Would you buy a Asian KTM?

Not a huge KTM guy but if the quality is there and this brings the pricing in line with the Japanese bikes, I'd consider it. 

I don't even want to buy an Austrian KTM. 

And, dudes, before you pooh-pooh it to much -- what if it was significantly cheaper than even an RMZ in the same way that the Enduro 390 just came in at $3500 under the price of the new DRZ-4s and half the price of a CRF450L?

Those Chinese bikes are rehashed old Japanese bikes from the 80s with Austrian-style plastic.

What if KTM designed and built new competition dirt models to be built in Asia like they did with the 390 Duke? They are already building those 390 models, and they are quite good, brand new designs, and dirt cheap.

I’ve never seen that website.  Is it reputable? Can anyone confirm that this holds water?

Yes. Advrider is similar (in content and reputation) to VitalMX, but for the adventure market.

Yes it's legit, they also link an article reporting the same thing on GPOne which is truly a reference for all things MotoGP

https://m.gpone.com/en/2025/09/09/news/bajaj-we-need-to-reset-ktms-costs-production-in-europe-is-dead.html

Who ever makes the best product wins…color and place of manufacture does not matter…just for the record…I try to buy USA made wherever I can…

Agree. Japan is not quite ready to deal with a real Asian competitor in the way that Bajaj/KTM presents, if they can push product quickly enough.

So far I have had 2 ktms.

A 2018 250xcf and a 24' 250xc.

Both were and have been rock solid and I really enjoy them.  If the quality remains the same ill stick with them.  

The most recent jap bike I have had was a 22 yz250x and I could feel the difference between that machine and the ktms.  I dont want to say the yz felt cheap but the ktms definitely felt more refined.  Many people poop on the fi 2 strokes but mine has been awsome and im not sure ill go back.  Honestly idk if I will go back to a 4 stroke either.  

I have heard that some of the adventure bikes are suffering from quality issues but does not seem to be an issue for the offroad "dirtbikes".

If the ktm product i buy starts slipping ill look elsewhere.  Im not brand loyal but for what I do the ktm is the tits.

You guys do know that very little of your "Japanese" bikes are made in Japan, right? 

Lots of people buy CRF125F Honda's made in China. It's all about the metallurgy and quality control. China is probably getting close to where Japan was in the middle 60's on the cheaper makes. If it says Honda or KTM on it, it will have to be of higher quality. It's a brave new world... I'm against doing business with communists, personally. But it's all but impossible to dodge it altogether. 

Anecdotally, I feel like the quality of my 2024 Husky is inferior to my 2018, 2021, 2022 KTM/GG. No issues with the prior three bikes up to the 80ish hours when I sold them. The 2024 has had several bolts back out, strip out, and just generally minor/weird defects. I can't see it improving if they shift production to China... my one and only order from TEMU was enough. 

Triumphs are made in Thailand. My 250 has been extremely solid. In regards to KTM though…I just don’t like air forks…😂

After decades of buying a new KTM every couple years I won't buy another no matter where they are built after they fucked over their suppliers by 30 cents on the dollar. Way to screw the people who depended on you.

i have no desire to own a ktm no matter who makes it

This is an interesting point, and comparing these bikes in particular is something a lot of people are doing these days. However, despite the really attractive price, I am still not sold on the "Enduro" bikes (390 and 690). It's a street bike with tall suspension at the end of the day. built on a platform that they will sell a ton of 125/200cc versions of in Asia. That economy of scale with their  platform sharing allows them to price it so well.

The DRZ 4s is a street bike at this point too, and also something of a curious case, but it has at least some real dirtbike DNA. That DNA may be from a porky trail bike 20 years ago, but it's something. I think Suzuki has REALLY missed on this thing. It should at least have a six speed. In an ideal world it would be around that same weight as the outgoing bike.

The CRF450RL is just in another class altogether. Better compared as a good value vs KTMs more serious plated options.

Well if the price of the bike drops down and the quality remain even or higher then yes i would consider it. But if we get reliability issues because of the "asian production" then fuck no ! They would killed the brand.

Is the new triumph reliable ? Because it is made in Thailande if i'm not mistaken (nonetheless the price is not on the low side of the spectrum, it is actually one the most expentive...)

I got my old man a chinese made CFmoto atv to ride around. Im seriously impressed with everything about it. The days of everything made in China is junk are gone

What model Alta are you riding?

Companies today often utilize a market based instead of a cost based pricing scheme. In cost based pricing, your selling price is based on the cost to build your product. In market based pricing, you essentially charge as much as you can get away with. If a KTM is regarded as a premium product, then regardless of where it is made or what cost savings they achieve, they'll still charge as much as the market allows.

I think one thing to consider is that profitability is going to greatly influence their decisions moving forward. 

While I understand this train of thought and am a KTM owner…what about local shops? Ktm being a boutique brand often requires dealerships to carry limited competitors and sometimes no competitors 

Doesnt that mean that since they’re getting stuck with higher prices per unit and you don’t want to support the brand that the dealerships will lose out twice?

I’ve been trying to spend more money at my local KTM/Husky dealer 

Maybe he rides a Harley and buys his kids Cobras?

The 690 is definitely not just a street bike with tall suspension.  The 390 on the other hand...

I have a Ktm in my shop right now. Will not buy another. Someone should be in prison over what happened to this company. Reeks of fraud. 

or his kids ride CRF-E2s