950SM not starting - Dealer unable to fix - Any ideas?

[Bateman]

A friend and I are off to france tomorrow night to spend Sunday riding around but after not using his bike for 4 weeks, he was unable to start it last week even though the battery had been kept on charge. He has a KTM 950 SM. The KTM dealer has had the bike since Tuesday, fitted new fuel pump and needles under warranty, thought it was fixed and within 4 miles of testing it, the bike just died and won't restart. They have apparently phoned KTM and are unsure why it is now failing to start so it is unlikely they will fix it tomorrow, which messes up our France trip.

Does anyone have any ideas of what may be the problem? Could it be something very simple that they have missed eg old fuel blocking something? they did put a new tank of fuel in.

 

[Timolgra]

Can you hear the fuel pump pressurising?
You may need to remove the fuel line after the pump to make sure.

 

[GS TRV]

France on a 950SM???

Maybe he did himself a favour

 

[Bateman]

France on a 950SM???

Maybe he did himself a favour

I say 'France' loosely - we aren't doing alps/route napoleon or anything like that - just popping overnight from Portsmouth to St Malo, breakfast in Mont St Michel then potter up the west cherbourg peninsula back to Cherbourg for a 7pm crossing back to Poole, arriving back 10pm Sunday night.

Although he is tempted to do a Morocco trip next year on it....

 

[bakerlonglegs]

Sorry, I don't know for sure - if the tank has come off, are the fuel lines kinked?

You could also try asking on orange crush on advrider. There are some very wise KTM-heads on there.

 

[Timolgra]

Can you hear the fuel pump pressurising?
You may need to remove the fuel line after the pump to make sure.

edit. Remove the fuel line after the pump to release any pressure, replace it then turn on the ignition and listen for the pump to build up pressure.
It's not loud like a GS and is situated under the engine ...on the left I think.

 

[Bateman]

Well, looks like no trip to france tonight - the KTM dealer has said there is white residue in the tank that is blocking the carbs so he has now ordered a new tank under warranty. France rebooked for 3 weeks time (cost me £50 to amend!!)

 

[alimey4u2]

Bad luck....

 

[Robbo1200ADV]

Pick up my New 990SM Today!!

WWWHHHHOOOOHHHHOOOOO !! Getting the Beast today ,chopping in my 950 at P+H in Crawley .Tony Mr KTM there has done a great deal ,it 's getting the 16 tooth front sprocket and a screen to save my neck from windblast!! Test rode one for 300miles and its a Fantastic bike,a real looney bike!! I bought my 950 3 years ago,one of the first in the country and it is the most fun bike I've ever owned .................until later on today!!

 

[RichieS]

France on a 950SM???

Maybe he did himself a favour

I have just come back from the French Alps with a couple of mates...they were on KTM950SMs and me on and HP2 Enduro (with the SM wheels on i hasten to add)
Over 2500 miles in a week, and a final ride of home of 691miles in about 12hrs.....no problems. Regular fuel stops and rest breaks (as enforced by my 13litre fuel tank) which equated to about 100 miles, and it was a breeze.....Oh, and it was all motorway, which although tedious, gets the job done. Sat nav said an average overall speed of 79mph over the total distance.

So dont be put off. It can be done and worth it once you get to the twisties!!

Richie

 

[ELIMINATOR]

France on a 950SM???

Err, my mate went with me to France on his 950SM, we covered 1400 miles in a week with no problems for either of us. Apart from his phobia about running out of fuel!