Droooool ....
#23
12-24-2007 | 04:29 PM
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Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 570
From: Long Island, New York
RE: Droooool ....
ORIGINAL: Nobrakes
This is where Japan is dropping the ball, IMO. My KLX was the first Kawasaki I'd ever owned and with my good experience with it, I was inclined to stay with green. But the KLX450R was off-road only. In North Carolina, you can't tag it. Same with Yamaha, Suzuki, and Honda offerings - basically all are mirror images of each other. No performance enduro bikes that you can plate. And the plate is very important for me.
So the KTM EXC and Husky TE lines were the only practical options. I went with the KTM for a number of reasons. But now that I've owned a KTM and absolutely love it, I'm not sure I'd go back even if Kawasaki does come out with a KLX450"S" in the future. I can't be the only one. I think this is one of the reasons we are seeing so much orange around these days.
People like me still probably make up only a small niche market that is big for smaller mfgs like KTM but just a blip on the radar for Japanese mfgs. But I can't help but think that with riding areas being split up and scattered the plate is rapidly becoming more and more important and over time, Japan is going to start have to play catch up. KTM already nearly completely dominates the woods market and is already making pretty deep inroads into MX which recently has been the exclusive domain of Japanese mfgs.
ORIGINAL: Sid Post
If I were to upgrade from the KLX-250S, I'm really looking at the KTM's over the Honda and Kawsaki options.
If I were to upgrade from the KLX-250S, I'm really looking at the KTM's over the Honda and Kawsaki options.
So the KTM EXC and Husky TE lines were the only practical options. I went with the KTM for a number of reasons. But now that I've owned a KTM and absolutely love it, I'm not sure I'd go back even if Kawasaki does come out with a KLX450"S" in the future. I can't be the only one. I think this is one of the reasons we are seeing so much orange around these days.
People like me still probably make up only a small niche market that is big for smaller mfgs like KTM but just a blip on the radar for Japanese mfgs. But I can't help but think that with riding areas being split up and scattered the plate is rapidly becoming more and more important and over time, Japan is going to start have to play catch up. KTM already nearly completely dominates the woods market and is already making pretty deep inroads into MX which recently has been the exclusive domain of Japanese mfgs.
#24
12-24-2007 | 05:18 PM
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Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,078
From: cave junction or
RE: Droooool ....
My buddy just got a plated husaberg , I think he said its a 04 460 or 470 I can remember. I could bearly tuch the ground 
nice looking bike, but I like the ktm's better[8D]
nice looking bike, but I like the ktm's better[8D]
#26
12-24-2007 | 06:03 PM
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Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 124
RE: Droooool ....
my buddy is learning now what a pain it is having an exotic bike. he just got the husky 610 SM, and even small things like oil filters are mail-order and wait. i guess with routine maintanence you can plan ahead. emergency stuff can be a problem. after break-in, he opened it up to redline, and the head pipe ripped open. that bike was loud to begin with. he's waiting on a new header now, but had to have it welded in the mean time. on the other hand, the bike is a complete show stopper. drop dead gorgeous. i've never felt a better clutch pull. the details are really what makes this bike in my opinion. isn't husky owned by BMW now? maybe dealer network can improve. our closest dealer is three hours north. his model plate says MV agusta. i thought that was interesting. being a SM, it sits real low. lower than my klx even with the .75 inch kouba links (which are being removed tomorrow - anyone interested?). i'm only 5'5" so i'm a tip-toe, half-butt kinda guy on a dirtbike anyway. one more thing i'm remembering about the husky, the side stand dosen't stay in the down position, unless the bike is holding it down. what i mean is - if the bike is on the stand, and you straighten it up for a second, don't let it go back to the stand unless you first push the stand back all the way down and hold it there. hope that made sense. don't ask me how i know this. bad a-- bike, and the husaberg too. for that matter the sherco's look hot, the gas-gas's seem to be gaining ground, i've been checking out that scorpa (light as a feather), but from a practical standpoint, i think ktm is as exotic as i'd personally go, as often i break things. it sucks though when everyone is checking out that hot european next to your klx.
#27
12-24-2007 | 06:10 PM
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Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 17,484
From: bay area cali
RE: Droooool ....
A-men bro! i broke the gas gas throttle assembly and waited three months for it[>:]once i had the husky up and running again i sold it fast. same here the only dealer was hour and a half away. nice powerfull bikes but a bitch to own and maintain[&:]
#29
12-24-2007 | 06:58 PM
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Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 501
From: W. Oregon
RE: Droooool ....
ORIGINAL: Nobrakes
It's hard to call KTM's exotic these days. I see more of them around here than Japanese bikes. That goes for dirt bikes, not other types. Parts galore.
It's hard to call KTM's exotic these days. I see more of them around here than Japanese bikes. That goes for dirt bikes, not other types. Parts galore.
I went to an AMA Hare Scramble back in July and it seemed like about two of every three bikes was a KTM. Although I do recall the overall winner was riding a WR250.