https://www.blademotorcycles.co.uk/...tm_campaign=ktm_end_of_season_sale_web_banner. Andy I am aware of the somewhat dubious reputation of the current incarnation of Blade Motorcycles, so this is not in any way an endorsement of them. Other KTM dealers are available and are most likely doing similar discounting on new, older model year bikes
That’s cheap for the 390 adventure. Well it’s cheap for all of them really. It does beg a few questions though. They’re stated as being MY23s so 2 years old (as MY25s hit the dealers). Are these bikes Blade ordered but couldn’t sell or have KTM been making bikes without orders?
KTM are buggers for dropping their prices in the month or so before the new , as in next years models come out. It slaughters the 2nd prices of bikes a year or so old. great if you are happy to by ‘last ‘ years models which is what we do with their mx bikes but less so for everyone else.
Also you have to spend money with blade motorcycles….. check out the Swindon bikers groups for feedback about the dealership, I too, have had absolutely horrendous experience with them
Began at the start of the year in France, with the 1290 Superduke models. Discounted and warranty extended to 4 years. My take, great if you like the KTM (loving the Superduke..) but you need a decent dealer. Teething problems are common. My bike dropped a valve and had to be rebuilt. Will the dealer still be there in 2 months…2 years….are they any good? If so, great value. As to KTM discounting, they all do it. Should have seen the glut of BMW r1250gs when the 1300 came out, they were well discounted and used values were a joke! We dont do motorcycling as a way of staying wealthy after all, it would be the completely wrong choice
Which implies they’re making bikes without orders or why else would you have to sell off current stock cheaply? Not a good business model and may go part way to exploring their current financial difficulties. I can’t say that occurred here in ROI but then we’re a tiny market compared to anywhere else.
Interesting comments. Our local dealer admitted they over ordered on mx bikes and have gone the other way now and had very few 2025 bikes. We asked about a 150sx but no way would we pay £9200 for a bike that we know at the end of the year will be selling at £7200.
I asked my friendly AI bot thing - what's the story then....... This is what the AI Bot thing reckons so far....... I was going to ask it if someone should by a Triumph instead of a KTM, but we already know the answer to that
I had a KTM 890R for a year and I dare say it was the best handling bike I have ever had, and by god I have had a few ! It was very quick for normal road use as well. The problem with KTM Is that they suddenly knock thousands off the price which pisses people off and totally destroys used sales. Plus asking £1k extra to turn on a quick shifter and wheelie control etc is a piss take.
I’ve had two KTM 1290’s and a 790. They were brilliant bikes, an absolute riot to ride, and none had an issue. Apart from being bloody ugly! But the constant discounting by dealers and the amount they’d drop in value come resale time put me off the brand.
I had the KTM 1290 SAS, doing 16,000 miles on it in two years. No complaints at all, it is just a big beast of a thing. I traded it in whilst it was still worth something reasonable in part exchange.
I had a Ktm Duke years ago and it totally put me off the brand, it was quick for what it was and great fun but it’s the only 4 stroke bike I’ve had that the engine has let go on and I’ve owned a lot of bikes over the years. Isn’t there a cam problem on the 790/890 engines?
There have been some issues with the parallel twins. Supposedly resolved. Lead to believe that the 1290 is normally bomb proof. Not as if Ducati have been without issues with various motors over the years, recollect a lot of Diavel problems.. Suppose it is why warranty is worthwhile.
More worryingly, the adverts that come up when viewing the Ducati forum. Try explaining these purchases if found in your possession..
I agree I’m no die hard fan of Ducati’s I just happen to own one and I never buy new enough anymore for warranty’s to be relevant, Japanese bikes have always been my preference and none of mine have ever given me problems, I’m sure they have problems but mine have always been fine.
I get lots of ‘older women on your area’ or ‘Ukraine women want UK men’. Guess it’s an indication of your online persona…. Do you get backpacks and hunting knives too
KTM and Aprilia biggest problem by far is the discounting they allow, it’s fine saying “well just wait until a dealers offering money off” but the manufacturers don’t want that, it’s a rod they have made for their own back. I posted a link the other day for a dealer selling brand new Aprilia RSV4 for £5k off list…. It’s mad…. Arguably it’s a lot to bike for £18k but it will continue to devalue in free fall. I know this… because I paid £14k for my speed triple RR which had a RRP of £18k and the value has continued into absolute free fall, with dealers selling them for £10k and I owe way more!!! So yeah, mass discounting is a race to the bottom