do the ktm 144's blow up alot?

[KLX125 master]

i seen some threads that sad somthing about ktm having a recall on the 144 cylinder and they blow up alot or spomthing like that. is that true cuz i was thinking about getn a 08 maby 09.

[MoToRaCeR436]

Yes. Still a really good bike and I think the bugs have been worked out of them since, but I've my share of problems with it.

[Two-Six]

My friends seems to go through clutches a lot more than his other bikes. Other than that its a freakin sick bike.

[katoom525sx]

The funnest bike I have ever had!!! So far so good no problems.

[xrmarty]

apparently the 09's have worked out all the kinks

[eastreich]

Not sure if they blow up or not, but I was working the starts at our local MX race this weekend and saw a kid holeshot one moto with a 144SX against a good sized gate of 250Fs in the junior class (he was third to turn one in the other moto after being pushed out). He ran away with both moto wins.

That bike sure does haul a$$. Not quite like my 505, but it flat gets with the program! I think I could put up with a two stroke that had a few issues like that. The overall maintenance should still be cheaper than a 250F even factoring in the cost of a blow up or two.

[connorw327]

i hav the new version of the 144, the 150. its no better, after about 8-10 hours its gone pop. top ring on exhaust side caught port and dragged.

worst part is its only 12 days out of warrenty!!!?

i have pictures of the damage if any 1 is interested??

sent the complete top end back to dealer for them to look

funny thing is ktm changed the piston in 09 for better reliability:blah:

[roverracer122]

as far as clutches go with a barnett unit and throw a wossner piston in there.

[657pinkKTM]

it blows up as much as you want it to....break it in right and maintain the bike and you are good...

granted i probably only have 2 hours on my engine im not gonna worry about it blowing up. i ride like a sissy.

[657pinkKTM]

oh yeah they dont allow people who cant type into KTM dealerships bud.

[MoToRaCeR436]

I'd like to retract my previous statement and go ahead and post these pics I took while taking the top end apart.

Rings just don't split in half with a strict maintanance schedule. This bike also has the updated piston in it as well as a brand new Hinson clutch in it (grenaded. 3 fingers on the basket broke off and took out the tranny). Back to the Japs! ?

[roverracer122]

To me it looks like your bike ran too hottttttttttt I can tell this by the marks on the upper outside of the piston. What oil were you running and what ratio.

[MoToRaCeR436]

Klotz BeNol 32:1... Doubt that was the problem. 50:1 is recommended.

[roverracer122]

I use the same oil did you overheat it at all

[xrmarty]

it blows up as much as you want it to....break it in right and maintain the bike and you are good...

granted i probably only have 2 hours on my engine im not gonna worry about it blowing up. i ride like a sissy.

My impression is that the issue with the 144's is more complicated than just maintenance. Seems like some bikes blow up with less than 2hrs on the motor, but then, other machines don't have any issue. It'll be interesting to see how the 09's hold up.

[MoToRaCeR436]

I use the same oil did you overheat it at all

No... and even if I did, the rings don't snap in half due to heat.

[657pinkKTM]

My impression is that the issue with the 144's is more complicated than just maintenance. Seems like some bikes blow up with less than 2hrs on the motor, but then, other machines don't have any issue. It'll be interesting to see how the 09's hold up.

? i'm just not worried about my bike blowing up. theres a recall so if it does it gets fixed...for free. i dunno, im not gonna argue with you about. sure, almost everyone i know with a 144 had engine problems but ill take my chances because i love this bike.

[chrisbradley44]

After thinking about this Gordon, my guess is those morons who put in the replacement piston (reacll work) didn't use an updated piston. It looks like the ring hooked the cylinder just the original recall stated.

[supergoon]

If it's jetted for 50:1 from the factory and you ran it at 32:1 then you could have cooked it. The pitting around the perimeter of the piston crown is indicative of a lean condition. It looks like the piston in the picture has been exposed to detonation. Detonation will cause ring failure in a heartbeat.

[kawirider6080]

i hav the new version of the 144, the 150. its no better, after about 8-10 hours its gone pop. top ring on exhaust side caught port and dragged.?

worst part is its only 12 days out of warrenty!!!

i have pictures of the damage if any 1 is interested??

sent the complete top end back to dealer for them to look

funny thing is ktm changed the piston in 09 for better reliability:blah:

Definently post up some pics. also is there any real difference between the 08 144 and the 09 150 sx