2021 Ktm 790 Adventure R: engine stalls while driving

Filed Aug 6, 2025 · Engine · CO

The valve train of my bike failed and left me stranded in the woods. There were no signs or warnings beforehand. After further research online, I found that this issue has been happening quite a bit. Luckily it happened to me while my bike was parked. The issue is the valve train is wearing out prematurely and causing the bikes to run poorly or not run at all. My bike has 13,000 miles on it and other bikes have had more or less miles when this issue occurred. I've worked on several motorcycles with three times the miles and never had an issue with the valve trains being chewed up like this current issue. This issue could possibly cause the bike to stop running while it is being driven at whatever speed. A bike suddenly stalling out in traffic isn't the safest scenario for a motorcycle rider. Especially if they're riding at interstate speeds. If you search online, you'll see others with this issue and it's much worse than mine. There are numerous YouTube videos and even a dedicated Facebook page about this issue. I do not have Facebook but I have attached a link with this description. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed May 22, 2023 · Engine · OR

Difficult cold start ups. When the bike is cold or has been sitting for 1-2 weeks and I start it up intermittently the bike has problems starting up and running. Will stall out and need to attempt to restart it several times before it will run. Appears to be running on a single cylinder for 30-45 seconds when it does finally start up then will run as normal. This does not occur when the motorcycle is already warm. Concerned about possible mechanical damage from running on a single cylinder which could be dangerous on a motorcycle and result in injury.

Filed Feb 1, 2022 · Engine, Fuel system · CO

Motorcycle hard/impossible to start. Excessive valve wear. Currently unrideable due to mechanical problems. Motorcycle stalled at intersection of busy highway, would not start creating hazard of being hit in the intersection and while pushing it to side of road. Mechanic inspected vehicle, found excessive wear to valvetrain causing engine power loss and stalls. States that it appears to be a manufacturing defect in the intake system allowing dirt ingestion leading to excessive irreparable valve wear.

Filed Oct 28, 2021 · Engine · CO · crash

Stalled dozens of times and sudden loss of power when cold

Filed Oct 26, 2021 · Engine · PA

I just wanted to make you aware of my 2021 KTM 890 R VIN # [XXX] 2000 MILES Since new it has had a hard start when cold or sitting overnight. It takes 2 or 3 times to start and keeps stalling I stalls runs rough and even runs on one cylinder for 30 to 60 seconds. Its a 2 cylinder motorcycle. Once running it runs great rest of day. MANY folks are seeing the same condition and KTM is not responding with anything of a solution I have owned many many motorcycles and even 6 KTMS but their lack of attention here is not good. Dealers say it's normal or no problem found. My local dealer said yeah, we have seen it no real fix. The earlier 2019/2020 790 models had hard start issues but this new 2021 890 model is worse, more widespread and more severe— running on one cylinder at start up. I am a master mechanic in the auto industry and understand something is wrong. If ANYONE bought a new car and it took several times to start each morning and it ran rough for a little you would not accept it. Not only is it not great for customer satisfaction but could be hurting the engine and might be an excess EPA emission issue too. Thanks for listening and more info is on the ADV website with lots of potential impacted customers here is a vid-- https://youtu.be/rPwFnlp0oxE [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).