Camshaft controversy! KTM respond to allegations of expensive engine defects on their LC8c models

KTM have responded to allegations of camshaft defects on their LC8c parallel-twins, following online pressure from owners.

The allegations are of excessive wear and the problem is said to predominantly impact pre-2021 KTM 790 models. However, there are also complaints relating to some later 790 and 890s, as well as Husqvarna’s Norden 901 range.

The problem is believed to be caused by poor oil feed on pre-2020 models and overly narrow followers on pre-2021 bikes, issues which KTM state have been fixed. “The camshafts used on the LC8c platform have no inherent defect,” a spokesperson for KTM told MCN.

“The affected components meet the technical specifications for their intended use. This applies both to the hardness of the camshafts and the width of the finger followers, as well as to the sufficient lubrication of these components.” 

They continued: “We introduced wider finger followers for MY21 and an additional oil screen for MY20 to improve the overall performance and quality of the engine. Both innovations simultaneously resolve the contributing factors mentioned above.”

The official response comes following mounting pressure from owners online. One particular Facebook page called ‘KTM Failed Camshafts – 790/890 & 901’ has amassed 7800 members.

The Austrian brand acknowledged 29 UK failures, stating that these have been repaired under warranty. They also stated that around 55,000 790 Dukes and 790 Adventure models had been built globally up to 2020.

MCN asked KTM if they have considered issuing a recall. They responded: “The small number of cases can be dealt with on a case-by-case basis. The situation described above does not constitute a safety risk for customers. The symptoms (decrease of engine power, unusual engine running noise) appear over a long period of time. If a customer experiences such symptoms, he or she may visit a local KTM Authorised dealer to perform an inspection.”

Despite KTM stating that the issue is now fixed, Austrian motorcycle engineering and analysis company, Coober GmbH shared images online of a 2023 890 engine, showing what they say is excessive wear on the cam lobe – with one of their main business areas being laboratory services for engine development.

MCN also spoke with the Senior Technical Officer at the University of Queensland, Blaire Knight, who experienced cam failure on his 790. After the engineer analysed his own camshaft, he proposed that the part itself exhibits insufficient hardness to be properly resilient. 

“We performed an Arc analysis on my cams and the carbon content was lower than I would’ve expected,” Knight said. “The Rockwell test (a test of metallic material hardness) came in at 51, when it should’ve been up at 58 to 60 to have any real resilience.”

KTM responded that: “KTM does not have the personal investigation results of Mr Blaire Knight and cannot comment on them. All KTM products are fully tested during development and carefully monitored after sale on the market. Naturally, the camshaft topic was also carefully investigated by KTM.”

Back in the UK, Charlie Cottle, from Oxfordshire said that he had cam trouble on his 15,870-mile 2020 KTM 790 Adventure.

“When we opened it up there was four or five millimetres of wear on the lobes. It looked like it’d done 200,000 miles,” he told MCN. “KTM could’ve fixed it under goodwill but instead I had to pay £2900.”

When asked for comment on this case, KTM’s spokesperson said: “We cannot provide any information on individual guarantee/goodwill applications from our customers. Each case is examined individually and all aspects of the individual case are assessed and taken into account in the decision-making process.”

Owners who have noticed any decline in performance, or increased engine noise, should contact their local KTM dealer.

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