I just put the Harley on SORN for the winter as there too much chrome on the bike, which does not go well with sand mud, sand, gravel, potatoes, sticks, rocks and potholes in Devon at this time of year. This is no problem though because I have a 690 Duke that I have modified for the conditions. . . at least I had - a pothole has bent the front rim and the tyre loses pressure too quickly to ride the bike. So I ordered a new front wheel (£560 thank you very much Devon county council) and JD Racing tell me that it will take one week. One week later and they tell me that the wheel is out of stock and the arrival date for the new wheel is now 4th February 2026! I find this out after I had bought a front headstock stand a couple of extra tools and taken the front caliper and wheel off ready to fit the new one. I can see why people are leery of buying a new KTM given spares, service quality and reliability issues. JD Racing wouldn't even contemplate taking my bike in p/ex for a new 790 adventure - that must tell you something when no-one will underwrite KTMs and even KTM won't have them.
So now I have 2 bikes up on lifts. I would normally buy a cheap runabout but I have just had to fork out £3600 on cataract surgery, so whilst I could spend more it would hurt.
What to do, what to do. . .
I'm not looking for help I just wanted to moan as that will make me feel better.
So now I have 2 bikes up on lifts. I would normally buy a cheap runabout but I have just had to fork out £3600 on cataract surgery, so whilst I could spend more it would hurt.
What to do, what to do. . .
I'm not looking for help I just wanted to moan as that will make me feel better.
