UPDATED! / KTM Responds To LC8c Camshaft Wear - Adventure Rider

Oct 26, 2024

Online discussions say KTM's 790 Adventure motorcycles may have a problem with faulty camshafts. Photo: KTM

We have spoken with two KTM US representatives regarding the camshaft issue. The representatives stated that the Facebook post claimed to be posted by KTM (see below) was not posted by the company but was generally accurate. Regardless of where you come out on this topic, KTM says that only 2018 – 2020 790 Adventures and Dukes could be affected—later-year models are not. Accordingly, no Husqvarna Norden 901s should have a cam issue.

They also suggest that the key indicators of a potential problem are the following:

They said that if your bike has one or more of the above symptoms, you should have it checked by an authorized KTM dealer. The dealer will then inspect the cams and if the cams are found to be defective, KTM will cover the cost of parts and labor regardless of the fact that the bike’s warranty has already expired. However, if the cams are found to be in satisfactory condition, the owner will be responsible for the labor to check them.

There’s been a bit of a firestorm lately surrounding allegedly premature wear of camshaft lobes on motorcycles equipped with KTM’s LC8c engine. There have been complaints on various online sites and forums, including several in ADVRider’s forum, Motorcycle News, and other sites like RideApart and ADVPulse. The reports stem mostly from owners of pre-2021 790 Adventure models. However, there are similar claims supposedly affecting later KTM 790 and 890 Adventure models, along with Husqvarna’s Norden 901. With so many differing viewpoints on what is causing the premature wear, what’s really happening?

In the UK, Motorcycle News says that it has been in contact with KTM about these issues. According to the British outlet, the problem is believed to have been caused by poor oil feed on pre-2020 models and overly narrow camshaft followers on pre-2021 bikes. And after contacting KTM about the alleged camshaft problems, KTM UK acknowledged the issue occurred in 59 bikes (in the UK) but told MCN, “The camshafts used on the LC8c platform have no inherent defect.” Further, the KTM rep stated:

“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.” – KTM representative to MCN

And KTM said that the issue had already been resolved.

“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.” – Unnamed KTM representative to MCN

However, some people believe that the LC8c camshaft issue is much larger than KTM has acknowledged, and it still has not been resolved. A Facebook group called “KTM Failed Camshafts – 790/890 & 901” has garnered nearly 8,900 members (as of the time of this writing), with many members posting complaints complete with pictures about their experiences and allegedly the LC8c engine’s prematurely worn cam lobes.

KTM’s LC8c engine is found in several of the brand’s motorcycle models. Image: KTM

And now, it seems that the Facebook group has gotten KTM’s attention. In a post apparently made by KTM on the group’s page, the Austrian company said that it “…would like to extend our apologies to the people who feel affected by the camshaft topic.” They also said, “…we see and hear all the feedback we can, whether it’s online, via authorized KTM dealers, or simply through community chatter.”

As a result, KTM says it has been in communication with its dealers on how to inspect camshafts if customers report issues on the following motorcycles:

It appears that KTM is acknowledging the customer’s dissatisfaction, but it stops short of saying that there is a real problem.

“Investigations have shown that a large proportion of these camshafts that are the subject of complaints are in order. In these cases, it is not a question of wear, but mostly just discoloration or run marks that have formed on the running surface of cams or on the bearing points of the shafts and can be removed by cleaning. The overall quality and integrity of the camshaft itself is not the problem. (emphasis added)

Interestingly, KTM then recommends that if owners experience certain symptoms like “…poor starting behavior, clearly audible, unusual running noises from the engine and noticeably reduced engine power…” they should take their machines to an authorized KTM dealer. Once at an authorized KTM dealer, if the cams are then found to be damaged, KTM says, “the cost of replacing the camshafts will be borne by KTM under the goodwill scheme.”

Screenshot from the Facebook group KTM Failed Camshafts-790/890 & 901. Image: Facebook

And for those who may have already paid for replacement camshafts from an authorized KTM dealer, KTM will re-examine new goodwill applications through the authorized KTM dealer network.

“If customers have already ordered a camshaft replacement for affected models from an authorized KTM dealer in the past, KTM will re-examine new goodwill applications through the authorized KTM dealer network. If the conditions explained in this statement and in the communication to the authorized KTM dealer network are met, subsequent goodwill may be considered.”

Concluding its statement on the Facebook group’s page, KTM re-states:

“As part of the continuous development of our products and to improve the quality and wear behavior of the engine, we have introduced wider rocker arms from model year 2021 and an additional oil strainer from model year 2020 to improve the performance and quality of the engine. Both adaptations simultaneously resolve the contributing factors mentioned above (emphasis added).

Unfortunately, we have been unable to verify the above statements with KTM. Regarding the complaints on the KTM Failed Camshafts—790/890 & 901 group, we say KTM has apparently taken these actions because we have been unable to verify that they actually posted the above comments on the group’s page. We have reached out to KTM USA and, unfortunately, have yet to receive a response. If KTM does respond, we will update this article.