New adventure bikes for 2012,2013

[Deviant666]

Originally Posted by itsatdm

Ktm has plenty of money: http://cmgonline.com/news/2011/05/17...ore-ktm-stock/ Sorry couldn't resist for all those BMW's made in China comments.

If they had plenty of money they'd be buying back their own stock from the Indian firm which according to the article it's not the case.

[cleophus]

Originally Posted by kneepuck

From the KTM Dealers meeting...

Looks like I'm going to be keeping the good ol 950 for a long, long time (fine by me ) I'm thinking the 950/990 was based so close to the Meoni 950 rally bike that KTM considers it not "refined" or "civilized" enough for most consumers so they are losing potential customers. I doubt anybody will make a road version of a big twin Dakar rally bike like the 950/990 again (rally tanks/flat motoX style seat/etc./rally fairing), especially since they don't race anything like that anymore in Dakar anyway. I hope I'm wrong though.

[cleophus]

OTOH, maybe that sketch is the initial Adventure replacement that was supposedly nixed by KTM brass as "too much like BMW" and the designers were sent back to the drawing board to make the bike we are hoping for. (hence the long delay)

[O.C.F.RIDER]

When I first saw this thing back in October 2003 my heart skipped a beat, it WAS the coolest looking bike I had ever seen. Still is!
I sure hope KTM doesn't go and make something as fugly as a R1200GSA. A giant pig of a bike that couldn't hold a candle to the 950 in the dirt. Or pretty much anywhere else for that matter.
Did I mention that I thought the drawing of the "new" adventure shows a bike that would look perfect parked next to a GS at the local Starbucks.

[cleophus]

I think the GS is a great bike, just a different focus than the 950. That segment of the market has lots of competition, Supertenere, Vstrom, etc, so KTM should stick to what it does best: making raw, wooly race bikes that unfortunately probably don't sell as well as their milder competition.

[kirb]

Originally Posted by Rideimal

Noob question: what's the advantage of a v-twin? Why get so excited over a 750 v-twin rather than an adventure version of the 690 single? Seems like it would be heavier and more complicated, so what's the up-side?

You can long distance at somewhat high speed on a twin. Singles tend to be a tad rough at speed for long periods of time.

[charlie264]

Ooh lighter 750 V twin, I like that idea... Or a road ripping 1200 150hp Adventure bike, like that idea too. Can’t I just have something more in the middle KTM? I have, it’s in my garage and it’s called the Super Enduro, The bike you don’t make anymore.

If KTM are going to use the LC8 in a new 800 Adv, what’s the point, how much lighter is it going to be? The RC8 motor is an evolvement of the LC8 and sales of the RC8 has hardly dented the super bike market.

Seems to me BMW are the trend setters and all the other bike firms are playing catch up to absorb some of the market. I read a couple of years ago the 800 GS was the biggest selling bike. I’d like to see KTM with the help of Rotax make an 800 Adv using that motor and putting it a better sprung chassis, and get this FI down to a tee like Rotax have in the 800 GS.

I think KTM would be better off marketing a 1200 tourer rather than a 250kg Adv bike, I mean who seriously would buy a GSA or XT12 for serious off road use, well apart from the starbucks touratech pannier crowd.

[kareblak]

Originally Posted by charlie264

I think KTM would be better off marketing a 1200 tourer rather than a 250kg Adv bike, I mean who seriously would buy a GSA or XT12 for serious off road use, well apart from the starbucks touratech pannier crowd.

When you think about it, this is kinda strange. I don't think Ewan or Charlie went to Starbucks once during the "Long way round". BMW riders doin' it original style, fo shizzle.

[v8toilet]

Originally Posted by kirb

You can long distance at somewhat high speed on a twin. Singles tend to be a tad rough at speed for long periods of time.

I rode a BMW Dakar 10,000 miles in 14 days. Lots of high speed slab 80+ mph. Never once did I notice the vibes. I had a 690 which isn't quite as smooth with some Rox vibe damping risers it was fine too. I think the single cylinder thing for me is/was more psychological. I convince myself I need a twin for long trips but really the 690 is 100+ lbs lighter so if you're a smaller guy like me @150lbs the 690 will push you around just fine. With some tall gears it will run 70 @ around 4000 rpms and when the going gets tough there's nothing it can't do. Again though I'm on a twin because I think wringing the smaller engines out and the vibes to some extent do wear a guy down over the long haul at speed. Once the going gets rough though, the 450-500 lb bikes wear a guy out equally. Still waiting for the perfect bike. While I'm waiting I'm building up an SE

Originally Posted by kareblak

When you think about it, this is kinda strange. I don't think Ewan or Charlie went to Starbucks once during the "Long way round". BMW riders doin' it original style, fo shizzle.

If by original style you mean a camera crew and a couple support vehicles. Part of traveling on a bike for me is the vulnerability factor. If it's freezing cold and I break down in the middle of nowhere it's a different story than if I break down and hop in the warm support van driving behind me. Mentally its completely different even if there is no breakdown because of that awareness. No cell phone, minimal tools, minimal gear depending on the trip, not at all the same as Charley and Ewan but I like that they made the trip, can't take that away from them.

[Ramv]

Very interested in the 1090 and 1290.. Not that I need more power. Well, I am disappointed by the Duc's "150hp" at altitude even with lower gearing. The EFI is spot on though, I really like EFI. I just hope they maintain the KTM off-road performance. If not, I will be looking at a used 990 R. Or maybe a 690 R as a stablemate to the Ducati.

[Splisken]

KTM really should re-release the 950SER. It was a bike waaaaay before it's time and the small sales numbers are due to the limited production runs and the WTF factor the bike originally had when it was released. By WTF factor I mean it was a 942cc dirt bike! No new news for those who own them already but to KTM if you're listening....US adventure riders love the 950SER and from what I've been reading so do those who own them the world over. Please don't cow to the allure of BMW's marketing/branding/revenue...be KTM!!! The SER certainly isn't perfect but its perfect for me and I'd bet enough others to warrant a production run again with a safari styled tank that lowers CG and maybe a reconfiguration under the seat for a bit more storage. I wouldn't even beef up the rear subframe...just encourages the taking of too much stuff. The 950 SER is the off road adventure rider's ride for the adrenaline fueled!

Oh yeah..and if KTM needs racers to go this route I know there is at least one 950SER rider on this forum who is looking for sponsorship! Baja 1000 with serious effort from KTM's marketing department and a new 950SER...I'm getting drool on my keyboard now...gotta' go...

[Pete640]

When is the milan bike show? If were going to see anything soon it should turn up there.

[dejr2000]

Nov 8-13

[dezracer]

(QUOTE) But, after the test ride, I felt it was too big. Some of the cross country touring I had in mind included some rutted out four-wheel-drive tracks, which, when I took the 990 on, only succeeded in terrorising me.

funny. The nine niner freight liner has terrorized us all at one time or the other.

[viola-tor]

Originally Posted by dezracer

(QUOTE) But, after the test ride, I felt it was too big. Some of the cross country touring I had in mind included some rutted out four-wheel-drive tracks, which, when I took the 990 on, only succeeded in terrorising me.

funny. The nine niner freight liner has terrorized us all at one time or the other.

Ain't THAT the truth! If I reach a point where I'm not at least a little bit scared anymore it might be time to walk away. Scary is fun, in short bursts...

So let's see what you are cooking up KTM!!! Faster, lighter, ORANGER!!!!!!!

700cc-ish dirt-worthy twin = cool. 1200cc beast = cool. 1000cc Dakar winning replica bike = REALLY COOL. A 690 Adventure would get my attention, as would a 450RR, but I have a feeling that's not going to happen, and certainly not in the 'States.