What Should I do? 2011 KTM 450EXC Factory Rebuild, Sell it, Trade it In, or ????

[jimhaleyscomet]

July 2011 I purchased a KTM450exc. From day one it pumped oil from the engine to the tranny but it took about 6 months worth of "fixes" that did not work before KTM took back the engine and rebuilt it. It was fine for 6 months then the new engine started pumping oil from the tranny to the engine. The bike has spent 3 months out of service since I purchased it and I have lost WAY too much sleep worrying about warranty coverage. Currently I have a 2011 bike at a KTM dealer with 2000 miles on the odometer and a factory rebuilt engine with zero hours on it. The dealer is saying I can come pick it up but just looking at this bike makes my stomach turn. This new bike has required far more service than all my older bikes combined!

I asked KTM to purchase the bike back under the Lemon Law except the thing managed to run a few days beyond 6 months after original 6 month warranty expired. I have tried to call KTM over 50times and sent two certified mail letters. On the handful of times I got through to a speaking person they said "Brian would call me back" but I never got a call back despite leaving multiple messages.

I could probably trade it in and get $3k for a bike that retailed for $9k. But then I would have to buy another bike from the dealer. Needless to say it won't be orange nor am I keen on laying out thousands of dollars more on another new bike.

I could pick up the KTM450exc (zero hours on the factory rebuilt engine) and sell it on craigslist for who knows how much as I would disclose the repair history. I wonder if someone would buy this bike and have better luck with it than I have? Is it likely I could I find a buyer to pay $5000 for a 1 year old bike with a new engine?

I could pick up the bike and ride it but the cost is prohibitive for me to pay someone to do all these rebuilds once the bike is out of warranty. Plus as I said before, just looking at the bike makes my stomach turn... I feel like I have been taken to the cleaners.

So what would you do if you were in my shoes? Any other suggestions?

[Jbay]

sorry to hear

how many hours is 2000 miles?

[budzrex]

Wow, always sorry to hear that someones dream bike turns into their nightmare purchase.

Problem is will you be comfortable on it even it it is perfect this time or will your mind always wonder as you stray away from the sight of the truck.

did anyone come up with a reason for the two issues? If so what precautions are in place in the new motor to prevent it from happening again? Does your warranty start over?

I would like to think with a fresh motor all would be well and you ride off happy and enjoying the bike you wanted in the first place.

Does the dealer sell any other brands that interest you? Maybe you can work out a reasonable trade with them

[poser]

My KTM 250 engine and trans share oil. I though most bike and especially dirt bikes were this way.
Why do these have separate? And how bad is it that they were mixing?
I ask because I really don't know. I've never worked on one that kept them separate.

[ekms377]

Or maybe another dealer??

[kojack06]

Is this the engine that came on the bike that was sent to KTM foe rebuild OR a different engine that was rebuilt? Did the dealer tell you they found a fault with seals, etc that was causing it?

I'd say pick up your bike and break it in and take it on short trips first. I love KTM products and am sorry to hear this. I like to think KTM corrected the issue and you'll have n more problems.

[SilverBullet]

Maybe the third time is a charm? How long of a warranty do you get on the new engine? Another 6 months? If so I would start riding it as much as I could now to prove out the new engine while keeping a very close eye on oil use. Any hint of a problem immediately take it back to the dealer to stop the warranty clock.

I really feel for you on this though. I bought a new bike a month after you did and without local dealer support your kind of problems would be my worst nightmare. I remember your bike smoking profusely at Bastrop last year and that was after it had already been back to the dealer once or twice.

Another thought might be to ask KTM for a special trade-in allowance instead of a lemon law buy back. You might get most of the money you paid towards a new bike. Although you've been soured on KTM due to this experience it is not typical of the brand.

_

[_RG_]

I guess there are two sides to this kind of thing...practical and emotional. Practical side says it's just a machine made of metal and polymers. Seals sometimes don't and yours didn't. Machines break but the good thing is they're made of individual parts...that can be replaced. Then machine is good as new...or sometimes better. Go ride the knobs off it and enjoy!

Emotional side says not to trust this *** and never leave sight of the truck with it. For goodness sake don't take it on some out back ride like Big Bend ranch or anywhere a helicopter is needed for recovery. And every stinkin time it so much as hickups you'll be watching for parts falling off. Then there is the background screw job scars to deal with every time you look at the bike.

It's your call, man. I'd go ride dang thing and just dare it wobble.

[Rsquared]

Originally Posted by jimhaleyscomet

So what would you do if you were in my shoes? Any other suggestions?

First off, as others have said, I hate to hear of someone having trouble with their bike like this. Even though I'm a big KTM fan, that type of customer support really hacks me off.

That said. I don't have much faith in the dealer mechanics. So, I would get the service CD and fix it myself.

Or if you're not comfortable doing that, box it up and send it to this guy. http://www.djhcyclesport.com/ He gets pretty good reviews for his work on KTM Talk, and he also offers a conversion to a single sump lubrication system for the XC4's.

Fortunately, my 09 450 EXC has been flawless, and if you can get your's sorted, I think you'll really like it.

[jimhaleyscomet]

To answer one question it has 2000 miles and about 85 hrs (most of the miles have been at 30 - 50mph on the street).

To answer another question it is the same engine just repaired by the KTM USA in Ohio.

To another point, fortunately it has never left me stranded. I did end two rides early as it seemed prudent to not keep riding it when oil had disappeared from crankcase or overfilled the crankcase. Plus it has missed multiple rides while in the shop or waiting for transport back to the dealer (about 3 months worth out of the last 14 months).

The emotional part may be worse because of how long I waited to get the bike. I was in England for 5 years and during that time I dreamed of getting back on a bike as soon as I returned. The first day I was all smiles. Then on day two of ownership I noticed the oil had disappeared from the engine sump and the long ordeal of multiple trips back to two separate dealers began.

Per Silver Bullet I have a call into KTM for a possible special trade in allowance. I don't hold much hope though as they rarely return my calls.

Perhaps a lot of folks do o.k. with a KTM product. But it does say something when there are so many that have to take drastic actions such as drilling a hole in the crankcase!

[Irishcoffee]

Very common problem for that engine that was in production for just four years. Sorry to hear but your experience is not unusual, nor is your response from KTM. I learned my final lesson with KTM in 2000. Hope something works out for you.

[MotoTex]

As for the Lemon Law claim I'm thinking you might want to research it further, call the state office, ask questions.

Have you reviewed this site?

If the trouble is documented as beginning well within the designated period it seems logical that regardless of when the claim is made you have evidence to support it. You have certainly given them every opportunity to address the issue.

If you were to file a Lemon Law claim, I'll bet that "Brian" will finally return your call. It might be $35 dollars well spent.

Most manufacturers seem to have the policy of not doing the right thing until absolutely necessary. It might not take much leverage at all to get this resolved. Take the next step.

Your other choices look a lot less appealing.

Good luck.

[jimhaleyscomet]

Quote : Have you reviewed this site?

THanks for the link, I will give it a go.

[Electrified]

I have had a similar bad experience with my Husaberg. They finally replaced the camshaft and it has run very good since then but I still have O confidence in the machine. I am going to do the EasTex 450 in a couple of weeks with my fingers crossed.

Really sorry to hear your experience. I too was so excited to get back into dirt biking and spent a huge (to me) amount of money on a toy only to experience huge amounts of frustration. Despite it all and even though my lovely bride has encouraged me to cut my losses and move on, I have some bizarre emotional attachment to it and can't seem to ditch it. Maybe it is just my ego not wanting to admit I was dumb enough to buy an overpriced high performance exotic toy or I can't bear to take the financial hickey.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

[ricks77eb]

Originally Posted by Electrified

Maybe it is just my ego not wanting to admit I was dumb enough to buy an overpriced high performance exotic toy or I can't bear to take the financial hickey.

I have certainly been there.....time heals all wounds.

[jimhaleyscomet]

Originally Posted by Electrified

I have had a similar bad experience .... I am going to do the EasTex 450 in a couple of weeks with my fingers crossed.

Really sorry to hear your experience. I too was so excited to get back into dirt biking and spent a huge (to me) amount of money on a toy only to experience huge amounts of frustration. Despite it all and even though my lovely bride has encouraged me to cut my losses and move on, I have some bizarre emotional attachment to it and can't seem to ditch it. Maybe it is just my ego not wanting to admit I was dumb enough to buy an overpriced high performance exotic toy or I can't bear to take the financial hickey.

My sentiments exactly. I am now working with another different dealer as my current dealers never initiated contact with KTM on my behalf. The first one never seemed to know all that much about KTM bikes and the second one just did work and returned the bike to me without adding much value to the conversation. We will see if this goes any better with a different dealer.

[DFW_Warrior]

KTM's are sold as "ready to race" and they mean it. Unfortunately there are some negative things that go along with that those of us that really just want to putt around. Sorry to hear of your misfortune, but sadly it is an all too common thing when dealing with race bikes.

[jimhaleyscomet]

Originally Posted by DFW_Warrior

KTM's are sold as "ready to race" and they mean it. Unfortunately there are some negative things that go along with that those of us that really just want to putt around. ....

Call me naive, but I think any bike with blinkers and a license plate should have a bit more endurance than a race bike. Especially when not driven at race conditions. Heck, my bike didn't even make the length of an enduro before it started pumping oil from one compartment to another and needed to return to the dealer. Am I expecting too much from a $8000 motorcycle?

[RollingJ]

That bike was a 4smoke all the way.

You will never trust that bike, no matter what happens.

If the bike still transfers oil, it's Lemon Law all the way.

If it doesn't you can sell it with a clear conscience for a good price.



There is no good solution, really.

[DFW_Warrior]

Originally Posted by jimhaleyscomet

Call me naive, but I think any bike with blinkers and a license plate should have a bit more endurance than a race bike.

Well, yes and no. You basically bought a race bike that had factory installed blinkers and a plate holder. KTM is very VERY good at being quick to adjust to the ever changing market, and currently there is a huge crop of motorcycle riders out there that are just getting into this whole "dual sport" thing and are thinking they want a 50hp dirt bike that weighs 225lbs. To do that, you are pretty much looking at a race bike with all of it's pros and cons.

Now that being said, I think yours is an exception and failed at a much sooner rate than 90% of the others. Also before all the KTM fanboys jump on me for being a hater (because they will, I promise... they are really much worse than the Apple fanboys, but I digress), I would own a KTM200 or 300 in a single heartbeat. I still think they are at the top of the game when it comes to two-strokes. But for me personally, the time hasn't come for me to want to buy one of their 4-strokes. Again, that is just me. But if you give me a 200 2-stroke I'd probably buy it from you tonight.

Originally Posted by RollingJ

That bike was a 4smoke all the way.
You will never trust that bike, no matter what happens.
If the bike still transfers oil, it's Lemon Law all the way.
If it doesn't you can sell it with a clear conscience for a good price.

There is no good solution, really.

Kind of what I would do. When you pick it up, ride it once and if it is all good, then up for sale she goes.