KTM frame failure - 2016 sx350

fourfourone wrote:

What do you mean "here we go" From these posts and pictures, you cant honestly think that everyone on here that owns a ktm isn't going...

What do you mean "here we go" From these posts and pictures, you cant honestly think that everyone on here that owns a ktm isn't going to be at least a little bit worried.

Solidkm wrote:

You’re stirring the pot, bruh. This thread has what 6 pages? And thumpertalk has a matching one. Half the dudes are concerned. And half the dudes...

You’re stirring the pot, bruh. This thread has what 6 pages? And thumpertalk has a matching one. Half the dudes are concerned. And half the dudes are saying a few (freak?) failures over 100,000+ frames isn’t enough for it to be a thing. They’re all good bikes and they’ve all had failures. And again, aside from OP, we don’t know what insane crashes these things have lived thru before breaking.

Tires fail and lug nuts come off, I’m not checking my truck every morning before work. I’m just not.

Monk wrote:

Bro, KTMs are junk right? Everyone knows that...

early wrote:

While it's true frames break under the abuse an off-road motorcycle sees, we have a handful of examples just from the people reading this forum in...

While it's true frames break under the abuse an off-road motorcycle sees, we have a handful of examples just from the people reading this forum in the last few days which is a small sample size. Add to that the fact that the KTM 450sxf lost about 10 lbs between 2015 and 2016. Seems likely that there were some unintended consequences from that particular redesign.

early wrote:

While it's true frames break under the abuse an off-road motorcycle sees, we have a handful of examples just from the people reading this forum in...

While it's true frames break under the abuse an off-road motorcycle sees, we have a handful of examples just from the people reading this forum in the last few days which is a small sample size. Add to that the fact that the KTM 450sxf lost about 10 lbs between 2015 and 2016. Seems likely that there were some unintended consequences from that particular redesign.

seth505 wrote:

They dropped around 3 pounds using the air fork and dropped several pounds in the motor. I don't understand how people throw around numbers like 10-15...

They dropped around 3 pounds using the air fork and dropped several pounds in the motor. I don't understand how people throw around numbers like 10-15 pounds lighter and only reference the steel frame.

seth505 wrote:

They dropped around 3 pounds using the air fork and dropped several pounds in the motor. I don't understand how people throw around numbers like 10-15...

They dropped around 3 pounds using the air fork and dropped several pounds in the motor. I don't understand how people throw around numbers like 10-15 pounds lighter and only reference the steel frame.

Motovet wrote:

Update from the owner of the bike that broke that’s me. Ktm is sending out a new frame and any parts that were damaged due to...

Update from the owner of the bike that broke that’s me. Ktm is sending out a new frame and any parts that were damaged due to the break but so far they said they weren’t going to cover the cost of the labor to swap the frame and they want the dealer to do that which I understand. I would like them to cover the cost so I’m in the Process of talking to customer service. A lot of really good points on here and it’s good to have this conversation. my catastrophic frame failure luckily didn’t bite me too bad and made others aware you need to check that stuff out, these bikes take a lot of abuse. I’ll get this thing back together in a couple weeks and be back out there racing the piss out of it and I can’t wait to get my hands on a 19 Cheers ?

Motovet wrote:

Update from the owner of the bike that broke that’s me. Ktm is sending out a new frame and any parts that were damaged due to...

Update from the owner of the bike that broke that’s me. Ktm is sending out a new frame and any parts that were damaged due to the break but so far they said they weren’t going to cover the cost of the labor to swap the frame and they want the dealer to do that which I understand. I would like them to cover the cost so I’m in the Process of talking to customer service. A lot of really good points on here and it’s good to have this conversation. my catastrophic frame failure luckily didn’t bite me too bad and made others aware you need to check that stuff out, these bikes take a lot of abuse. I’ll get this thing back together in a couple weeks and be back out there racing the piss out of it and I can’t wait to get my hands on a 19 Cheers ?

Motovet wrote:

Update from the owner of the bike that broke that’s me. Ktm is sending out a new frame and any parts that were damaged due to...

Update from the owner of the bike that broke that’s me. Ktm is sending out a new frame and any parts that were damaged due to the break but so far they said they weren’t going to cover the cost of the labor to swap the frame and they want the dealer to do that which I understand. I would like them to cover the cost so I’m in the Process of talking to customer service. A lot of really good points on here and it’s good to have this conversation. my catastrophic frame failure luckily didn’t bite me too bad and made others aware you need to check that stuff out, these bikes take a lot of abuse. I’ll get this thing back together in a couple weeks and be back out there racing the piss out of it and I can’t wait to get my hands on a 19 Cheers ?

newmann wrote:

In 1978, my new YZ80 frame fell to pieces. There were a total of 13 cracks in the frame. I was 150 down the list of...

In 1978, my new YZ80 frame fell to pieces. There were a total of 13 cracks in the frame. I was 150 down the list of people getting frames and it took 90 days for them to get one to the dealer. Frame was free but I had to pay to get everything swapped over as well as having to pay to have the factory supplied "gusset kit" welded in place on the new frame. Just be thankful you don't have to pay to have a couple extra pounds of steel welded to it like Yamaha did.

Sounds like KTM came through once again with some excellent customer service on a three year old motocross bike that they have zero clue on the history of. Congrats on that and good thing you didn't get hurt! Now go buy a lottery ticket.

You really have to love the 8 pages of doom and KTM gloom and then the owner shows up to tell us KTM has him a new frame and parts on the way. One more reason KTM is conquering the world of off road motorcycling.

Motovet wrote:

Update from the owner of the bike that broke that’s me. Ktm is sending out a new frame and any parts that were damaged due to...

Update from the owner of the bike that broke that’s me. Ktm is sending out a new frame and any parts that were damaged due to the break but so far they said they weren’t going to cover the cost of the labor to swap the frame and they want the dealer to do that which I understand. I would like them to cover the cost so I’m in the Process of talking to customer service. A lot of really good points on here and it’s good to have this conversation. my catastrophic frame failure luckily didn’t bite me too bad and made others aware you need to check that stuff out, these bikes take a lot of abuse. I’ll get this thing back together in a couple weeks and be back out there racing the piss out of it and I can’t wait to get my hands on a 19 Cheers ?

newmann wrote:

In 1978, my new YZ80 frame fell to pieces. There were a total of 13 cracks in the frame. I was 150 down the list of...

In 1978, my new YZ80 frame fell to pieces. There were a total of 13 cracks in the frame. I was 150 down the list of people getting frames and it took 90 days for them to get one to the dealer. Frame was free but I had to pay to get everything swapped over as well as having to pay to have the factory supplied "gusset kit" welded in place on the new frame. Just be thankful you don't have to pay to have a couple extra pounds of steel welded to it like Yamaha did.

Sounds like KTM came through once again with some excellent customer service on a three year old motocross bike that they have zero clue on the history of. Congrats on that and good thing you didn't get hurt! Now go buy a lottery ticket.

You really have to love the 8 pages of doom and KTM gloom and then the owner shows up to tell us KTM has him a new frame and parts on the way. One more reason KTM is conquering the world of off road motorcycling.

Squirrelings wrote:

Awesome that they are replacing the frame. They'd be dumb not to when they can get good publicity from this post. Still doesn't change the fact...

Awesome that they are replacing the frame. They'd be dumb not to when they can get good publicity from this post. Still doesn't change the fact that it's a potentially very dangerous flaw that I'd personally rather avoid instead of getting a free frame that I need to pay someone to switch out. Depends how you look at it. Buy a bike from a company who gives you a free frame when it breaks or buy a bike from a company whose frame doesn't break.

Squirrelings wrote:

Awesome that they are replacing the frame. They'd be dumb not to when they can get good publicity from this post. Still doesn't change the fact...

Awesome that they are replacing the frame. They'd be dumb not to when they can get good publicity from this post. Still doesn't change the fact that it's a potentially very dangerous flaw that I'd personally rather avoid instead of getting a free frame that I need to pay someone to switch out. Depends how you look at it. Buy a bike from a company who gives you a free frame when it breaks or buy a bike from a company whose frame doesn't break.

mx317 wrote:

And what company is that?

Squirrelings wrote:

Awesome that they are replacing the frame. They'd be dumb not to when they can get good publicity from this post. Still doesn't change the fact...

Awesome that they are replacing the frame. They'd be dumb not to when they can get good publicity from this post. Still doesn't change the fact that it's a potentially very dangerous flaw that I'd personally rather avoid instead of getting a free frame that I need to pay someone to switch out. Depends how you look at it. Buy a bike from a company who gives you a free frame when it breaks or buy a bike from a company whose frame doesn't break.

mx317 wrote:

And what company is that?

Solidkm wrote:

Prob the same company that doesn’t turn, doesn’t stop, doesn’t flex, doesn’t have hydraulic clutch, and doesn’t have the button. Lots of good dudes on here...

Prob the same company that doesn’t turn, doesn’t stop, doesn’t flex, doesn’t have hydraulic clutch, and doesn’t have the button.

Lots of good dudes on here contributing and then there’s this guy, squirrelings

kb228 wrote:

Its NYMotocross in disguise

stone881 wrote:

Squirrel is partially right and KTM should publicly address the issue. Did KTM in fact identify a problem with that part number? Was it an isolated...

Squirrel is partially right and KTM should publicly address the issue.

Did KTM in fact identify a problem with that part number?

Was it an isolated number in the production run, or the entire production run?

I see a new part number in the fiche for 2017.

If a replacement frame is provided, which part number will it be?

Etc.

H4L wrote:

Agree. By giving out new frames to customers it seems like they're putting a band-aid on the issue. Someone mentioned a new revised frame with better...

Agree. By giving out new frames to customers it seems like they're putting a band-aid on the issue. Someone mentioned a new revised frame with better structural integrity, but has that been announced by KTM officially ?

mx317 wrote:

No company announces when they supersede a part.

philG wrote:

Welds are funny things, and over the years i have done a few post mortems on failed parts , and been involved with proving out new...

Welds are funny things, and over the years i have done a few post mortems on failed parts , and been involved with proving out new techiques for parts.

Welds crack from the inside usually, so even crack testing doesnt find something till its made it to the surface, by then, its almost too late. These can develop as the weld cools, its part of the process to make sure they dont.

Where you get a crack from the end of a weld, that is load generated, like the engine mount plate one, these can be caused by vibration, loose bolts, (or not properly tight) .

Stuff breaks, the idea that you can expect a competition bike, to take the punishment it does, and last indefinatley, is a bit of a push.. i think i have broken 5 frames in 42 years of racing , and 2 swingarms, i am not hard on bikes, but i have mates who just kill everything they lay their hands on.

While catastrophic failure like this isnt common, it will happen,at some point.

newmann wrote:

In 1978, my new YZ80 frame fell to pieces. There were a total of 13 cracks in the frame. I was 150 down the list of...

In 1978, my new YZ80 frame fell to pieces. There were a total of 13 cracks in the frame. I was 150 down the list of people getting frames and it took 90 days for them to get one to the dealer. Frame was free but I had to pay to get everything swapped over as well as having to pay to have the factory supplied "gusset kit" welded in place on the new frame. Just be thankful you don't have to pay to have a couple extra pounds of steel welded to it like Yamaha did.

Sounds like KTM came through once again with some excellent customer service on a three year old motocross bike that they have zero clue on the history of. Congrats on that and good thing you didn't get hurt! Now go buy a lottery ticket.

You really have to love the 8 pages of doom and KTM gloom and then the owner shows up to tell us KTM has him a new frame and parts on the way. One more reason KTM is conquering the world of off road motorcycling.

Solidkm wrote:

For what it’s worth. Whatever recall they had on the 2011 350 (can’t remember) they called me. Had me schedule and appointment, and fixed it.

Solidkm wrote:

For what it’s worth. Whatever recall they had on the 2011 350 (can’t remember) they called me. Had me schedule and appointment, and fixed it.

BR8ES wrote:

Wasn't that the crank bearings?

Solidkm wrote:

For what it’s worth. Whatever recall they had on the 2011 350 (can’t remember) they called me. Had me schedule and appointment, and fixed it.

BR8ES wrote:

Wasn't that the crank bearings?

Solidkm wrote:

Ya, I think it was.

Solidkm wrote:

Prob the same company that doesn’t turn, doesn’t stop, doesn’t flex, doesn’t have hydraulic clutch, and doesn’t have the button. Lots of good dudes on here...

Prob the same company that doesn’t turn, doesn’t stop, doesn’t flex, doesn’t have hydraulic clutch, and doesn’t have the button.

Lots of good dudes on here contributing and then there’s this guy, squirrelings

Solidkm wrote:

Prob the same company that doesn’t turn, doesn’t stop, doesn’t flex, doesn’t have hydraulic clutch, and doesn’t have the button. Lots of good dudes on here...

Prob the same company that doesn’t turn, doesn’t stop, doesn’t flex, doesn’t have hydraulic clutch, and doesn’t have the button.

Lots of good dudes on here contributing and then there’s this guy, squirrelings

Squirrelings wrote:

:laugh: :laugh: I'll take any of the Japanese bikes first based on reliability alone. Even the Yamaha with their cracked frames. Don't want a hydraulic clutch...

I'll take any of the Japanese bikes first based on reliability alone. Even the Yamaha with their cracked frames. Don't want a hydraulic clutch and my bike turns great like many others. You're clearly a KTM fan with your comments based toward everything but a KTM. Glad your bike works well for you.