2016 KTM 1290 Super Duke GT

Defect. KTM North America, Inc. (KTM) is recalling certain 2015-2016 1290 Super Duke R ABS, 2016 1290 Super Duke R SE ABS and 1290 Super Duke GT ABS and 2017-2018 Super Duke R and1290 Super Duke GT motorcycles. The piston within the Brembo front brake master cylinder may fail.

Risk. If the front brake master cylinder piston fails, the loss of front braking ability can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy. KTM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the piston with an aluminum one, free of charge. The recall began on February 21, 2018. Owner's may contact KTM customer service at 1-888-985-6090.

Defect. KTM North America, Inc. (KTM) is recalling certain 2016-2017 KTM 1290 Super Duke GT motorcycles. The preformed fuel hose can develop small holes or cracks, potentially causing a fuel leak.

Risk. A fuel leak in the presence of a ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.

Remedy. KTM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the defective fuel hose, free of charge. The recall began on May 5, 2017. Customers may contact KTM customer service at 1-888-985-6090.

I WAS RIDING MY MOTORCYCLE ON A SCENIC BY-WAY WITH NO SHOULDER TRAVELLING 30MPH IN A 40 MPH ZONE. THE MOTOR TURNED ITSELF OFF DASH LIGHTS FLASHED AND THE BIKE WOULD NOT RESTART. THERE WAS TRAFFIC BEHIND ME AND I COASTED TO A STOP WHERE AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO RESTART IT FINALLY DID. BUT THEN IT WENT INTO "LIMP MODE" REDUCED POWER WHICH THE DEALER HAD TO CLEAR.

IT HAS HAPPENED 4 TIMES SO FAR. IT SEEMS TO HAPPEN ABOUT EVERY THIRTY MINUTES OF RIDING OR SO. EACH TIME I HAD BEEN WAITING AT A RED LIGHT AND WHEN I STARTED OFF AND HAD MADE 2 OR 3 SHIFTS AND WAS ACCELERATING LIGHTLY THE BIKE LOST POWER SUDDENLY AND THE MOTORCYCLE TRACTION CONTROL WARNING STARTED FLASHING ON MY INFORMATION PANEL. THE BIKE WOULD ONLY RUN AT IDLE SPEED FOR ANYWHERE FROM A FEW SECONDS TO AS MUCH AS 15 OR 20 SECONDS AND THEN GO INTO A "LIMP IN" MODE WHICH LETS THE THROTTLE WORK A LITTLE. THE POWER OF THE ENGINE IS THEN CUT BACK CONSIDERABLY. THE PROBLEM IS THAT WHILE IT'S GOING INTO LIMP MODE, YOU HAVE TO JUST COAST OR PULL OVER AND WAIT UNTIL THE BIKE HAS SOME POWER TO GET GOING AGAIN. LUCKILY IT HASN'T HAPPENED WHILE I WAS IN HEAVY TRAFFIC OR HAD NOWHERE TO PULL OVER SAFELY YET. IF IT DID, I COULD BE IN A LOT OF TROUBLE FROM ANY VEHICLE BEHIND ME WHO WASN'T READY FOR ME TO BE SUDDENLY SLOWING DOWN WITHOUT WARNING. THE BIKE HAS LESS THAN 1500 MILES ON IT. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THE EXHAUST CONTROL VALVE IS STICKING CAUSING THE LIMP IN MODE TO BE SET. THEY DON'T HAVE A SOLUTION TO REPAIR IT YET.