Baker v KTM Sportmotorcycle UK Ltd [2017]

On 24th February 2010, Mr Baker was riding his KTM Supermoto 990 on Manor Road, Derby.

He had purchased the 2-year old motorcycle second-hand from a dealer fully serviced and with low mileage.

He was travelling within the speed limit when suddenly the front brake seized. He was thrown from the motorcycle and sustained severe injuries.

Mr Baker sued the manufacturer, KTM, alleging that the accident and resulting injuries had been caused due to a defect in the motorcycle and contrary to the Consumer Protection Act 1987.

During the civil trial, the Judge found that the cause of the brakes seizing was galvanic corrosion. This had occurred as a result of a design defect combined with faulty construction and/or the use of inappropriate or faulty materials.

Motorcyclist 0% to blame                              Manufacturer 100% to blame.

KTM appealed the decision but this was rejected. Mr Baker was awarded full damages for his injury and loss. This case is a timely reminder of the strict liability imposed on manufacturers to ensure their product is free from fault and defects at all times.

Related Articles

Sutherland v Gardiner 1981 SLT 237  

Case Law Motorcycle Law
October 22, 2024

Case Law: Motorcycle negotiates a left hand bend to find a car in centre of road, swerves to avoid it and sustains life-changing injuries.

Filtering motorcycle

Louise Jane Palmer v. Russell Timms & Others [2024] EWHC 2292

Case Law Motorcycle Law
September 25, 2024

Case Law: A motorcyclist is fatally injured when filtering and the lorry which he is passing closes the gap.

Motorcycle Law

Grace v Tanner (2003)

Case Law Motorcycle Law
February 21, 2024

Grace v Tanner (2003) clarified liability in personal injury claims after road traffic accidents. Learn how it could support your case — contact our legal team today.

Is it worth 5 minutes of your time?

A quick phone call allows us to ask you a few questions about what happened to you and determine whether we can help. 

This form collects your name and phone number so that we can contact you. Check out our Privacy Policy for more detail on how we store, process and protect your submitted data. If you choose not to consent, please use an alternative contact method shown on our Contact page.

Get in Touch

Name(Required)