KTM Duke - quality?
Discussion
I think the only real answer to that question is: variable.
Mine is fine and aside from a clock that gains about 3 minutes a month hasn't given me any trouble at all. Other people have reported problems with stalling (dodgy throttle body) and overheating (flaky thermostat and water pump). One or two have reported oil leaks.
All the important stuff is well thought out and seems pretty well made. But some of the finishing components feel a bit budget. In particular the immediate rider touchpoints.
The grips, switchgear, seat and dash are all very cheap feeling (the dash really lets the bike down), and I wonder how well they'd fare through a British winter.
The brakes are a little underwhelming ... until you change the pads for EBCs (or similar), at which point they become perfectly decent.
Likewise, the noise it makes is less than thrilling. It has been likened to a generator, which isn't far off the truth. An aftermarket pipe would sort that pretty easily though.
All that said, the engine and chassis are fabulous. Riding it is almost like have two bikes; below 7.5k rpm it's docile and fairly flexible like a mid-sized traillie so great in traffic; above 7.5k rpm it starts yowling like a cat having a prostate exam and takes off in much the same way.
Handling is brilliant too. Despite lacking much adjustment, the suspension is effective and well-controlled, and the Mezeler tyres are just epic. All of which is handy, since it just begs to be chucked into corners at silly speed.
Would I buy another? Absolutely, it's a great little bike.
Would I worry about reliability? Not much.
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I've had the Duke 200 for over two years now and have done nearly 21,000 miles on it, its basically the same bike. Well it is the same bike really.
The clock cant keep the time.
My gear change lever snapped clean off after 8000 miles for no reason at all. (The bolt just snapped).
The seal around the fuel pump split dripping fuel onto the engine after 10,000 miles.
Despite the fact it is garaged and kept clean and used every day the rear brake caliper seized up after 15,000 miles and had to be replaced.
A spring within the front brake mechanism snapped making the lever floppy causing my brake light to flash.
For the first 2000 miles coolant kept dripping out of the cap.
The gear change lever has about the inch of play in each direction because they have used mismatching sized parts on the mechanism.
The front brake disk warped around 10,000 miles and got progressively worse until I replaced it after about 15,000 miles.
The engine stalls for no reason at all completely randomly even if it is warm. It even happened on a dual carriageway at 70mph once.
Water got behind the dash within the first 200 miles so for the whole life of the bike when it has been cold the dash condenses on the inside making it hard to see whats on it.
But worse of all KTMs customer service is the worst you will ever come across. I was at least twice left with a dangerous bike because I had taken it to them explicitly telling them the fault and that it is dangerous (the rear brake seizing and my brake light flashing) and that I wanted it replaced when I took the bike to them and they did not repair the fault despite saying on the phone they would. They instead on both occasions took an hour inspecting it then said they won't do anything until KTM UK confirmed it can be covered by the warranty, on both occasions they would not give me a courtesy bike and on both occasions it was another two weeks until it was fixed and the dealership know that bike is my only transport. The mechanic said he would take parts of a showroom bike to repair it for me on the day because he agreed on both occasions it was dangerous but the dealership owner stopped him.
When I phoned KTM UK to complain they didn't give a s
t and said it's not their responsibility to ensure the bike is safe, which is fair enough, but any respectable dealer would do what they can to help, they didn't, as I said above the actively stopped the mechanic from doing so.
The dealership was AMS Motorcycles in Tewkesbury, they recently won MCNs dealer of the year, so if that dealer is the best KTM have to offer avoid them like the plague. I am part exchanging my bike next month and I am happy to be replacing it.
The clock cant keep the time.
My gear change lever snapped clean off after 8000 miles for no reason at all. (The bolt just snapped).
The seal around the fuel pump split dripping fuel onto the engine after 10,000 miles.
Despite the fact it is garaged and kept clean and used every day the rear brake caliper seized up after 15,000 miles and had to be replaced.
A spring within the front brake mechanism snapped making the lever floppy causing my brake light to flash.
For the first 2000 miles coolant kept dripping out of the cap.
The gear change lever has about the inch of play in each direction because they have used mismatching sized parts on the mechanism.
The front brake disk warped around 10,000 miles and got progressively worse until I replaced it after about 15,000 miles.
The engine stalls for no reason at all completely randomly even if it is warm. It even happened on a dual carriageway at 70mph once.
Water got behind the dash within the first 200 miles so for the whole life of the bike when it has been cold the dash condenses on the inside making it hard to see whats on it.
But worse of all KTMs customer service is the worst you will ever come across. I was at least twice left with a dangerous bike because I had taken it to them explicitly telling them the fault and that it is dangerous (the rear brake seizing and my brake light flashing) and that I wanted it replaced when I took the bike to them and they did not repair the fault despite saying on the phone they would. They instead on both occasions took an hour inspecting it then said they won't do anything until KTM UK confirmed it can be covered by the warranty, on both occasions they would not give me a courtesy bike and on both occasions it was another two weeks until it was fixed and the dealership know that bike is my only transport. The mechanic said he would take parts of a showroom bike to repair it for me on the day because he agreed on both occasions it was dangerous but the dealership owner stopped him.
When I phoned KTM UK to complain they didn't give a s
t and said it's not their responsibility to ensure the bike is safe, which is fair enough, but any respectable dealer would do what they can to help, they didn't, as I said above the actively stopped the mechanic from doing so.The dealership was AMS Motorcycles in Tewkesbury, they recently won MCNs dealer of the year, so if that dealer is the best KTM have to offer avoid them like the plague. I am part exchanging my bike next month and I am happy to be replacing it.
Another owner here - had mine about 15 months now.
Mine's never hot stalled, everything just works, nothing has fallen off. Coatings on the fasteners is a bit suspect though, and KTM seem to really like zip ties - I think they make up about 30% of the weight of the bike.
Talking to the dealer they reckon a lot of the hot stall issues are to do with valve clearances closing as the engine beds in - mine did start getting hard to start when hot just before one service and they mentioned they adjusted the valves. Problem vanished.
Mine's never hot stalled, everything just works, nothing has fallen off. Coatings on the fasteners is a bit suspect though, and KTM seem to really like zip ties - I think they make up about 30% of the weight of the bike.
Talking to the dealer they reckon a lot of the hot stall issues are to do with valve clearances closing as the engine beds in - mine did start getting hard to start when hot just before one service and they mentioned they adjusted the valves. Problem vanished.
The bike itself is brilliant fun.
I had one until the constant stalling pissed me off. Dealers not very helpful on fixing things and wouldn't buy it back from me. I traded it for a MT09. Was sorry to leave the KTM for about the first 20 yards.
The build quality is not a patch on the Japanese stuff but the riding dynamics are equal.
You choose, it's a low purchase cost, but if you want to swap, no one wants to buy it from you.
And also, it does look a tiny bike if you are a bit chunky.
I had one until the constant stalling pissed me off. Dealers not very helpful on fixing things and wouldn't buy it back from me. I traded it for a MT09. Was sorry to leave the KTM for about the first 20 yards.
The build quality is not a patch on the Japanese stuff but the riding dynamics are equal.
You choose, it's a low purchase cost, but if you want to swap, no one wants to buy it from you.
And also, it does look a tiny bike if you are a bit chunky.
I had one for six months, until the need for something more suited for longer road trips made me sell it.
It had the stalling issue, fixed by adjusting the valve clearances at the first service. After a month, the throttle was beginning to get lumpy and jerky again.
Servicing can be expensive - my initial service was over £300. Original-spec Metzler tyres were very grippy to begin with but the rear quickly squares off and only lasted 1600 miles before it needed replacing.
The finish on some of the plastics is something Prince Philip would no doubt comment on!
A great bike, and I might get another KTM one day - indeed, a mate who borrowed it and rides a Fireblade and a Nuda, said it was the best 'blast' he'd ever had on a bike! It doesn't have a lot of torque, but the engine is pretty responsive and eager.
Riding position is a little cramped for those of normal or taller build, but it's perfect for a B-road blast and for jazzing up a commute.
It had the stalling issue, fixed by adjusting the valve clearances at the first service. After a month, the throttle was beginning to get lumpy and jerky again.
Servicing can be expensive - my initial service was over £300. Original-spec Metzler tyres were very grippy to begin with but the rear quickly squares off and only lasted 1600 miles before it needed replacing.
The finish on some of the plastics is something Prince Philip would no doubt comment on!
A great bike, and I might get another KTM one day - indeed, a mate who borrowed it and rides a Fireblade and a Nuda, said it was the best 'blast' he'd ever had on a bike! It doesn't have a lot of torque, but the engine is pretty responsive and eager.
Riding position is a little cramped for those of normal or taller build, but it's perfect for a B-road blast and for jazzing up a commute.
Schnellmann said:
I've bought one. Will have to see how it works out. Would have liked to have more options but it seems to be in a class by itself.
Well done, they are great to ride despite my misgivings. Do yourself a huge favour and buy the comfort seat. If I'd taken mine off I'd have let you have it for free.They really are a fun thing. Careful when cleaning the instruments, they scratch super easy. The factory fit engine bars are good, but you have to hack saw the bobbins off or they hit your shins. I cut mine off and laquered the bars. You can also unbolt the pillion pegs which looks way better. And welcome to stoppy town....! The front brake isn't much cop over 80, but at 20, squeeze it as hard as you can for a wonderful reverse wheelie.
Have fun, and I hope the problems that I had don't affect you.
HertsBiker said:
Well done, they are great to ride despite my misgivings. Do yourself a huge favour and buy the comfort seat. If I'd taken mine off I'd have let you have it for free.
They really are a fun thing. Careful when cleaning the instruments, they scratch super easy. The factory fit engine bars are good, but you have to hack saw the bobbins off or they hit your shins. I cut mine off and laquered the bars. You can also unbolt the pillion pegs which looks way better. And welcome to stoppy town....! The front brake isn't much cop over 80, but at 20, squeeze it as hard as you can for a wonderful reverse wheelie.
Have fun, and I hope the problems that I had don't affect you.
Thanks for the tipsThey really are a fun thing. Careful when cleaning the instruments, they scratch super easy. The factory fit engine bars are good, but you have to hack saw the bobbins off or they hit your shins. I cut mine off and laquered the bars. You can also unbolt the pillion pegs which looks way better. And welcome to stoppy town....! The front brake isn't much cop over 80, but at 20, squeeze it as hard as you can for a wonderful reverse wheelie.
Have fun, and I hope the problems that I had don't affect you.
You just answered a question I had - whether you can do a stoppie with ABS
thread revival.
The misses has just purchased one (should arrive this week) !!!
Not liking the few bad comments i've read but have also read ALOT of positive.
Its a brand new 2017/18 model. see how it goes. the biggest complaint ive read is stalling complaint and seems to be down to people (dealerships) not doing valve clearance.
The misses has just purchased one (should arrive this week) !!!
Not liking the few bad comments i've read but have also read ALOT of positive.
Its a brand new 2017/18 model. see how it goes. the biggest complaint ive read is stalling complaint and seems to be down to people (dealerships) not doing valve clearance.
Ilovejapcrap said:
thread revival.
The misses has just purchased one (should arrive this week) !!!
Not liking the few bad comments i've read but have also read ALOT of positive.
Its a brand new 2017/18 model. see how it goes. the biggest complaint ive read is stalling complaint and seems to be down to people (dealerships) not doing valve clearance.
Did she get one at that great price? The misses has just purchased one (should arrive this week) !!!
Not liking the few bad comments i've read but have also read ALOT of positive.
Its a brand new 2017/18 model. see how it goes. the biggest complaint ive read is stalling complaint and seems to be down to people (dealerships) not doing valve clearance.
My son recently bought the 2017 125 Duke and that also seems to just cut out on him randomly. Didn't realise it was a big issue as someone said it's usually just a fault with the side stand sensor/cable. I did phone KTM and the lady said it'll just be a spark plug replacement, not sure how she figured that out. Will mention it on the first service.
I found it strange that Brembo would not put their name on the calipers so instead created the sub brand ByBre as an alternative. Costing requirements to tight they wouldn't put their name on the result?
It wouldn't put me off a Duke but it is sort of telling of what you are getting into.
It wouldn't put me off a Duke but it is sort of telling of what you are getting into.
Tbh, even the standard fit stuff they fit to high end road bikes isn't a patch on the aftermarket race Brembo stuff so I'm not surprised they don't want to be associated with parts costed down for a 3K bike.
Ohlins do the same thing though, so I guess they want the exposure regardless of the fact that the quality isn't there
Ohlins do the same thing though, so I guess they want the exposure regardless of the fact that the quality isn't there
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