I can't believe it. Being a major security issue they should be recalling right away! You could go agianst them if you wanted to. Security issues cannot be hidden.

 

WTF? KTM knows about handle bar mounts breaking and have done nothing.

KTM DO know about this problem and have sent out a recall bulletin quite some time ago... even I got a hold of this news and I don't even own a '11 bike (yet...)

Please be aware that there is a technical campaign in progress which relates to handlebar clamps on some KTM models.

Variations in the material quality and in the heat treatment process at the supplier of the handlebar clamps have led to some handlebar clamps cracking.
The following models are affected by this technical campaign:

Motocross (2011 MY): 125SX, 150SX, 250SX, 250SX-F, 350SX-F, 450SX-F
Cross Country (2011 MY): 150XC, 200XC, 300XC
Six Days EXC (2011 MY): 125 EXC Six Days, 300 EXC Six Days, 250 EXC-F Six Days, 450 EXC Six Days, 530 EXC Six Days
Factory Edition EXC (2011 MY): 250 EXC Factory Edition, 300 EXC Factory Edition, 250 EXC-F Factory Edition, 400 EXC Factory Edition, 450 EXC Factory Edition, 530 EXC Factory Edition.

2010 and 2011 MY: 690 Enduro, 690 Enduro R, 690 SMC

Owners of any of the bikes mentioned above should contact their KTM dealer who will arrange for a free replacement of this part.
Should you have queries please contact your local KTM dealer with your bikes VIN number.

Motorcycles produced on or after Nov. 24th 2010 are equipped with reinforced handlebar clamps, these are marked with a dot on the clamp.

 

Well they should be sending the owners the new clamps before they break!!!!!!!!!
Now I am even more pissed! If I had wrecked and died they would be getting sued period! This is complete BS.

 

I was with Dodge on the ride when we noticed the broken/cracked clamps. I can't believe that if KTM knew about this problem, how could they sell the bikes to the general public before they were fitted with the stronger handlebar mount. Seems like they would do a better job of making sure the bikes were safe before they were sold rather than depending on the purchaser to go back and get the "new" clamps retrofitted..:headscrat

 

That was crazy seeing those mounts broken like that. For the money they get for these bikes, it's absolutely unbelievable.

 

NEW 2011 KTM 530 EXC. Well I just got off the phone with my dealer and they said yea we know about this!!! WTF? KTM knows about handle bar mounts breaking and have done nothing. They are going to send me a new pair.


Any info or ideas on who to contact in KTM would be great.

Thanks.

So you asked for help and info and recieved it by even a Moderator no less, and I agree with Chase prolly knows more about them here than anyone....... do you even realize where he lives and what he knows???? I guess not..... just slam him some more while your ship is sinking.......cause YOUR DEALER PULLED YOUR PLUG.....AND SCREWED YOU AND IS STILL SCREWING YOU.
Local dealers here have taken newer clamps off bikes and given them to customers to get them back on the road and had bikes down not even able to sell so THEIR CUSTOMERS ARE TAKEN CARE OF......yours does not seem to like you, seems they really don't give a shit about it or you.....and that is bad business, not really Skully's fault now is it???

KTM has done somehting about it ... actually alot.....but your dealer must follow through to you.
I will remember this...... no more info for you. I don't want you to blame me for something made elsewhere..................Me--->:nutkick:<----You. Now you know how Skully feels for trying to help........

 

EDIT: Nah, nevermind. Dodge, we'll take care of it locally. Maybe we need to all get on the bikes and pay your dealer a visit some Saturday. Letting that bike off the floor like that is, um, not cool.

 

My bike IS NOT PART OF THE RECALL!!! This is why I received no info. Skully told me to chill out and calm down. Well no I wont. This did not happen to him. I guess realizing I could have died because a company I bought a bike from put defective parts on it makes me kinda pissed. I guess you guys go and google every part of your bike and see if there is a recall huh? Fine do not give me any info I don't care. I saw the potential for a very serious problem and I wanted others to know about it. Next time I will just keep my mouth shut and let people die. Works for me. I do not live on all the KTM forums sorry. I was out of the loop on this so kill me then. I was trying to make sure that everyone knows about this. I mean was this info posted on SMJ? I never saw it. If it was I would have replaced mine just for safety's sake.

Chase only 6 came up and ZERO were on SMJ!

TFunk again my bike is supposed to have the good ones on it but it does not. The dealer and KTM both have said that. So again how was I supposed to know. I am not a mind reader nor get info thru telepathic ways. I guess I am not a KTM god nor know one. BTW don't ever ask me for help on the 690 which I would bet I know more than most here.

 

BTW don't ever ask me for help on the 690 which I would bet I know more than most here.

plenty more guys on here that know more than you so no loss..... and after that statement i hope you wont need help off of anyone with a 690 on here

and i understand youre pissed but you cant just get pissy with people on here just cos your dealer is blowing smoke up your ass....
and fyi you can go to your dealer and get them changed FOR FREE as ktm uk posted on the uk ktm forum with this..... http://www.ktmforum.co.uk/ktm-technical-bulletins/69549-handlebar-clamps.html
i didnt post it to help you i posted it so i can back up everyone else on here that has tried to help you so now stfu and chill the eff out....

and dont give me the "my bikes not on the recall" as it ALL 2010-11 bikes in the provided list... and thats straight from ktms mouth


and i seriously think you owe a few people an apology on here....

 

Hey Dodge...........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................You shoulda' bought a Husky:clap:


:anim_peep:

 

Did your cracked clamps have the dot on them? I agree it seems like the dealer is most likely the one to blame about it.

In case you want a good set of clamps, I am running the Pro Taper ones and they are very tough looking.

 

Nope no dot. AGAIN my bike's vin is not part of this recall!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

here are a few pics of the breakage...

 

you wernt attacked.... it was a reaction to your unnecessary hostility....
and youve been given the info and its there for you and all to see.... your bike IS on the list and the list was posted by ktm themselves so there is a mistake your end somewhere.... youve seriously gotta sort them out and stop letting them screw you around and then letting your frustrations out on people here.....

 

Um no my bike is not on the list. I attacked no one but yet I am being attacked. Unless KTM extends the recall I have to go thru warranty which is what my dealer will do. I have no problem with that. My problem lies with a faulty part that can get someone killed or seriously hurt and you guys seam more inclined to attack me. Yup I too am done with this and will never again post up KTM issues even though I own 3 and have had 6. Guess I am just to stupid to think Posting up a serious problem would help out.

 

opcorn: Where's DOGTOWN, the king of Phillip Island?:rolleyes2:
This clamp issue sucks and is a serious saftey issue. I think that it's your dealer who is to blame, as they should have been on the phone to owners when the recall was issued.

 

Dodge, read the recall campaign. You're bike is there, part of it. Clamps made after Nov 2010 have a dot and reinforced. You have no dot, hello.

Your dealer is a moron.

 

look guys I want to get this straightened out without just locking the thread.

KTM should be aware of this issue, over here they are so I figured KTM USA would be as well. if dodge says his dealer and KTM are not budging then the only option might be to raise hell as this is something which cannot be ignored. he has enough proof so KTM and his dealer should make it right no matter what. I did not want to make light of the situation, if my posts came across like they did then this was not my itention.

chase did bring up a usefull point, if you want to make something happen KTMtalk can be a usefull medium if you go about it the right way. it's the largest KTM community on the net and they have ties to actual dealers so when needed they can apply pressure so that dealers do right by their customers if you have a valid case.

 

KTM is like a really hot girl with attitude. She drives you insane and makes you angry at the world, but you can't stop thinking about her.

I haven't wrapped the header on my SMC yet, and I've been cursing every day for over a week that KTM didn't put a heat guard in front of the two on there from the factory. I've got several burns on a new pair of FG TPG pants, and I'm pissed about it. But there I am, riding it every day despite the fact that the bike really pisses me off. I guess I must be the kind of guy that'll always chose this:

over this:

 

^:clap:


If a fat girl falls in the woods, do the trees laugh?:lol:

:anim_peep:

 

So guys to defend Dodge a bit here, please allow this analogy, if Toyota were to have evidence of steering wheels coming off cars, I seriously doubt that they would leave it up to the dealer network to rectify an issue of that magnitude. That type of issue would be a direct and major public notification NOT TO DRIVE THE CAR until you have had it towed to your nearest Toyota dealer to have the parts fixed. In my opinion, KTM has mis-handled this one, given the consequences of the failure and loss of control of a vehicle, it is a public and individual safety concern, leaving that up to dealers to chase down is inexcusable. The dealerships of the world are generally not motivated to be diligent on recalls as that is not their business nor are they compensated for the campaign. This is also not something to be handled in a passive manner (TSB), or at a self-service manufacturer's website. Dodge, I'm glad that nothing happened to you with this instance. I hope others are not killed or injured because of it. KTM needs to improve on its recalls and notifications and make more of an effort given the potential consequences. Better yet, KTM should directly monitor and represent on the KTM related forums and utilize them for such issues and use them for recall notice. Its incredible to me that a company that designs and builds such great machines has so many QC issues. Here is a contact: KTM North America 1-440-985-3553

 

After much thought and running every scenario in the brain housing group....(and somedays not all of the group is there)........here is what I think has happened.


Whatever the actual break # for the stop spot in the assembly line for bike VIN #'s there were prolly a few sets of parts left over in a bin with bar mounts and their bases......and they were used up. One set of these ended up on Dodge's bike, even though his VIN # is out of the break point for the new tops. But we all now know after reading the TSB the new ones have a dot and he did not get any. KTM's fault not his. I would really shit my pants too if my high dollar bike broke a very important part and could have actually killed me, the problem here lies within the dealer network.

KTM says his bike could not have been made with those clamps, but it was, DEALER NEEDS TO STEP UP AND FIX IT ASAP, THAT IS WHY THEY ARE THERE. Many of us would like to really know what the dealer says about this. Would have loved to be a fly on the wall when the service MGR from that shop called KTM to ask about it........

Dodge we were a bit hard on you but it was the attitude we got back, really nothing personal man, it's the net, we all have been there before....... Sorry for being for harsh. A personal attack was not meant.

Good luck in the resolution to the problem.

 

Wow! How did I miss this thread until today?

This recall affected my 2011 450SXF and I am fortunate enough to have a dealer that called me and got it handled - no probemo.

I never received anything from KTM about this recall in the mail even though I am sure they have my address. I've been buying new KTMs since 2002 and I used to get catalogs, newsletters and other stuff out of blue. I even got a recall notice in the mail on the gas cap issue back in 05 or so. For some reason all of this direct correspondence stopped in the last couple of years and I am not sure why.

I bleed orange and I don't see that changing anytime soon but I do think that KTM should send out recall notices direct to customers and not rely solely on dealers or the internet to get information out. I am sure that not every dealer is as conscientious as mine and I am sure that not every KTM rider checks message boards.

I bought an new KLX110 pit bike last year and Kawasaki had a recall on the starter switch. I've received at least 3 notices from them in the mail and it wasn't anywhere near as sigficant of a safety issue as broken bar clamps.

If KTM is not legally required to directly contact customers about safety recalls they should do it anyways because it's common sense.

 

I don't know if anyone mentioned this, but maybe a moderator should sticky this thread. Obviously some dealerships aren't informing their customers about this serious issue, and this thread could potentially prevent serious injuries for those unaware.

Crap happens, but KTM is one of the last companies I would ever expect having such a serious production issue with a modern bike. I hope everyone gets their recalls honored by those responsible and that nobody has gotten hurt because of this.

 

Sticky done

 

Update!!!

OK after talking to another KTM North America rep I got a very good result. I called them this past Monday and told them I would not leave a message nor give up. I was told once again that my bike's vin falls out of the recall. This is why my dealer did nothing. I understand this now. I talked for about an hour about this and of course the 690. Well he will be sending me the new clamps. Great but I just bought the Highway Dirt Bikes top clamp and guard system. 220 bucks shipped. Well they just called to inform me that they will be giving me a credit of that purchase to use at a KTM dealer! WOW I was blown away. Gives me a warm fuzzy! I am very happy in how KTM is handling this but again it took a few weeks and a few calls before this happened. I would doubt one of the big four would do this. I am happy now and will buy another KTM in the future despite what my wife says!

Now if they would just fix my dam 690 problems!

 

OK after talking to another KTM North America rep I got a very good result. I called them this past Monday and told them I would not leave a message nor give up. I was told once again that my bike's vin falls out of the recall. This is why my dealer did nothing. I understand this now. I talked for about an hour about this and of course the 690. Well he will be sending me the new clamps. Great but I just bought the Highway Dirt Bikes top clamp and guard system. 220 bucks shipped. Well they just called to inform me that they will be giving me a credit of that purchase to use at a KTM dealer! WOW I was blown away. Gives me a warm fuzzy! I am very happy in how KTM is handling this but again it took a few weeks and a few calls before this happened. I would doubt one of the big four would do this. I am happy now and will buy another KTM in the future despite what my wife says!

Now if they would just fix my dam 690 problems!

great result! glad you finally got it resolved and the thread is a sticky for others to see as a fore-warning :thumbup:

 

dodge is a guy I ride with regularly and have known for a few years now. He's been dealing with KTM ever since I can remember. Once he's on a case, he can be quite severe in what he's saying, but he ALWAYS gets stuff done, done the right way the first time, no corner-cutting or excuses. He's the kind of guy that delivers the goods, period. Way to go, dodge, in seeing this through to a remedy. More than a few lives depend on it. :thumbup:

 

Squeaky wheel gets the grease eh? I guess you can claim responsibility for this happening:

As of 3/24/11:

Content:


This bulletin has been revised to include the 2011 450EXC and 530EXC models.

Through market research KTM has identified variations in the material quality and with the heat treatment process at the supplier of the handlebar clamps, Part # 594 01 038 000 which may have led to cracks in some handlebar clamps.

Please read the attached bulletin for complete details.

 

His tone sure changed once he got some credit, and new shiny parts.:anim_peep: lol.

Reading this I was like opcorn: then i was like :hmmm: finally I was like :clap:

Glad it all worked out. Seeing you guys argue is like watching Daddy beat Mommy.lol.