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KTM Facing massive loss

i had a rc 390 for the track-no issues,but was terrified to ride cause all the complaints online-ended up selling it.thinking about a 2024 vitpilin-got to have that motor ironed out by now.lol
 
I have a 2021 Duke 890 R and I beat the heck out of it at the track. That includes dozens of 100 degree plus days at Thunderhill.
Regular oil / filter changes and engine ice in the rad. Stock battery died suddenly but that is the only minor issue so far :smoking
 
I had a 2017 rc390 that had so many problems ...I gave it away. Had an 890r that blew the cs seal in first 100 miles, but I didn't like the ergo's on that bike and sold it. The other KTM I have is a 2018 350 xc-f dirt bike and it's been absolutely trouble free. Seems they need better control over the manufacturing processes...too many random failures.
 
Maybe I should _not_ keep thinking about a new 901 Norden Expedition then. 🤔
 
Not really surprised by this, KTM took off over the last few years and any modern corporation is gonna chase the money train until it crashes.

On the reliability front, within my riding group, I think we've got 15 LC8c bikes (Dukes, Adventures, Expeditions) in my riding group, and the worst issue we've had is one person had dust ingest on their adventure. Besides that, all completely fine. Most of the Dukes are dedicated trackbikes, most of the adventures are dedicated BDR bikes. The other thing I've noticed is: we do all our own maintenance, and the local KTM dealer I occasionally moonlight at has a hell of a time keeping techs around, so I'm also wondering how much of this stuff is down to techs getting the basics wrong. Overtightened chains will oftentimes lead to countershaft sprocket leaks, KTM specifies a small amount of RTV on the valve cover gasket points, etc.

The ironic thing is that we've got an Aprilia Tuono in the crew, it has 4k miles on it, and it has shredded a set of cams. Apparently an ongoing issue on the Aprilias, just that people expect it from Italian manufacturers. :laughing
 
I worked at a KTM dealership that also sold Aprilias, Vespas, and the only bikes that would consistently come back within 100 miles of purchase were the KTMs. I’ve never actually owned one so I can’t attest to the long-term reliability, but when brand new bikes are coming back at a significantly higher clip (statistically, not just anecdotally) then you’ve got to wonder if something’s amiss there.
 
Advpulse article on KTM addressing quality issues - blamed it on Covid supply-demand problems for damaging the brand.

www.advpulse.com

KTM Addresses Financial Losses, Quality Issues & Plans For Redemption - ADV Pulse

After years of impressive gains, KTM and its parent company Pierer Mobility AG, which also owns Husqvarna, GasGas and a majority stake in MV Agusta, is in damage control mode after mid-year financial reporting revealed sharp declines in profitability. In a recent news release the company...
www.advpulse.com www.advpulse.com

I didn't know KTM was so involved in bicycles.

www.ktm-bikes.at

KTM Bikes

Made in Austria. Made for you.
www.ktm-bikes.at www.ktm-bikes.at

I love my older KTMs and the all the newer ones I've ridden, but the electronic issues I experienced on a low mileage 1290 Super Adventure rental, and seeing the 790/890 series cam wear debacle online, made me not want to get into the headache of such uncertainties. When a company is saddled with the reputation of not taking care of its customers, it won't do well.
 
I've had a number of both KTM and Yamaha motorcycles. The Yamahas have always been far superior as far as build quality, dependability, and ease of maintenance have been concerned. The KTMs were always sweet machines that were in niches Yamaha didn't serve. I wish Yamaha built decent street legal enduros, and an open class two stroke.
 
The Mass retirements during Covid have absolutely affected quality across all sectors of manufacturing.
 
Well in KTMs case I think it was not so much retirement as their parent company reducing operations in Austria and moving more of the work to China and India to make more $$$
 
I wouldn't fall into a fallacy of thinking "Made in China" or "Made in India" is a sign of lesser quality or engineering. (Maybe for some things for now but maybe not)

As an Example: look at the Kove its probably now where KTM was in the late 90's early 2000's
 
I'm not saying that by default it means lower quality, but it can be harder to manage quality control if the proper controls aren't robust and in place from day one and that does seem to have bitten KTM in a few cases. CFMoto seems to be making some interesting bikes that beg the question, how much does that orange paint really cost?
 
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