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28 Feb 2011
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My $0.02: If you're doing a lot of off road, keep it light, sell the AT and buy something no bigger than a 650 single, preferably even smaller cc's than that.
Big bikes are fine for 2 up long distance but quickly become a huge pain in the ass in loose sand/mud etc.
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3 Mar 2011
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ditto
Quote:
Originally Posted by MikeS
My $0.02: If you're doing a lot of off road, keep it light, sell the AT and buy something no bigger than a 650 single, preferably even smaller cc's than that.
Big bikes are fine for 2 up long distance but quickly become a huge pain in the ass in loose sand/mud etc.
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5 Mar 2011
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Even if yours has been good and my brothers was bad this is still only two machines and at best, anecdotal evidence. Chatting with the engineers working at a KTM dealership put me off from ever buying one and my brother quickly got rid to buy a Jap 650. Not as quick but it never did let him down. The common consensus is that KTM are riders bikes, great engines, great frames but what lets them down is they're designed to perform, not with maintenance and durability in mind. This is a major problem to me when you're considering an adventure machine. The fuel consumption is also a black mark. It cuts range down considerably and increases weight over a 650.
Ok, it has a bit more power but it's only useful at higher speeds, illegal in most countries except on motorways and it's not the kind of bike built for those roads and is not being bought for that purpose.
The 650 class bikes, (ideally singles for simpler maintenance, durability, weight, range and torque) are more useful all-rounders and come into their own when the road surfaces turn into fire-roads or trails.
I've had them all ad can say my current 650 is the only one I would trust to go travelling on.
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5 Mar 2011
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JTW000, I aint arguing - your right a 600 makes much more sense some would say a 125 makes more sense (Birdy for instance) as it happens I actually prefer the Bilge pump (my r80gs) she is simpler in every respect and she is well sorted and we have done quite a bit of touring to far off places and I would not hesitate to set off anywhere again on her at the drop of a hat, she is easier to ride, more comfy for my wife, and for me the one I would choose to go away on - but that does not take away the experience I had when I toured on the ktm to various places - the bike and the experience of riding her was overall - very good. At the end of the day it really does not matter I suppose - if Groot want a KTM and takes one then he will build his own experience and that may be great or terrible - but it will be his experience. All part of life's little ups and downs.
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5 Mar 2011
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You'll no doubt have noticed not many KTM twin owners tend to hang out here, which is a shame but understandable even considering the posts in this thread alone.
For anyone considering these bikes, there is lots of information, good and bad in the Orange Crush forum on Adventure Rider Motorcycle Forum. You don't need to have a KTM to ask questions, if fact you don't even need to have a brother who had one.
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5 Mar 2011
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Quote:
Originally Posted by petesonhisway
You'll no doubt have noticed not many KTM twin owners tend to hang out here, which is a shame but understandable even considering the posts in this thread alone.
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really, is there any need to go into a huff about it ? maybe tell the guy about your own travel experiences on your 950 or 990 (that's what he's asking for), rather than just complain about what's being said but offering nothing of real value.
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5 Mar 2011
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Thank you for your kind words. There is, no huff, I thought my post was funny - ah well I'll be on my bike...just hope it doesn't fall apart when I get on it, or even worse, fall over...cos it's so heavy I'll never be able to pick it again...
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