Dark Flow
Registered user
Almost 3 years is a long time to be pushing a bike..Christ
KTM v GS build quality.
- Thread starter Katy M
- Start date
Katy M
Registered user
I know I started this as a KTM V BMW thread but… what about the Triumph 1200?
That ticks all the boxes the GS does and again, IMO, is also better quality than the GS!
If my GS fails me, and after 3000 miles I’m still not convinced in it, the 1200 will be high on the list to replace it. Especially as come PX/sale time, Triumph will have updated and hopefully further improved it.
That ticks all the boxes the GS does and again, IMO, is also better quality than the GS!
If my GS fails me, and after 3000 miles I’m still not convinced in it, the 1200 will be high on the list to replace it. Especially as come PX/sale time, Triumph will have updated and hopefully further improved it.
After my own experience with a 2014 Triumph 1200 Explorer, I would never buy another. Riddled with electric faults, some dangerous (engine frequently kept cutting out when warm when on the over-run approaching junctions, something they never got to the bottom of) comedy peeling paint finish on the main engine block; corroding and crap quality brackets and light bar which came lose after a few rides, needing frequent checks, corroding front headers after very little mileage. It had a propensity for hard boiling gonads in warmer conditions too. The worst aspect was that it was a stupidly top heavy pig to push around off the stand and needing the strength of Geoff Capes needed to haul the thing off the sidestand when loaded up, combined with that same top heaviness leading to many buttock clenching moments on tight uphill hairpins on single lane roads and it all added up to being a nightmare on wheels. Enough to put many off motorcycling for good. It spent as much time being looked at for faults as it did in the riding. No thanks, I'd never buy another. The original 800 was a far nicer bike to ride.
KTM in my native tongue (greek) has always stood for Kathe Triti Mastora, loosely translated as “every Tuesday to the garage”.
Definitely true back then, as with Ducati, perhaps less so now. Have not ridden one since the 950 adventure era. Bikes for the committed then, with awful parts and service support in the UK, and loads of cheap niggles. Very capable dynamically. Found them a bit too aggressive then (not happy at 3-5/10ths) and I hear they have gone even more extreme now. Jee, I even find the 1300gs a bit too supermoto nowadays. Getting older, soon towards a 700 Dauville I reckon
Definitely true back then, as with Ducati, perhaps less so now. Have not ridden one since the 950 adventure era. Bikes for the committed then, with awful parts and service support in the UK, and loads of cheap niggles. Very capable dynamically. Found them a bit too aggressive then (not happy at 3-5/10ths) and I hear they have gone even more extreme now. Jee, I even find the 1300gs a bit too supermoto nowadays. Getting older, soon towards a 700 Dauville I reckon
I've always found KTM parts supply to be very good. Haven't used them for service in years though.
Agreed . No issues in 25 years of KTM ownership
I’ve had KTMs on and off since 2009 and never had any issues with parts or the bikes to be fair. Last one I had was 2021 and kept until 2022.
Well this is an interesting thread! I’ve a 1250GS Rallye that I admire and enjoy ….. but I don’t ‘love’ it. The last couple of days I’ve done two 50 mile each way trips to Lloyds in Carlisle to get the swinging arm and bevel box replaced under guarantee and boy, at -1 or 0 at times, there are few bikes that could beat it. That said, in the coming days I’m going to take delivery of Apex’s 1290 SAS as that KTM itch is just irritating me to bits. I’ve had two 950’s and a 790 Adventure R. Two of them have had their issues and KTM’s back up via their guarantee has been utterly useless and that in turn, is a complete contrast to BMW, who have been amazing. (I should add that I’ve been riding BMW’s since 1983 with an R65, then an 80ST, then a R100RS, an X Challenge, R100GSPD, a Twin Cam GS, 2 X 1200GS LC’s, and now a 1250 rallye)
So in spite of the rubbish after sales and guarantee, why look at a 1290? It’s that bloody ‘itch’ and the need to be totally engaged by a bike and to smile every time you ride it. I’ve a 1998 DR650 which does exactly that. Basic, but such fun and every time I take it out, I HAVE fun. Fun being very different from uber efficient.
I have the luxury of keeping both bikes and time will tell on which one ultimately gets to stay in the garage.
We’re all different and what we want out of a bike and what inspires, or irritates us, is equally different.
Thanks for the thread - enjoyed it
So in spite of the rubbish after sales and guarantee, why look at a 1290? It’s that bloody ‘itch’ and the need to be totally engaged by a bike and to smile every time you ride it. I’ve a 1998 DR650 which does exactly that. Basic, but such fun and every time I take it out, I HAVE fun. Fun being very different from uber efficient.
I have the luxury of keeping both bikes and time will tell on which one ultimately gets to stay in the garage.
We’re all different and what we want out of a bike and what inspires, or irritates us, is equally different.
Thanks for the thread - enjoyed it
Katy M
Registered user
That really does sum up my dilemma too - the engagement . The itch was in reverse - a BMW itch that needed scratching. I went to Premier bikes the other day and if they offered me a decent PX for my 4 month old GSA I think I would have taken the hit. There didn’t so I’m stuck with the GSA.
Let’s see where I am in 9 months this after some big mile trips.
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