Crazy that KTM hasn't addressed this. I solved the issue by selling it and getting a 1290 super adventure R. 100% different bike. Could not be happier. Just don't twist the throttle too far in the rain. Don't ask how I know that.😂
Great info, thx. My new Norden 901 started rough starts at about 160km. Dealer told me after the first prime cycle, twist the throttle wide open which will activate another prime cycle. Then it's good to go. So far, it works every time
790R owner in the UK. I ride my bike in all sorts of temperatures and I've never had starting issues simply by allowing the bike to do its correct procedures before hitting the start button. Like most machines in life, the key is to follow the start procedures correctly and you'll get decent results.
I had one for more than a year here in the US. No matter what I tried, unless you put regular unleaded in it, it would do the same thing. Nothing else worked. Running low octane fuel is risky due to detonation. It sucks when you have such a cool bike and then you start 5 times before it will stay Running and then it runs on one cylinder for 3 to 5 minutes.
Great tip! I was so worried about cold start issues on 890/901, that I immediately replaced my battery on my new Norden 901 w/ an “upgraded” lithium battery, assuming more cranking amps would help. Lithium battery did have more V when cold, assumed it worked…. Until 1st ride out, bike completely shut down while going 45mph, no juice, no lights, got it to light back up then it just cranked & wouldn’t start, even w/ jump box & 13V. Had to tow, eventually dealer picked up, they couldn’t figure out why a bike w/ 35 miles wouldn’t start, eventually got Husq factory involved. They said the 901 & 890 SHOULD NOT be changed to lithium, the charging systems were designed to run off stock battery & bike through all kinds of codes until it shut down in to protect mode. Back to stock battery & fine so far
My dealer also told me not to use lithium batteries on my '23 890. I have a YUASA AGM in mine and no cold start issues. I also live in a warm climate. Dealer told me if I did get a cold start issue, to try using regular gas. He told me the issue gets better with time and mileage.
I've been using a Li battery for two years and almost 30,000km, and it's been fine. It may be beneficial to fit a reg./rec. that's specifically suited to Li batteries, but I haven't done this yet.
Good find if that's all it takes. Seems like throttle body position, or it needs more fuel than it gets for a quick cold start. I've been doing the 2 pump cycle on a King Quad from day one, which cycles the pump after each push of the start button. It starts faster than cranking after only one pump cycle. I don't like putting extra crank stress on the battery or starter. Too bad with KTM, it requires key off and on for additional pre crank pump cycling. I have also done that on my older 690, which cranks over a little slow. If it doesn't fire on a couple cranks, I automatically do the key off/on thing, and it always starts quickly on the 2nd go.
Great tip. I have tried that with somewhat success. It’s really too bad when you have a premium/pricey midsize bike that can’t seem to start up right away when it’s cold. All my friends that ride all other brands of motorcycles laugh at me, and the KTM brand of bike. For the price we Pay this should never be an issue.😡😡😎😎
I Agree James. It's a bit embarrassing, but I have it in my routine now, switch it on, then get ready, helmet, gloves etc.. But it works every single time.
Thanks for the reply. Picking up my 890 adventure tomorrow from being serviced. Regardless of how it starts I still like riding that bike. It flat out kicks ass.
There is literally nothing wrong with the bike. Only idiots that do not know how to operate machines. I know it’s so much fun for you to hate on KTM’s, but when you write comments like this, it just shows how ignorant people actually are when it comes to operating machinery. It just makes me laugh at everyone he can’t afford a KTM or BMW who whine about them.
Bullshit! I've owned a 790R since 2019 and this cold start issue is very annoying and there is no good reason for it except KTM doesn't give a shit. My rear shock leaked a couple of years ago right in the middle of summer, putting it out of commission for a month, until I could get it rebuilt. Oh yeah, and the TFT gets moisture in it in the winter, probably won't but another KTM again, especially since some are eating cams now......
Maybe I am lucky but I rode a 2020 790R for 30,000 km and now a 2023 890R FOR 13,000 Km and never had a starting issue on either bike. If it makes a difference I always use Chevron 94 octane.
This engine run at 12.5 /1 so you need to put the highest octane 91 or 94 , not below the engine have to much compression for go below 91 octane. When you pass 12 .0 / 1 compression you need to put 91 octane or more
Look in the manual, or the sticker on the tank, to know what octane fuel to use. I can't say which, because I think the octane rating it expressed differently in Europe.
Your problem is actually low fuel pressure. Either blocked breather or fuel prefilter is varnished from using fuel with ethonol in. My wife's 890 was the same. Found that the bike started better with the tank open. Checked fuel pressure at start. Too low. Prefilter was gummed up. Bike was better but then was about as bad as yours. Figured that one of the injectors was a bit gummed up so needed more pressure to work. Ran injector cleaner in the fuel for a bit. Even better but still not 100%. Blasted the injectors clean with injector cleaner. NOW perfect. Only run both of our 890s on 0% ethanol fuels. No more issues
Funny you mentioned that. Since this video this is the only way I could get it started, but recently, even using this procedure, it's been starting up rough. I also ran some injector cleaner through it and now it seems better, still using this process.
@justinrichards1984 what you can do is get a can of carb cleaner. Pull the quick connector off the fuel rail. Make an adapter to connect the can nozzel to the rail. Hold down the nozzle and spray directly though the injectors while starting. It will run a little untle the can pressure is not enough. Repeat, Repeat. Fixed
Mine also starts alright. Occasionally I let it go through the full cycle. Do you find it necessary to do the full cycle every time you start it, or was it enough to do the double full cycle once to recalibrate, or something?
@@justinrichards1984too late, I had to wait for 2:38 to find out, useful info and and something I worked out myself but I could have said it in less than a minute.
@@murraybown2502 I don't no what to tell you. I'm not a professional videographer, I was just trying to help people out and shared my experience. I'm very sorry to have wasted so much of your time. Perhaps you should make a 30 second video.
@@justinrichards1984 well dude what you could do is not waste your time answering the assholes in the comments. Talk to the people who are respectful and have something positive to say. That’s the biggest tip I can give you if you’re gonna put videos on RUclips why is it that every content maker will waste so much of their time dealing with the ass hats and not with a good commenters.
Crazy that KTM hasn't addressed this. I solved the issue by selling it and getting a 1290 super adventure R. 100% different bike. Could not be happier. Just don't twist the throttle too far in the rain. Don't ask how I know that.😂
Works great. Now I don't dislike coldstarting my 901 anymore. Thumbs up!
Great! It's a bit of a pain, but works everytime.
UPDATE! Dealer changed one faulty injektor. Problem seems to be solved
Great info, thx. My new Norden 901 started rough starts at about 160km. Dealer told me after the first prime cycle, twist the throttle wide open which will activate another prime cycle. Then it's good to go. So far, it works every time
790R owner in the UK. I ride my bike in all sorts of temperatures and I've never had starting issues simply by allowing the bike to do its correct procedures before hitting the start button. Like most machines in life, the key is to follow the start procedures correctly and you'll get decent results.
I had one for more than a year here in the US. No matter what I tried, unless you put regular unleaded in it, it would do the same thing. Nothing else worked. Running low octane fuel is risky due to detonation. It sucks when you have such a cool bike and then you start 5 times before it will stay Running and then it runs on one cylinder for 3 to 5 minutes.
Thanks for the tip! I just bought a 790 adventure.
Nice suggestion. Gonna try it with our Duke 890 & 790 cause we always find it hard starts when colder out.
Great tip! I was so worried about cold start issues on 890/901, that I immediately replaced my battery on my new Norden 901 w/ an “upgraded” lithium battery, assuming more cranking amps would help. Lithium battery did have more V when cold, assumed it worked…. Until 1st ride out, bike completely shut down while going 45mph, no juice, no lights, got it to light back up then it just cranked & wouldn’t start, even w/ jump box & 13V. Had to tow, eventually dealer picked up, they couldn’t figure out why a bike w/ 35 miles wouldn’t start, eventually got Husq factory involved. They said the 901 & 890 SHOULD NOT be changed to lithium, the charging systems were designed to run off stock battery & bike through all kinds of codes until it shut down in to protect mode. Back to stock battery & fine so far
My dealer also told me not to use lithium batteries on my '23 890. I have a YUASA AGM in mine and no cold start issues. I also live in a warm climate. Dealer told me if I did get a cold start issue, to try using regular gas. He told me the issue gets better with time and mileage.
Chinese cheap electronics and battery charger.
That's weird, cold cranking is an issue with lithium batteries, but it should be alright once it's on the move.
I've been using a Li battery for two years and almost 30,000km, and it's been fine. It may be beneficial to fit a reg./rec. that's specifically suited to Li batteries, but I haven't done this yet.
Good find if that's all it takes. Seems like throttle body position, or it needs more fuel than it gets for a quick cold start.
I've been doing the 2 pump cycle on a King Quad from day one, which cycles the pump after each push of the start button. It starts faster than cranking after only one pump cycle. I don't like putting extra crank stress on the battery or starter. Too bad with KTM, it requires key off and on for additional pre crank pump cycling.
I have also done that on my older 690, which cranks over a little slow. If it doesn't fire on a couple cranks, I automatically do the key off/on thing, and it always starts quickly on the 2nd go.
Great tip. I have tried that with somewhat success. It’s really too bad when you have a premium/pricey midsize bike that can’t seem to start up right away when it’s cold. All my friends that ride all other brands of motorcycles laugh at me, and the KTM brand of bike. For the price we Pay this should never be an issue.😡😡😎😎
I Agree James. It's a bit embarrassing, but I have it in my routine now, switch it on, then get ready, helmet, gloves etc.. But it works every single time.
Thanks for the reply. Picking up my 890 adventure tomorrow from being serviced. Regardless of how it starts I still like riding that bike. It flat out kicks ass.
@@jameslee5428 That's 100% for sure!!
A useful tip, but it is 2023 not 1923 - that KTM would sell bikes with this issue, and not resolve it, is wrong.
There is literally nothing wrong with the bike. Only idiots that do not know how to operate machines. I know it’s so much fun for you to hate on KTM’s, but when you write comments like this, it just shows how ignorant people actually are when it comes to operating machinery. It just makes me laugh at everyone he can’t afford a KTM or BMW who whine about them.
@@atticushexcel9567 uh - a modern bike should start with ease. If you think that's a weird thing to say, I'm thinking you've owned too many KTMs. LOL
Bullshit! I've owned a 790R since 2019 and this cold start issue is very annoying and there is no good reason for it except KTM doesn't give a shit. My rear shock leaked a couple of years ago right in the middle of summer, putting it out of commission for a month, until I could get it rebuilt. Oh yeah, and the TFT gets moisture in it in the winter, probably won't but another KTM again, especially since some are eating cams now......
Maybe I am lucky but I rode a 2020 790R for 30,000 km and now a 2023 890R FOR 13,000 Km and never had a starting issue on either bike. If it makes a difference I always use Chevron 94 octane.
thanks for the tip!
Bravo!
This engine run at 12.5 /1 so you need to put the highest octane 91 or 94 , not below the engine have to much compression for go below 91 octane. When you pass 12 .0 / 1 compression you need to put 91 octane or more
Nope
Look in the manual, or the sticker on the tank, to know what octane fuel to use. I can't say which, because I think the octane rating it expressed differently in Europe.
Your problem is actually low fuel pressure. Either blocked breather or fuel prefilter is varnished from using fuel with ethonol in. My wife's 890 was the same. Found that the bike started better with the tank open. Checked fuel pressure at start. Too low. Prefilter was gummed up. Bike was better but then was about as bad as yours. Figured that one of the injectors was a bit gummed up so needed more pressure to work. Ran injector cleaner in the fuel for a bit. Even better but still not 100%. Blasted the injectors clean with injector cleaner. NOW perfect.
Only run both of our 890s on 0% ethanol fuels. No more issues
Funny you mentioned that. Since this video this is the only way I could get it started, but recently, even using this procedure, it's been starting up rough. I also ran some injector cleaner through it and now it seems better, still using this process.
@justinrichards1984 what you can do is get a can of carb cleaner. Pull the quick connector off the fuel rail. Make an adapter to connect the can nozzel to the rail. Hold down the nozzle and spray directly though the injectors while starting. It will run a little untle the can pressure is not enough. Repeat, Repeat. Fixed
Definitely not a bank robber’s get away bike…
🤣
Mine also starts alright. Occasionally I let it go through the full cycle. Do you find it necessary to do the full cycle every time you start it, or was it enough to do the double full cycle once to recalibrate, or something?
@@RedRupert64 I do both cycles every time. Pain, but seems to work better
What skid plate you running brother
This is the AXP skid plate. Been great so far, 16000km later.
Very interesting. Is that a CFMoto Chinese engine or an Austrian engine?
Mine is Austrian.
@@justinrichards1984 Mine too... 790 Adv R.
Offtop, do you have camshaft problems?
Not yet... Hoping I won't..
NOPE.
My god, it takes you until 2:38 before you say what you believe is the fix. 2:38 of my life I will never, ever get back.
Don't watch it then, continue to start your bike on one cylinder. Sorry mate.
@@justinrichards1984too late, I had to wait for 2:38 to find out, useful info and and something I worked out myself but I could have said it in less than a minute.
@@murraybown2502 I don't no what to tell you. I'm not a professional videographer, I was just trying to help people out and shared my experience. I'm very sorry to have wasted so much of your time. Perhaps you should make a 30 second video.
@@justinrichards1984 well dude what you could do is not waste your time answering the assholes in the comments. Talk to the people who are respectful and have something positive to say. That’s the biggest tip I can give you if you’re gonna put videos on RUclips why is it that every content maker will waste so much of their time dealing with the ass hats and not with a good commenters.
@@atticushexcel9567 Good advise.. but your right, there is always one!