The valve train of my bike failed and left me stranded in the woods. There were no signs or warnings beforehand. After further research online, I found that this issue has been happening quite a bit. Luckily it happened to me while my bike was parked. The issue is the valve train is wearing out prematurely and causing the bikes…
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The valve train of my bike failed and left me stranded in the woods. There were no signs or warnings beforehand. After further research online, I found that this issue has been happening quite a bit. Luckily it happened to me while my bike was parked. The issue is the valve train is wearing out prematurely and causing the bikes to run poorly or not run at all. My bike has 13,000 miles on it and other bikes have had more or less miles when this issue occurred. I've worked on several motorcycles with three times the miles and never had an issue with the valve trains being chewed up like this current issue. This issue could possibly cause the bike to stop running while it is being driven at whatever speed. A bike suddenly stalling out in traffic isn't the safest scenario for a motorcycle rider. Especially if they're riding at interstate speeds. If you search online, you'll see others with this issue and it's much worse than mine. There are numerous YouTube videos and even a dedicated Facebook page about this issue. I do not have Facebook but I have attached a link with this description. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA ODI #11678897
Mileage unknown · Apr 4, 2024
Engine
I have checked the cam shafts condition at only 3900 miles since there are a lot of people with the same motorcycle mentioning this issue and there is an unsuspected wear starting to happen. Motorcycle always ran on recommended Motorex oil and air filter was maintained as it should be.
NHTSA ODI #11581257
Mileage unknown · May 22, 2023
Engine
Difficult cold start ups. When the bike is cold or has been sitting for 1-2 weeks and I start it up intermittently the bike has problems starting up and running. Will stall out and need to attempt to restart it several times before it will run. Appears to be running on a single cylinder for 30-45 seconds when it does finally sta…
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Difficult cold start ups. When the bike is cold or has been sitting for 1-2 weeks and I start it up intermittently the bike has problems starting up and running. Will stall out and need to attempt to restart it several times before it will run. Appears to be running on a single cylinder for 30-45 seconds when it does finally start up then will run as normal. This does not occur when the motorcycle is already warm. Concerned about possible mechanical damage from running on a single cylinder which could be dangerous on a motorcycle and result in injury.
NHTSA ODI #11523231
Mileage unknown · Feb 1, 2022
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemPower Train
Motorcycle hard/impossible to start. Excessive valve wear. Currently unrideable due to mechanical problems. Motorcycle stalled at intersection of busy highway, would not start creating hazard of being hit in the intersection and while pushing it to side of road. Mechanic inspected vehicle, found excessive wear to valvetrain cau…
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Motorcycle hard/impossible to start. Excessive valve wear. Currently unrideable due to mechanical problems. Motorcycle stalled at intersection of busy highway, would not start creating hazard of being hit in the intersection and while pushing it to side of road. Mechanic inspected vehicle, found excessive wear to valvetrain causing engine power loss and stalls. States that it appears to be a manufacturing defect in the intake system allowing dirt ingestion leading to excessive irreparable valve wear.
NHTSA ODI #11449741
Mileage unknown · Jan 6, 2022
EngineFuel/propulsion System
The motorcycle is having a cold start issue. When starting after 24hours, the motorcycle will not start right away or will only start on one of two cylinders. After roughly 60 seconds the second cylinder starts up.
NHTSA ODI #11446509
Mileage unknown · Dec 30, 2021
EngineFuel/propulsion System
When engin is cold for more then 8 hours. Engin will start only on 1 cylinder (right), for +/- 1 minute (1000 +/- rpm), after, you will heard internal explosion, and left cylinder will start (1600 +/- rpm) . and dropping at 1400 for normal idle. With an strong gazoline smells after start-up, after 2 3 minutes smeel is gone Plea…
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When engin is cold for more then 8 hours. Engin will start only on 1 cylinder (right), for +/- 1 minute (1000 +/- rpm), after, you will heard internal explosion, and left cylinder will start (1600 +/- rpm) . and dropping at 1400 for normal idle. With an strong gazoline smells after start-up, after 2 3 minutes smeel is gone Please note that I live in Canada Quebec
NHTSA ODI #11445599
Mileage unknown · Dec 30, 2021
EngineFuel/propulsion System
When I start the bike, it sounds like the engine is only running on one cylinder and misfiring. It runs 'rough' like this for about 30 -60 seconds and the revs are sitting between 1000-1300 instead of the normal 1300-1500rpm range. You can smell fuel while this is happening. It then 'pops' and the engine runs fine after that…
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When I start the bike, it sounds like the engine is only running on one cylinder and misfiring. It runs 'rough' like this for about 30 -60 seconds and the revs are sitting between 1000-1300 instead of the normal 1300-1500rpm range. You can smell fuel while this is happening. It then 'pops' and the engine runs fine after that. I live in the Netherlands, but wanted to register the issue here as well for investigation.
NHTSA ODI #11445537
Mileage unknown · Dec 29, 2021
EngineUnknown Or Other
The motorycle has a hard time to start. At times throttle needs to be added to keep the engine from dying out. A modern and fuel injected bike should not need to have the throttle be opened for the bike to start up.
NHTSA ODI #11445504
Mileage unknown · Oct 28, 2021
EngineCrash
Stalled dozens of times and sudden loss of power when cold
NHTSA ODI #11438484
Mileage unknown · Oct 26, 2021
Engine
I just wanted to make you aware of my 2021 KTM 890 R VIN # [XXX] 2000 MILES Since new it has had a hard start when cold or sitting overnight. It takes 2 or 3 times to start and keeps stalling I stalls runs rough and even runs on one cylinder for 30 to 60 seconds. Its a 2 cylinder motorcycle. Once running it runs great rest …
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I just wanted to make you aware of my 2021 KTM 890 R VIN # [XXX] 2000 MILES Since new it has had a hard start when cold or sitting overnight. It takes 2 or 3 times to start and keeps stalling I stalls runs rough and even runs on one cylinder for 30 to 60 seconds. Its a 2 cylinder motorcycle. Once running it runs great rest of day. MANY folks are seeing the same condition and KTM is not responding with anything of a solution I have owned many many motorcycles and even 6 KTMS but their lack of attention here is not good. Dealers say it's normal or no problem found. My local dealer said yeah, we have seen it no real fix. The earlier 2019/2020 790 models had hard start issues but this new 2021 890 model is worse, more widespread and more severe— running on one cylinder at start up. I am a master mechanic in the auto industry and understand something is wrong. If ANYONE bought a new car and it took several times to start each morning and it ran rough for a little you would not accept it. Not only is it not great for customer satisfaction but could be hurting the engine and might be an excess EPA emission issue too. Thanks for listening and more info is on the ADV website with lots of potential impacted customers here is a vid-- https://youtu.be/rPwFnlp0oxE [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA ODI #11438301
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2021 Ktm 790 Adventure R Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year