2019 KTM 790 Adventure R Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2019 KTM 790 Adventure R, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Brakes545.5%
- Engine218.2%
- Electrical19.1%
- Fuel system19.1%
- Steering19.1%
- Suspension19.1%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
AT APPROX 5K MILES MY FRONT BRAKE STARTED GRABBING AND PULSING AT LOW SPEEDS UNDER CONSTANT LEVER PRESSURE. IT EVENTUAL GOT SO BAD THAT I FELT I COULDNT SAFELY CONTROL THE BIKE WHEN USING THE FRONT BRAKE AT LOW SPEEDS. THE DEALER WAS ABLE TO GET A WARRANTY REPLACEMENT OF THE DISKS AND PADS. APPROXIMATELY 5K MILES LATER THE PROBLEM HAS REOCCURED. THIS TIME KTM REFUSED TO COVER THE COST SO THE DEALER SUGGESTED I TRY A 3RD PARTY DISK AND PAD REPLACEMENT. ONLINE AT ADVRIDER.COM, A MOTORCYCLE FORUM THERE ARE 16 PAGES OF POSTS INCLUDING VIDEO'S WITH SEVERAL INSTANCES OF RIDERS HAVE THEIR FRONT BRAKES LOCK UP WHILE RIDING AND NOT BEING APPLIED RESULTING IN THE RIDER BEING THROWN OFF THE BIKE. I THINK THE PROBLEM IS VERY DANGEROUS AND COULD RESULT IN RIDERS BEING KILLED.
MY BIKE HAS HAD AND STILL DOES HAVE MULTIPLE PROBLEMS SHOCK FAILED TWICE, REAR BRAKE HOSE MELTED AND MADE BRAKES UNUSABLE WHILE I WAS ON A TRIP IN MEXICO FRONT BRAKES EXPERIENCED PULSATING SENSATION THAT PROGRESSIVELY GOT WORSE, KTM REPLACE THE BRAKE ROTORS AND FRONT WHEEL HUB, THE COUNTER SHAFT SPROCKET LEAKED OIL, KTM REPAIRED IT, BUT IT'S LEAKING AGAIN, THE ENGINE USES A QUART OF OIL EVERY 150 MILES A BOLT ON THE STEERING HEAD BROKE WHILE I WAS RIDING CAUSING A LOOSE SENSATION IN THE STEERING
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
At only 9000 miles, intake camshaft and follower catastrophically damaged. Routine valve clearance check at 4th oil change (much more frequent than recommended). KTM ultimately provided the parts as “goodwill”, but refused to cover labour. Numerous other reports of similar failures being reported in group forums. Also note that clutch also failed catastrophically at 3k miles. Similar situation where KTM covered parts under “goodwill”, but not labour. Similarly: there have been hundreds of others sharing stories of same failure. Bike was purchased while I was living in Texas, but failures occurred in Canada, where I have relocated and imported the bike.
Hello, I purchased this motorcycle new in July 2019. It currently has 9,100 miles. Since new it takes a minimum of 3-4 times to start and stay running at first start of the day. After that it starts easy and on the first try. Temperature at first start has been anywhere from upper 30's° to upper 70's°. Altitude from 500' - 4,500', basically starts the same in all instances. It seems as if it's only running on one cylinder and then "chuffs" and dies. Repeat, repeat, repeat. When it finally "catches" R.P.M. will rise up around 1,500ish R.P.M. and run smoothly. On its first few attempts the engine will barely make it to 900-1,000 R.P.M. before dying. Thank you for your assistance with this issue.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
The Display screen that offers all the info for the motorcycle has condensation inside. The motorcycle is always garaged other than when it's being ridden. There is still condensation inside the display. Sometimes vital motorcycle information isn't visible, such as ABS mode, Traction control mode, speed, rpm, etc. Vehicle has not been inspected. Through the forums I have heard many stories of others having the same issue and dealers replacing the screen in some cases if the condensation is bad enough but the issue usually returns.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
Hello, I purchased this motorcycle new in July 2019. It currently has 9,100 miles. Since new it takes a minimum of 3-4 times to start and stay running at first start of the day. After that it starts easy and on the first try. Temperature at first start has been anywhere from upper 30's° to upper 70's°. Altitude from 500' - 4,500', basically starts the same in all instances. It seems as if it's only running on one cylinder and then "chuffs" and dies. Repeat, repeat, repeat. When it finally "catches" R.P.M. will rise up around 1,500ish R.P.M. and run smoothly. On its first few attempts the engine will barely make it to 900-1,000 R.P.M. before dying. Thank you for your assistance with this issue.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
MY BIKE HAS HAD AND STILL DOES HAVE MULTIPLE PROBLEMS SHOCK FAILED TWICE, REAR BRAKE HOSE MELTED AND MADE BRAKES UNUSABLE WHILE I WAS ON A TRIP IN MEXICO FRONT BRAKES EXPERIENCED PULSATING SENSATION THAT PROGRESSIVELY GOT WORSE, KTM REPLACE THE BRAKE ROTORS AND FRONT WHEEL HUB, THE COUNTER SHAFT SPROCKET LEAKED OIL, KTM REPAIRED IT, BUT IT'S LEAKING AGAIN, THE ENGINE USES A QUART OF OIL EVERY 150 MILES A BOLT ON THE STEERING HEAD BROKE WHILE I WAS RIDING CAUSING A LOOSE SENSATION IN THE STEERING
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
MY BIKE HAS HAD AND STILL DOES HAVE MULTIPLE PROBLEMS SHOCK FAILED TWICE, REAR BRAKE HOSE MELTED AND MADE BRAKES UNUSABLE WHILE I WAS ON A TRIP IN MEXICO FRONT BRAKES EXPERIENCED PULSATING SENSATION THAT PROGRESSIVELY GOT WORSE, KTM REPLACE THE BRAKE ROTORS AND FRONT WHEEL HUB, THE COUNTER SHAFT SPROCKET LEAKED OIL, KTM REPAIRED IT, BUT IT'S LEAKING AGAIN, THE ENGINE USES A QUART OF OIL EVERY 150 MILES A BOLT ON THE STEERING HEAD BROKE WHILE I WAS RIDING CAUSING A LOOSE SENSATION IN THE STEERING
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .