2019/2020 KTM 450 first top end maintenance according to real experience

motodad312
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motodad312 11/30/2020 10:53am
11/30/2020 10:53am
I have a '19 with 70 hours on it. Was thinking about doing the top end soon. So I checked with a full time mechanic (not at a dealer). He said unless it's giving me problems I shouldn't have to worry about it. Keep up with good maintenance and it should be fine (he said he would never say that about any of the Japanese models). But as a second opinion he told me to check with a local KTM dealer. So I reached out to one that is reputable and I asked when they are doing top ends on 450s. He said they're not. Don't even stock the pistons. Keep your air filter fresh, keep your oil fresh and have the valves checked. Other than that, let her rip.
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313 SlowDown 11/30/2020 12:41pm
11/30/2020 12:41pm
motodad312 wrote:
I have a '19 with 70 hours on it. Was thinking about doing the top end soon. So I checked with a full time mechanic (not...
I have a '19 with 70 hours on it. Was thinking about doing the top end soon. So I checked with a full time mechanic (not at a dealer). He said unless it's giving me problems I shouldn't have to worry about it. Keep up with good maintenance and it should be fine (he said he would never say that about any of the Japanese models). But as a second opinion he told me to check with a local KTM dealer. So I reached out to one that is reputable and I asked when they are doing top ends on 450s. He said they're not. Don't even stock the pistons. Keep your air filter fresh, keep your oil fresh and have the valves checked. Other than that, let her rip.
Not sure if I get it right as I'm italian, but I'd call this perfect word of mouth advertising!
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mark_swart
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mark_swart 11/30/2020 4:47pm
11/30/2020 4:47pm
I know this is a little off topic, but probably still relevant to the OPs post as far as reliability. My 17.5 FE 450 has 160 hours. The motor seems noisy with the clutch out, when I pull it in the noise goes away. I have replaced the basket bearing, the plates check out okay also. Is this common? Or is it related to the extra noise from the cutout clutch basket? It doesn't seem to be getting any worse in the year I've owned the bike, just curious if it is a KTM thing or something else I am overlooking?
sandman768
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sandman768 11/30/2020 6:51pm
11/30/2020 6:51pm
mark_swart wrote:
I know this is a little off topic, but probably still relevant to the OPs post as far as reliability. My 17.5 FE 450 has 160...
I know this is a little off topic, but probably still relevant to the OPs post as far as reliability. My 17.5 FE 450 has 160 hours. The motor seems noisy with the clutch out, when I pull it in the noise goes away. I have replaced the basket bearing, the plates check out okay also. Is this common? Or is it related to the extra noise from the cutout clutch basket? It doesn't seem to be getting any worse in the year I've owned the bike, just curious if it is a KTM thing or something else I am overlooking?
Ktm clutches are noises, but bulletproof. Did you replace the rubber bumpers in the inner hub? They get flat end out after 50 hrs & can create some additional noise. Cheap & easy to replace.
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Rickyisms 11/30/2020 7:44pm
11/30/2020 7:44pm
Not exactly a 450 but my 2016 KTM 125 spit a tranny bearing at 168 hours. It was a built motor with most of the longevity squeezed out with a rider who is pretty hard on bikes. It lasted a lot longer than expected. When I tore it down there was 0 movement in the crank and crank bearings and everything else looked perfect as well. I’m doing every bearing and seal and rebuilding the OEM crank just because I already have it apart, but I know it’ll last me a long time after that. Modern KTMs are really great machines.
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KPS_46
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KPS_46 12/1/2020 4:44am
12/1/2020 4:44am
mark_swart wrote:
I know this is a little off topic, but probably still relevant to the OPs post as far as reliability. My 17.5 FE 450 has 160...
I know this is a little off topic, but probably still relevant to the OPs post as far as reliability. My 17.5 FE 450 has 160 hours. The motor seems noisy with the clutch out, when I pull it in the noise goes away. I have replaced the basket bearing, the plates check out okay also. Is this common? Or is it related to the extra noise from the cutout clutch basket? It doesn't seem to be getting any worse in the year I've owned the bike, just curious if it is a KTM thing or something else I am overlooking?
Yea Mark the clutches are a little noisy when sitting there idling, Pulling in the clutch lever quiets them down quite a bit. Like sandman said replace those rubber bumpers as those are the first thing to go and relatively cheap and easy to do. Just be mindful of the steel friction clutch plates when you put them back in as i believe the inner and outer are different thicknesses. Just keep them in good order when you take the plates out. If you install them out of order your clutch will be wonky.
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BobPA
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BobPA 12/1/2020 9:37am
12/1/2020 9:37am
mark_swart wrote:
I know this is a little off topic, but probably still relevant to the OPs post as far as reliability. My 17.5 FE 450 has 160...
I know this is a little off topic, but probably still relevant to the OPs post as far as reliability. My 17.5 FE 450 has 160 hours. The motor seems noisy with the clutch out, when I pull it in the noise goes away. I have replaced the basket bearing, the plates check out okay also. Is this common? Or is it related to the extra noise from the cutout clutch basket? It doesn't seem to be getting any worse in the year I've owned the bike, just curious if it is a KTM thing or something else I am overlooking?
Mine was the same way. Never gave me an issue. As mentioned , there are rubber bumpers that can be replaced to quiet it down a bit..

I've hopped on a few Ducati street bikes, and their clutch rattle at idle is terrifying.
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mark_swart
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mark_swart 12/1/2020 10:06am
12/1/2020 10:06am
mark_swart wrote:
I know this is a little off topic, but probably still relevant to the OPs post as far as reliability. My 17.5 FE 450 has 160...
I know this is a little off topic, but probably still relevant to the OPs post as far as reliability. My 17.5 FE 450 has 160 hours. The motor seems noisy with the clutch out, when I pull it in the noise goes away. I have replaced the basket bearing, the plates check out okay also. Is this common? Or is it related to the extra noise from the cutout clutch basket? It doesn't seem to be getting any worse in the year I've owned the bike, just curious if it is a KTM thing or something else I am overlooking?
sandman768 wrote:
Ktm clutches are noises, but bulletproof. Did you replace the rubber bumpers in the inner hub? They get flat end out after 50 hrs & can...
Ktm clutches are noises, but bulletproof. Did you replace the rubber bumpers in the inner hub? They get flat end out after 50 hrs & can create some additional noise. Cheap & easy to replace.
Thanks- I knew I was forgetting to mention something, I replaced the bumpers first thing when I got the bike (thanks MXA!).
J_Blom
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J_Blom 7/29/2022 9:28am
7/29/2022 9:28am
313 SlowDown wrote:
Hello all, I’m looking to buy a used 2019 or 2020 KTM Sxf 450 and I can find bikes varying from 70 to 100 hours. To...
Hello all,
I’m looking to buy a used 2019 or 2020 KTM Sxf 450 and I can find bikes varying from 70 to 100 hours.
To help me understand the real value of these bikes, I’d like to know when it’s time to make some top end maintenance according to the real experience of owners of those models.
Did anyone suffered any catastrophic issue due to delayed replacement of a piston or valves or other?
Thanks for helping
I would get a new piston in a used bike and you wil know how its treated from there on. A bike that has been racing hard or doing hard enduro will have a completely different wear than someone starting out on practices and commuting...
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DB505
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DB505 7/29/2022 9:40am
7/29/2022 9:40am
The thing is, it’s not just the piston, it’s the whole valve train that needs attn, valve seals, valve stems, valve seats, cam chain, cams, they all wear.
That being said! An average joe weekend worrier kinda guy will get a lot more time out of his bike than a expert or pro, as they ride hard are hard on engines , Goin WFO most of the time.
J_Blom
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J_Blom 7/29/2022 9:53am
7/29/2022 9:53am
Yep, exactly. I want to encourage people buying used to open more than just the valve cover to inspect cause u never know how the engine lived its hours. Better safe than broken :D
313 SlowDown 7/29/2022 11:26am
7/29/2022 11:26am
So I bought a 2020 Cairoli edition with 50 hours on. Now I am at around 135 and didn't plan to change anything, but I broke a finger and have to stay some months without riding. So in the meantime I will probably change the piston, have a check and replace the clutch rubber bumpers (already done once when I got the bike)
Moto520
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Moto520 7/29/2022 12:37pm
7/29/2022 12:37pm
The KTM motors are pretty awesome IMO. They do last. I would go 90 hours before changing the piston depending on how you ride.
KTM831
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KTM831 7/29/2022 1:00pm
7/29/2022 1:00pm
Pulled at 341 hours and only because I didn’t have a better winter project. Ran fine, looks fine but didn’t bother with measurements


Langhammx 7/29/2022 1:11pm
7/29/2022 1:11pm
Monk wrote:
No direct experience on a KTM 450, but I have a 16 350xcf with 700hrs+ on the stock original motor, including valves, piston, cylinder, timing chain...
No direct experience on a KTM 450, but I have a 16 350xcf with 700hrs+ on the stock original motor, including valves, piston, cylinder, timing chain, clutch, etc. I have never opened the motor. I race Pro/AA offroad in Canada.
I remember running across a thread when you had about 500 hours on it. I have a buddy that put 650 hours on his ‘16 EXC500. 90% single track, 10% street from dual sport rides. The bike does not burn any oil and runs great. It really makes a amazing how good these bikes are.
I had 250+ hours on my ‘17 EXC500 and sold it to a friend. He’s put another 100+ hours on it and it’s still running like new.
Dhallmark
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Dhallmark 7/29/2022 1:57pm
7/29/2022 1:57pm
19 TC450 first piston at 150, second at 200 only because it sucked the little rubber grommet from the air box and got stuck in the valve. I plan to do another around 300hours. How long will the cranks go on these?

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