Are KTMs super unreliable?

Mx746
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Mx746 1/11/2019 10:18am
1/11/2019 10:18am
My general impression is ktm might have a slightly elevated rate of mechanical issues, but they seem to address them as a company better than any other brand. You always read the threads with the complaint, then by the end of the thread a few weeks later the company has held their end of the bargain and then some
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Moto520
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Moto520 1/11/2019 10:23am
1/11/2019 10:23am Edited Date/Time 1/11/2019 1:48pm
I’ve been on KTM 450’s for the last three years and still own a 2018 KTM250SXF. The 450’s were very good race bikes and they were fast, handled well, and had decent enough suspension. My 2016 had a couple of recalls which was pretty annoying since my dealership is not close by my standards. The bikes all held up well and i had no major issues but i felt as if they got kind of loose a little quicker than i would have liked. I consider KTM’s to be 2 years and out, throwaway bikes. They are made to be race machines and i just don’t think they last as well as my jap bikes. This year....i switched to Kawasaki and am anxious to see how she does. I would absolutely buy another KTM with that being said.
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Subotai
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Subotai 1/11/2019 10:24am
1/11/2019 10:24am
Mx746 wrote:
My general impression is ktm might have a slightly elevated rate of mechanical issues, but they seem to address them as a company better than any...
My general impression is ktm might have a slightly elevated rate of mechanical issues, but they seem to address them as a company better than any other brand. You always read the threads with the complaint, then by the end of the thread a few weeks later the company has held their end of the bargain and then some
Best and most accurate thread in this post.
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Stuntman949
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Stuntman949 1/11/2019 10:28am
1/11/2019 10:28am



Best 10 minutes I ever spent on a bike

(Not my bike)

The Shop

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Stuntman949
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Stuntman949 1/11/2019 10:29am
1/11/2019 10:29am
Side note: Anyone got a 380 SX they're looking to sell? Just want one.
seth505
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seth505 1/11/2019 10:38am
1/11/2019 10:38am
One of these threads ey?

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hgrove99
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hgrove99 1/11/2019 10:58am
1/11/2019 10:58am
Here we go let me get some popcorn
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cody41
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cody41 1/11/2019 11:10am
1/11/2019 11:10am
Mx746 wrote:
My general impression is ktm might have a slightly elevated rate of mechanical issues, but they seem to address them as a company better than any...
My general impression is ktm might have a slightly elevated rate of mechanical issues, but they seem to address them as a company better than any other brand. You always read the threads with the complaint, then by the end of the thread a few weeks later the company has held their end of the bargain and then some
This is probably the most accuarate post this thread will see.
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Squirrelings 1/11/2019 12:29pm
1/11/2019 12:29pm
SmokinJoe439 wrote:
Wait i thought that was a ktm only problem [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2019/01/11/317263/s1200_s1200_IMG_2309.jpg[/img]
Wait i thought that was a ktm only problem


I almost posted "que the honda pictures with broken linkage mounts on the frame" when I saw that picture. We all knew it was coming. Funny how people can't offer up their opinion without someone getting offended over nothing. All manufacturers have SOME issues. Some more than others.
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chrisgg90
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chrisgg90 1/11/2019 12:54pm
1/11/2019 12:54pm
I owned nothing but KTM since 2004 until 2015. The only bike I had an issue with after 50hrs was my 07 450 when the clutch basket disintegrated and shards of metal went through the entire engine..

In 2016, I bought a new 450 Kawa and thought that the nuts and bolts on it were made of chocolate. The chain adjusters rounded almost instantly and when I went to position the foot rests to the lower position I had to tap the frame on the right hand side as no threads were present for the bolt to run in.

All bikes have issues sometimes and there is not one more reliable than the other. To say KTM are unreliable is a comment usually made by people that don't own them.
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Solidkm
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Solidkm 1/11/2019 1:36pm
1/11/2019 1:36pm
SmokinJoe439 wrote:
Wait i thought that was a ktm only problem [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2019/01/11/317263/s1200_s1200_IMG_2309.jpg[/img]
Wait i thought that was a ktm only problem


Squirrelings wrote:
I almost posted "que the honda pictures with broken linkage mounts on the frame" when I saw that picture. We all knew it was coming. Funny...
I almost posted "que the honda pictures with broken linkage mounts on the frame" when I saw that picture. We all knew it was coming. Funny how people can't offer up their opinion without someone getting offended over nothing. All manufacturers have SOME issues. Some more than others.
What brand is your choice?
Squirrelings 1/11/2019 7:34pm
1/11/2019 7:34pm
Solidkm wrote:
What brand is your choice?
Kawi the last six years. They fit me best and other than chain sliders and guides, they are solid as a rock. Even the TM Designworks sliders don’t last. I’ve had all brands including Husqvarna before they were KTM’s.
crusher773
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crusher773 1/11/2019 8:36pm
1/11/2019 8:36pm
I'll never go back to Japanese. Way better build quality and reliability out of KTM.
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Johnny Depp
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Johnny Depp 1/11/2019 8:44pm
1/11/2019 8:44pm
As long as you are OK being the development rider, get ya some.
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jeffro503
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jeffro503 1/11/2019 9:29pm
1/11/2019 9:29pm
crusher773 wrote:
I'll never go back to Japanese. Way better build quality and reliability out of KTM.
I actually prefer the feel of the steel frames to be honest. A person won't understand this until they ride both back to back. I honestly don't think I could ever go back to an aluminum frame. I've only been on Husky's for 1.5 years......but man I love em' a lot!
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seth505
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seth505 1/11/2019 9:34pm
1/11/2019 9:34pm
Look at this basket vs the other brands. It SHOULD be more expensive.

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jeffro503
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jeffro503 1/11/2019 9:59pm
1/11/2019 9:59pm
seth505 wrote:
Look at this basket vs the other brands. It SHOULD be more expensive. [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2019/01/11/317451/s1200_129159E8_25CA_483C_AE2D_F6649E588447.jpg[/img]
Look at this basket vs the other brands. It SHOULD be more expensive.

Seth is that out of your 250? That's stock?
captmoto
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captmoto 1/11/2019 10:06pm
1/11/2019 10:06pm
seth505 wrote:
Look at this basket vs the other brands. It SHOULD be more expensive. [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2019/01/11/317451/s1200_129159E8_25CA_483C_AE2D_F6649E588447.jpg[/img]
Look at this basket vs the other brands. It SHOULD be more expensive.

You don't see suggestions from the magazines that KTM/Husqvarna owners would benefit from a $1000 Hinson set up either. Not too many people feel the need to add oversized rotors.

It seems like people want more cutting edge and closer to a factory bike every year and then they get it in the form of a KTM and people bitch about it being reliable. Maybe they are a 2 year and done bike but that is a true racers weapon.

I've also heard from a couple different magazines that factory KTM/Husqvarna have less work into the motors than the Japanese brands and they generally don't go on a crazy high end titanium and carbon fiber diet to make weight. The Pankl internals in a KTM are upgrades on Japanese bikes.

Buy one or don't, who gives a fuck what you ride or why. You certainly don't need one for drag racing down at the gravel pit.

FWIW I have a 17 FC450 but my next bike may be a Yamaha but that is strictly based on the amount of dealer support in my area, nothing to do at all with my FC's reliability or performance.
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seth505
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seth505 1/11/2019 10:12pm
1/11/2019 10:12pm Edited Date/Time 1/11/2019 10:13pm
seth505 wrote:
Look at this basket vs the other brands. It SHOULD be more expensive. [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2019/01/11/317451/s1200_129159E8_25CA_483C_AE2D_F6649E588447.jpg[/img]
Look at this basket vs the other brands. It SHOULD be more expensive.

jeffro503 wrote:
Seth is that out of your 250? That's stock?
Yup, out of the sx. I actually have a shifting issue right now but probably nothing major. All of em are gonna have pieces go bad here and there but I do appreciate the details on KTM/Husky in general.
jeffro503
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jeffro503 1/11/2019 10:51pm
1/11/2019 10:51pm
seth505 wrote:
Look at this basket vs the other brands. It SHOULD be more expensive. [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2019/01/11/317451/s1200_129159E8_25CA_483C_AE2D_F6649E588447.jpg[/img]
Look at this basket vs the other brands. It SHOULD be more expensive.

jeffro503 wrote:
Seth is that out of your 250? That's stock?
seth505 wrote:
Yup, out of the sx. I actually have a shifting issue right now but probably nothing major. All of em are gonna have pieces go bad...
Yup, out of the sx. I actually have a shifting issue right now but probably nothing major. All of em are gonna have pieces go bad here and there but I do appreciate the details on KTM/Husky in general.
I'll be danged. I haven't had a reason to pull the clutch cover off either of my bikes , so I had no idea that they looked like that. Let us know what that shifting issue is too please. May be something we all need to keep an eye on.
AceDudemeister 1/11/2019 11:05pm
1/11/2019 11:05pm
Owned a KTM years ago. It was more expensive and took more time to maintain. Engine parts were forged instead of cast and it had some parts that were from quality aftermarket suppliers but, you didn’t just go and buy a part at the stealership. They often had to be ordered from the factory causing a two week wait.

I’m sure others can confirm if this is still the case.

Mine was reliable, it definitely did not fit the Kine Thousand Meter arguement.
AceDudemeister 1/11/2019 11:19pm
1/11/2019 11:19pm
KennyT wrote:
The ones bashing them are the ones that can’t afford them. All of the new bikes are excellent, some people just love to bitch about things
milliebays wrote:
yes but you have no problem maintaining a triumph, so your tolerances may be different :) its just toyota vs. BMW. Japanese overbuild and have strict...
yes but you have no problem maintaining a triumph, so your tolerances may be different Smile


its just toyota vs. BMW. Japanese overbuild and have strict demands from suppliers. Europeans less so.
KennyT wrote:
I’m on my 4th Triumph since 2014 and my 3rd Harley since 2015, I absolutely love them and would never trade them for a more “reliable”...
I’m on my 4th Triumph since 2014 and my 3rd Harley since 2015, I absolutely love them and would never trade them for a more “reliable” Jap bikes. Like I said earlier, most modern era bikes are excellent so buy what appeals to you, do proper maintenance and everything will be fine?
I’ve got a 955i ce since new. It took me 15 years to abolish the Triumphness on that bike. It runs pretty well now. My KTM was a Honda in comparison to my typically English product.
Solidkm
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Solidkm 1/12/2019 7:16am
1/12/2019 7:16am
Honestly I want to try another brand. I’d like to try a yz450 but I can’t get over the weight difference to the ktm. I saw a new honda at the local spot and it made me wet myself. And the Kawasaki seems to be all new and squared away. Even tho the Suzuki is outdated AF, I think they look good. But all my spare parts, wheels etc are KTM, and the KTM has not given me, personally, any reason to change.
BR8ES
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BR8ES 1/12/2019 8:25am
1/12/2019 8:25am
my next bike will be something other than KTM, main reason I got my 19 125 was because of all the carry over parts from my 17 250.
Solidkm
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Solidkm 1/12/2019 8:49am
1/12/2019 8:49am
BR8ES wrote:
my next bike will be something other than KTM, main reason I got my 19 125 was because of all the carry over parts from my...
my next bike will be something other than KTM, main reason I got my 19 125 was because of all the carry over parts from my 17 250.
I would prob try Yamaha if it went on a diet. I really like my friends 19 250f. Idk if I want a 450 tho, the 350 works well for me
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BR8ES
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BR8ES 1/12/2019 9:00am
1/12/2019 9:00am
BR8ES wrote:
my next bike will be something other than KTM, main reason I got my 19 125 was because of all the carry over parts from my...
my next bike will be something other than KTM, main reason I got my 19 125 was because of all the carry over parts from my 17 250.
Solidkm wrote:
I would prob try Yamaha if it went on a diet. I really like my friends 19 250f. Idk if I want a 450 tho, the...
I would prob try Yamaha if it went on a diet. I really like my friends 19 250f. Idk if I want a 450 tho, the 350 works well for me
the 350 has always been interesting to me, especially if I was to get another 4 stroke.
Solidkm
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Solidkm 1/12/2019 9:26am
1/12/2019 9:26am
BR8ES wrote:
my next bike will be something other than KTM, main reason I got my 19 125 was because of all the carry over parts from my...
my next bike will be something other than KTM, main reason I got my 19 125 was because of all the carry over parts from my 17 250.
Solidkm wrote:
I would prob try Yamaha if it went on a diet. I really like my friends 19 250f. Idk if I want a 450 tho, the...
I would prob try Yamaha if it went on a diet. I really like my friends 19 250f. Idk if I want a 450 tho, the 350 works well for me
BR8ES wrote:
the 350 has always been interesting to me, especially if I was to get another 4 stroke.
I live 20 minutes from you, come ride mine.

I love how people criticize he 350 as having no power. I don’t understand what people want. I ride a 250f For hare scrambles, I don’t think any more power is going to help me whatsoever. The 350, even at 5000 feet, is still more than enough to get me in trouble. And I know I’m leaving 1000-2000 RPMs on the table
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