I'm on my second Mutley having had both 2010 and now a 2013 touring S. My 2010 had a full Termi system and a CJS re-map, it was fooking fast, the addition of the ohlins SCU just about made it perfect! I then decided to upgrade to the Skyhook, whilst not as fast as my earlier bike its pretty damn good also! I went a slightly different route with this one, no full de-cat, I have gutted the original cat box and fitted an Akrapovic slip, full re-map and quick shifter with auto blip. The latter bike is nowhere near as fast as the single spark and that is the reason! 2 spark plugs means larger head volume and that means a lower compression and not as fast! But I think the Skyhook bike is a worthwhile upgrade, the led lights are fanastic, skyhook is a little choppy at times and I want do some work on the spring preload to see if it can be improved. Right!! Would I upgrade to the DVT? No, not yet and I'm not sure if I ever would. I love these bikes for all the reasons everyone else does but I'm put off by the problems. I have ridden the S1000XR and I did like bits of it which is why I fitted the quickshifter but it's not good to look at and a Ducati in a group of other makes stands out and always draws attention. I'll keep what I have a make possibly the hardest decision ever if it's not another Mutistrada later.
If reliability is a deciding facor, go Japanese. Love BMWs too, for very practical and usability. Owned a F800gt. Great bike, but less so of an X-factor. Tested an R1200RS and GS. Same thing. Great bike, but... And both BMW and Ducati come with their challenges. My answer: yes I would go for another MS any moment.
when investing in such expensive bikes with money earned and not inherited, logic comes first and passion second. The multi is a very nice experience but when you are about to 'marry' one think twice. The XR is easier to ride fast, faster than the DVT and the GS has less exciting genes for road riding (this changes for off road though). V2 sound is the only factor missing from other options. KTM is a smaller firm with limited resources compared to the other contenders so less testing is actually afforded - and guess who is called to solve testing problems (you!). My opinion is to test all bikes and buy the one you can afford moneywise and trouble wise. If not sure go with something cheaper and when you are ready invest in what you really enjoy. I am not satisfied with my DVT because I thought it would be better than the pre DVT model, but isn't. A second hand pre DVT would be a better choice. If new I would buy the XR despite the awful look and the I4 sound. I had several GSs and was very satisfied. I switched because I don't do any off road riding. RIDE WHILE YOU CAN!!!!
This well know phrase works quite well considering they require so much TLC... Lather, rinse, repeat Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Quite. This thread, plus my own test rides, is convincing me to invest in refinishing my single spark and hanging on to it, although rides on the 1290 GT and R1200RS beckon. FYI though - KTM is the biggest European manufacturer - a lot bigger than Ducati and sells more machines than BMW, so no excuses...
When we invest (?) in top end motorcycles the return we get is the experience, which stirs the heart and not the head. I agree with you regarding the XR, but I would never buy one, they are just too frantic, I much prefer the V2 over the IL4.
I dont invest in anything, I buy what I can afford, that will give me the most pleasure (offset by pain ) and tend to buy with what I want rather than I need. The Multi is both those bikes in one, the XR and GS, which is why so Many of use have them
KTM is big, as you say, if you include their operations in India. But counting just their operations in Europe, are they really "the biggest European manufacturer"?
They sell lots of enduro and smaller bikes all over Europe, so wouldnt surprise me (if you count each brand alone)
The 990 series were awesome bikes that ruled the roost, plus they make a cracking moto3 bike. Their bank balance must be pretty damn tasty. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Indeed. How many of those were made by KTM in Austria, and how many were actually Bajaj bikes (with a KTM badge on), made in India?
I always thought Ktm had less so called sales then any other manufacture for rd bikes, they do own the off rd market that's for sure .
The super dukes aren't made in India , however s lot of their bikes are Dealers are still pretty good though when it comes to issues to be fair , if you live near that is
The point had been made that KTM sells a great number of (mainly enduro styled) bikes in Europe, and are therefore the largest manufacturer in Europe. So they do, but I suggested that many of those are in fact Bajajs made in India so that KTM's actual production in Europe is nowhere near as big as it seems. The fact that Ducati build bikes in Thailand for the Asian market is neither here nor there.
I don't give a hoot where they build it, as long as they do it properly. [emoji6] Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
For 2015 KTM revenues 1,022 M BMW motorcycles revenues 1,990 M Ducati revenues 702 M http://www.ktmgroup.com/globalassets/media/files/financial-reports/2016/ktm-ag_gb2015-e.pdf https://www.bmwgroup.com/content/da...5/12784_GB_2015_engl_Finanzbericht_Online.pdf Ducati - Ducati Group: growing sales, revenues and earnings in 2015
