KTM 890 Adventure Problems: Good Bike? Or Problematic?

Anyone that owns or is thinking of purchasing a KTM 890 may grow concerned about the mixed reviews this bike gets. If you are trying to fix your bike or purchasing a new one, this article will tell you everything you need to know. Hardcore riders love the fact that this powerful beast has a WP Pro Suspension similar to that used on the factory rally bikes.

When looking for a bike that will take you to the toughest to reach places, the KTM 890 is probably a good bet. Even though owners have reported a few problems that affect the 890's performance, durability, and reliability, they are nothing to write home about. Further, the KTM 890 is a suitable choice for any adventurer.

Your KTM 890 will come packed with handy features that make it perfect for tearing up tough terrain. It has an Akrapovic Silencer, rally foot pegs, DID DirtStar tubed wheel set, and a rally seat. If you intend to hit the tracks, you will need to be sure that you can rely on your KTM 890 for reliable performance.

This article will also come in handy if you are looking to modify your KTM 890 to ride in challenging terrain. Read on for a discussion of the common problems likely to face your KTM 890, the appropriate solution, maintenance tips, and modification suggestions. 

Does Your KTM 890 Engine Refuse to Start When You Press the Start Button?

Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you press the start button, but your engine fails to start? Do not worry, most causes of failure to start are very easy to resolve. Several reasons can cause your KTM 890 to behave in such a manner. These include:

• A drained battery
• An operating error
• A blown-up main fuse
• Lack of ground connection
• Fuse 1,2 or 3 blowing

If your failure to start is due to an operating error (one of the most common causes) you should not break a sweat because it is easy to fix. All you need to do is turn off your bike and carry out the start-up procedure and check if the problem goes away.

If the problem persists, you should inspect whether the 12-V battery has discharged. Flat batteries are often to blame for bikes won't start. If your battery is flat, all you have to do is to charge the 12V battery and connect it back to resolve the issue. Another option is to confirm whether there is currently flowing in the open circuit because it might be behind your starting problems.

When your KTM is not starting, it is also advisable to check whether you are dealing with a blown fuse. The solution to the fuses blowing is to change the individual fuses of your bike's electrical power consumers. You should check the ground connection when you find that the problem is because of no ground connection.

Does Your KTM 890 Engine Overheat?

You may have at one point noticed that your KTM 890 engine is overheating while you take it out on a long distance. Several reasons lead to your engine overheating, which include;

• Your bike has an insufficient amount of coolant in the cooling system.
• Your bike has a clogged radiator fan.
• Your cooling system may have developed foam.
• A damaged or entangled radiator hose.
• A defective thermostat
• A faulty radiator fan system.

If you have ever been in a situation where your KTM engine is overheating, you should inspect your bike's coolant level in the cooling system. When you find that the problem is due to an insufficient amount of coolant, you should do a thorough inspection of your cooling system for any leaks. If there are any, you should make sure the leaks are rectified. If the reason is not a leak, always look at the coolant's level through the compensating tank, and if it is the reason, replace the coolant to the desired level.

Another common reason is when there is foam formation in your cooling system that makes the engine overheat. When you find foam as the cause, you should drain all of the coolants and later replace them, or you can consequently fill up the level of the coolant in the cooling system.

Anytime you find your radiator fan very dirty, ensure you clean it to ensure it does not eventually get completely clogged. Never forget to inspect the radiator fan system that could be faulty and repair it if there are any damages to the system. You are advised to replace a severely damaged radiator hose to rectify the overheating problem in your KTM 890.

Is Your KTM 890 Having A High Oil Consumption rate?

As an owner of a KTM 890, when you realize that your engine is consuming a high amount of oil, you should look out for the following causes;

• A bent engine vent hose
• Excess amount of oil in the engine
• When using a thin type of oil (low viscosity).

Always ensure that if the cause of your engine consuming a lot of oil is a bent engine vent hose, you should change it if necessary, or you can route the vent hose to ensure it has no bends. When you find the reason behind it is that the oil level is too high, you should check the engine oil level to determine the desired level of oil recommended. When it is because of using oil with low viscosity, you should clean the oil screens and then change the engine oil and oil filter to fix this problem.

Does Your KTM Engine Have Too Little Power?

This problem can result from several reasons that make your engine lose its power. The following are the causes of your bike losing power;

• A clogged air filter
• A dirty fuel filter
• An error in the electronic fuel injection system

When you inspect your bike's filthy air filter, you should remove it and clean it thoroughly before installing it right back. In the case of a dirty fuel filter, you should check the fuel pressure to solve the problem. After further inspection, when you find that the problem is due to an electronic fuel injection system error, you should take it to a professional to have them look at your situation and resolve it.

Does Your KTM 890 ABS Warning Light Light Up?

Whenever you are riding your KTM890 and notice that the anti-braking system (ABS) light is on, always consider the following as the probable cause;

• When the speed of the front and rear wheels differ greatly
• When your ABS fuse is blown
• When you have a defective ABS unit

Anytime that the speed between both your front and rear tires differs significantly, they tend to trigger the ABS light. It is recommended that when in a similar condition, you switch off your engine and then switch it back on again to remove this issue. When the cause is a blown-up ABS fuse, you should ensure that you replace it with a new fuse. If none of those mentioned above is the cause, it may result from a faulty ABS that needs to be taken to a professional to resolve the problem.

Simple Modifications to Adapt Your KTM 890 to Challenging Terrain

If you are in the mood to spend some money on your KTM 890, a few modest modifications will make it a terrain warrior. When looking to improve handling and add protection in tough areas, try some or all of these parts: KTM Powerparts heavy duty wheelset, hand guards, pre-filter, luggage plate, protective sticker kit, camel Adv clutch conversion, luggage plate, AXP bash plate, double take foldable mirrors, steering damper and mount, and pannier frames for crash conversion.

Caring For Your KTM 890

All machines need to be properly maintained to prolong their shelf life. If you treat your KTM 890 properly, none of these problems will force you to stop by the side of the road. Here are a few handy tips to ensure your bike remains in optimal shape.

• Ensure you regularly service your bike at the milestones specified in your user manual.
• Do not overload your bike or ride dangerously.
• Ensure modifications to the bike will not overburden and wear out other components.
• Where possible, get your bike serviced at a KTM dealership or by a KTM mechanic.
• Alway purchase high-quality OEM parts or suitable alternatives.
• Ride your bike regularly to ensure the components are running efficiently. Most problems are simpler to solve if detected immediately.

If your KTM 890 has been acting up and this article has not hinted at the problem, you can consult your manual for additional troubleshooting options. If you still cannot get to the bottom of the problem, it might be time to bring in professionals.

Your bike is a considerable investment that should be diagnosed and repaired by qualified mechanics. It is advisable to ensure your bike is fixed at a certified KTM dealership.