Hey, let'em play IG is now reapingthe havest he has sown over several bans. He has learned from it, but you gotta expect some residual.Not sure I would everown a Katoom though unless I could leave the maintenanceto someoneelse and not worry abouthow much I'm payingfor said maintenance...so I agee with IG in that regard.

I have much respect for KTM, but don't think I would ownoneuntil they get less Ducati like with their valves.

To KTM's credit, I will say that I wish the KLX's valves were so easy to adjust.

 

[sm=icon_beat.gif]
bzzzzbzzzzzbzzzzzzz- SPLAT!!

 

 

Just to be clear (If only for accuracy, and posterity's, sake...), I was NOT putting the Katooms down. I have had several, and I've found each one to be a fantastic enthusiast's bike. I, however, am not a tool guy. The time, money, and complexity involved in their maintenance turned me off. Even the "simple" maintenance procedures were all too involved.They are awesome bikes to ride, though. No doubt.

 

CLS don't worry about it this is how most of these threads turn out.

 

[8D][8D][8D]

 

Hey cls....if you look at the thread NO ONE criticized the opinion of a former or current owner of a ktm or wr, shoot I own a ktm and a klx...no worries..each bike has their good points and bad. But the opines of someone with no personal experience with either is subject to ridicule especially if they insist their opine is the only correct one and they have a history of disinformation and gross inconsistencies.

What a train wreck...lol

 

it's about time you take accountability for your gross misinformations and rude comments. I assume you not commenting on the other guys' remarks towards you means, well, you are just being yourself.[&:]

 

Funny, all dis! Yeah, I agree. KTM is an awesome bike to ride, but I'd rather leave the maintenance to somebody else.

Now, if I had the garage space and time, that would be an entirely different matter.

 

Having owned both a KLX and KTM, I think I'm qualified to say that the maintenance on the KTM ain't that bad. I just keep the oil fresh, clean air filter, and valve checks, which are easier than for the KLX. These are things you should be doing on any bike, IMO, if you want it to last. Over 3000 miles on it and I haven't had one problem with it. Granted, I don't race it every weekend, but neither do I baby it either.

Not all KTM's are equal, though. Finger's is a very low maintenance long haul bike, designed for long distance yet still very off-road capable. Mine is a full on race bike designed to be hammered hard in the woods and win the WEC or GNCC National. Maintenance is more frequent, but very easy - by design. Air filter change in about 30 seconds. Full valve check and adjust takes about 30 minutes, if that, start to finish. The oil is double filtered and double screened, which makes doing it a bit more involved than for the KLX, but you only need to do the filters and screens every 3rd oil change unless you are racing every weekend.

But it is not a commuter bike, so if you are racking up many thousands of commuter miles to and from work, you might want to pass on the KTM EXC. It can do the job fine, by why? It would be like driving a Formula 1 open wheel race car to work. It would be fun, but kind of a waste of equipment if you ask me. I don't use it as a commuter.

Finger's bike on the other hand could serve commuter duty just fine - large oil capacity and infrequent changes and infrequent valve check and adjusts. Some would put it in the same class as the KLR650. I think the 640 ADV is more dirt worthy than the KLR, but maintenance wise, I think they are comparable. I have never ridden either, though, so take that with a grain of salt.

I use mine primarily for off-road fun and the occasional hare scramble race. And for where I ride, the license plate is pretty much essential due to our geography - it's just there to make it legal to connect the trails. That's what it is designed for, and that is what I use it for. That is probably why I am happy with it, because I use it for what it was designed for. When it is time to get another bike, I will buy another KTM unless there is another make available that suits me better, but as of right now, there is not and I couldn't be happier with my KaBooM.

I should also add that I really liked my KLX, too. Nothing wrong with the KLX.

This is all just my opinion - not trying to discredit anyone else or anyone else's opinion. Just goes to show that we all view the world a little differently. Isn't it great to have so many choices when it is time to purchase a motorcycle? We can each get the one that suits us the best based on what we want out of it.