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KTM passes Harley in sales

I do like several of their models , but man-oh-man are they tall...35-36 inch seat heights! I know they target off-road, and that means road clearance but that surely limits their sales. I'm 6' 32 inch inseam....and i think they're tall.

I have for some time liked & been interested in the Rotax engine, which i believe they still use? But built in-house?

Buell used that engine after the fallout with HD...I rode an 1125...considered buying it...but knew that {Buell} was on shaky ground , so I backed out. The guy who did buy it....still LUV'S the thing.

I like the KTM 690 & 790 Duke...as well as the 990-1190..........I just like motorcycles period........:thumb
 
KTM builds a fine bike, but yes they are tall, and Damn are many of them ugly.
The Rotax engine is great, and I'm assuming they still use it, or at least the design.
I had a Buell 1125R and loved it. The engine was great, but it was the whole package that worked. I've ridden faster bikes and bikes that could handle better, but I've never ridden a bike as easy to ride fast or well. YMMV.
 
KTM 1290 Super Duke GT is a superb motorcycle with a sane seat height - 32.9 inches. I have a 32 inch inseam and am totally comfortable on it.

And KTM designs and builds their own motors.
 
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zimmermanj said:
Too tall, and definitely too ugly ... have yet to see a KTM I'd own even if I did fit one.
Click to expand...


Well, I suppose we could argue "pretty" all day..... But that's purely personal as i see it.....and much preserved for the 'butt-jewelry' crowd.....:)

But then some [KTM's] are IMO "neat" looking? I like the newer bug-looking headlight for example.

Some BMWs aren't all that purty , but I still think they're neat ? Nice lookin'?

Again, purely opinion but [in] my opinion the absolute most beautiful late model BMW was the 96? K1100RS....the one with the Ferrari look to the sides.

What was that re-pop model from the 30's that was featured here on the site a few years back? R-37 maybe?.....That thing was just over the top in purty.

I know i just gave bad examples, but....Motorcycles are mechanical beasts , and I think that should show. Too much 'tupperware' turns me off.
 
BC1100S said:
KTM 1290 Super Duke GT is a superb motorcycle with a sane seat height - 32.9 inches. I have a 32 inch inseam and am totally comfortable on it.

And KTM designs and builds their own motors.
Click to expand...


That's right:thumb

KTM Dukes we own are not crazy tall, def not ugly and will make some haters cry or just hate more...especially when the blonde ponytail passes you:stick

But hate on if you need:wave
 
I have a KTM and I have to say the styling is ahhh, unique. But you have to love KTMs attitude. They are the edgiest large motorcycle company I have ever seen. They are into fast and light and even their alleged entry level bikes are tweaked a harder than anyone else's. And you have to respect a company that a) won't cancel your street bike warranty if you race it and 2) has a dash display that says "Ready to Race" after it goes through its start-up diagnostics.
 
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Yes, I remember Penton, Hodaka, Montesa, Bultaco, Ossa and early Huskys too. That not is not that long ago!
 
Sears and Roebuck 50cc Moped by Puch at age 14. I called it the Liberator. No more pedaling.
 

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zimmermanj said:
Too tall, and definitely too ugly ... have yet to see a KTM I'd own even if I did fit one.
Click to expand...

I agree with this statement. I acknowledge KTM makes exceptional bikes and those who own them tend to be fiercely loyal to the brand. However, I also find their designs to be somewhat polarizing, not to mention much too tall for my 30” inseam.

In all fairness though with regard to styling, I find many of the bikes made today to be somewhat polarizing whether it be Yamaha, Honda, Suzuki, Kawasaki, KTM, etc. So in reality, I see this new edgy styling as being more of an industry styling trend and not exclusively KTM design language.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
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tangoalpha said:
In all fairness though with regard to styling, I find many of the bikes made today to be somewhat polarizing whether it be Yamaha, Honda, Suzuki, Kawasaki, KTM, etc. So in reality, I see this new edgy styling as being more of an industry styling trend and not exclusively KTM design.
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Agreed.

Not directed at you personally, Tangoalpha, but many riders of a certain vintage find today's designs off-putting or not as pleasing to the eye as older designs. I know that I prefer a more organic and flowing design.
 
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BC1100S said:
Agreed.

Not directed at you personally, Tangoalpha, but many riders of a certain vintage find today's designs off-putting or not as pleasing to the eye as older designs. I know that I prefer a more organic and flowing design.
Click to expand...
“Riders of a certain vintage” LOL! [emoji1787] That’s a very polite way of saying that I’m old, but I like your phraseology much better! Yes, this Sept will mark my 50th Bday and you’d be correct my vintage sensibilities have me yearning for more traditional/classic offerings. I do love the styling of my R1150RT which has more rounded, sculpted and in my opinion, sexier lines than many of the bikes today.

Yup. It’s the new, bold and youthful generation of riders that are dictating the current direction in motorcycle styling.
Older riders like myself are no longer the target audience for these manufacturers. Perhaps one of the few exceptions would be Harley-Davidson who is also chasing that younger buyer.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
tangoalpha said:
..... you’d be correct my vintage sensibilities have me yearning for more traditional/classic offerings. I do love the styling of my R1150RT which has more rounded, sculpted and in my opinion, sexier lines than many of the bikes today.
Click to expand...

I'm of the same mind.

And we all know the best looking bike BMW ever made was the R1100S. :D
 
I can't think that much of Harley's issues is their reliance on the mid life crisis demographic. Those riders are buying a lifestyle accessory and for their purposes a nice, low mileage used Harley is as good as a new bike. Unfortunately for Harley, there seems to be an enormous supply of used Harleys.
 
Huh? 50th b'day is old? Did I read that? Oh my! Then what about us with kids that age? What does that make us? Fossils?:scratch
 
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