KTM.....We have a problem.....

Ok, been part of the KTM forum family for a few months now. I have a KTM 1290 r on order for June/July delivery. I have been monitoring the forum topics closing and trying to learn. This is my first KTM. I am nervous to be honest. I notice that many KTM owners old and new seem to complain about similar defects or issues on their bikes. Doesn't KTM monitor or track issues concerning their bikes and customer feedback? Surely, if customers complain about the same issue/defect that they would adjust the build on the next batch of bikes. Doesn't dealers provide feedback about what bikes are coming back and the issue, for example oil leaks.

Someone save me and tell me that KTM is responsive to customer complaints. I would assume that my bike in July should not have the same issues experience by someone who got their bike in February...right?

Of course your bike will have the same issues as all the first arrival bikes. Non of these will be addressed until the next generation of 1290s next year. That's why so many people opt to wait for the second version and let all the lessons be learned by the first wave of owners. This is the way it is.

Unless a problem is so bad that it requires a recall, (and this is only usually done when there is a safety issue), then it will be down to the owners to overcome or overlook the issues. Don't worry too much, the problems and criticisms about the new 1290 are not that serious, you only have to read the threads to see that most owners are really happy. Biggest complaint from non-owners is the price for what it is but if you decided that's what you think it's worth then you already have made that decision.

The mark 2 will undoubtably be a better, improved bike but then again, some would argue that the first is best. 06 superduke owners claim that, despite its faults, is a superior bike to the later, updated model.

Ktm is no better or worse than other manufacturers in this respect. They do build bikes of high quality designed to appeal to their market and I, for one, are a fan of their philosophy and they would have to do something much worse to make me think otherwise.

have had my 1290 for over a month now...no problems at all....absolutely great bike...youll have no regrets

I agree with all of Bic's remarks except that regarding this being the case a issue for all manufacturers. These are manufacturers where first-model-year problems are rare, and these same manufacturers are VERY quick to initiate recalls for even suspected problems:

Honda
Yamaha
Kawasaki
Suzuki
And arguably - now - Triumph (Hinckley, and I don't mean Triumphs of more than 10 years ago)

None of these however, offer anything quite what the 1290 is.

Your new bike is under warranty - so really nothing to get too concerned over at least until that ends. By that time, what "teething" issues the 1290 has, will start to be well understood. Who knows, maybe it won't be much this time around - TBD ... Maybe KTM has come to understand that they really need to address the details, with improved test schedules and methods. Only time will tell.

I don't know another manufacturer that makes bikes as well as KTM... Maybe BMW, but I've never owned one.

KTMs are a great mix of brilliant engineering and cutting edge design.

You do here of issues here and there, but as said before, this is true of pretty much all bikes and certainly all manufacturers.

I've had 6 KTMs, still have 3, and I think they're great. I've had Triumph, Yamaha, Suzuki, Kawasaki, Aprilia and Honda before and the later KTMs have been better built than all, except the Aprilias, which are as good... IMO!

You'll love it!

Leeroy

Well I was one that Noticed an oil leak after my first ride. I returned the bike to the dealer and in three days I received the bike back with no sign of any problems.(Stator gasket replaced).
Cant say there wont be problems in the future, nobody knows that, but for now I am definitely not sorry I bought the first generation bike, its awesome.

If I could afford to buy a 1290 I would. But I can't, so you lucky buggers that can enjoy!

Can't afford a new one but had the " classic" version for 8 years now
Hate it , yet love it
KTM dealers ,
My local one is a dick ( I live in fife , Scotland ) to start off he could have had cash for a new SD , but couldn't be arsed to drag a test bike out
Bought mine from Ms in Newcastle , so prepare to be disappointed with your dealer

I bought my SD after the usual jap 4's
Came to the conclusion that 150 on the commute was doomed to failure
So a sit up bike was the answer
Stil got a blade , Mille , and a load of strokers

KTM ownership if what real bike ownership used to be like , take the limitless pill and join in

Mike

Awesome feedback, thanks. I feel better. I too use to take the practice of never buying the first year out of anything, but the 1290 has changed my mind. That is why I am nervous. However, the feedback has kept me on point to collect the BEAST in July. Thanks.

"IF" you have that many concerns, I have a very well sorted SDR, that with a little boot you might talk me into trading with you….

Attitude... If you are afraid of problems you will have them for sure... Too many life-examples to list, its a rule

Well if it will put your mind a rest I can give you real world feedback as I ride my 1290 reasonably hard and harder than most out there, plenty of mono's quick on the straights and hard and fast into the bends, normally on the back wheel coming out of the bends laughing my head off

Ok, so lets start, picked up a black 1290 from the dealer in Feb, now 6400k's and going hard, no oil leak, however small click from clutch lever like is sticking and can't work out what it is, plenty of grease and it only seems to do it when you don't pull it for a while, first time you pull the click is there then nothing for a little while then will click again.
Remove that bloody tool bag from under seat as it is sitting on the wiring and my left rear blinker started messing about, warning on dash, so took out tools wiggle wiring and it works again, strange thing with it now is the it is very red, the other three are all orange, but that one is very red/orange......not sure what that is all about.
Other than that, tyres wearing well, stand is a PITA and you have to be careful you don't knock it in gear when putting stand down.
I had the right hand mirror snap off last week coming down off a mono a little hard, that is being replaced on warranty, not sure if it was over tightened or just not up to the vibration at low revs as the stud that holds it on is not that thick and doesn't look that good, as in quality and strength, just a bit of mild steel.

That is about all I could fault and that is only as I am looking hard due to cost of bike, paying that much I would expect build quality

Anyway will update again when I stick another few thousand on it...... wont be long, wonder how many K's this engine is good for, I will let you know that as well when it lets go or starts to burn to much oil from wear.... and that stuff must have gold dust in it the price they charge

Will have to see how it goes

Clutch lever click is probably just the usual and normal feel from a slipper clutch, as per my Sigma at least.

Or it could simply be the small microswitch located under the lever, has something to do with the cutout when in gear with stand down. It gives off a small click as you have described.