Should I let my girlfriend buy a KTM?

[mr_magicfingers]

Last year, right after she did her CBT course we went and did an off-road day with i2i training. Despite almost no bike experience she loved the day in the dirt riding EXC250 & 400 KTM's.

She's currently riding a Varadero 125 and going to be taking her Direct Access course this summer, getting a full license. She's suggested buying a KTM as her first big bike. She likes the upright riding style and relatively light weight as well as the tall seat, as she's a leggy 5'11".

However, she'll not be doing much, if any, off-road at least to start with and will mainly be commuting and touring. I thought the ktm might not be so comfy for on road riding over the distances, certainly I didn't think the EXC's were comfy but we didn't sit down much. We have her looking at 650GS's and Kawasaki Versys as well.

What are your opinions on KTM's as a first big bike and as a mainly road bike. I've been suggesting something more road oriented and perhaps getting a second bike for off-road if she wants to go that direction.

If it was a KTM she went for (and yes she'll be test riding several bikes before decisions are made) which model would you suggest.

Thanks.

 

[Timpo]

EXCs are not touring bikes and the maintenance regime alone will keep her hand in her pocket and the bike in the maintenance bay.
TTR250 or DRZ400S, long service intervals and service parts a only a few quid when you do need them. The initial purchasing price is also going to save her a few bob.....
The thought of the lass on the seat whilst riding on the road alone brings tears to my eyes..... the seats are poor.


T.

 

[mr_magicfingers]

That's pretty much where I was with my thinking. I tried to explain that those bikes weren't designed for the road, but she did love the riding position, hence looking at others.

 

[moody]

If she likes the riding position of the KTM why doesn't she try a KTM 690 Duke or a BMW F650GS or ( dare I say it?) a Ducati Hypermotard. They all have similar riding positions to the enduro but are much more comfortable.

 

[mr_magicfingers]

If she likes the riding position of the KTM why doesn't she try a KTM 690 Duke or a BMW F650GS or ( dare I say it?) a Ducati Hypermotard. They all have similar riding positions to the enduro but are much more comfortable.

That's what I've been suggesting, she just loves the ktm's she road, I'm just checking in to make sure my thoughts are reasonable as I've only ridden KTM's on that one day.

 

[moody]

I had a KTM 250 2-stroke. It was a lovely bike off road, but a nightmare on it!
I also had a Ducati Hypermotard which was fantastic and just as much fun on the road as the KTM was off it.
I also tried the 690 Duke which was great fun too.
If she is set on an enduro style bike, a Kawasaki KLX250 would be a better choice - it won't set the world on fire but is a fairly decent commuter and is a lot more comfortable than the KTM and the maintenance schedule is a lot better.
But if I were her and doing direct access I would go for the bigger bike, such as the Duke or a Hypermotard 796. They are still fairly light but have the upright, almost aggressive riding position she seems to like.

 

[Buz]

Have you considered the 800? I passed my DA 2 years ago and went for the 650 due to me being a short arse but being 6'11" i'm sure seat height will not be a problem? and it has the upright riding as well.

 

[mr_magicfingers]

Definitely need to be something in the 600cc or above range so we can tour together (I've got an 1150gs) hence my suggestion of the 650Gs or the newer 800 if she's feeling flush. Alternatively I've read good things of the versys.

It seems that my opinion that the KTM's won't be a comfortable on road bike are backed up here, so now I can tell her it's not just my opinion.

Thanks.

 

[mrsroynie]

If she likes the riding position and is determined to buy the KTM, who is anyone to say she shouldn't. It might turn out to be a mistake, but she should be allowed to be the one to find out. As for comfort, remember us girls tend to be slightly better upholstered than you guys. I rode about 15,000 miles around the US in 2001 on an F650GS, which was also considered by most a poor choice for touring.

I introduced Roynie to riding and, when we arrived in the US, the only bikes he had ever ridden were my Yamaha Diversion 600, and then my TDM 850 - about 300 miles in total! He liked the upright riding position of the TDM but wanted to buy British, so went for a Triumph Tiger 955i as his first bike. But, when we arrived in Boston to pick up the bikes, he had never actually tried one.

It was a bit of a baptism of fire. What I would say is that a person's height isn't always the determining factor as to whether they will find a bike comfortable. Roynie is 6'1" and I am 5'9". However, my legs are significantly longer than his. Whereas I can comfortably flat-foot, even sitting on the new GSA, he struggled to touch the ground from the top-heavy Tiger. He actually managed to drop it on the steep camber at the first set of lights we hit coming away from the dealership in Brockton . In fact, the trip proved a very steep learning curve in every department, so it wasn't entirely a surprise when he had one mishap too many and totalled his bike, sliding it into mine in heavy traffic in road works in a Dallas suburb a few weeks later.

The story ended happily enough though. The insurance paid out and Roynie was able to buy a good second hand Triumph Trophy 1200, which suited him far better than the Tiger.

 

[Mav]

How long is the commute? A 690 Enduro would exactly like what she's ridden but still be great for 20 mile commutes... And whole heap of fun on the trails.

 

[bowser]

take her up to jason at the ktm center in hemel and have a look at the 690 Adventure, well its a 690 with an adventure body kit and very nice to.

Oh and the anwser to the question in yes

 

[Robbo1200ADV]

Don't be a spoil sport let her get an EXC and some supermoto Wheels !! 2 bikes in one!!............I know servicing is frequent but they are great Fun . If not that there is a gtreat XR 250 for sale on here

 

[STUBBS]

yes she has to ride it

 

[Tobers]

She should get a 950 supermoto - she'll enjoy that a lot.