Unbiased Vew Anyone?

[Kropotkin]

Re: Rubbish

Still talking rubbish

Methinks the lady doth protest too much, to quote the bard.

 

[Deadskin]

Re: Re: Rubbish

Methinks the lady doth protest too much, to quote the bard.

Not a protest " a fact "
Which are sadly lacking in SQIDS posts

 

[bigbike2004]

Mister G.

I have a feeling you own a KTM. I assume you chose it over a GS. Three main reasons why please?

As for KTM dealer support, well I can sympathise at the problems N.A. may have but Im not so sure the same problem prevails in the U.K.

Also, to stoke/damp the flames, I spoke to a bike mechanic just back from the NEC (ex BMW as it happened now retired) and asked his view on the new bikes. He said something to the effect the R1200 GS looks the part but is far softer than the original concept (R80) and any bike that will share its parts with a Tourer (I assume he meant the RT) cannot be taken seriously as an ADVENTURE BIKE. He also commented on the enormous reliance placed on electronics. Having said that who really takes these very expensive toys off road for a thrashing in the first place?!

 

[SQD8R]

Opinion

1 a : a view, judgment, or appraisal formed in the mind about a particular matter
2 a : belief stronger than impression and less strong than positive knowledge

Fact

1 : a thing done
2 the quality of being actual
3 a : something that has actual existence b : an actual occurrence
5 : a piece of information presented as having objective reality
- in fact : in truth

Now that you know what an opinion is and what a fact is can we move on?

Here's a fact. You aren't going to change my opinion and I'm not challenging yours. Move on buddy.

 

[Kropotkin]

Re: Re: Re: Rubbish

Not a protest " a fact "
Which are sadly lacking in SQIDS posts

SQD8R is correct to point out that there have been lots of problems with parts deliveries for KTM in North America (which is a great shame, as they are lovely looking bikes). You have stated that there are no such problems in Europe.

However, I would be interested in seeing evidence of your statement. I have no experience of KTMs, and no axe to grind, but simply saying "ISN'T" isn't really satisfactory. Have you ordered parts for your KTM? Have you received them quickly? Have you heard of other owners having problems, or perhaps raving about great and fast service from KTM? This is a genuine expression of interest. I would like to know (I like the idea of a small European manufacturer claiming a strong position against the major manufacturers, which is why I also like Aprilia), but am frankly too lazy to actually go and research this for myself.

 

[SQD8R]

actually I can comment on Europe.

RIDE magazine did their annual rider survey and rated KTM poorly for reliability, service and customer support from factory/dealers. I'd say empirical knowledge from a European publication should carry more weight than one opinion. Thx for keeping this going Gauloises otherwise I wouldn't have remembered that I had that issue. Are we done now? Probably not.

 

[Deadskin]

I have a feeling you own a KTM. I assume you chose it over a GS. Three main reasons why please?

No reasons just fancied a change..

 

[Steptoe]

He said something to the effect the R1200 GS looks the part but is far softer than the original concept (R80) and any bike that will share its parts with a Tourer (I assume he meant the RT) cannot be taken seriously as an ADVENTURE BIKE.

WTF does that mean - BM's have always shared model parts, just changed the wheels and cosmetics -

 

[Deadskin]

Re: Re: Re: Re: Rubbish

SQD8R is correct to point out that there have been lots of problems with parts deliveries for KTM in North America (which is a great shame, as they are lovely looking bikes). You have stated that there are no such problems in Europe.

However, I would be interested in seeing evidence of your statement. I have no experience of KTMs, and no axe to grind, but simply saying "ISN'T" isn't really satisfactory. Have you ordered parts for your KTM? Have you received them quickly? Have you heard of other owners having problems, or perhaps raving about great and fast service from KTM? This is a genuine expression of interest. I would like to know (I like the idea of a small European manufacturer claiming a strong position against the major manufacturers, which is why I also like Aprilia), but am frankly too lazy to actually go and research this for myself.

I am selling my 950 so have no axe to grind...
I've had no problems getting replacment parts here in the UK..

 

[Deadskin]

actually I can comment on Europe.

RIDE magazine did their annual rider survey and rated KTM poorly for reliability, service and customer support from factory/dealers. I'd say empirical knowledge from a European publication should carry more weight than one opinion. Thx for keeping this going Gauloises otherwise I wouldn't have remembered that I had that issue. Are we done now? Probably not.

Parts orphan ?

 

[bigbike2004]

WTF does that mean - BM's have always shared model parts, just changed the wheels and cosmetics

..hmm, real friendly bunch here....so the old bloke was right...its not really cut out for abuse?

 

[Kropotkin]

..hmm, real friendly bunch here....so the old bloke was right...its not really cut out for abuse?

The answer to your question can be found amongst the smugmug gallery pages of the Dutch GS Club.

Check the Hall of Fame for the best pictures. A quick browse through Advrider or the Show Us Yours or Ride Out forums here should also convince you.

Here is an idea of whether they are up to abuse:

PS. In case you haven't guessed, the answer is yes, they can handle abuse.

 

[bigbike2004]

yes, you're right. thats a good fall. wonder what the repairs cost?!

 

[Kropotkin]

He got up and rode off. Hand guards took most of the abuse, I believe. GSes tend to "crash well". It's mostly scratches and cosmetics when you fall off. If you're unluckly, you can cave in the valve covers, but this is reasonably cheap to repair. And a set of crash bars will avoid this.

 

[Wreford Miles]

A low side slung my GS down the road and apart from the ground away head protector you'd never know.

The GS is tough, you can get parts, you have the option of not cleaning it, you have 6000 mile service intervals, they all look good, they have a good fuel range etc etc.

Other bikes have qualities some of which are better... but the bottom line is you'll not go wrong with a GS

However I'm working on the assumption that you need a bike to always deliver for you.

If you have the option of just having a play thing then why not give the KTM a go it's diffrent.

 

[riverking]

'Unbiased view' was the question.......

Charley peruaded Ewan to go for the KTM, but KTM wouln't do it for fear of failure.

BMW had the faith.

I'm not going to provide 'a view' as I'm not sure it's possible to be unbiased.

But the above say's an awful lot to me!

And before anyone say's it, KTM could have had back up trucks too!

 

[SQD8R]

'Unbiased view' was the question......Charley peruaded Ewan to go for the KTM, but KTM wouln't do it for fear of failure.

BMW had the faith.

I'm not going to provide 'a view' as I'm not sure it's possible to be unbiased.

But the above say's an awful lot to me!

And before anyone say's it, KTM could have had back up trucks too!.

I agree.:

 

[ELIMINATOR]

My 4000 mile gs 1150 has already had a new servo pump, two master cylinders. This morning the servo failed with no warning from the ABS warning lamps, UNTIL after the bike stopped. At the moment I think BMW GS 1150 ARE CRAP.

 

[mikeh501]

I saw Charley Boormans GS at the NEC this week and I was impressed that it was in such good condition! After the number of drops its had you would have thought it would look completely knackered!

For me, comparing the KTM to a GS is like comparing a R1 to a VFR i.e. completely pointless. Horses for courses and all that. I needed more tour ability than off-road so chose an adventure.

If I was to get picky.....

KTM has crap switchgear

KTM has a seat like a razorblade!

KTM has rubbish tank range.

Dealers are going to be few and far between - not worldwide like BMW.

Its an overgrown crosser

 

[Deadskin]

unbiased view

Lets get picky.....

KTM has crap switchgear
Same as any jap bike and you can turn the lights off

KTM has a seat like a razorblade!
comfort gel seat £80

KTM has rubbish tank range.
Bike mag test R1200gs 211/ ktm 256

Dealers are going to be few and far between - not worldwide like BMW.
1400 KTM dealers worldwide

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