I would buy the service manual and do it yourself. You'll save a **** ton of money and is the only way to know it was done properly. If after checking the clearance you find a vlave out of tolerance a shim swap would be required. If you're not comfortable pulling the cam you could then enlist the help of a proffesional. This would work out cheaper as well because all of the prerequisite work has been done (removing tank, airbox, throttle bodies, etc.).

Having said all that, I've checked the valves on 3 out of 4 of my LC8s (all between 10 and 15k miles). My original 990 SD, my 1290 SAS and 1290 Gen3 (my current Gen4 isn't due for a valve check until 36k miles!!). All valves I measured were literally dead nuts in the middle of the tolerance range....no joke. KTM build stout valve-trains! And, most other mechanical things as well. Only electronic sensors and such they seem struggle with. So very likely your valves will be in tolerance. Doesn't hurt to measure them to verify though.

So why not learn how to check your valves? You'll learn how to R&R a few parts, save a few bucks, create a bond with the bike and best of all, know the job was done correctly (or even done at all!!! Yep, some unscrupulous shops charge for the work but never do a thing).

Good luck.

Cheers

-John

 

Unless you really hate peace of mind you should do it. I checked the valves on my 2015 SDR at 16,814 and was very glad I did. Five out of eight were not within the specified range, none by a lot but the three exhaust valves that were too tight were of considerable concern.

I used a Haynes KTM 1290 Super Duke, '14 to '19 manual and it was more than sufficient. If you dive in you might want to replace the four spark plugs, around $80. I had to use rtv to seal one of the valve cover gaskets, so might want to look into replacing them, a shop would definitely replace them. Probably would have taken less than 4 hours had I not needed to do the adjustments double that if you do. I you go all in, an assortment box of shims from Amazon will be less than $50 and would be more than enough to do both of your bikes several times. Also might want to replace the cam chain adjusters with Dirt Trick adjusters, around $200 and worth every penny in my opinion.

Sleep well my friend.

 

For what it's worth, I have never in my life, not even once, had a shop tell me a valve adjustment was needed on any bike I've ever had checked. Every single time, the report has always been the same: "Valves checked; no adjustment needed."

 

Because winters are long and dark here and I had plenty of free time, I bought a micrometer, valve shim kit with smallest possible steps (prox) and best available feeler gauge with smalles possible steps and tried my hand with the valve check, maybe at a little early, maybe it was 12000 kms... Found out that clearances were on the tight side on some valves and decided to go to the large end of clearances... After doing the first head a couple of times (a slow learner) the three remaining heads went nice and smooth (I had then two sdr 1290 bikes, a 2014 and 2015 ones) and afterwards, when the bikes were at the 30 000 kms, I redid the measures. And changes were minimal, largest differences were only about a half of a hundreth of a millimeter differing from the earlier measurements (yes, can be natural variation but I did a lot of measuring with micrometer at my work then). The small black plastic breather thing at the rear cylinder was only a little bitch to keep in place at assembly... I had earlier some experience with cars but never done shimmed valve gear checks earlier. I remember a few screw and bolt type valve gears on old cars done earlier... Also, I thought to ease it a little by removing the radiators, change the coolants at the same time. Radiators were a pain to be cleaned, all kind of stuff between the fins, tried all possible cleaner chemicals, pressure washer, hot and cool air etc. but a wooden coctail stick was maybe the best tool in that work...

Regarding the time spent doing the valve check and adjustment work I never believe a professional service provider can complete that task really well and have a profit of it - so I have decided to help them with their burden. And when you do it yourself you really know what is really done a what is not...

 

I had mine on my 2019SDGT checked at 15,000mi. Dealer tech said all was in spec. Now, I'm more of a sporty touring Tommy than a raging Ricky racer. I'd say if you are riding above 6k rpm constantly, don't go past the recommended ck interval(18,600mi). If you're riding habits are more relaxed, 20,000mi is a realistic ck mileage.

 

G’day all,
I have about 78000km on my ‘19 SDGT and have checked clearances twice. Both times all were within spec, with minor (0.0005”) change on a couple of exhaust valves between the checks (28000km and 60000km).
It’s not difficult, but is important to do IMHO. And as others have said, it’s quite cathartic to pull bits off to get down to it. May I recommend undoing the radiator mounts to allow it to tilt forward and give clear access to the front cylinder valves. Not difficult, and makes the job a lot less “contorted”. Good luck.

 

Worth doing, especially the first check, because you don’t know yet if you have a Monday/Friday poorly assembled special.
I just checked my former service records regarding my previously owned 1050 Triumph Speed Triple. The first valve check (16,600km) revealed 10 of the 12 out of spec, 6 being well out. All shims were replaced to center them evenly and subsequent checks never saw any movement, with my final check done at 70,000km.

 

Checking valve clearance does no harm, better safe than sorry.

 

I check mine at 20,000km found two on the tight side. Rechecked at 45,000km all still spot on.

 

I'll get it done, either personally with a friend, or the shop. I realized I'm a few thousand miles from needing to get it done, but I'll use this time to study up on it. Thanks for the replies y'all