KTM

[coastie]

I really really like a lot of KTM's lineup. The Adventure and Superduke are just cool looking machines and I like the look of their numbers on paper. They appear to be giving consumers what they want. I'm looking forward to following them for the next two years and if they prove to be reliable machines, my wallet could be a bit lighter! Of course there will be machines out by then. But damn I think that superduke would make a fine addition to the Tenere in the garage.

http://blogs.motorcyclistonline.com/good-numbers-for-ktm-north-america-39495.html

KTM 1290 SUPER DUKE R Action video - Redux

 

[greg the pole]

i'm pretty sure ktm and reliablity can not go in one sentence.

Read the review about then new 1290 duke, bit too much for daily use.
My FZ9 will do nicely.

 

[MrTwisty]

i'm pretty sure ktm and reliablity can not go in one sentence.

That's not true. I have an '05 450EXC that has been every bit as reliable as my '03 DRZ400. Now, the '05 950 Adventure I owned prior to the S10 was a different story. The LC8 engine produces magnificent torque and power in a lightweight package and since it has been in producion since 1992, they should be close to working all of the bugs out of it. :

 

[racer1735]

KTM's are very reliable. They just require a bit more on-hands maintenance to stay that way. They are closer to the 'racer' end of the spectrum. Definitely not 'appliance-like' motorcycles. But if you have ever owned one, you'll love it. A lot like owning a Ducati.

 

[GrahamD]

My FZ9 will do nicely.

Yeah I'm a bit in the same ball park, I'd much prefer a 800 class machine (Duke, FZ, whatever) than the ridiculous things that are the must have "magstyle" accessories these days, but then I came from an era where the must have ultimate sports bike was the same weight and power as the S10.

If I go sports I'll go lighter and use the available power more, and with the FZ you can fix the things that aren't quite top shelf without spending big bucks as a package and paying for a badge.

But I'm the type of guy that only hangs a leg out when I need to I suppose.

 

[greg the pole]

granted, the smaller ktm's are reliable, simply because they are errmmm....simple.
My buddy's 950 carbed adventure was a constant pain in the ass. When it ran, it was brilliant, but only when it ran.

Yes the Japanese stuff is more of a appliance...but man, what an appliance.
The FZ has it's faults (suspension) outside of that, the thing is absolutely bonkers.

Yep, the 1290 is a hell of a bike, but what's the point of buying something with 165hp, when you only ride it (realistically, and within most people's abilities) at 60% of it's capability?

and I'm sorry, but $16-17 grand for a naked bike...no thanks.

 

[bloodline]

I have a small ktm and it's a piece of shit. Really miss my YZ's.

The fz9 has my eye. Sorting the suspension is easy. R6 stuff bolts on, if that's what you want.

 

[greg the pole]

I have a small ktm and it's a piece of shit. Really miss my YZ's.

The fz9 has my eye. Sorting the suspension is easy. R6 stuff bolts on, if that's what you want.

no need. New springs and heavier oil will sort the front end. $150 fix.

 

[coastie]

KTM's are very reliable. They just require a bit more on-hands maintenance to stay that way. They are closer to the 'racer' end of the spectrum. Definitely not 'appliance-like' motorcycles. But if you have ever owned one, you'll love it. A lot like owning a Ducati.

I have always enjoyed their MX and Trails bikes and have never really heard bad things about them. Although like stated before people tend to do maintenance on those after every ride, or at least I would.

 

[coastie]

i'm pretty sure ktm and reliablity can not go in one sentence.

Read the review about then new 1290 duke, bit too much for daily use.
My FZ9 will do nicely.

Yea, I agree the FZ would probably make much more sense. Save A LOT of money and just put some aftermarket suspension and any other mod imaginable and you still won't be at the price point of the pricey KTM's.

 

[markjenn]

I think KTM is gradually turning the corner from being a simple, elemental, low-mile, expect-trouble, dirt-bike mfg who makes a few boutique street bikes to being a full-line mfg with the kind of QA/QC that can build fairly reliable high-mileage street bikes. I doubt they'll ever be in Yamaha's league on reliability, but I think they can be reliable-enough for most. Likewise, their maintenance requirements get more reasonable with each iteration. They're higher than a Yamaha, but not out-of-this-world higher. Their componentry is generally very high-quality, better than most Japanese bikes, but they are often let down by odd design decisions and a lack of testing and refinement. On the S10 vs. 1190, I think most riders can make their decision mostly based on which bike they like better and suits their needs best, rather than having to make reliability totally govern their purchase. Do you like a big, friendly, relatively docile, super comfortable, low-trouble type of bike or a thoroughbred fire-breather? Do you like golden retrievers or dobermans?

I've ridden each iteration of the Superdukes, and man-oh-man, that's one hell of a bike. A true barrel of monkeys. If that's what you want, buy one - NOW. A Superduke would make a great stablemate to a S10. But I have never been able to buy one; they're just too hard-edged for me to live with day-to-day. I'm not worthy.

- Mark

 

[GrahamD]

But I have never been able to buy one; they're just too hard-edged for me to live with day-to-day. I'm not worthy.

- Mark

You could probably grow into it.

If they hired them out on a track day, That would be the ticket for me, but the real roads, real police and day to day living thing, they just don't work that well.

Other peoples police and roads may be more forgiving.

 

[greg the pole]

Yea, I agree the FZ would probably make much more sense. Save A LOT of money and just put some aftermarket suspension and any other mod imaginable and you still won't be at the price point of the pricey KTM's.

with cash to spare.

so far I'm in for:
-front springs and 10w oil $150
-heated grips, and hand guards $200
-Radar wiring (TPX) $100
-tech grip tank pads $75

Now need the snow to go away, so I can actually enjoy it.

 

[snakebitten]

No complaints from me on KTM ownership. (except the pathetic excuse for an OEM gas tank. If they are going to be disposable, they shouldn't be punitive to purchase)

Otherwise, they are exactly what you expect from a company like KTM. They build dream bikes. Crazy "out there" machines. If you require a zero\low maintenance experience, you are being unreasonable. That requires a lot of compromises that would extract the KTM from KTM.

I'm surrounded daily by men who land their jets and get into Ferraris, Macerates', Lambo's, Porche's,.......

These guys have no delusions about the required attention these kinds of machines require.

In fact, I got my LC8 second hand from a wealthy man who just wanted to ride one. He wasn't the kind of person who would actually keep it or put many miles on it.

And he didn't.

 

[redneckK20]

Saw an 1190 Adventure and Adventure R today.. Wish I could have traded my tenere on the spot. Such badass bikes!

 

[whisperquiet]

Saw an 1190 Adventure and Adventure R today.. Wish I could have traded my tenere on the spot. Such badass bikes!
[/quote

Saw both of them plus the new Yamaha FZ09 ...... All three are great looking bikes and I may still purchase a new KTM 690 Enduro R.

 

[Boris]

Yep, the 1290 is a hell of a bike, but what's the point of buying something with 165hp, when you only ride it (realistically, and within most people's abilities) at 60% of it's capability?

I don't quite get this and see this quite a lot on various forums.

I have a four seater car, but rarely are all four seats being used. Is this wasted on me? The same car can do 120 miles an hour, it rarely goes over 80......wasted on me?

My iPhone has 3 GB of memory that I never use...........You really don't have to use what you choose to buy, to its maximum, just nice to have a bit of excess there for as and when you require it. ::008::

Regards

 

[GrahamD]

I don't quite get this and see this quite a lot on various forums.

I have a four seater car, but rarely are all four seats being used. Is this wasted on me? The same car can do 120 miles an hour, it rarely goes over 80......wasted on me?

My iPhone has 3 GB of memory that I never use...........

Regards

Yep, all pretty much wasted..

 

[scott123007]

I just love the myriad of reasons people make to justify why the bike they choose to own is the only one that really makes sense. LOL

 

[MrTwisty]

I just love the myriad of reasons people make to justify why the bike they choose to own is the only one that really makes sense. LOL

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