2015 KTM 1290 Super Adventure won't start

Wit's end... Just got another recall notice..
Love the engine torque and the ride. 21500 miles. Love to take it in but all of a sudden she won't start. Thought battery was getting a bit weak so got a new one. Trickle topped it off and she cranks maybe a little pop but will not start! Had her out a few times this year so far and she ran fine. General failure I suppose cause both seats are unplugged. Occasionally mtc failure. She will not start! Thought plugs cause 18k service says to change but forms say waste of money and time as people and service personnel says they are fine.
Any ideas?

Start here regardless,

Disconnect battery from bike over night, give it a full charge.. Also try a jump start off another known decent battery.. When my 1290 goes flat I jump off my car "quickly"

I had a no start issue last year and it was valves. Too tight and low compression. Had run perfect (it seemed) the day before.

I'm not sure but mtc I think can be related to throttle plates?. If so I've seen it three times on modern machines. If the computer senses any interference in the relationship between grip and sync of and/0r relationship between throttle bodies it won't run right or at all. I read a post on here where a piece of gravel stuck in the linkage and bike would not go.

For example one of those times an oring got dislodged on a skidoo and would not let the throttle plate close all the way. Ecu sensed this and it refused to rev beyond a rough idle. Good thing it likely saved the motor.

At any rate check the air box for dust. If there's lots that may support low compression (but not due to valves). Hard starting is also a sign of tight valves. A recent dirt bike I worked on had that problem and a valve adjustment fixed it.

Then there's a fuel filter, fuel pump or pinched or shut off fuel line to consider. I'd start there first.

If the ECU is indicating error code(s) then follow the Service Manual troubleshooting flowchart based on those error code(s). Doing so will eventually lead you to the cause of the problem and the relevant corrective action.

Before you get exotic, start with the battery.
I have purchased a couple bad batteries over the years.
Do as above.....jump off a known good one.

Then, move on to basic sensors. (Kill switch, kick stand, etc.)

Then, move to fuel.
Is there gas in the tank?
You sure? (Wouldn't trust the gauge)

Then move to the pump.
Is it spinning?
Is it plugged? (Real common)

I see general failure (heated seats unplugged) once in a while mtc failure.
I have the pdf service manual and don't see it as the error code flow chart you speak of.

When you turn it on see if the check engine light is flashing. If yes count the flashes and compare to the code list to diagnose it

I am no expert on troubleshooting KTMs or on KTM Service Manuals, but most Service Manuals have one or more troubleshooting flowcharts. The flowcharts may be represented as a series of steps or tables rather than flowcharts per se.

There's no flow chart in the manual. It's pretty worthless for diagnostic info. Error code chart for an RC8 works though

Brian, yes make sure battery is good, should not fall below 10v while cranking, car or bike.

IS THERE ANY CODES? DEAL WITH Trucks and cars and is helpful, but in my world you may not have one, then what?

If cranks fine feed it a little starter fluid, be careful. Plastic intakes can esplode. If it barks with start fluid is fuel. Throttle plate?., was mentioned, are they opening with key on and throttle, making assumptions here.

Don't know if has a cranks shaft sensor or not? does the tack bounce while crankin??

Probably above your pay grade but are injectors being commanded on and off, would need DSO to see. If not ECM is not commanding fuel, for whatever reason. ECM, off line or no start strategy. Pull a plug and crank, any spark?, if not ECM might not be commanding it. Usually though will spark in cars but cuts fuel, not sure here?

If you like the bike would get a WIRING diag of it. Again all the normal stuff, kick stand, clutch, all cut out systems???

In truth, probably have more faith in automotive tech than bikes, this style of Bosch systems have been in Euro cars for 25 years.

IM making a bunch of assumptions on the system of this bike but my guess FI like most cars. Hang in there will be worth it. I don't own one but probably pretty sweet, JMO


Feel free to call me 4255086724 LARRY.

I don't think that's the service manual. It looks more like the owners manual, but I'm not sure. The service manual should have way more detail and better explanations.

If you haven't ridden in a while (weeks/months) check if it's bad gas. My 1190 had similar symptoms (pop but no start) until I replaced the tankful of old gas.

When my fuel filter first started plugging up, ,9k miles, it would die in traffic, start up again and get me home.
This happened a few times.
At the end, it wouldn't even try to start. Seemed as if the ignition wasn't working.
我安装了Guglatech燃油过滤器系统和我t has been great.

A friend's 690 wouldn't start one day, and it turned out that one of the intake valves was too tight.
It ran great the day before.

If you get to the point where you are removing the tank, go ahead and check the valves. It's not hard.

My 2015 1290 days still starts if seats not connected.....

As previously stated start with the simple things.
1. remove the battery and get it load tested or
Have a volt meter hooked up when you crank the engine.
As a mechanic for over 45 years I have seen many problems that guys chased only to find that they had a dead cell in their battery.
If you get a big voltage drop your battery is bad.
as I always tried to drill into the apprentice mechanics that worked for me. START WITH THE EASY THINGS TO CHECK

I happened across the another gentleman's post on the 1290 R Forum about bike not starting. As it turns out I think this gentleman has pinpointed the problem. I had flashing check engine light (two pulses) and he indicated that it was a pulsar coil. I ordered online for about 50 bucks at Rocky Mountain ATV. I have the ignition cover off the pulsar coil is located underneath there. I thought I would be able to change it without taking the tank off but I however I could not reach the end plug. Although I have not put it back together and start it I'm pretty certain that this was the problem and I will post later when I get some time to put the bike that back together. However I may not put it back together as I don't have the ignition cover gasket (back ordered) if the old one is in good shape I will reuse it. So although I have not put it back together and started it it seems to me that testing the new coil that arrived it had 101 ohms when I tested the plug on the other pulser coil it had an open circuit. It seems promising I will let everyone know how I make out.

Pulsar coil plug is located left side up under the tank．我侥幸计新的脉冲星有限公司il measured 101 ohms. One on the bike open. Bad bad coil. Replaced it, reused old gasket put a little non curing silicone sealant on gasket. Plugged everything in and bike fired right up first try! Yay! Ignition cover is a bitch to get off an on....All done and running! Hope that helps someone.