24’ KTM 790 ADV Valve and Cam Inspection

[donnyj08]

I have put 12,795 miles on my 24’ KTM 790 Adventure in the last 12 months. I wanted to take a peek at the valve clearances and the cams since they are a hot topic in the Motorcycle world.

All the valve clearances were still in spec. The cams have some “running” marks on the lobes. They however, feel completely smooth to the touch and have no edge that can be felt with a finger nail.

My uncle builds high performance engine's for a living and he came over and took a look as well.

A few things he noted was how aggressive the lobe is. It definitely is closing the valve immediately. The cams also have pretty sharp point on the lobes, which in his opinion will wear eventually say 30-40k miles they will “probably” need replacing, not unlike a 4 stroke racing dirtbike.

He seemed to think they look and feel okay and that a little discoloration from the DLC follower is okay as long as it doesn’t have actual wear. He left with the recommendation to check them again in another 12k miles and “ride the crap out of it until then”

Bike has ran on mostly Amsoil 15w50 and 10w50 in the winter months.

 

[We're Metals]

Doesn't look great but WAY better than most 790 engines. Maybe by 2024 they figured out the hardening process.

Thanks for sharing!

 

[donnyj08]

Doesn't look great but WAY better than most 790 engines. Maybe by 2024 they figured out the hardening process.

Thanks for sharing!

Yea,

I’m hoping to get 30k miles out of them

I do really like the bike, and it’s pretty easy to work on all things considered. I’m at a point where I either trade it in on a 1290 super adventure or I keep it and continue to rack up miles. There are guys on early 790s with 80+K miles but on their 2nd or third set of cams. However, it seems most of the early 2019/2020 bikes with wear have severe wear at 10k miles or less. I was at least a little relieved these feel perfect, they just are discolored.

I have a few multi thousand mile trips planned this year so within another year we will definitely find out if they have more wear.

 

[SubieRubyRoo]

Yea,

I’m hoping to get 30k miles out of them

I do really like the bike, and it’s pretty easy to work on all things considered. I’m at a point where I either trade it in on a 1290 super adventure or I keep it and continue to rack up miles. There are guys on early 790s with 80+K miles but on their 2nd or third set of cams. However, it seems most of the early 2019/2020 bikes with wear have severe wear at 10k miles or less. I was at least a little relieved these feel perfect, they just are discolored.

I have a few multi thousand mile trips planned this year so within another year we will definitely find out if they have more wear.

If I bought a 790 (or any KTM rn TBH) I would disassemble the bike before I ever rode it a single mile and send the cams to 300* Below for their cryogenic treatment. Then, after cryo treatment, they would receive a nickel-boron or DLC treatment to keep a very slippery surface available with minimal lube. 80k on original cams should be cake…

 

[RoadDukie]

What a great bike, and it looks like you're pouring on the miles which is great. I'd imagine that's easy given where you live.

Great pics, and yes, your uncle is correct. Those lobes look pretty sporty!

Unless I missed it, what is the factory recommended interval for valve inspection?

Tks.

 

[Nessism1]

The KTM 790 makes a bunch more power than most other bikes in its class. This is related to the aggressive cam profiles, among other things.

Regarding cam/follower wear, it seems more related to poor oil flow, than soft parts.

Getting "your moneys worth" out of something is a good point of view. With a bike like that, 30-40k seems to be a realistic expectation. Not ideal by any means, though. It should be double that, at least.

 

[donnyj08]

What a great bike, and it looks like you're pouring on the miles which is great. I'd imagine that's easy given where you live.

Great pics, and yes, your uncle is correct. Those lobes look pretty sporty!

Unless I missed it, what is the factory recommended interval for valve inspection?

Tks.

18,600 is the valve clearance interval. I just wanted to check them early.

 

[donnyj08]

The KTM 790 makes a bunch more power than most other bikes in its class. This is related to the aggressive cam profiles, among other things.

Regarding cam/follower wear, it seems more related to poor oil flow, than soft parts.

Getting "your moneys worth" out of something is a good point of view. With a bike like that, 30-40k seems to be a realistic expectation. Not ideal by any means, though. It should be double that, at least.

It’s a great bike to ride! At least it’s an affordable bike to begin with.

There was a lot of oil on top of the cam bridge, so it’s getting oil up there, I may check oil pressure while it’s running soon.

If it’s lowish I do have a 3.5 bar spring for the oil pump if it’s needed. Supposedly the CF moto built engine already has more oil pressure than the older versions, but I won’t know for sure until I check it.

 

[donnyj08]

If I bought a 790 (or any KTM rn TBH) I would disassemble the bike before I ever rode it a single mile and send the cams to 300* Below for their cryogenic treatment. Then, after cryo treatment, they would receive a nickel-boron or DLC treatment to keep a very slippery surface available with minimal lube. 80k on original cams should be cake…

What is the name of the company that does this? I’m not opposed to buying a second set and swapping them at the next inspection.

 

[SubieRubyRoo]

What is the name of the company that does this? I’m not opposed to buying a second set and swapping them at the next inspection.

300* Below.

As far as the coatings go, there’s nearly thousands. Many have good DLC or dry film lubricants available.

 

[We're Metals]

If I bought a 790 (or any KTM rn TBH) I would disassemble the bike before I ever rode it a single mile and send the cams to 300* Below for their cryogenic treatment. Then, after cryo treatment, they would receive a nickel-boron or DLC treatment to keep a very slippery surface available with minimal lube. 80k on original cams should be cake…

Sure, the bike really isnt worth it in my opinion. From the sounds of it, new Cams (Back ordered for months) are a cheaper way to go and fix the issue. If this really is your forever bike then sure go ahead.

From a known issue standpoint.... You still have cam tensioners (bike sounds like bottle caps in a garbage disposal), blocked oil jets, clutches that like to fry in extreme situations, electronics problems across the board, crappy wheels that bend into octagons, poorly designed emission control systems that pressurize the gas tank and either cause gas smells- vapor lock or explosions of fuel in your face when you open the tank... The list goes on and on

 

[donnyj08]

Sure, the bike really isnt worth it in my opinion. From the sounds of it, new Cams (Back ordered for months) are a cheaper way to go and fix the issue. If this really is your forever bike then sure go ahead.

From a known issue standpoint.... You still have cam tensioners (bike sounds like bottle caps in a garbage disposal), blocked oil jets, clutches that like to fry in extreme situations, electronics problems across the board, crappy wheels that bend into octagons, poorly designed emission control systems that pressurize the gas tank and either cause gas smells- vapor lock or explosions of fuel in your face when you open the tank... The list goes on and on

You’re probably right.

I’m confident mine will last another 12k. If they need replacement then I will replace them and go ahead and install the 3.5bar oil spring I have.

I have my eye on either a new Multistrada V2 or Moto Guzzi Stelvio so the KTM may become a second bike in the next year or two anyway.

I do like the 1290 super adventure S as well, which supposedly is very reliable, however I don’t think I need 160hp

 

[We're Metals]

You’re probably right.

I’m confident mine will last another 12k. If they need replacement then I will replace them and go ahead and install the 3.5bar oil spring I have.

I have my eye on either a new Multistrada V2 or Moto Guzzi Stelvio so the KTM may become a second bike in the next year or two anyway.

I do like the 1290 super adventure S as well, which supposedly is very reliable, however I don’t think I need 160hp

Owned 3 different iterations of the 1290 (and an 890 now) and the 1290 is a road bike. You will love it on road. Off road its too **** big.

Think about a 1250gs? or I guess the 1300?

 

[donnyj08]

Owned 3 different iterations of the 1290 (and an 890 now) and the 1290 is a road bike. You will love it on road. Off road its too **** big.

Think about a 1250gs? or I guess the 1300?

I only do road anyway. Long trips mostly. I have considered it. Like to stay under $20k new, However.

Lots of great deals on new 1290s right now.

 

[We're Metals]

I only do road anyway. Long trips mostly. I have considered it. Like to stay under $20k new, However.

Lots of great deals on new 1290s right now.

Its a great street bike.