Why are KTM's such a POS?

123
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8/20/2008 4:38pm
ProMed wrote:
Production KTM for a regional pro privateer or amateur racer - Great Competitive Bikes. Factory KTM vs. the Big 4 Factory Teams - Not so much...
Production KTM for a regional pro privateer or amateur racer - Great Competitive Bikes.

Factory KTM vs. the Big 4 Factory Teams - Not so much.

Seems like many people are confusing the two.
Put a top rider on a 'Factory KTM' and see what happens.

95% rider, 5% bike. Even at the top levels of competition.

8/20/2008 4:58pm
yup RC, JBS and heck even Reedy could still pull a championship on one....
Ing
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8/20/2008 5:00pm
ProMed wrote:
Production KTM for a regional pro privateer or amateur racer - Great Competitive Bikes. Factory KTM vs. the Big 4 Factory Teams - Not so much...
Production KTM for a regional pro privateer or amateur racer - Great Competitive Bikes.

Factory KTM vs. the Big 4 Factory Teams - Not so much.

Seems like many people are confusing the two.
Yea, they are really struggling in the World MX scene. Make that the Big 5.
123
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8/20/2008 6:31pm
yup RC, JBS and heck even Reedy could still pull a championship on one....
Reedy? Now you're stretching things a bit far...

The Shop

ProMed
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8/20/2008 8:30pm
ProMed wrote:
Production KTM for a regional pro privateer or amateur racer - Great Competitive Bikes. Factory KTM vs. the Big 4 Factory Teams - Not so much...
Production KTM for a regional pro privateer or amateur racer - Great Competitive Bikes.

Factory KTM vs. the Big 4 Factory Teams - Not so much.

Seems like many people are confusing the two.
123 wrote:
Put a top rider on a 'Factory KTM' and see what happens.

95% rider, 5% bike. Even at the top levels of competition.

Is this thread about riders or the bikes?
ProMed
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8/20/2008 8:32pm Edited Date/Time 4/16/2016 8:07pm
ProMed wrote:
Production KTM for a regional pro privateer or amateur racer - Great Competitive Bikes. Factory KTM vs. the Big 4 Factory Teams - Not so much...
Production KTM for a regional pro privateer or amateur racer - Great Competitive Bikes.

Factory KTM vs. the Big 4 Factory Teams - Not so much.

Seems like many people are confusing the two.
Ing wrote:
Yea, they are really struggling in the World MX scene. Make that the Big 5.
How much does KTM spend in Europe on their Works Bike effort, compared to what they spend in the US on their Factory Bikes?

Regardless of what they are spending, it is too bad they can't give the same Works Bike treatment to the US production based Factory bikes. It certainly works.
tunedlength
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8/20/2008 9:46pm
As we debate this remember there are real people working for KTM that rely on their paycheck just as you or I do.
I would imagine if some nuckle head called your product or service shitty you would expect them to be able to back up this claim with something more than conjecture.
8/20/2008 9:59pm
i kinda have to agree with pro med... once mikey got that euro spec rear shock his performances got way better... if he would have had that shock from the beginning of last season HE would have been the 07 outdoor champ on a KTM.....Cool
Joemx
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8/20/2008 11:12pm
Cygnus wrote:
KTM riders are more dedicated than Harley riders . Speaks volumes .Wink
A bit racist also.
123
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8/20/2008 11:49pm
ProMed wrote:
Production KTM for a regional pro privateer or amateur racer - Great Competitive Bikes. Factory KTM vs. the Big 4 Factory Teams - Not so much...
Production KTM for a regional pro privateer or amateur racer - Great Competitive Bikes.

Factory KTM vs. the Big 4 Factory Teams - Not so much.

Seems like many people are confusing the two.
123 wrote:
Put a top rider on a 'Factory KTM' and see what happens.

95% rider, 5% bike. Even at the top levels of competition.

ProMed wrote:
Is this thread about riders or the bikes?
You're the one that brought up riders.



lappedrider
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8/21/2008 4:46am
Cygnus wrote:
KTM riders are more dedicated than Harley riders . Speaks volumes .Wink
Joemx wrote:
A bit racist also.
What?
8/21/2008 7:31am
Cygnus wrote:
KTM riders are more dedicated than Harley riders . Speaks volumes .Wink
Joemx wrote:
A bit racist also.
He said HARLEY riders, not HARLEM riders. Duhhh...... :o)
ProMed
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8/21/2008 8:29am
123 wrote:
Put a top rider on a 'Factory KTM' and see what happens.

95% rider, 5% bike. Even at the top levels of competition.

ProMed wrote:
Is this thread about riders or the bikes?
123 wrote:
You're the one that brought up riders.



Uhhhh where exactly did I bring up the riders?
Ing
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8/21/2008 9:13am
From the beginning this thread didn't make much sense. OP mentions in the title that KTM's are a piece of shit. Then in the topic it mentions treating their riders bad. I'm so confused. I think it's time this thread made a silent exit. A slow quiet death if you will. I will contribute by posting no more. See you in the next KTm vs. the World thread.
mxpimp
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8/21/2008 9:46am
My biggest complaint about the ktm's is the parts price. Some parts like a clutch or brake lever retail price is $68. That is crazy. Even my kid’s ktm 65 is was 30 or 40 bucks a piece. Most are priced on the high side while a few are priced so low you scratch your head. I can pay more for the bike but I would like to parts to be priced close the jap brands.
mccread
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8/21/2008 10:46am
ProMed wrote:
Production KTM for a regional pro privateer or amateur racer - Great Competitive Bikes. Factory KTM vs. the Big 4 Factory Teams - Not so much...
Production KTM for a regional pro privateer or amateur racer - Great Competitive Bikes.

Factory KTM vs. the Big 4 Factory Teams - Not so much.

Seems like many people are confusing the two.
Ing wrote:
Yea, they are really struggling in the World MX scene. Make that the Big 5.
ProMed wrote:
How much does KTM spend in Europe on their Works Bike effort, compared to what they spend in the US on their Factory Bikes? Regardless of...
How much does KTM spend in Europe on their Works Bike effort, compared to what they spend in the US on their Factory Bikes?

Regardless of what they are spending, it is too bad they can't give the same Works Bike treatment to the US production based Factory bikes. It certainly works.
Searle said last years KTM US bike was faster than his GP bike....
andymoto
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8/21/2008 10:48am Edited Date/Time 8/21/2008 10:49am
Ing wrote:
From the beginning this thread didn't make much sense. OP mentions in the title that KTM's are a piece of shit. Then in the topic it...
From the beginning this thread didn't make much sense. OP mentions in the title that KTM's are a piece of shit. Then in the topic it mentions treating their riders bad. I'm so confused. I think it's time this thread made a silent exit. A slow quiet death if you will. I will contribute by posting no more. See you in the next KTm vs. the World thread.
Agreed. 5 pages is getting a little ridiculous. First/last post.
This was discussed like a week or two ago.
Cygnus
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8/21/2008 10:50am
5 pages and I am still not gonna buy a KTM .
8/21/2008 12:05pm
Cygnus wrote:
5 pages and I am still not gonna buy a KTM .
aww come on switch to off road racing and you'd be King....
BDOG
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8/21/2008 1:31pm
A chain roller for my boys 65 was 50 bucks!
123
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8/21/2008 1:34pm
ProMed wrote:
Production KTM for a regional pro privateer or amateur racer - Great Competitive Bikes. Factory KTM vs. the Big 4 Factory Teams - Not so much...
Production KTM for a regional pro privateer or amateur racer - Great Competitive Bikes.

Factory KTM vs. the Big 4 Factory Teams - Not so much.

Seems like many people are confusing the two.
This is where you brought up riders of different skill levels.


KTM has never had an RC, JS, or anyone else of their caliber on their Factory Team. Yeah, they had MC, but he wadded it up and used the bike as his excuse. Cough cough, bullshit, cough cough.
TerryB
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8/21/2008 2:12pm
123 wrote:
This is where you brought up riders of different skill levels. KTM has never had an RC, JS, or anyone else of their caliber on their...
This is where you brought up riders of different skill levels.


KTM has never had an RC, JS, or anyone else of their caliber on their Factory Team. Yeah, they had MC, but he wadded it up and used the bike as his excuse. Cough cough, bullshit, cough cough.
MC blamed the Zook too. A rep they never lived down 'til RC proved you could win on one. I'm afraid KTM will suffer from th "McGrath" curse too, until somebody of Championship caliber decides to ride one.
ProMed
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8/22/2008 8:14pm
ProMed wrote:
Production KTM for a regional pro privateer or amateur racer - Great Competitive Bikes. Factory KTM vs. the Big 4 Factory Teams - Not so much...
Production KTM for a regional pro privateer or amateur racer - Great Competitive Bikes.

Factory KTM vs. the Big 4 Factory Teams - Not so much.

Seems like many people are confusing the two.
123 wrote:
This is where you brought up riders of different skill levels. KTM has never had an RC, JS, or anyone else of their caliber on their...
This is where you brought up riders of different skill levels.


KTM has never had an RC, JS, or anyone else of their caliber on their Factory Team. Yeah, they had MC, but he wadded it up and used the bike as his excuse. Cough cough, bullshit, cough cough.
Ok, so you Assumed that I was talking about the riders. I was clearly comparing the production KTM to the Factory KTM, which are two totally different bikes.

Are you also assuming that even though KTM spends less than any other team in supporting their US Factory team that they somehow have equal equipment with those teams that are spending much, much more?
8/23/2008 8:44am
i know that 2nd doesnt mean jack but when mikey was on board KTM came so close quite a few times to winning a championship, so id have to agree that the bike can win championships its just going to take the RIGHT rider to do it...
KTM boy 137
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8/23/2008 8:54am
The haters are haters for a reason.
If you'll notice, most of them hate for the stupidest reasons (that are completely hear'say type reasons)

"how many championships do they have?" - how many truly fast current guys ride them? They had MC... he was past his prime when riding one. How about them 'zukes? Yea.... Alessi did well on his - Langston did well on his...

"The parts are so high priced!" - I've seen many parts comparably priced to the Jap stuff... here and there parts might be higher... but for the most part 90% +... they're in the ball park for sure. We all know MX is expensive...

"the suspension sucks!" - How many suspension techs' know how to truly setup for KTM's? In my experience, not many. They're very familiar with the traditional setup, not so much with linkageless... but rather than looking the fool they say "the ktm's suspension is not very good". Most people probably don't even set it up properly out of the box.... thus adding to the woes.

I mean... these are the most typical arguments, and they're pretty stupid. A good suspension tuner can cure your woes and make most amateur riders content. The rest is all just stupid bullshit with no real 'fact' behind it. Just haterisms.

The bikes are built with real world riders in mind - guys who just want to ride (ever notice how prominent they are off-road?) The MX 'purists' might not like that too much, but hey, let them cry about it some other time because they have to tear their bike way down to do some heavy maintenence, or because they need tools to change the air filter, or because they have to tear down their linkage a time or two in a season to make sure it's all greased up and good.
ProMed
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8/23/2008 9:01am
My next bike will probably be a KTM300 w/ e-start for hare scrambles.
The Fan
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8/24/2008 10:20am
another one bites the dust.

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