KTM woes continue.

Only you know the answer to that question
I think that’s my dilemma. I don’t know what I need to go back. I’d love another 1290/1390 KTM but they’ve currently lost “hearts and minds” for me. Maybe it’s just a time thing and in ~5 years the fear of getting another lemon will have faded, and the good parts (and there are lots) of ownership will draw me in.

Cheers

Markie
 
The KTM story since Covid is an interesting one. Businesses who grow organically have the resilience to last the distance. Sadly KTM business leaders must have thought organic was the cannabis variety.

I like KTM for their ‘on the edge’ approach so I guess it’s all part of their very dynamic brand and story. Customers just want the image of that - not the reality though.
 
Loved the bike the power was superb and the engine something else but in the first 2 months of ownership

Ready to Race Button failed (on holiday in Wales)
Fuel Gauge Failed
Heated Grips failed

I was lucky to have a warranty but they still showed me the cost if I had paid for them and it was close to 1k inc labour! The expensive Ready to Do Nothing button was replaced with the upgraded one which when I asked noone knew the upgrade so I took it apart. 1 extra dob of silicone was the upgrade!

Keep the MX Enduro bikes , and Main models and they may survive although the finances are so dire it would take a miracle to even make a profit.

Ready to Race Button failed - They all do that sir, I fitted the latest version to my MY2018 as I was concerned parts may be in short supply.

Fuel Gauge Failed - They all do that (eventually) my 1190 was a bit sticky at 4 years old, 1290 one failed at 5 years old, apparently it is on the 3rd version now.

Heated Grips failed - My 1190 ones were fine for 4 years, and my 1290 ones are coming up 7 years old.

Not too worried about PX values, paid £13k for bike & few extra's almost 7 years ago, WBAB offered me just under £5k a few weeks back, £8k in 6+ years - mate lost almost that much on his fully loaded GS in 2 years.

Another mate got a 1300GS a few months back and got a good WBAB prive for his 22 model 1290 - a gand more than the dealer offered him, at a low price I would of taken it off his hands, but the BMW offer was reasonable IMHO and WBAB very good.

Parts is the main concern for most bikes these days, I think BMW almost certainly do this best, but most manufacturers are quite crap by the time bikes have been out of production for a decade.

The modern electronics being the biggest problem, just rebulding m7 37 year old TZR 250 engine and was able to get a load of new / NOS parts for it, the clocks work fine after almost 4 decades (rev counter over-reads by 10%) all oringinal electronics were working except I had to fit a indicator flasher unit this year, I think it is still on the original rectifier. Being simpler other aftermarket bits are out there - I fitted a programmable ignitech ignition unit, I can get an aftermarket ignition unit - not that I can see much to go wrong with the mechanical one on it.....

...Imagine trying to get any of the ECU's for any modern Triumph / Yamaha / Ducati etc in 20-30 years time, or a new display, keyless igntion etc etc.
 


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