Donk
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It's coming! KTM announced the release of the 890 SMT. Could this be the perfect bike?
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KTM 890 SMT
- Thread starter Donk
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~TABASCO~
RIDE ON ADV is what I do !
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I just cant wrap my head around long term dependability with the product. Ive always wanted a 1290 ADV, but just cant do it...........
You mean like you have to do with a Beemer?
They do have their similarities (I have recently owned both). There are multiple generations of knowledgeable BMW motorcycle mechanics out there and lots of online knowledge regarding how to deal with their shortcomings. On the KTM side, that is completely absent.
Dirt_Dad
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Makes sense. The other 890s have all gone completely dirt focused. They need a street version.
Come on in...the water is warm and lovely More than 27K so far and the only thing I've had is two or three, externally reachable, bolts vibrate loose over the years (i.e. owner issues)
To be completely honest, it feels like they designed and built it for me. So it may not be the same experience for anyone else.
Can't trade it in. Too big a risk that the next one would satisfy as much. My warranty is long expired. Could not care less. So far, it's equal or more reliable than any of my past Japanese bikes.
I had a 2014 1190 ADV R that I bought in march of 2021 with low mileage (~7900). The prior owner took immaculate care of the bike. The only problems he had were that the factory airbox design was deficient which required an aftermarket replacement and the fuel level float failed.
I sold the bike 16 months later after adding another 2500 miles on it. The front rim failed and wouldn't hold air without putting a tube in or tossing it for a replacement, then the TPMS screen deleted itself and couldn't be repaired by the dealership. After that upon changing the rear tire, that TPMS sensor snapped off and these were long out of stock at the time. Also during the time I owned the bike, KTM decided not to send out factory chains without master links, so you're supposed to remove the rear swing arm to put a new chain on (or, like the airbox, you go aftermarket).
Lingering in the back of my mind were also what happens if you break a chain (new engine), the frame cracking issues, and a monstrous propensity for clogging fuel filters at inopportune times. Pulling the fuel tank and dealing with oil changes were also unpleasant tasks.
Admittedly when I hopped on the bike for a test ride, I had to have it and was amazed with its performance, but pragmatism gets in the way sometimes.
I sold the bike 16 months later after adding another 2500 miles on it. The front rim failed and wouldn't hold air without putting a tube in or tossing it for a replacement, then the TPMS screen deleted itself and couldn't be repaired by the dealership. After that upon changing the rear tire, that TPMS sensor snapped off and these were long out of stock at the time. Also during the time I owned the bike, KTM decided not to send out factory chains without master links, so you're supposed to remove the rear swing arm to put a new chain on (or, like the airbox, you go aftermarket).
Lingering in the back of my mind were also what happens if you break a chain (new engine), the frame cracking issues, and a monstrous propensity for clogging fuel filters at inopportune times. Pulling the fuel tank and dealing with oil changes were also unpleasant tasks.
Admittedly when I hopped on the bike for a test ride, I had to have it and was amazed with its performance, but pragmatism gets in the way sometimes.