SUMMARY:
KTM North America, Inc. (KTM) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 1290 Super Adventure motorcycles manufactured December 1, 2014, to December 11, 2015. These motorcycles have a rear shock absorber that may leak oil from the rebound damping plug, resulting in a loss of shock function.
CONSEQUENCE:
Loss of function of the rear shock may affect the handling of the motorcycle, increasing the risk of a crash.
REMEDY:
KTM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the rebound damping plug for leaking and replace the shock absorber, as necessary, and install a new version of the suspension control unit software, free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule. Owners may contact KTM customer service at 1-888-985-6090. KTM’s number for this recall is TB1611.
NOTES:
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
Report Receipt Date: MAY 10, 2016
NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V279000
Component(s): SUSPENSION
Potential Number of Units Affected: 1,238
KTM Super Adventure
KTM has issued a recall on all models from 2015 and 2016 on the 1290 Super Adventure in order to check the semi-active shock and update the software. The issue is due to a possible oil leak from the semi-active shock. Oil leak may result in damage to the interior of the shock absorber and impair its function.
According to a KTM press release, “customers of affected motorcycles will be contacted in writing and are asked to immediately contact an authorised KTM dealer to arrange an inspection. In addition, customers can check online to see if their motorcycle is affected by the recall in the ‘service’ area on the KTM website.
“During this review, all suspension control units (SCU) on the vehicles affected will be flashed with the latest software version for the shock absorber that comprises the newest development status. This check can only be carried out by authorised KTM street dealers and is completely free of charge.”
Launched in late 2014, the KTM 1290 Super Adventure is one of the most technologically advanced adventure touring motorcycles in the world. The KTM 1290 Super Adventure uses the engine from the 1290 Super Duke R and uses a host of hi-tech features such as multi-mode semi-active suspensions independent of engine mapping, hill hold and even cornering ABS.
The 1290 Super Adventure is powered by a 1.3 litre, v-twin, liquid-cooled engine paired to a six-speed transmission. The engine makes 177bhp for the Super Duke and is retuned to make 158bhp of power for the Super Adventure. Neither the 1290 Super Duke, nor the 1290 Super Adventure are currently on sale in India.
There have been reports of KTM importing both models into India for type approval – which is required before a product can be introduced in any market. So far, there’s been no news of KTM introducing these two models in India. But if they do, they are likely to be brought in as CBUs.
