if more than a few thousandths are taken off the head, that's exactly what will happen. Sounds like they decked the head too much. It'll blow again. The cylinder can have a fire ring installed, and that should solve your head gasket issues... but if you've already screwed up the head by decking it too far, it's a gonner. How much did they take off the head when they decked it?Well, I'm not so sure you should classify unreliability as a "rumor."
My road-going 2017 (never tracked) overheated and blew a head gasket at 6100 miles. Head was re-decked and rebuilt by a very experienced engine builder; silicon hoses, upgraded fan. The whole thing cost me $3500. Head blew again 60 miles into first ride. I'm now having the head done again.
If it blows again I'm going to haul it to the local KTM dealer and set it on fire in front of their store.
There are rumors of an RC490 in the works. Would I love to have a $500cc 350 lb thumper? Yup. But another KTM. No thanks.
Unfortunately, some are just very timid where it comes to things like motor internals, or even chain and sprockets for that matter. I've had some guys ride here from Houston or DFW just to have me install the chain and sprockets for them, and show them how to adjust their chain. I mean, I get it... everyone has to start somewhere. I just don't understand how it is that some didn't learn this stuff from taking apart the lawn mower, or minibike/dirtbike, weed wackers, chainsaws, and a bevvy of other small engines when they were kids (or teenagers) not to mention wrenching on ones first car when you have more time than money and a shop tells you it's $800 to swap an alternator/starter/brake pads/etc and it's a job you can do it yourself in less than an hour... and before you know it your are comfortable with clutch rebuilds, adjusting valves, and yeah... fixing blown head gaskets... but you just gotta start somewhere and ask a lot of questions. I don't know any biker who's wrenched on their own bikes who's not happy to help others who are starting out.My 2016 duke made it 23,500 miles before having a head gasket issue. These engines are really easy to work on and thankfully the parts are cheap. I would 100% just do it yourself.
Unfortunately, some are just very timid where it comes to things like motor internals, or even chain and sprockets for that matter. I've had some guys ride here from Houston or DFW just to have me install the chain and sprockets for them, and show them how to adjust their chain. I mean, I get it... everyone has to start somewhere. I just don't understand how it is that some didn't learn this stuff from taking apart the lawn mower, or minibike/dirtbike, weed wackers, chainsaws, and a bevvy of other small engines when they were kids (or teenagers) not to mention wrenching on ones first car when you have more time than money and a shop tells you it's $800 to swap an alternator/starter/brake pads/etc and it's a job you can do it yourself in less than an hour... and before you know it your are comfortable with clutch rebuilds, adjusting valves, and yeah... fixing blown head gaskets... but you just gotta start somewhere and ask a lot of questions. I don't know any biker who's wrenched on their own bikes who's not happy to help others who are starting out.
I drop the motor to do valve adjustments. My hands are too big to get in there, and while you POSSIBLY can do the valve check in the frame, doing the adjustment would be a total nightmare. Dropping the motor takes about 20 minutes. Putting it back in and getting all the fluids in and ready to start might take another 30... and doing the check and adjustment are SOOOOO much simpler with the motor out of the frame!I completely agree. There are lots of small jobs that can be easily done in order to help build you up. This engine being a single cylinder engine is an extremely easy example of an engine you could learn on. I can legit from start to finish do a complete valve lash check in 45 mins to include reinstalling all parts. It just takes some patience and understanding that the metal is cheese so don't over torque it.
I am interested in this 20 min motor drop. Took me like an hour to do a simple oil change lolI drop the motor to do valve adjustments. My hands are too big to get in there, and while you POSSIBLY can do the valve check in the frame, doing the adjustment would be a total nightmare. Dropping the motor takes about 20 minutes. Putting it back in and getting all the fluids in and ready to start might take another 30... and doing the check and adjustment are SOOOOO much simpler with the motor out of the frame!
It's not really that difficult. Disconnect the front sprocket and chain with it, shifter lever, drain and remove radiator and unplug fan connection, remove header pipe and exhaust system, undo the two plugs on the left side of motor, (gear position sensor and ignition) and the oil pressure sensor connection. Unplug the connection just below the throttle body, undo wires from starter motor, vent hoses off of case and head, remove spark plug boot/lead.I am interested in this 20 min motor drop. Took me like an hour to do a simple oil change lol
I have normal not bear glove size hands so I can do it all with the engine still in the frame lolI drop the motor to do valve adjustments. My hands are too big to get in there, and while you POSSIBLY can do the valve check in the frame, doing the adjustment would be a total nightmare. Dropping the motor takes about 20 minutes. Putting it back in and getting all the fluids in and ready to start might take another 30... and doing the check and adjustment are SOOOOO much simpler with the motor out of the frame!