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When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 0 of 22 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Engine. Review the 11 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Fuel/propulsion System. Review the 8 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Service Brakes. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
1 crash reports0 fire reports0 injury reports
What owners actually said
22 reports
Mileage unknown · Jan 23, 2022
Unknown Or Other
The motorcycle's instrument cluster (TFT Display) often becomes obscured by internal condensation (fogging), sometimes remaining obscured for extended periods of time (i.e., 30 minutes). When this occurs, it is impossible to see critical operation/safety information such vehicle speed, traction, and ABS settings. It is also impo…
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The motorcycle's instrument cluster (TFT Display) often becomes obscured by internal condensation (fogging), sometimes remaining obscured for extended periods of time (i.e., 30 minutes). When this occurs, it is impossible to see critical operation/safety information such vehicle speed, traction, and ABS settings. It is also impossible to operate the menu to control these same settings. The resulting conditions make vehicle operation unsafe--especially when fogging occurs while operating the vehicle. Based on extensive forum searches, this issue is a design flaw that is well-known, but largely unaddressed by the manufacturer (KTM). Many owners of the same vehicle model experience this safety issue. My local dealership has "warrantied" (replaced) one display for this condensation issue, but refuses to further remedy the issue, even though the replacement display has the same problem.
NHTSA ODI #11448515
Mileage unknown · Jan 8, 2022
Fuel/propulsion System
Motorcycle does not start properly when cold. Takes several tries to start. Once started it dies several times and must be restarted. Once running, it idles very rough for several minutes.
NHTSA ODI #11446703
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
Fuel/propulsion System
If the bike has been sitting overnight, then the first start of the day is difficult. It does not want to start and takes a few tries. When it does start it is on only 1 cylinder...this goes back to normal once it warms up after a minute or so. This began @700 miles. This problem goes away immediately if you use 89 octane fu…
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If the bike has been sitting overnight, then the first start of the day is difficult. It does not want to start and takes a few tries. When it does start it is on only 1 cylinder...this goes back to normal once it warms up after a minute or so. This began @700 miles. This problem goes away immediately if you use 89 octane fuel. I have just stayed with 89 but other owners have reported after going back to the fuel KTM recommends 91 octane or higher, the problem comes back.
NHTSA ODI #11445550
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
Mileage unknown · Oct 24, 2021
Fuel/propulsion SystemPower Train
When running the motorcycle on the manufacturer-recommended 91+ (premium) octane fuel, the engine can take up to 5 or 6 tries (over the course of a few minutes) to start when it's sat overnight. When the engine eventually does start it runs very rough on only one (of two) cylinder. During this rough starting there is an overpowe…
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When running the motorcycle on the manufacturer-recommended 91+ (premium) octane fuel, the engine can take up to 5 or 6 tries (over the course of a few minutes) to start when it's sat overnight. When the engine eventually does start it runs very rough on only one (of two) cylinder. During this rough starting there is an overpowering smell of raw/un-ignighted fuel coming from the exhaust pipe. There seems to be some kind of issue with the fueling or ignition timing that prevents the engine from running properly on 91+ octane fuel. Switching to a slightly lower 89 (mid-grade) octane fuel mostly, but not completely, seems to fix the issue. However this fuel is not rocommended by the manufacturer due to the high compression ratio and I'm worried that it might cause damage in the long term. The bike was taken to the KTM dealer who performed a reset of the factory ECU; however, this did not help the issue at all. Reading online, I've found dozens of people with other 2021 KTM 890 Adventure motorcycles experiencing the same issues e.g. no start, hard starting, running on one cylinder, etc. Running on only one cylinder and sometimes dying is a major safety issue.
NHTSA ODI #11437948
Official recalls
0
No recalls in this snapshot.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0
No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
2021 Ktm 790 Adventure R Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year