Spy Shots: KTM 1290 SMT – Another Beast? Could be of real interest if they don't go for long travel suspension. Serious grunt, good ergonomics, suppose it depends on cost. 14k for the Super Duke seemed a little steep for a naked.
16K. That's very salty especially for a bike built on an existing model platform. I've no doubt it'll be a stupendous machine but KTM are really kicking the arse out of it on pricing. They're worse for it than Ducati.
or have a better dealer network.[/QUOTE] Not wrong, there's a dealer in Bristol for KTM that I wouldn't touch with a barge pole, hence put me off even looking at one.
My local dealer does Ducati and KTM, they have been good so far. Reliability?....hhmmm, not sure, bet the fasteners are better quality even if mechanical and electrical components are no improvement. Just looking ahead at the moment to when the Ducati extended warranty runs out next year in March. Risk keeping it, or go new and get hit with depreciation? Either way, a Superduke with some wind protection would be very high on my list for a replacement.
Far too much electronics on it for my liking. Been having a read of the 1290 reviews which are coming out now and so far I've got no idea what the bike's like to ride, only how its numerous magic boxes work. A lot of it sounds like superfluous gimmicky, only there to pad the price. Hill start assist, on a motorcycle? Its got a clutch and a back brake hasn't it? If you can't do a hill start on a bike, stick to walking because there's nothing else easier. I reckon manufacturers are adding a grand per acronym plus the premium of built-in obsolescence. Makes me think if I buy a Multi it'll be the base model with the fewest black boxes possible.
Hill start assist is taking the proverbial but......have you tried that on a Mutley? Back brake that is.........
The rear brake on my SF has been cleverly designed to work perfectly to stop the bike rolling backwards, its when travelling forwards that it doesn't do anything. An old school analogue form of hill start assist?
I've been trying to get a test ride but one of the KTM dealers told me there's a delay until the end of March.
Amazing to think that the Japs who were masters at copying and improving, have not come up with some serious competition in this sector. Bearing in mind they have proved themselves with for example VTR and TL1000 motors which would be great starting points. Is it just me or does there seem to be a shortage of quality manufacturing in the motorcycle industry as well? Seem to be going backwards with corrosion resistance and component life expectancy.
Agreed. Even BMW are at it. The new RT is cheap and plasticky compared to the old one. As for Ducati chains....
Are you on about the 1290 super adventure here ? ive just put a deposit on one of them hoping its coming in mid March . I purchased a 2014 multistrada 1200 gt skyhook in December 1300 miles on it ....still like a brand new bike....does everything well but just didnt like that skyhook it always felt to hard and harsh even on softest settings and pre load , for me (and we are all different ) the suspension spoiled the bike ...... i was dissapointed in it , few years back i had a 60 plate multistrada 1200 with base suspension , i would say that one felt better on the ride quality, but it had glitchy fueling so got shut of it .........probably could of been sorted with a CJS tune but oh hum ......... I think Ktms and Ducatis are a similar brand .........bit finicky , have there issues, but when there on song they are superb , they have a soul that Jap stuff just doesnt have . Now ,if this new multistrada has the same skyhook as the previous one its already a bad point for me ( again this is a personal preference ) other folk maybe happy with the skyhook , untill the new bike test rides start coming in who knows what its like
I purchased a 2014 multistrada 1200 gt skyhook in December 1300 miles on it ....still like a brand new bike....does everything well but just didnt like that skyhook it always felt to hard and harsh even on softest settings and pre load , for me (and we are all different ) the suspension spoiled the bike ...... i was dissapointed in it , few years back i had a 60 plate multistrada 1200 with base suspension , i would say that one felt better on the ride quality, but it had glitchy fueling so got shut of it .........probably could of been sorted with a CJS tune but oh hum ......... I couldn't agree more with you and have the same opinion about skyhook having had similar and well documented issues with my skyhook MTS, very disappointed. If I buy the new one which I am looking at it will be the manual suspension version. Its been good enough for the last 30 years so can do without all the high tech toys.
They may of changed it Franksie on the 2015 ...different software , spring rate , valving who knows ?? The skyhook came out in 2013 so they have had 2 years to listen to what the owners are saying . When the dealers have them ready for test rides we will see what they are about ..............
