KTM has responded to allegations of camshaft defects in its LC8c parallel twins, following pressure from owners.
The allegations point to excessive wear and tear and the challenge is said to primarily affect pre-2021 KTM 790 models. However, there are also court cases over some later 790 and 890 models, as well as Husqvarna’s Norden 901 range.
The challenge is believed to be due to oil deficiency on pre-2020 models and overly narrow fans on pre-2021 bikes, challenges that KTM says have been resolved. “The camshafts used on the LC8c platform have no inherent defects,” a KTM spokesperson told MCN.
“The affected parts meet the technical specifications for their intended use. This applies both to the hardness of the camshafts and the width of the follower’s fingers, as well as to the sufficient lubrication of those parts.
They continued: “We have extended the hands for the MY21 model and cleaned more oil for the MY20 model to improve the overall functionality and quality of the engine. Both inventions address the contributing points discussed above.
The official backlash comes on the heels of rising tension from online landlords. A Facebook page called “KTM Failed Cam Shafts – 790/890
The Austrian logo indicated 29 in the UK, specifying that they were repaired under warranty. He also said that around 55,000 790 Dukes and 790 Adventure models had been built worldwide as of 2020.
MCN asked KTM if they had thought about carrying out a recall. They responded: “The small number of cases can be dealt with on a case-by-case basis. The scenario described above does not constitute a threat to the climber’s safety. Symptoms (decreased engine power, engine running noise) appear over a long period of time. If a stopover rider reports such symptoms, he can stop over at a local legal KTM racer for an inspection.
Although KTM said the issue is now resolved, Austrian motorcycle research and engineering company Coober GmbH has shared photographs of a 2023 890 engine online, showing what it says is excessive wear on the cam lobe; One of its main commercial spaces is the laboratory services. . for engine development.
MCN also spoke to Blaire Knight, senior technical manager at the University of Queensland, who suffered a cam failure on his 790. After the engineer analyzed his own camshaft, he proposed that the camshaft has inadequate hardness to be very resistant.
“We did some Arc research on my chambers and the carbon content was lower than I expected,” Knight said. “The Rockwell test (a hardness test for metallic materials) reached 51, when to have true resilience it was between 58 and 60. ”
KTM replied that: “KTM does not have the effects of M’s private investigation. Blaire Knight and can’t comment on them. All KTM products are fully tested and thoroughly checked after they are sold on the market. Of course, the subject of the camshaft was also thoroughly studied via KTM.
Back in the United Kingdom, Oxfordshire’s Charlie Cottle said he was having cam issues on his 15. 870-mile 2020 KTM 790 Adventure.
“When we opened it up, there was 4 or five millimeters of wear on the lobes. It looked like I had traveled 200,000 miles,” he told MCN. “KTM may have repaired it with good will, but I had to pay £2,900. ”
Asked to comment on the matter, the KTM spokesperson said: “We are unable to provide any data on our customers’ individual warranty/goodwill requests. Each case is reviewed on a case-by-case basis and all facets of each case are evaluated and in the decision-making process.
Owners who have detected a decrease in functionality or an increase in engine noise should contact their local KTM dealer.