My dealer does KTM as well as Ducati, one of the salesman there told me when I enquired about a 1290 Adventure that I would be better off sticking with my Multistrada as they are less troublesome.
There has been a recall today on the 1290 adventurer, something to do with the semi active suspension, which they have put on the new KTM Duke GT. I also own an AMG, FL version has been out since November last year, Early ones having gearboxes replaced, so far mine is ok as I hope the problem was found earlier, but I still do not understand why something with such an obvious problem that you cannot miss, gets released to the public
No-one is immune. If you haven't heard of it, do a little googling on IMS bearing failure and bore-scoring on Porsche 911 996/997 variants. Proper full-on design failure down to cost cutting by the factory causing completely trashed engines in an alarmingly high number of cases.
Get ready for DVT system failures in the near future. The system is based on hydraulically actuated rotary pistons and sensors. Another system that complicates testastretta engine which as a unit proved adequatelly reliable in older bikes. If DVT fails engine life will suffer. My point, is write as many miles on your DVT before warranty expires!
Wise words well put After a heart attack and seven stents I would say ride as many miles as you can , while you can Because there is no comeback on the warranty
I've found the manufacturer very unresponsive too. I've tried to make contact numerous times to discuss things and I've never received a reply..
Today's new issue of Ride has a group test of Super Duke GT v Pikes Peak v S1000xr. Haven't read it all yet, but they don't pick a winner, each tester just picks his favourite. Though why pick the Pikes Peak for the test instead of the standard 1200s I do not know. It just adds 3 grand.
Just a note on this that I dropped mine whilst off road and it was fine. the aluminium side panels can take a big hit and the steel as posed to cast alloy break and gear pegs can take a hit without snapping and the handlebars are stronger. Even the hand guard is actually better than those on the DVT but not really up to the job i grant you. it did survive but popped a screw. Considering the bike had a full tank adding another 30KG I think it did well. I haven't bothered fitting the crash bars as off road they don't look like they are going to protect much.
You struggling to find neutral? might be an odd thing to say but if you are, I had a chain replaced by a Ducati garage in italy last year while I was on a tour, it was fine untill I put the luggage on and then it was hard to get neutral, turned out my chain was slightly to tight and for some odd reason put pressure on the drive sprocket as soon as I slackened off the chain it went into neutral perfectly. just a thought.
Interesting. Mine has real trouble with neutral. Turn it off in 1st gear and it then flicks into neutral like the best gearbox in the world. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Also a slight adjustment of the gear lever can help with finding neutral, and resolving false neutrals
Agree. Better off with a 990 Adventure. Also, have been stranded 11 times on KTM's [SMT and two 1190 Adventures, the second one was given as a replacement for the first after 1 year by KTM]. The battery had to be on permanent trickle charge, and the bikes could not be left out overnight otherwise they wouldn't start. Ownership was an utter disaster.
The DVT system is closely based on the system which Volkswagen have been fitting to their cars for the past 30 years, and of which they have made millions of examples. OK, it might fail for all I know - but perhaps you would explain why you think it is more likely to fail in a Multistrada than in a Golf.
I suppose we will have to wait and see but I hate ALL manufacturers view of, let's just keep them going until the warranty expires. Even Apple, my MacBook Air trackpad failed. A known problem as the air is too thin to have a proper trackpad mechanism underneath. They replaced my trackpad with exactly the same and i told them that I assume this will only last me another year or so until it goes again out of warranty. They actually shrugged their shoulders at me. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Having both the DVT (1 year) and the XR (1 month), I am presenting a few observations on modes: The DVT has more options so one can tailor everything. The XRs options though are more worked out for real life use. More testing was carried out by BMW and the results are stunning. No need to try settings endlessly to fit your way of riding. DVTs Urban mode is useless unless you drive in heavy rain. Sport mode has overwhelming suspension input even in minor bumps on the road. Enduro mode is a mode rarely used and is there just for marketing purposes. One ends up using mostly touring mode with engine setting in high. So real life mode is only touring. XRs modes for everyday riding are 3 and are very usable. Rain mode is not castrating power like urban in the Duc. It can be used on slippery roads in dry conditions also, with great results. Road mode is in perfect balance with the bike's all rounder character. Dynamic mode is brilliant for fast riding - it is the mode that smokes the DVT in both cornering and acceleration. Testing engineers in BMW had the final word on modes. Ducati's engineers are following design goals set by marketing. What do you think?
