1290 SA S review

[Rasher]

I must of got lucky, cuppa and demo offered on 1st visit - that same visit I bought a bike....

...odd how so many dealers don't give a toss when they obviously lose custom by being dismissive of punters, it could be blamed on "their staff" - but if it was my business I would sack anyone who could not be arsed to help a customer.

In fact not just bought the bike, I have bought a lot of extra stuff and unless they really cock something up they are going to be getting the ongoing service work and quite possibly a future sale on a 1290S if they have a sharp enough pencil come trade in time.

 

[Nice 'n' Fat]

I don't think it is any coincidence that both Nutty & Rasher and many others have bought KTM's from the same dealership

 

[cookie]

In fairness, since my first visit, the sales staff have been great. Even sold me another 1190

 

[Nice 'n' Fat]

Knocked this up in the "build your own" section of the website.

It's official, I'm in love.

That just needs an orange frame and crash bars

 

[Deleted account 211025001]

I don't think it is any coincidence that both Nutty & Rasher and many others have bought KTM's from the same dealership

Free coffee

Andres

 

[rjsmith26]

Must be a feature of KTM dealers. Happened to me the first time I ventured in one, but i relented and went back. A friend experienced the same thing at the same dealer and they lost a probable sale.

Same with me - bought a 690 recently and 2 out of 3 dealers I tried to deal with were - well terrible - its a shame as the product (so far) seems very good - but the dealers compared with a decent honda/yamaha or bmw dealership seem to be stuck in some other world where the customer is most certainly not in the top 5 of their daily priorities.

I think this is going to be a real problem as the SA1290 R and S if the build quality and reports so far are to be believed are gonna sell big time (just IMO) but maybe they won't as the dealer network from my experience so far isn't ready to deliver the service you expect when handing over 15-20k.

 

[GS TRV]

Get the R then.

Nah the S in black looks well cool plus skinny front ends don't do it for me.

 

[younger06]

Without speaking to a KTM staff member yesterday...... I'm worried that the spec I have put on the bike will push it over the half million euro mark!!

Sent from a OnePlusX

 

[cookie]

I was in a Honda dealer a couple of weeks back and was totally ignored also, so it's hardly just KTM.

Maybe i just don't look like a potential customer? I rather hope not where Honda is concerned (lawn mowers excepted).

 

[Tyzer]

KTM won't sell many if they don't start getting some demo's in,I wouldn't spend £17,000 on bike that I can't try first.I got told March now it's April at the earliest.

 

[Deleted account Cooperman]

KTM won't sell many if they don't start getting some demo's in,I wouldn't spend £17,000 on bike that I can't try first.I got told March now it's April at the earliest.

I would rather have a new bike with no issues than spend £17K and be a beta tester.

 

[Paul S]

I don't think it is any coincidence that both Nutty & Rasher and many others have bought KTM's from the same dealership

Yep - good to deal with though first time I ever went there was to pick up the bike having done the deal via e mail and the telephone

Main reason for me was at the time they were far more competitive than my 2 local dealers

 

[Nice 'n' Fat]

Free coffee

Andres

Obviously ........ although they don't do 'hand written' receipts

 

[Nice 'n' Fat]

I was in a Honda dealer a couple of weeks back and was totally ignored also, so it's hardly just KTM.

Maybe i just don't look like a potential customer? I rather hope not where Honda is concerned (lawn mowers excepted).

I got a very negative reaction when I went in to a Hyundai dealer yesterday in Reading

No Salesman available and a Sales Manager that couldn't be arsed to come out of his office and talk to me. I was dressed quite smartly and in the 740

Looks like SWMBO will be getting a Toyota instead

 

[Nutty]

Free coffee

Andres

I don't drink coffee. Or tea.

 

[Nutty]

I was dressed quite smartly and in the 740

No wonder, if you turned up in an old Volvo estate.

 

[Tyzer]

At last ,test ride booked for Friday morning on a 1290 SA S.They had 2 in,the black one looked pretty damn good.Weather not looking good on Friday though !

 

[Nice 'n' Fat]

At last ,test ride booked for Friday morning on a 1290 SA S.They had 2 in,the black one looked pretty damn good.Weather not looking good on Friday though !

It doesn't matter as you don't have to clean it

 

[Tyzer]

Had the test ride on the SA S on Friday managed to do 90 miles of mixed riding.Didn't get off to a good start had to wait 45 mins for them to hook up to a computer and re set the dash! Comparing to my GS the KTM's gearbox is in a different class and obviously the engine has a lot more grunt ,I do like the boxer engine though.As far as the handling is concerned i'm not that talented to notice a difference.The bike was in standard spec so can't comment on any other features that are available.

From a pillion perspective the KTM is just not comfy enough,the seat is too small and is like a brick,there was a lot of vibes through the grab rails the pegs were too high and there didn't seem as much room as the GS,my wife was not impressed.The comfort seat may have made a difference but there were other issues too that can't be changed.

I found it comfortable and felt no more vibration than you would find on any bike,the engine and gearbox are awsome if I had just myself to consider I would have ordered one no doubt,it's just not suitable for 2 up riding,for us anyway.

Without doubt this is a brilliant bike !

 

[Deleted account 211025001]

..................

From a pillion perspective the KTM is just not comfy enough,the seat is too small and is like a brick,there was a lot of vibes through the grab rails the pegs were too high and there didn't seem as much room as the GS,my wife was not impressed.The comfort seat may have made a difference but there were other issues too that can't be changed.
...................

The comfort seat is supposed to be better ~ we got a 2nd hand rebuilt seat and this was a big improvement for Amanda. The other thing that really made a difference was lowering the pegs; about 2" lower and 1" forward. That, combined with the seat makes for a happy Amanda. Even with these mods it's not as comfy for her as the GS but plenty good enough for day long stints.

Andres