Is KTM the new Honda?

bigborefan
Profile picture for user bigborefan
Posts
1472
Joined
3/8/2008
Location
Urbana, IL US
bigborefan
Edited Date/Time 1/6/2014 6:06am
Sure looks like it.

And all you guys were saying a few years back how those KTMS are just a POS.
|
Harry_Gray
Profile picture for user Harry_Gray
Posts
950
Joined
10/6/2011
Location
Texoma region, OK US
Harry_Gray 1/4/2014 11:08pm
1/4/2014 11:08pm
I wouldn't jump the gun just yet, but...they have done a lot in a short time. Them going 1-2 @ A1 is impressive.
bigborefan
Profile picture for user bigborefan
Posts
1472
Joined
3/8/2008
Location
Urbana, IL US
bigborefan 1/4/2014 11:09pm
1/4/2014 11:09pm
Plus they won 250.

3 KTMs In the top 10 in 450 big boy class.

The Shop

See All »
Motodude
Profile picture for user Motodude
Posts
4996
Joined
2/2/2008
Location
Sydney AU
Motodude 1/4/2014 11:38pm
1/4/2014 11:38pm
I compare them to Suzuki of the late 70's early 80's.
Grizz
Profile picture for user Grizz
Posts
3110
Joined
7/2/2012
Location
Los Angeles, CA US
Grizz 1/4/2014 11:43pm
1/4/2014 11:43pm
bigborefan wrote:
Sure looks like it.

And all you guys were saying a few years back how those KTMS are just a POS.
That's because a few years back, KTM's were just a piece of shit! lol
jake_ktm100 1/5/2014 2:42am
1/5/2014 2:42am
after owning an 09 250 sxf. it is safe to say that era of ktm handled like absolute heaps
bd
Profile picture for user bd
Posts
5976
Joined
4/6/2007
Location
Las Vegas, NV US
bd 1/5/2014 2:54am
1/5/2014 2:54am
Are you speaking of Team Honda from 1982 to 1996?
eurofighter69 1/5/2014 2:58am
1/5/2014 2:58am
bigborefan wrote:
Sure looks like it.

And all you guys were saying a few years back how those KTMS are just a POS.
Most of the guys believe only what they see.Wink
Ing
Profile picture for user Ing
Posts
3655
Joined
8/16/2006
Location
Spring Hill, FL US
Ing 1/5/2014 6:48am
1/5/2014 6:48am
I've been on the KTM band wagon for 20yrs. They have always made a good bike. Once they decided to compete at this level the only thing left to do was implement the plan.
Racer92
Profile picture for user Racer92
Posts
17967
Joined
8/15/2006
Location
Central, TX US
Racer92 1/5/2014 6:53am
1/5/2014 6:53am
There is no doubt that having DeCoster at the helm will equate to better production motorcycles. I think his true gift really isnt so much managing race teams, but getting race and test-ride data to R&D engineers and back to the motorcycle. I know first hand what he puts into testing behind the scenes to get the bikes to handle, and its working.
nickm
Profile picture for user nickm
Posts
702
Joined
9/15/2011
Location
CA
nickm 1/5/2014 6:59am
1/5/2014 6:59am Edited Date/Time 1/5/2014 7:01am
If anyone doubted how serious they were about winning in AMA the past couple of seasons should have erased that...they've already earned #1 plates in outdoors and 250s. They've invested in existing talent (Dungey) and groomed new talent (Roczen), hired the best of the best (The Man). They are also now building support teams (Rockstar KTM) - same as the MotoGP roadracing teams do.

Lets not forget they are absolutely dominant in offroad racing in every corner of the world.

Not a KTM fanboy but if you think they have things to "prove" then you're probably the same kind of person that judges an MX bike by the shape of the front fender. The machines are clearly very competitive at the top level of the sport. Nobody gets lucky or overcomes a POS to place 1/2 in a field this stacked.
newmann
Profile picture for user newmann
Posts
24444
Joined
4/1/2008
Location
US
newmann 1/5/2014 10:11am
1/5/2014 10:11am
Honda is so big that they don't have to care. KTM? Well, when all you have is a limited line of motorcycles it probably helps to pay attention and adjust/adapt. Go KTM!

With Hyundai cutting in to Honda's auto sales, they'll probably have to start paying attention one day as well. Sure seeing a lot of those cars on the road these days.
IWreckALot
Profile picture for user IWreckALot
Posts
8677
Joined
3/12/2011
Location
Fort Worth, TX US
IWreckALot 1/5/2014 10:31am
1/5/2014 10:31am
newmann wrote:
Honda is so big that they don't have to care. KTM? Well, when all you have is a limited line of motorcycles it probably helps to...
Honda is so big that they don't have to care. KTM? Well, when all you have is a limited line of motorcycles it probably helps to pay attention and adjust/adapt. Go KTM!

With Hyundai cutting in to Honda's auto sales, they'll probably have to start paying attention one day as well. Sure seeing a lot of those cars on the road these days.
I don't think Honda will make a dent in their slacking car sales by selling dirt bikes.
bigborefan
Profile picture for user bigborefan
Posts
1472
Joined
3/8/2008
Location
Urbana, IL US
bigborefan 1/5/2014 10:40am
1/5/2014 10:40am
Right now Honda is doing their typical thing, they are spending big to dethrone KTM in the Dakar Rally. They built a whole new rally specific bike. Dakar should be good this year.. KTM has a brand new rally bike as well.

We have seen this before, Honda spends big, wins a few titles, then moves on. However, in MX/SX they sure have a dry spell going. Two big mistakes they have made, telling MC they own his image, and doubting The Goat. A pissed of MC and Goat are bad things indeed. Have they had a 450 title since then?
Hman144
Profile picture for user Hman144
Posts
2101
Joined
12/4/2007
Location
York, PA US
Fantasy
714th
Hman144 1/5/2014 10:48am
1/5/2014 10:48am
Just curious-

Was Dungey's bike the only KTM of the top finishers that had a conventional shock?

Also, if I remember right, KTM book-ended the placings- two at the top and two at the bottom. Anybody know anything specific about what happened to the two in 21st and 22nd?

Pit Row

See All »
dazzlindino 1/5/2014 10:49am
1/5/2014 10:49am
bigborefan wrote:
Right now Honda is doing their typical thing, they are spending big to dethrone KTM in the Dakar Rally. They built a whole new rally specific...
Right now Honda is doing their typical thing, they are spending big to dethrone KTM in the Dakar Rally. They built a whole new rally specific bike. Dakar should be good this year.. KTM has a brand new rally bike as well.

We have seen this before, Honda spends big, wins a few titles, then moves on. However, in MX/SX they sure have a dry spell going. Two big mistakes they have made, telling MC they own his image, and doubting The Goat. A pissed of MC and Goat are bad things indeed. Have they had a 450 title since then?
no.... a decade later....since RC.....
and honda has 0 big boy MX/SX titles....
John250
Profile picture for user John250
Posts
97
Joined
11/2/2009
Location
Xenia, OH US
John250 1/5/2014 10:53am
1/5/2014 10:53am
KTM is for sure on top of the off road, endure, GNCC, and motocross world right now. They are putting out a great product, and winning races. And when you win races, you will sell motorcycles.
bd
Profile picture for user bd
Posts
5976
Joined
4/6/2007
Location
Las Vegas, NV US
bd 1/5/2014 10:58am
1/5/2014 10:58am
Seriously, you are comparing KTM to Team Honda during the 80s-90s? Its not even close, Honda won a title in the US every year from 1982 to 1996. Every year....

Honda is currently killing it in the 250F class in the US.
Socket946
Profile picture for user Socket946
Posts
2019
Joined
8/25/2013
Location
AZ US
Socket946 1/5/2014 6:26pm
1/5/2014 6:26pm
bd wrote:
Seriously, you are comparing KTM to Team Honda during the 80s-90s? Its not even close, Honda won a title in the US every year from 1982...
Seriously, you are comparing KTM to Team Honda during the 80s-90s? Its not even close, Honda won a title in the US every year from 1982 to 1996. Every year....

Honda is currently killing it in the 250F class in the US.
I own a Honda.

Honda didn't win last night. KTM took it all.
eurofighter69 1/6/2014 1:11am
1/6/2014 1:11am
bd wrote:
Seriously, you are comparing KTM to Team Honda during the 80s-90s? Its not even close, Honda won a title in the US every year from 1982...
Seriously, you are comparing KTM to Team Honda during the 80s-90s? Its not even close, Honda won a title in the US every year from 1982 to 1996. Every year....

Honda is currently killing it in the 250F class in the US.
In the GP's they are on the same level like Honda in the 80s-90s.In SX it's an other story but since they are in business since 3 years ,they are progressing in the right direction.During the next 5 years they will be also on top in SX.Wink

Post a reply to: Is KTM the new Honda?