890 CAMSHAFTS

[JohnnyBoxer]

I was going to treat myself to a Norden or 2023 890 S in off season this winter.

Run-the T700 a while longer.

Hopefully the engines will last longer ….

 

[parkys100]

Hopefully the engines will last longer ….

I think mine and your T700 cam lobes will be fine and dandy?

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

I think mine and your T700 cam lobes will be fine and dandy?

For sure
Mine had it’s first MOT today and tester said it’ll be running longer than any 790/890 KTM

 

[bod]

For sure
Mine had it’s first MOT today and tester said it’ll be running longer than any 790/890 KTM

So, you get your bike MOT'd, and as the tester hands over the certificate, randomly says it'll last longer than any 790/890 KTM.
To be fair its a safe bet that a low output Yamaha engine will last longer than something highly tuned built in Europe with Chinese components.
But there is a narrowboat on the cut outside with a 1953 diesel twin that will be running longer than any Yammy 700.
Not too sure I'd want it in any motorbike.

 

[fatbob99]

So, you get your bike MOT'd, and as the tester hands over the certificate, randomly says it'll last longer than any 790/890 KTM.
To be fair its a safe bet that a low output Yamaha engine will last longer than something highly tuned built in Europe with Chinese components.
But there is a narrowboat on the cut outside with a 1953 diesel twin that will be running longer than any Yammy 700.
Not too sure I'd want it in any motorbike.

I thought they were Baja bikes now ?
or is that just the 790?

 

[bod]

I thought they were Baja bikes now ?
or is that just the 790?

The 890 is put together in Austria with I suspect mainly Chinese built components.

 

[cookie]

I thought they were Baja bikes now ?
or is that just the 790?

I think the 790 is built in China.

 

[mspenz]

Similar issues with some of the ' proper ' earlier KTMs..950s..
KTM eventually admitted that a batch of cams had a weak finish ( poor hardening ) so they were replacing them if people made a fuss, this ' batch ' was spread between American and European models and many of them were dealer maintained.
Lyndon Posit noticed this on his 950 Adventure but then continued to rag it for another 30k miles before stripping it down to do something else ( leaking base gasket I think ), his theory was that the pitting on the lobes would hold more oil and provide better lubrication..his didn't change much in 30k miles !

I noticed one of my exhaust cams had pitting earlier this year and that the follower was scored, I replaced the follower and have just bought a new cam ( £273 ) to fit when I stop running it in December...being an 08' bike ( but only 14k miles ) I'm not even going to try KTM.
Interestingly, the new cams are dark grey\blue in colour as are the newer water pump shafts, which were also wearing prematurely.

Your 890s are new, I'd be pressing for a replacement cam

 

[mspenz]

But they never put a recall

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

To be fair its a safe bet that a low output Yamaha engine will last longer than something highly tuned built in Europe with Chinese components.

You crack me up

 

[GSite]

CF Moto build the engines for the 790 and have put it in their 800MT which gets a 4 year warranty.
Makes you ask why KTM don't offer the option of extending the standard 2 year warranty on the 790/890 motors yet they do on the 1290 ?

 

[Arsey]

 

[Rasher]

Yes, but there is no problem, KTM have made changes in 20 & 21 to address this non existent problem, and they could not possibly comment on any individual goodwill case - probably because they never show any goodwill.

OK, move on everyone.

 

[wilbjr21]

Yes, but there is no problem, KTM have made changes in 20 & 21 to address this non existent problem, and they could not possibly comment on any individual goodwill case - probably because they never show any goodwill.

OK, move on everyone.

Moving on .......

I received this email from KTM today - my bike is a MY 2021 890 S so I don't think it applies to me in particular.

​

​

​ Hello John, Here is an important update on handling the camshaft topic for selected KTM models. Firstly, we would like to extend our apologies to the people who feel affected by the camshaft topic. We see and hear all the feedback we can, whether it's online, via authorized KTM dealers or simply through community chatter. To best equip our authorized KTM dealer network, we issued a communication on how to inspect camshafts if customers report issues on the following motorcycles: KTM 790 DUKE, model year 2018, 2019 and 2020 KTM 790 ADVENTURE, model year 2018, 2019 and 2020 Investigations have shown that a large proportion of these camshafts that are the subject of complaints are in order. In these cases, it is not a question of wear, but mostly just discoloration or running marks that have formed on the running surface of the cams or on the bearing points of the shafts and can be removed by cleaning. The overall quality and integrity of the camshaft itself is not the problem. Please visit your authorized KTM dealer, in case you have experienced the following symptoms: poor starting behaviour, clearly audible, unusual running noises from the engine and noticeably reduced engine power. If the camshafts are found to be damaged during an inspection by an authorized KTM dealer, they will be replaced. The cost of replacing damaged camshafts will be borne by KTM under the goodwill scheme. If customers have already ordered a camshaft replacement for affected models from an authorized KTM dealer in the past, KTM will re-examine new goodwill applications through the authorized KTM dealer network. If the conditions explained in this statement and in the communication to the authorized KTM dealer network are met, subsequent goodwill may be considered. KTM takes product quality seriously and continuously drives the development of its products. As part of the continuous development of our products and to improve the quality and wear behaviour of the engine, we have introduced wider rocker arms from model year 2021 and an additional oil strainer from model year 2020 to improve the overall performance and quality of the engine. Both adaptations simultaneously resolve the contributing factors mentioned above. Once again, we apologize for any inconvenience or hassle that any of our customers may have experienced. KTM

 

[cookie]

No mention of 890s.

I currently own 3 KTMs, but can't see me buying another after the way they've handled this fiasco.

 

[Rasher]

No mention of 890s.

I currently own 3 KTMs, but can't see me buying another after the way they've handled this fiasco.

Seems the majority view on KTM dedicated forums, guys who have had many KTM's all saying the same.

My 1190 was great, mate put 70k on his, we both have had more issues with the 1290s than the 1190s, another mate bought a 22 model and it leaked from day one and throws errors regularly.

Clearly the 890s do have this issue and KTM are handling it very badly, the faith int heir warranty was never great, but generally the engineering and build quality was pretty good, but seems to be sliding....

...As has their share price, slumped by 2/3rds in the last few years, and just as they seem to be pissing off all their customers, my money is this will knock it down further, and at some point when the shares are almost worthless CF Moto will sweep in and buy them out - you heard it here first folks!