Ktm Going Boobs Up ?

This paragraph sums it up……
Secondly to this, like other manufacturers, the Ready to Race brand is experiencing issues with excessive stock in the marketplace – with sales struggling in locations including the UK, brought on by issues including the cost of living, a General Election, rising insurance prices, the perceived threat of motorcycle theft, and more.

 

Probably doesn’t help they’re ugly as sin and orange.

Never once looked at a ktm in all my years and thought hmm that’s the very bike for me.

 

Thanks Keith, just had a catch-up. If true, (LC8c/790/excessive, premature camshaft wear) then this was probably a nail in the coffin:-



Around about Sept this year KTM allegedly publicly admitted there was a problem, and initiated a recall, including engines out of warranty (Ducati take note).

 

KTM. Nearly great bikes.
My 1290 superduke has been both the best and worst motorcycle I have ever owned.
KTM breakdown assist (France) very poor.

The markets have changed, motogp in Asia and all of the lower capacity machines...which tbh dont interest most of us in the west.
Product must be reliable though and when markets are hit with covid, war etc..then people think twice about spending. They also want back up if spending big.
Currently thinking about buying a bike in the UK. Used "approved" BMW is high on the list. KTM is not even a consideration.

 

KTM need to concentrate more on electric bikes. Electric bikes and cars are the future. I know this because the government told me so and the government know everything.

Never question the government. They know everything.

And I do know what I am talking about.

Really? Really? Really?

 

I suspect that is very much a UK problem exascerbated by shite weather and way to much traffic on the roads, many of whom seem to think that they can do WTF they like.
We are also, in the scheme of things, a very small market in the UK.

 

The whole UK market is in decline.
My potential shopping list includes r1300gs used, and pikes peak (v twin)
Watching the prices falling atm is interesting.
1300gs, new discounted down to used price. Which means...sit tight a bit longer!
Dvt and 1260 PP are coming down steadily too. Seen a few reduced, private and dealer in the last few days.
Going to be some good used bikes with the prices forced down over the winter.
Back to KTM ...why chance it? Shame as the 1390 gt looks near perfect in specification. Again though, do KTM employ someone with an ugly stick ?

 

I'm not convinced this is new news as 2024 is not the first time KTM have been reported to be in financial disarray in recent years. The recent acquisitions of WP, Huskvana and Gas Gas have cost them dearly and have focussed on the competition market. Bad strategy, bad timing, manufacturing issues, declining markets all seem to have created the perfect storm for them. I'm intrigued by the comment "KTM is the biggest manufacturer in Europe" when Ducati currently has over 50% of the market share in Europe IMO, it is very possible, KTM will not be the only niche/small motorcycle manufacturer to reduce their presence in the market place, especially in the UK.

 

I was talking to a few of the young guys in town who were warming up to take driving tests & asked how many had an interest in motorcycles. And the answer was pretty much a resounding none. It wasn't even close to being on their radar.

In addition to Duke's reasons others given were, it's no easier or cheaper to get a motorcycle, it's perceived to be dangerous and rebellious (by themselves & parents alike) plus you can take your mates, and the ladies of course, out in a car.

They did say the only kiddies that are interested in motorcycles are the scallies and ne're do wells who probably aren't the best hope for a future vibrant UK motorcycling community.

 

I got rid of my 890R just before the news broke about the cams. Got good money for it.
The value has now plummeted and some dealers will not touch them.
Sad really as the bike handled and rode brilliantly.

 

Interesting to note that Superbike Factory are opening another outlet in Sussex…..

 

KTMs problems seem to be related to their European business more than any other. Their other markets seem fine.
You only have to look in any KTM showroom to see how overstocked they are with new bikes.
The policy of heavy discounting every winter, even in new models must him them hard.

 

For balance, Yamaha seem to have inexplicably added £2k to the cost of next years tracer GT….



Someone far cleverer than me can work out what this does to a typical PCP (regardless of opinion this is how most bike sales are done), as that £2k turns into a significant increase.

It’s not helping is it….. £2k jumps on RRP’s, if you look at the 1390duke for example the base model is £18k?

The argument about bikes relatively costing less than 20 years ago is 1 dimensional, it doesn’t factor in traffic volumes, weather conditions, the amount of cost in the bike going towards things that don’t alter the riding experience. For example a manufacturer having to put 3Kg of platinum and other metals into an exhaust and 2KG of EVAP hardware to pay emissions, costs them money, adds nothing to our experience and enjoyment of the bike so why do we want to go and buy them…

similar is happening with cars, post OPF filters, people spending £200k on a Porsche that sounds worse than the one 3-4 years ago!

Oh and we haven’t even got to OPF filters and crap like that yet, that’s still got to come…

 

it was the one thing that where we knew, consciously or unconsciously something was wrong, at for instance, the recently closed P&H. Their storage space was always rammed to the brim with the middle and lower range of KTM including the lovely two-strokes, but that same stock was still there month after month.

 

I know not a view shared by many (especially on here!) but I've always had a soft spot for KTM and their approach to design, advertising etc. Had a 990 and 1290 Superduke with no issues at all, and huge fun.

 

Looks like KTM warranty could be worthless. Lucky (?) to have had my engine rebuilt after dropping a valve earlier this year. Running nicely for a couple of thousand miles, going forward, probably like having an out of warranty used bike. Ouch

You would think that BMW and Ducati should be ok going forward. Too big to fail….hold on…Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac..lessons from history. Quickly forgotten.

 

I think they are too big to fail, they will get bailed out either by the Austrian gov, or by the Chinese. CF moto invested heavily to use the KTM’s as a base for their bikes, it’s in their interested to invest in KTM to then reduce what they need to pay to use their IP

 

That's a good shout - and aren't all their parallel twin engines already built by CF moto?

CF moto are doing well in the smaller moto GP class (250 cc?) so they could have a ready made MotoGP team. Not to mention WP suspension also.