Does KTM have a spoke issue with their stock bikes ?

moto12356999
Edited Date/Time 10/10/2022 9:04pm
Hi, I was just wondering if anyone is aware of ktm stock wheels having any known issues ?

First time for me on a ktm 250 sx, I’ve put 50 hours on it, wheels has been sent to a builder to fixed has was constantly snapping rear spokes. A friend of mine brought a 2020 350 on 30 hours, first ride snapped 2 rear spokes.

I’m good at checking tension each ride & wheel seemed true.

Are these wheels weaker then others ?
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sandman768
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sandman768 8/26/2022 5:37am
8/26/2022 5:37am
They have had spoke issues for a few years now… constant attention is needed… I just had a spoke nipple break on my 21 350sfx and the one next to the broken one is seized to the spoke… you can order individual spokes & nipples from Ktm…I replaced mine without even removing the tire & tube…but yes… I have 30 year old Honda wheels that are more reliable….
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wnorton729
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wnorton729 8/26/2022 5:51am
8/26/2022 5:51am
Along with countless other issues/problems with it. My son just blew out a rear wheel on a 22 Gas Gas 125. I check the spokes damn near every time I check the tire pressure. I figured it was maybe because the Gas Gas has cheaper wheels… Apparently not.

I will not buy another Ktm manufactured motorcycle, period. I stay on top of maintenance constantly, but shit that shouldn’t break is breaking.

Chomping at the bit to get him a Yamaha or Honda 250.
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Polish Power
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Polish Power 8/26/2022 5:53am
8/26/2022 5:53am
sandman768 wrote:
They have had spoke issues for a few years now… constant attention is needed… I just had a spoke nipple break on my 21 350sfx and...
They have had spoke issues for a few years now… constant attention is needed… I just had a spoke nipple break on my 21 350sfx and the one next to the broken one is seized to the spoke… you can order individual spokes & nipples from Ktm…I replaced mine without even removing the tire & tube…but yes… I have 30 year old Honda wheels that are more reliable….
I knew you would chime in lol. Nice meeting you yesterday!
rjg
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rjg 8/26/2022 6:19am
8/26/2022 6:19am Edited Date/Time 8/26/2022 6:19am
Zip Ty them together at the cross seems to help reduce the issue
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kNewc
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kNewc 8/26/2022 6:27am
8/26/2022 6:27am
rjg wrote:
Zip Ty them together at the cross seems to help reduce the issue
I heard these work better

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mx317
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mx317 8/26/2022 6:39am
8/26/2022 6:39am
I never had a problem. They torque at a much higher number than Japan wheels (55 in/lbs), so the old ding method doesn’t work. I probably just jinxed myself now and will break it this weekend.
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SGoodman
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SGoodman 8/26/2022 6:54am
8/26/2022 6:54am Edited Date/Time 8/26/2022 6:54am
there was a KTM wheel thread not that long ago... seems to be plenty of smoke!

Daaaammmnnn I love a good KTM thread! LOL
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moto12356999 8/26/2022 6:59am
8/26/2022 6:59am
mx317 wrote:
I never had a problem. They torque at a much higher number than Japan wheels (55 in/lbs), so the old ding method doesn’t work. I probably...
I never had a problem. They torque at a much higher number than Japan wheels (55 in/lbs), so the old ding method doesn’t work. I probably just jinxed myself now and will break it this weekend.
Is it okay to torque wheels after a fair bit of use ? I’ve always gone by feel. I’ve read torquing spokes only any good for new wheels but I’m prepared to o give it a go if that’s what’s ness.
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ThePizzaCobra
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ThePizzaCobra 8/26/2022 7:03am
8/26/2022 7:03am
It's seems to be hit or miss. On my 2018 SXF, I had to tighten the spokes a few times. Always the spokes closest to the rim lock. On my 2021 XCF with 72 hours, I don't think I've touched them once.
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mxrose3
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mxrose3 8/26/2022 8:04am
8/26/2022 8:04am
if you compare a stock ktm spoke with a stock jap spoke, you'll see why they break.
The KTM is a lighter bike. This is one area that KTM trimmed weight.
If you want to add durability, get a set of bulldog spokes/nipples - at the expense of extra weight.
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Moto520
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Moto520 8/26/2022 9:31am
8/26/2022 9:31am
The wheels are definitely made for lightness over durability. Gets the overall weight of the bike down but the wheels don't hold up very well. I went with Fasterusa wheels and have been happy. I use the stock stuff as backups.

The inner tubes are so thin on the stock wheels.....everything is made to be light. Rim lock breaks....etc
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brimx153
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brimx153 8/26/2022 10:00am
8/26/2022 10:00am
I think the spokes are fine . Its the nipples that are the problem. they keep cracking. I ve rode Mx for 30 years never had problems with spoke nipples cracking . I don't over tighten them . They just crack on real hard landing s .
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sandman768
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sandman768 8/27/2022 5:42am
8/27/2022 5:42am
Polish Power wrote:
I knew you would chime in lol. Nice meeting you yesterday!
Likewise…👍
Not-a-Fan
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Not-a-Fan 8/27/2022 6:33am
8/27/2022 6:33am
Never had spoke issues on my ktm. checked tension with a torque wrench one time when I got it. Never did it again. Over 100hrs and its not even something I look at anymore.
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Thisusernameisavailable 8/27/2022 7:49am
8/27/2022 7:49am
moto12356999 wrote:
Is it okay to torque wheels after a fair bit of use ? I’ve always gone by feel. I’ve read torquing spokes only any good for...
Is it okay to torque wheels after a fair bit of use ? I’ve always gone by feel. I’ve read torquing spokes only any good for new wheels but I’m prepared to o give it a go if that’s what’s ness.
Mostly, using a torque wrench on used wheels is a waste of time. Typically you’ll see wheels built with aluminium nipples paired with steel spokes- this is a bad combination of metals to put together!

The tops of the nipples aren’t sealed off, meaning all sorts of crap, water, sand gets down in the thread and the nipple ends up seized on to the thread.

If your threads are even slightly corroded and creating drag, your torque wrench is pointless.

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Spooner
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Spooner 8/27/2022 7:55am
8/27/2022 7:55am
They are far thinner to save weight. When I bought my husky I swapped to moose stainless spokes and they have been bombproof.
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Gravel
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Gravel 8/27/2022 8:03am
8/27/2022 8:03am
Yes, and it’s worse since they started turning and anodizing the hubs instead of the older powder coated hubs. Not sure if the hub changed enough to cause problems or it’s different spokes. Maybe both. My 2006 was tolerable, I’d find a few needed touch up every 20-30 hours, my 2018 needs attention every 10 hours or so and I’m way slower than I was 15 years ago.

I’m looking for spokes, Buchanan or Bulldog seems to be the best, who sells Bulldogs?
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SeaClassExpert 8/27/2022 8:53am
8/27/2022 8:53am
There was a recall back in 2016 for the 125s and 150s for the spokes grenading, I think they've struggled with this issue for a while now.

I'm not a huge fan of their spokes and rims, but their OEM hubs are fantastic.

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cwel11
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cwel11 8/27/2022 8:57am
8/27/2022 8:57am
wnorton729 wrote:
Along with countless other issues/problems with it. My son just blew out a rear wheel on a 22 Gas Gas 125. I check the spokes damn...
Along with countless other issues/problems with it. My son just blew out a rear wheel on a 22 Gas Gas 125. I check the spokes damn near every time I check the tire pressure. I figured it was maybe because the Gas Gas has cheaper wheels… Apparently not.

I will not buy another Ktm manufactured motorcycle, period. I stay on top of maintenance constantly, but shit that shouldn’t break is breaking.

Chomping at the bit to get him a Yamaha or Honda 250.
Yeah no other manufacturers have issues 🙄
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LouisianaMotocross 8/27/2022 9:04am
8/27/2022 9:04am
Not-a-Fan wrote:
Never had spoke issues on my ktm. checked tension with a torque wrench one time when I got it. Never did it again. Over 100hrs and...
Never had spoke issues on my ktm. checked tension with a torque wrench one time when I got it. Never did it again. Over 100hrs and its not even something I look at anymore.
If true, which I doubt, you are the exception and not the rule.
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brimx153
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brimx153 8/27/2022 10:53am
8/27/2022 10:53am
Not-a-Fan wrote:
Never had spoke issues on my ktm. checked tension with a torque wrench one time when I got it. Never did it again. Over 100hrs and...
Never had spoke issues on my ktm. checked tension with a torque wrench one time when I got it. Never did it again. Over 100hrs and its not even something I look at anymore.
If you don't do any big jumps . Imo they are fine you'd never have a problem with them .one hard landing or bad case, that's another story .
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Not-a-Fan
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Not-a-Fan 8/27/2022 11:18am
8/27/2022 11:18am
I broke an ankle from an overjump to flat landing on this same bike. I will come back to this thread next Saturday and I will count how many people have had an issue. Then hopefully we can find out how many bikes KTM has sold last few years and we can do some simple math to figure out if im really the exception. Something tells me, this thread will have the same people talking about broken spokes and it won't go past the first couple pages.

Im one guy that came in to voice the opposite opinion. How many people do you think skipped over this topic like I was about to because it didn't apply to them? These threads are usually echo chambers, but I'm open to be proven wrong.
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Federung_USA
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Federung_USA 8/27/2022 11:33am
8/27/2022 11:33am
I have/had several bikes. Spokes and spokes break, that’s what they do. Know your wheelset, know how often “you” have to torque spokes. Aside from that, not even the bombproof A60 is much better than the rest. The big wheel KTM 85 is a nightmare, you have to keep tightening spokes every 5 hrs, and it never stops. The DID wheels have to be tightened several times initially, after 30hrs they tighten up pretty good. Every KTM I’ve bought requires a good spoke torque before you ride it, I buy 2-3 new bikes a year and put 60-200hrs on each bike, we break spokes 3-4 times a year, that’s just the way it is.
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bvm111
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bvm111 8/27/2022 1:57pm
8/27/2022 1:57pm
I maintain my spokes and have never had a problem on my KTMs, i do put anti seize on the spokes though when prepping my bike and use and excel torque wrench. I keep up on the spokes during pre ride prep and true my wheel at tire change.
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hawk101
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hawk101 8/28/2022 6:30am
8/28/2022 6:30am
I've got 35hrs on my mc350 and the spokes have been pretty good. I check/tighten every couple rides and try not to go too tight. Couple spokes here and there need a little tension.

These Austrian wheel complaint threads make me worried everytime I accidentally send it to a flat land, but so far no wheel issues.

Here's a thought, maybe most Austrian wheels are too tight/the factory torque spec is too high for the spokes provided?
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wnorton729
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wnorton729 9/2/2022 8:04am
9/2/2022 8:04am Edited Date/Time 9/2/2022 8:06am
wnorton729 wrote:
Along with countless other issues/problems with it. My son just blew out a rear wheel on a 22 Gas Gas 125. I check the spokes damn...
Along with countless other issues/problems with it. My son just blew out a rear wheel on a 22 Gas Gas 125. I check the spokes damn near every time I check the tire pressure. I figured it was maybe because the Gas Gas has cheaper wheels… Apparently not.

I will not buy another Ktm manufactured motorcycle, period. I stay on top of maintenance constantly, but shit that shouldn’t break is breaking.

Chomping at the bit to get him a Yamaha or Honda 250.
cwel11 wrote:
Yeah no other manufacturers have issues 🙄
Well… I have owned/rode just about every manufacturer I can think of, none of them have/had as many problems as all of my sons Ktm manufactured bikes. I have begged him for years to get off of them, but it’s what he likes…right? I’m just not going to be in denial. Weird shit tends to fail on KTM’s more than others, is my opinion. I also can’t remember where I said other manufacturers don’t have issues.

To each there own bud, go buy you one. Shocked
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mx4all 9/2/2022 9:40am
9/2/2022 9:40am
I got a ktm -23 and the spokes been solid. Not one spoke has gotten loose in 17h. So thats a big improvment from earlier models.
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Not-a-Fan
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Not-a-Fan 9/3/2022 10:31am
9/3/2022 10:31am
Not-a-Fan wrote:
I broke an ankle from an overjump to flat landing on this same bike. I will come back to this thread next Saturday and I will...
I broke an ankle from an overjump to flat landing on this same bike. I will come back to this thread next Saturday and I will count how many people have had an issue. Then hopefully we can find out how many bikes KTM has sold last few years and we can do some simple math to figure out if im really the exception. Something tells me, this thread will have the same people talking about broken spokes and it won't go past the first couple pages.

Im one guy that came in to voice the opposite opinion. How many people do you think skipped over this topic like I was about to because it didn't apply to them? These threads are usually echo chambers, but I'm open to be proven wrong.


Its Saturday. Just as predicted.
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BRX-WRX
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BRX-WRX 10/10/2022 8:58pm
10/10/2022 8:58pm Edited Date/Time 10/10/2022 9:03pm
Local racer dropped off 23 SXF450 Factory Edition rear wheel to fix flat. less than 2 weeks old. Had pinched side in tube. Replaced tube and started checking spokes. 5 had backed off nipples all on the drive side.3 were finger loose. Rim lock nipples were still tight, The loose ones were 1/2 way around/away. edit= orange hub
dontdrinkandpost 10/10/2022 9:28pm
10/10/2022 9:28pm
Not-a-Fan wrote:
Never had spoke issues on my ktm. checked tension with a torque wrench one time when I got it. Never did it again. Over 100hrs and...
Never had spoke issues on my ktm. checked tension with a torque wrench one time when I got it. Never did it again. Over 100hrs and its not even something I look at anymore.
LouisianaMotocross wrote:
If true, which I doubt, you are the exception and not the rule.
No, same here. No issues with 2017 450sxf, 2017 fc350, 2019 fe501 which all had 100+hrs when I sold them. Currently have 21 ec350f with 60hrs, no issues either. I check them after the first hr or 2, then maybe every 10-20hrs after that. I broke 1 from an unknown impact, that’s it.
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