KTM Motorcycle Key Replacement in Ventura & Santa Barbara

KTM key quick facts

KTM's orange programming key is used only to activate and deactivate black ignition keys and should be kept in a safe place, not on the bike.
KTM owner's manuals state that you need the key number, found on the KEYCODECARD, to order a spare key.
KTM's manuals for orange-key models say up to four black ignition keys can be activated.
KTM Race On is a transponder keyless system; the manuals give its range as about 1.5 m and say a key with a weak battery can be held at the antenna to start the bike.
KTM's 2021 and later 1290 Super Adventure S manuals describe Anti Relay Attack, which switches off the Race On key's remote response five minutes after the ignition is turned off.
KTM's 390 Duke manuals from 2019 on say that if no ignition key is left, the entire lock system must be replaced; they describe no immobilizer.

KTM street bikes use one of three key setups. The big LC8 V-twins of the 2010s, such as the RC8, the 1190 and 1090 Adventure, the early 1290 Super Duke R and the first 1290 Super Adventure, came with black ignition keys, an orange programming key and a KEYCODECARD in the paperwork. From 2017 the 1290 Super Duke R and 1290 Super Adventure moved to Race On, a keyless transponder you carry in your pocket. The singles and parallel twins are simpler than many owners expect: KTM's owner's manuals for the 390, 690, 790 and 890 families describe an ordinary ignition key with a key number on the KEYCODECARD and have no immobilizer section at all.

On the immobilizer bikes, the orange key is the part owners overlook. It is meant to stay at home, because it is used for activating and deactivating black keys rather than for riding. Bikes change hands without it all the time, and that is when a simple spare turns into a bigger job. We cut and program black keys, help when the orange key is missing, work with Race On bikes, cut keys for the plain-key models, and replace ignition, seat and fuel cap locks.

KTM key types by model and year

Years	Models	Key type	Chip	Notes
2008-2016	RC8 and RC8 R, 1190 Adventure and Adventure R, 1290 Super Duke R through 2016, 1290 Super Adventure through 2016	black transponder keys plus orange programming key	yes	The orange key activates and deactivates black keys. KTM's manuals say up to four black keys can be active at once.
2017-2019	1090 Adventure and 1090 Adventure R, 2017 1290 Super Duke GT	black transponder keys plus orange programming key	yes	The 2017 manuals for both models describe the orange programming key and the KEYCODECARD. The Super Duke GT's 2019 manual describes Race On instead.
2017-present	1290 Super Duke R, 1290 Super Adventure S and R, 1290 Super Duke GT by the 2019 model year, 1390 Super Duke R	Race On keyless transponder key	yes	2017 to 2020 manuals describe a black ignition key as the backup. The 2021 and later 1290 Super Adventure S manuals describe a RACE ON chip as the backup and add Anti Relay Attack.
2016-present	390 Duke, RC 390, 390 Adventure	conventional ignition key	no	The 390 Duke manuals from 2016 to 2025 have no immobilizer section. The 2019 and later ones say that with no key left, the entire lock system must be replaced.
2012-present	690 Duke, 690 SMC R, 690 Enduro R	conventional ignition key	no	Manuals for the 690 Duke (2012 to 2019), 690 SMC R (2014) and 690 Enduro R (2020) list a key number on the KEYCODECARD and no immobilizer section.
2018-present	790 and 890 Duke, 790 and 890 Adventure	conventional ignition key	no	Longer key blade than the 390 family. The 790 Duke, 790 Adventure and 890 Adventure manuals have no immobilizer section; the dash lamp that carries the immobilizer name is described as an alarm system status lamp. The 2024 890 SMT manual also names an immobilizer circuit in its fuse table, so on the newest bikes we confirm the key from the bike and the VIN.
Around 2012	990 Adventure and 990 Adventure R	black keys plus orange programming key, by market	varies	KTM's 2012 manual for the EU, UK, Australian and French versions describes the orange programming key system. US bikes can differ, so we confirm the key set from your VIN when you call.
All years	SX, XC, XCF-W, EXC and other competition and enduro models	no ignition key	no	Most of these bikes start with a button. KTM's EXC-F manual describes a separate steering lock with its own small key on EXC-F models, with the key number stamped on the key connector. The street-legal US 500 EXC-F is an exception: its 2025 manual also shows an ignition lock beside the dash.

KTM keys by model

Each page covers the key and immobilizer by year, which locks share the key, and what a lost-key job involves for that model.

KTM immobilizer and chip keys

On orange-key KTMs, the black keys start the bike and the orange key manages them. KTM's manuals say the ignition may only be switched on with a black key, that up to four black keys can be activated, and that a lost black key should be deactivated with the orange key so it can no longer run the bike. They also say the orange key must only be used for learning and programming and should be kept in a safe place. The manual's procedures all start with the orange key, so without it, adding a key needs dealer or locksmith equipment rather than an owner procedure.

Race On, KTM's keyless system, lets you switch on, start and lock the steering while the transponder key stays in your pocket; the manuals give a range of about 1.5 m around the antenna. If the Race On key's battery is too low, the manuals say to hold the key, or the backup key or chip, at the antenna area and try again. A lost Race On key has to be deactivated by an authorized KTM workshop, and the manuals say a workshop can activate up to four keys in total. Parts catalogs list Race On keys in more than one radio frequency version by year and market, so a replacement has to be matched to your specific bike, not just your model name.

On the orange-key models, KTM's manuals also warn against keeping several ignition keys on one ring, because their electronics can interfere with each other when the bike reads them. If one of these bikes suddenly refuses a key it has always accepted, try that key on its own, away from the orange key and any other chip keys, before assuming the key or the bike has failed.

The 390, 690, 790 and 890 families are different. Their manuals describe no electronic immobilizer, so a correctly cut key is what operates the ignition, steering lock, seat and fuel cap. The red dash lamp that carries the immobilizer name on some of these bikes is described in the manual as a status lamp for the optional alarm system.

KTM Immobilizer: Orange Key, Black Keys and Race OnKTM has used two immobilizer setups on its big twins: black transponder ignition keys managed by an orange programming key, and from 2017 the Race On keyless key on the 1290 Super Duke R and 1290 Super Adventure.

Lost all your KTM keys?

An all-keys-lost KTM comes down to which system the bike uses. On an orange-key bike, the question is whether you still have the orange key: KTM's manual has you deactivate the lost keys with it, order a new black key by the key number on the KEYCODECARD, and activate it. On a Race On bike, the manual sends you to an authorized KTM workshop to deactivate lost keys and activate new ones. On the plain-key 390 family, KTM's 2019 and later manuals say that if no ignition key is left, the entire lock system must be replaced. That is the parts-counter answer, and how long a dealer key order takes varies. On many models a locksmith can instead make a key to the locks already on the bike, and on immobilizer models program it on site.

Have your photo ID, title or registration and the VIN ready. Find the KEYCODECARD if you have one, and bring the orange key even if you never use it. For Race On bikes, note the model year and whether the bike was sold new in the US, and bring the backup black key or chip if it survived. Keep any damaged key for the visit, and mention any aftermarket ignition or tank-lock changes.

Have this ready when you call or text

Year, make and model of the bike
Where the bike is parked
Whether you have any working key, a broken key or a key code
Photo ID and registration or title (we verify ownership before making a key)

Need a KTM key in Ventura & Santa Barbara?

Call or text with the year and model and where the bike is.

Call (805) 429-8452 Text your year, make and model

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Where to find your KTM key code

KTM's owner's manuals say the key number is found on the KEYCODECARD, that you need it to order a spare key, and that the card should be kept in a safe place. KTM's dealer setup instructions have the spare key and KEYCODECARD removed from under the seat and kept for handover, so check the owner's manual pouch and the original sales folder first. If the card is missing, a key can still be made from the lock or an existing key, and programmed to the bike on immobilizer models.

KTM dealer or mobile locksmith?

A KTM dealer can order genuine keys by key number and has the factory diagnostic software, which matters for warranty work, for Race On key orders and for deactivating a lost Race On key, which the manual reserves for an authorized KTM workshop. The drawback is the wait when parts are back-ordered, and a bike with no working key has to be trailered in. A mobile locksmith can usually cut keys on site and helps most when the orange key or every key is missing. If you have a working key and the KEYCODECARD, the dealer route for a spare is simple and fair.

KTM models we make keys for

KTM key and lock services

KTM key FAQ

I bought a used KTM without the orange key. Is that a problem?

On an orange-key model the bike runs fine on its black keys, but the orange key is what activates and deactivates keys. Without it, adding a spare needs dealer or locksmith equipment, and losing your last black key becomes a bigger job. Having a spare made while you still have a working key is the cheapest insurance.

Can I ride with the KTM orange key?

No. KTM's manuals say the ignition may only be switched on with a black key and that the orange key must only be used for learning and programming. Keep it at home in a safe place.

Does my KTM 390, 690, 790 or 890 have a chip key?

KTM's owner's manuals for these families describe a conventional ignition key and no immobilizer section. A correctly cut key works the ignition and the other locks, though model years and markets can differ, so check your own manual.

Why does my KTM suddenly not recognize my key?

On immobilizer models, first check whether other chip keys are on the same ring, since KTM warns they can interfere with each other, and try the key on its own. On Race On bikes, a weak key battery is the first thing to rule out; the manual says to hold the key at the antenna area and try again.

Will any KTM Race On key work on my bike?

No. Parts catalogs show Race On keys in more than one radio frequency version depending on year and market, and every key has to be activated to the bike. Match the replacement to your VIN before buying.

Do KTM dirt bikes have ignition keys?

Most KTM SX, XC and EXC competition and enduro models start with a button and have no ignition key. KTM's EXC-F manual does describe a separate steering lock with its own small key on EXC-F models, and the 2025 manual for the street-legal US 500 EXC-F shows an ignition lock beside the dash as well. If your bike has a key switch by the dash, tell us when you call.

Where we work on KTM bikes

Adding a Spare Motorcycle Chip Key: Who Can Program It?First check that your bike has a chip at all: many Japanese motorcycles sold in the US use a plain key, and a spare for those is simply cut.
Dirt Bike and Dual Sport Keys: Which Bikes Have ThemMany dirt bikes have no key at all, so the first step is knowing which kind you ride.
Keyless Motorcycle Not Detecting the Key: Causes and BackupsOwner's manuals give a short list of reasons a keyless bike fails to detect its fob: a weak fob battery, the fob carried against a phone, laptop or metal object, strong radio interference nearby, the fob switched off or out of range, and a low battery on the bike itself.
KTM RACE-ON Light Flashing: Blink Codes and Key Not FoundOn a keyless KTM, the RACE-ON indicator lamp reports faults by flashing a set number of times after you press the RACE-ON button.
Lost Motorcycle Master Key, Code Card or Key Tag: What ChangesA master key, code card or master PIN is the item the maker uses to authorize new keys for your bike.

Other makes

Sources

Page last updated November 14, 2026.

KTM Motorcycle Key Replacement