2017 KTM Ticking time bombs..

Mx286
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Mx286 3/28/2017 8:57pm
3/28/2017 8:57pm
Know a guy who has a 350 with little time on it setting at the dealership trying to figure out what's wrong with it. It's good that ktm stands behind there stuff, but damn it's such a hassle having to deal when your bike goes down.
Moto520
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Moto520 3/28/2017 9:06pm
3/28/2017 9:06pm
i have a 2016 Ktm 450sxf. Great race bike but definitely not as built to last as the competition. I love the bike and feel that I can race it better than the other brands. The tradeoff, which I'm willing to make, is stuff breaks. I have never been unable to finish a race because of something that broke. I have several things that have gone wrong since owning the bike while I have not had similar problems on other bikes. If you don't mind replacing parts every now and then.....best bike to race. I can give specific example......but I don't want to.
RockyRider
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RockyRider 3/28/2017 9:20pm
3/28/2017 9:20pm
seth505 wrote:
^that does suck man, are you sure it's not a more isolated issue? The shock issue is another "factory supported" rider who is using out of...
^that does suck man, are you sure it's not a more isolated issue?
The shock issue is another "factory supported" rider who is using out of the box, stock shocks?
I thought so at first but all of them are breaking at the same point so I gotta think it's a defect issue?
And yes he gets two stock 350's to race the Worcs series on..not full factory yet but willing to bet a lot he'll be full factory in a year or two if he keeps it up. Back to the point, yes stock shocks. They've sent us 4 now, and we've got two to stay working
SmokinJoe439
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SmokinJoe439 3/28/2017 9:49pm
3/28/2017 9:49pm
I guess people have forgotten about the breaking yz shift stop levers. Yzf Balance shaft issues on the 14 250f. First year crf250r valve problem cylinder skirt cracking or the 10 thru 14 big end crank bearings failing prematurely. Honda still never owned up to it just quietly upgrades the crank in 15.

Yamaha getting sued over throttle housing failure before they finally changed it. Get over it things break they all have had Thier problems.

The Shop

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seth505
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seth505 3/28/2017 9:56pm
3/28/2017 9:56pm
seth505 wrote:
^that does suck man, are you sure it's not a more isolated issue? The shock issue is another "factory supported" rider who is using out of...
^that does suck man, are you sure it's not a more isolated issue?
The shock issue is another "factory supported" rider who is using out of the box, stock shocks?
RockyRider wrote:
I thought so at first but all of them are breaking at the same point so I gotta think it's a defect issue? And yes he...
I thought so at first but all of them are breaking at the same point so I gotta think it's a defect issue?
And yes he gets two stock 350's to race the Worcs series on..not full factory yet but willing to bet a lot he'll be full factory in a year or two if he keeps it up. Back to the point, yes stock shocks. They've sent us 4 now, and we've got two to stay working
I'll post up if mine blows but I haven't heard of that happening with anyone else.

I had a yz that blew fork seals in only a few hours, I just attributed it a muddy ride day and some crap luck. It was the same yz that shattered its gears later on.
kiwifan
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kiwifan 3/29/2017 12:51am
3/29/2017 12:51am Edited Date/Time 3/29/2017 1:08am
SmokinJoe439 wrote:
I guess people have forgotten about the breaking yz shift stop levers. Yzf Balance shaft issues on the 14 250f. First year crf250r valve problem cylinder...
I guess people have forgotten about the breaking yz shift stop levers. Yzf Balance shaft issues on the 14 250f. First year crf250r valve problem cylinder skirt cracking or the 10 thru 14 big end crank bearings failing prematurely. Honda still never owned up to it just quietly upgrades the crank in 15.

Yamaha getting sued over throttle housing failure before they finally changed it. Get over it things break they all have had Thier problems.
Perhaps people think that because you pay a premium for them then they should have better quality than other brands... *shrugs* ...I can easily argue that the premium I paid for my TC250 pays for the warranty Smile

Moto520
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Moto520 3/29/2017 4:59am
3/29/2017 4:59am
They are amazing while they last. Things that wear out are easily replaced. Nothing major broke on mine and I've put it through hell. They just get a little lose.......
resetjet
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resetjet 3/29/2017 5:15am
3/29/2017 5:15am
Re Rocky riders pics.

That is a bad design. I own 3 ktms btw. But having that gear ride on a cast part is insane. I wonder how they solve that issue???????

All bikes have issues. Can we have the actual bike owners post the pics and make the comments about what happened???? Oh wait, I forgot, we have brand loyalists!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Such a weird phenomenon....
johnnyskeez1099 9/17/2017 10:00am
9/17/2017 10:00am
RockyRider wrote:
For starters this isn't a brand bashing post, but what the hell KTM. The amount of problems I'm seeing with the new KTM's (especially two strokes)...
For starters this isn't a brand bashing post, but what the hell KTM. The amount of problems I'm seeing with the new KTM's (especially two strokes) is just down right not acceptable. Cases breaking after 15 hrs, reeds being jacked up from the factory, shocks blowing out left and right, springs breaking right and left etc. Anyone know if they are warrantying any of these issues? I mean if you're paying 8K plus for a new bike, the last thing you wanna do if spend another G on cases that malfunctioned..
*and for those that are unaware the case issue is the idler gear post snapping off the case causing the clutch to lock up the motor. Have seen 3 already (150 SX, 250 XC & SX). Consider this your fair warning..
Hey man, what did you ever do to resolve this problem? Because the same thing just happened to me.
m.hardesty16
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m.hardesty16 9/17/2017 12:24pm
9/17/2017 12:24pm
Iv'e read before that KTM's once they get so old they really aren't worth rebuilding for how hard it is and after you rebuild them oh so many times they seem to become etternally broken and break more often. Maybe thats why you see newer KTM's more often.
BobPA
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BobPA 9/17/2017 12:29pm
9/17/2017 12:29pm
m.hardesty16 wrote:
Iv'e read before that KTM's once they get so old they really aren't worth rebuilding for how hard it is and after you rebuild them oh...
Iv'e read before that KTM's once they get so old they really aren't worth rebuilding for how hard it is and after you rebuild them oh so many times they seem to become etternally broken and break more often. Maybe thats why you see newer KTM's more often.
Hahah what? How are they any harder to rebuild than a Japanese bike? Oh wait, you have no idea because you have never even looked at one. I have Kawi's and a 450sx and they are incredibly similar. Stop spreading bullshit on the interwebs bro
Bermworm
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Bermworm 9/17/2017 12:53pm
9/17/2017 12:53pm Edited Date/Time 9/17/2017 12:53pm
All 2017/18 Ktm's now recalled for front spoke issues 125/150's recalled for right side engine case issues.Meh.
seth505
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seth505 9/17/2017 12:55pm
9/17/2017 12:55pm
m.hardesty16 wrote:
Iv'e read before that KTM's once they get so old they really aren't worth rebuilding for how hard it is and after you rebuild them oh...
Iv'e read before that KTM's once they get so old they really aren't worth rebuilding for how hard it is and after you rebuild them oh so many times they seem to become etternally broken and break more often. Maybe thats why you see newer KTM's more often.
MB109
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MB109 9/17/2017 12:58pm
9/17/2017 12:58pm
Bermworm wrote:
All 2017/18 Ktm's now recalled for front spoke issues 125/150's recalled for right side engine case issues.Meh.
Where did you see/hear this?
BobPA
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BobPA 9/17/2017 1:06pm
9/17/2017 1:06pm
Bermworm wrote:
All 2017/18 Ktm's now recalled for front spoke issues 125/150's recalled for right side engine case issues.Meh.
Since when? I have not heard anything about it.
Bermworm
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Bermworm 9/17/2017 1:10pm
9/17/2017 1:10pm
The problem with the spokes stems from a manufacturing issue they are worried if 1 breaks the rest could follow suit.The right side cases are splitting allowing crank oil into the cylinder and riching it up specific VIN's for 125/150's all 2017's 2018's for the front wheel.The manufacturing issue with the spokes apparently stems from a change in process at the factory.I was pretty drunk last night so I could have just made the whole thing up but i don't think so.
johnnyskeez1099 9/17/2017 3:23pm
9/17/2017 3:23pm
RockyRider wrote:
For starters this isn't a brand bashing post, but what the hell KTM. The amount of problems I'm seeing with the new KTM's (especially two strokes)...
For starters this isn't a brand bashing post, but what the hell KTM. The amount of problems I'm seeing with the new KTM's (especially two strokes) is just down right not acceptable. Cases breaking after 15 hrs, reeds being jacked up from the factory, shocks blowing out left and right, springs breaking right and left etc. Anyone know if they are warrantying any of these issues? I mean if you're paying 8K plus for a new bike, the last thing you wanna do if spend another G on cases that malfunctioned..
*and for those that are unaware the case issue is the idler gear post snapping off the case causing the clutch to lock up the motor. Have seen 3 already (150 SX, 250 XC & SX). Consider this your fair warning..
DerickYZ wrote:
I've seen this happen to my buddy's bike, 2017 KTM 250SX Drove all the way to Budds Creek, rode 3 laps then this happened. Long drive...
I've seen this happen to my buddy's bike, 2017 KTM 250SX Drove all the way to Budds Creek, rode 3 laps then this happened. Long drive back for 10 minutes of riding.

I believe there was some type of warranty but I'm not sure if it was dealer or KTM. Only had 22 hours on it I believe.

I have a 2015 TC250 (KTM clone) and besides the steel rod suspension I love it. Doesn't have my '15 YZ250 suspension though Sad

hey man the same thing litteraly just happened to me yesterday, I was wondering if you could give me some more information about how your friend resovled this problem.

Pit Row

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Bulldog
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Bulldog 9/17/2017 3:32pm
9/17/2017 3:32pm
We currently have the following 2017 models: 150SX, 250SX and 350XCF. No issues at and all are ridden very hard by AA offroad riders. On the other hand in 2013 we had a new YZ250 and around 5 hours on it and the top end let go, ate the cylinder, crank and top end. Out of pocket costs to us: 100% parts and labor covered by us!
tmauto769 9/17/2017 3:54pm
9/17/2017 3:54pm
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.
eh, well apparently you didn't get the memo, honda did in fact issue a recall for the '15&'16 crf 450 transmission. So you may want to call them back to get reimbursed for the money you spent.

Also these OEM's should be so quick to fix a defect no matter which one they are, seems like these things are liability issues if it keeps happening. Seems like its going to bite one of them sooner or later in the sue happy world we live in.
jeffro503
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jeffro503 9/17/2017 5:34pm
9/17/2017 5:34pm
m.hardesty16 wrote:
Iv'e read before that KTM's once they get so old they really aren't worth rebuilding for how hard it is and after you rebuild them oh...
Iv'e read before that KTM's once they get so old they really aren't worth rebuilding for how hard it is and after you rebuild them oh so many times they seem to become etternally broken and break more often. Maybe thats why you see newer KTM's more often.
What the? Blink
ob
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ob 9/17/2017 5:56pm
9/17/2017 5:56pm
You guys are out there. All the bikes break sometimes, It's what happens to race shit. It's what happens after it breaks that's important.
GuyB
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GuyB 9/17/2017 6:26pm
9/17/2017 6:26pm
RockyRider wrote:
Exactly what I'm getting at.. You couldn't get me to buy one of these bikes right now even at half cost. It just seems like they...
Exactly what I'm getting at.. You couldn't get me to buy one of these bikes right now even at half cost. It just seems like they cheaped out on materials, rushed deadlines, didn't do the proper R&D etc. I get that they can't be perfect but sooner or later they are gonna have to address all these issues with some sort of recall like they've done in the past.
I hope ya'll got the XC version so when that gear breaks you can just use the e start.. Blush
But this isn't a brand bashing post...
m.hardesty16
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m.hardesty16 9/18/2017 3:37am
9/18/2017 3:37am
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.
Sounds to me everyone has a KTM/Husqy failure story..
Bermworm
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Bermworm 9/18/2017 9:56pm
9/18/2017 9:56pm
Bermworm wrote:
All 2017/18 Ktm's now recalled for front spoke issues 125/150's recalled for right side engine case issues.Meh.
BobPA wrote:
Since when? I have not heard anything about it.
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johnnyskeez1099 9/23/2017 8:36am
9/23/2017 8:36am
So I've had the same issue (kick start idle gear post breaking), took it to the dealer and the service manager called ktm and they agreed to fix my bike free of charge ($2650). It's a shame this is happening to the 2017 250sx but atleast ktm is aware and are standing behind it. They said the problem isn't the kick starts downstroke it's when you move your foot and let it slap back up (wearing over time) so be weary.
toddnjoy
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toddnjoy 11/29/2017 10:45am
11/29/2017 10:45am
My Son's 2017 tc250 did the exact thing pictured. It's at Jmc in tri cities, we hope it get's warrantied.
scott_nz 12/2/2017 10:47am
12/2/2017 10:47am
SeaClassExpert wrote:
There are 2 build threads of 2017 Husqarnas TC125s RIGHT NOW and the reeds are literally useless. The reeds are absolutely a serial defect and it's...
There are 2 build threads of 2017 Husqarnas TC125s RIGHT NOW and the reeds are literally useless. The reeds are absolutely a serial defect and it's unthinkable that they let them ship out like this. Seriously, go look at Jeffro's build and come back to me saying that.
MMCDan wrote:
Perhaps you and I have a different definition of serial defect. I have a 2017 KTM 250SX and rode it for 5 hours before replacing the...
Perhaps you and I have a different definition of serial defect. I have a 2017 KTM 250SX and rode it for 5 hours before replacing the stock reed cage with a VForce. My reeds had a gap just like all the others I read about on Jeffeo's thread, KTMTalk, ThumperTalk, etc. and the bike ran fine and only marginally different/better with the VForce.

How about you come back to me when you have some actual experience with the issue.

CarlinoJoeVideo wrote:
My reeds had a gap, I fixed it and rode it, didn't try to make a big deal out of it. You seem very mad at...
My reeds had a gap, I fixed it and rode it, didn't try to make a big deal out of it.

You seem very mad at the bike, maybe it's better to sell it and get a bike that you feel won't have as many problems.
I have just brought a 18 125sx , the dealer sold me a v force straight away and said the std reeds would have a gap from new , and they did
MCansadoLopes 12/3/2017 3:10pm
12/3/2017 3:10pm
C´mon guys, trying to switch from ´14 Kawi to ´17 KTM here, you´re not helping!! lol

Here in Portugal besides beying confronted with some of the issues you mentioned (brand new ´16 250 sxf just blew the gearbox last week with only one month), we are also dealing with delays in the delivery of the new parts (´14 350 sxf is waiting for almost 3 months now for gear parts also).

Some say KTM is strugling to find a new manufacturer for these parts but... 3 months withou riding in "high season"??
Some guys are about to cut their wrists about now...
jaycee
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jaycee 1/26/2018 12:56pm
1/26/2018 12:56pm
Rockinar wrote:
Only thing this thread proves is that KTM has awesome customer service, stands behind its product, and takes care of its buyers with no headache. And...
Only thing this thread proves is that KTM has awesome customer service, stands behind its product, and takes care of its buyers with no headache.

And the OP has zero personal experience. Only "internet stories". No mention at all of the thousands and thousands of bikes sold that have zero issues. Just focus on the 4 bikes that did and starts yelling "you have been warned!".






Ktm has the worst customer service Ive ever seen I had a small problem with a 2018 ktm 300 xc and the lady was so ignorant from ktm North America that I couldn’t deal with her and I just fixed it myself I won’t be dealing with them ever again after this bike still only has 3/10 of an hour I started the other day and it makes a clink noise in the piston the bikes brand new I just wish I didn’t deal with them there a funny company hopefully all the jap manufacturers start building more 2 strokes and they don’t deserve the money they get for them bikes at all ive been worried all winter what that is and I’ll find out soon once these 10 feet ice banks and ice roads are gone

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