KTM and Husqvarna reliability - owners experiences
Discussion
When a what bike thread pops up a KTM is normally always suggested. For me I’m looking at either the 390/790/890 Duke for when I pass my DAS.
What also comes up is reliability and build quality. Maybe this is because this is a relatively new brand compared to the established Japanese marques.
Can we please have experiences of owners, not opinions. Hopefully of both the Austrian and and Indian built bikes. And if we can stick with the road bikes please. And say 2016 onwards.
Would be good to get opinions on Husqvarna too. I understand at least the Svart and Vit are assembled in India, then shipped to Sweden for QC and dyno run.
What also comes up is reliability and build quality. Maybe this is because this is a relatively new brand compared to the established Japanese marques.
Can we please have experiences of owners, not opinions. Hopefully of both the Austrian and and Indian built bikes. And if we can stick with the road bikes please. And say 2016 onwards.
Would be good to get opinions on Husqvarna too. I understand at least the Svart and Vit are assembled in India, then shipped to Sweden for QC and dyno run.
Edited by PT1984 on Sunday 3rd April 17:14
I've had a 790 Duke from new and currently have a 1290 SDR that I bought new last year.
The SDR has only covered 1,800 miles so as you'd expect there's not been any issue.
The 790 had a failed brake light switch that was picked up at its running in service, but nothing else.
I believe the 790 was Indian built and the 1290 is Austrian,
Make sure you have a decent severance centre near by, I really like P&H in Crawley
The SDR has only covered 1,800 miles so as you'd expect there's not been any issue.
The 790 had a failed brake light switch that was picked up at its running in service, but nothing else.
I believe the 790 was Indian built and the 1290 is Austrian,
Make sure you have a decent severance centre near by, I really like P&H in Crawley
I've got a Husqvarna 701. It's not been unreliable, but there's been a couple of annoyances. The front mudguard came loose after two of the four bolts came out; that may have been after I attempted some minor soft-roading, but still. There was an issue with the front brakes (they didn't fail) which my mechanic said was due to the dealer overfilling with fluid. The display sometimes doesn't work properly e.g. it won't show the mileage, but works again next time round.
It's never failed me though, but it is only 13 months old. Materials-wise it seems good, it's been through its first full winter without barely a rinse and not a sign of rust. I did weatherproof it in November but nowt since.
It's never failed me though, but it is only 13 months old. Materials-wise it seems good, it's been through its first full winter without barely a rinse and not a sign of rust. I did weatherproof it in November but nowt since.
Any info on a 1290 GT would be helpful.
i have scoured the KTM forums and came across someone who told a story about his mate crashing for no apparent reason on the part of the rider and the usual electronic glitches, even the MCN test bike had one or two – which appear to be annoying but temporary.
The crash bike story could be for a whole host of reasons and nothing to do with the bike at all.
Looking for a change from Japanese and not interested in anything BMW.
i have scoured the KTM forums and came across someone who told a story about his mate crashing for no apparent reason on the part of the rider and the usual electronic glitches, even the MCN test bike had one or two – which appear to be annoying but temporary.
The crash bike story could be for a whole host of reasons and nothing to do with the bike at all.
Looking for a change from Japanese and not interested in anything BMW.
Just buy one, if your buying second hand make sure its a nice example, if its new there are no horror stories to be found that you wont find anywhere else with other manufactures.
Its not a new company, I guess a bit of googling would suggest it was started in 1934 in its rawest form .
If your interested I've purchased 4 brand new ktm bikes and one second hand over the last 5 years and all have been faultless.
2016 ktm gen 1 1290r
2017 ktm gen 2 1290r
2017 ktm 125 sx
2013 ktm Rc8r .
2021 ktm gen 3 1290r
Its not a new company, I guess a bit of googling would suggest it was started in 1934 in its rawest form .
If your interested I've purchased 4 brand new ktm bikes and one second hand over the last 5 years and all have been faultless.
2016 ktm gen 1 1290r
2017 ktm gen 2 1290r
2017 ktm 125 sx
2013 ktm Rc8r .
2021 ktm gen 3 1290r
How old/what era matters, I suppose.
I had a 2013 990 SMT. If I recall correctly I had it 2016-2018.
Blimey, it leaked. In my 2 years with it I had 4 different oil leaks from the engine, it was as if we were chasing it around. I finally started gelling with it and trusting it on a run up the welsh border, ultimately heading for heysham and the TT. The rear slipped out a bit, and when I slowed and had a look my left boot and rear tyre were sprayed with a misting of oil. Continued gingerly and got there, but it ruined my TT. Sorted it (again) and sold it promptly.
Other faults: leaked coolant on the garage floor twice, once a hose, once the overflow reservoir. Had a very occasional electrical gremlin whereby the dash would lose power and go blank. And the mild steel bolts they use (and still do as far as I know) rust like nothing else I know. In fact overall I’d say the corrosion resistance/finish not great.
Caveats and context:
I reckon I had a Friday afternoon bike, and I’ve no idea what the previous owner did or didn’t do. However I really do think I’m proactive (even a bit ott) with preventative maintenance, rust protection etc. It was a commuter, but it was ACF50’d extensively.
My friend still has a 2018 SDR, owned from new, he is also fastidious and those mild steel bolts are poor on his too - he didn’t get the bike drier on it ONCE, gave it a good ‘manual’ dry though, and the next time he went to the bike they were rusty! Only a surface rust, and a gentle dremel got them back, but still…
Other bike brands I’ve owned: Kawasaki, Triumph, Yamaha, Honda, Aprilia, Ducati, MV Agusta. Currently run a 1986 Honda and a 2015 MV. Believe it or not, the MV has been completely faultless.
As a result of my experience with that one bike, and it was only one bike, I wouldn’t have another KTM, but that’s just me. I reckon they’re bloody brilliant to ride (I’ve also ridden a 690 duke, my mates SDR and an RC8R), but the build quality isn’t up to Japanese or other European manufacture. All imo, and no offence intended to owners or fans.
I had a 2013 990 SMT. If I recall correctly I had it 2016-2018.
Blimey, it leaked. In my 2 years with it I had 4 different oil leaks from the engine, it was as if we were chasing it around. I finally started gelling with it and trusting it on a run up the welsh border, ultimately heading for heysham and the TT. The rear slipped out a bit, and when I slowed and had a look my left boot and rear tyre were sprayed with a misting of oil. Continued gingerly and got there, but it ruined my TT. Sorted it (again) and sold it promptly.
Other faults: leaked coolant on the garage floor twice, once a hose, once the overflow reservoir. Had a very occasional electrical gremlin whereby the dash would lose power and go blank. And the mild steel bolts they use (and still do as far as I know) rust like nothing else I know. In fact overall I’d say the corrosion resistance/finish not great.
Caveats and context:
I reckon I had a Friday afternoon bike, and I’ve no idea what the previous owner did or didn’t do. However I really do think I’m proactive (even a bit ott) with preventative maintenance, rust protection etc. It was a commuter, but it was ACF50’d extensively.
My friend still has a 2018 SDR, owned from new, he is also fastidious and those mild steel bolts are poor on his too - he didn’t get the bike drier on it ONCE, gave it a good ‘manual’ dry though, and the next time he went to the bike they were rusty! Only a surface rust, and a gentle dremel got them back, but still…
Other bike brands I’ve owned: Kawasaki, Triumph, Yamaha, Honda, Aprilia, Ducati, MV Agusta. Currently run a 1986 Honda and a 2015 MV. Believe it or not, the MV has been completely faultless.
As a result of my experience with that one bike, and it was only one bike, I wouldn’t have another KTM, but that’s just me. I reckon they’re bloody brilliant to ride (I’ve also ridden a 690 duke, my mates SDR and an RC8R), but the build quality isn’t up to Japanese or other European manufacture. All imo, and no offence intended to owners or fans.
2009 990 SMT bought new. 36000 miles over 3 years or so. Recovered twice for reg/ rec ( known fault, moved on later bikes from above exhaust)
2005 950 SM ( tweaked and tuned, one of my favourites apart from tank swelling, no problems in 16000 miles)
2009 990 SMR. No problems in 6000 miles
2013 990 SMT Ltd edition. No problems in 10,000 miles
2007 950 SM no problems in 4000 miles
2018 1290 SDR gen 2 no problems in 6000 miles
2016. 690 SMCR no problems in 6000 miles( my other favourite)
2015 1290 SDR ( cracked rad, oil temp sensor faulty) present bike covered about 7000 miles)
2005 950 SM ( tweaked and tuned, one of my favourites apart from tank swelling, no problems in 16000 miles)
2009 990 SMR. No problems in 6000 miles
2013 990 SMT Ltd edition. No problems in 10,000 miles
2007 950 SM no problems in 4000 miles
2018 1290 SDR gen 2 no problems in 6000 miles
2016. 690 SMCR no problems in 6000 miles( my other favourite)
2015 1290 SDR ( cracked rad, oil temp sensor faulty) present bike covered about 7000 miles)
If you go for the 890 just buy the R model, for the price difference its worth it, I have ridded my friends 890r and its all the bike you need, A proper weapon that can be ridden hard or soft depending on experience . Honestly its probably a better road bike than the new 1290r.
The other models you mention in your list are not even in the same league .
Buy once
and be happy .
The other models you mention in your list are not even in the same league .
Buy once
and be happy . My KTM/Husky history
2000 640Duke2 All good, numberplate bracket fractured due to vibrations
2008 Superduke 990 All good
2018 401 Svartpilen oil pressure release valve failed, made a mess, sorted on warranty
2019 701 Svartpilen all good so far, the screen display can play up at times
2020 790adv, warped front discs, oil leak at the gear change, pealing decals, all sorted on warranty
In summary nothing too bad, I had more issues with my 2006 BMW 1200 GS that all my KTM/Husky bikes. Of the bikes I've owned the 990 and 701 seemed to be more premium and better put together.
2000 640Duke2 All good, numberplate bracket fractured due to vibrations
2008 Superduke 990 All good
2018 401 Svartpilen oil pressure release valve failed, made a mess, sorted on warranty
2019 701 Svartpilen all good so far, the screen display can play up at times
2020 790adv, warped front discs, oil leak at the gear change, pealing decals, all sorted on warranty
In summary nothing too bad, I had more issues with my 2006 BMW 1200 GS that all my KTM/Husky bikes. Of the bikes I've owned the 990 and 701 seemed to be more premium and better put together.
I've had a 2019 Svartpilen 701 for 18 months and 4500 miles. Apart from the three recalls for the fuel tank, numberplate holder and clutch slave cylinder (mine never failed), I had to get the display replaced under warranty because the reset button on it stopped working. Had a few times where a canbus ABS error has flashed up, the dealer thought it was because the battery terminals weren't tight and hasnt happened for a long time now. Some of the fasteners are also a bit rusty but I ride it all year on gritted roads so to be expected I would have thought. If you're worried buy a new bike so it's got warranty but I wouldn't be put off buying another.
Bought my first KTM in Feb 2019, 1290 GT, not the current version with the TFT dash but the previous with LCD dash. It was a Nov 2018 showroom model, zero miles. I've been all over the place on it, washed it no more than about 5 times I think in that time, serviced it twice I think including the 600 mile first service and I've changed the oil myself once. It's not a show bike, I do try to rag it pretty hard and use as much of the performance as I can very often. It's done about 15500 miles now and that will be increasing by about 7000 this year with two trips to EU.
It's never gone wrong, no leaks or drips, no faults, it even starts after three months in the garage over winter. The build quality is very good, paint still very good, no rust showing anywhere (and it has been wet in France, Italy, Switzerland and Austria plus the UK), the KTM panniers don't leak and are easy to take on and off.
The only issue I had is a well known 'feature', in that if you change the rear shock preload (it's got electronic suspension) and ride off before the motor has finished, an error appears on the dash which the dealer needed to reset. It doesn't damage anything, just puts a light on I suspect to tell you you've been a plonker.
To ride it's always interesting, always fun, you never feel as though it's just transport. I'm not sure what I'd swap it for, probably only Ducati might have a suitable replacement with the legroom, luggage space and performance.
It's never gone wrong, no leaks or drips, no faults, it even starts after three months in the garage over winter. The build quality is very good, paint still very good, no rust showing anywhere (and it has been wet in France, Italy, Switzerland and Austria plus the UK), the KTM panniers don't leak and are easy to take on and off.
The only issue I had is a well known 'feature', in that if you change the rear shock preload (it's got electronic suspension) and ride off before the motor has finished, an error appears on the dash which the dealer needed to reset. It doesn't damage anything, just puts a light on I suspect to tell you you've been a plonker.
To ride it's always interesting, always fun, you never feel as though it's just transport. I'm not sure what I'd swap it for, probably only Ducati might have a suitable replacement with the legroom, luggage space and performance.
horsemeatscandal said:
I've got a Husqvarna 701. It's not been unreliable, but there's been a couple of annoyances. The front mudguard came loose after two of the four bolts came out; that may have been after I attempted some minor soft-roading, but still. There was an issue with the front brakes (they didn't fail) which my mechanic said was due to the dealer overfilling with fluid. The display sometimes doesn't work properly e.g. it won't show the mileage, but works again next time round.
It's never failed me though, but it is only 13 months old. Materials-wise it seems good, it's been through its first full winter without barely a rinse and not a sign of rust. I did weatherproof it in November but nowt since.
Exactly the same happened with my front mudguard too.It's never failed me though, but it is only 13 months old. Materials-wise it seems good, it's been through its first full winter without barely a rinse and not a sign of rust. I did weatherproof it in November but nowt since.
Other than that, in the year I’ve had it, it’s been reliable with no problems. The display’s a bit crap though….
I have the 1290 super adventure and up near 10k miles in the 2 years I have owned it. 2000 were in one week on the nc500 and have not had one issue with it.
I was worried about the reliability rumours when I bought it but there are 4 others in our work car park and they have not had an issue either
I was worried about the reliability rumours when I bought it but there are 4 others in our work car park and they have not had an issue either
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