful activity to perform today. Stank Dogs crank was aftermarket, confirmed by GuyB Shit breaks, it's just funny when...
Sweet, I'm happy I gave you a meaningful activity to perform today.

Stank Dogs crank was aftermarket, confirmed by GuyB

Shit breaks, it's just funny when it is KTM thread how the same few characters come out and take shits in the threads.
Equally funny how the same few characters swoop in to blindly defend a brand Whistling

KTM has issues like every other brand, and people are going to talk about it. Why does that bother you so much?

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