V Strom 1050XT v KTM

[KTMsm]

I'd rather buy a '14 on 1190 SAS (to get the cornering ABS) than a pre 2016 1290

Essentially the same bike but cheaper

[Biker9090]

KTMsm said:

I'd rather buy a '14 on 1190 SAS (to get the cornering ABS) than a pre 2016 1290

Essentially the same bike but cheaper

No cruise control on the 1190 and as I understand potentially frame weakness on pre 2015 models. What wrong with the pre 2016 1290?

[KTMsm]

It's more a question of what's right with them to justify the extra cost

In my case, particularly because I wanted a road bike as I have other off-road bikes, so the 19 front is better

My 1190 came with later cast wheels which was another advantage as far as I was concerned - not having to clean / deal with rusty spokes

I've never wanted cruise control - the whole point of motorcycling to me is for fun, so I don't do motorways

[Hugo Stiglitz]

Oh yes I remember now you could sit at 90 on the strom and think you were at 70 a second ago!

[Biker9090]

Hugo Stiglitz said:

Oh yes I remember now you could sit at 90 on the strom and think you were at 70 a second ago!

Point was I was a good 20/30mph higher than I thought I was considering how strangled the sound of the Euro 5 engine was and lack of wind

Edited by Biker9090 on Sunday 7th April 09:54

[Biker9090]

KTMsm said:

It's more a question of what's right with them to justify the extra cost

In my case, particularly because I wanted a road bike as I have other off-road bikes, so the 19 front is better

My 1190 came with later cast wheels which was another advantage as far as I was concerned - not having to clean / deal with rusty spokes

I've never wanted cruise control - the whole point of motorcycling to me is for fun, so I don't do motorways

Unfortunately broke my hand some years ago so sitting at any constant speed holding a steady throttle is incredibly painful.

If I can find a dealer not willing to either be a complete prick or wanting me to put a deposit down before riding I'll have another look at the KTM but if this is how the pre sales is then I'm having none of it.

[carinaman]

My thoughts earlier having seen the thread about which model year to avoid due to problems or spec. was to just get the Suzuki.

I am disappointed the KTM dealers you've dealt with haven't been great. If they're being muppets before you've brought a KTM I can only imagine how they'll be if there are problems with the bike. Is the deposit stuff or placing an order before riding part of the sales qualification process and identifying whether you're a serious propect in which case it seems to be about securing a sale rather than you as a customer getting the right bike for you.

Timmywoo the ex Top Gear YouTuber has used P&H and owns a KTM. Because I only know your approximate region from your profile I am now wondering which KTM dealer it was who's messed you around. Could it be the dealer with the same name as a Ferrari and Triumph? I am not bothered which KTM dealer it is but it kind of taints all of them which is a bit of a shame as my KTM dealer is pretty good and almost offered me a 1290 SDR loaner once, the dealer principal thought I was an A2er rather than someone who got their licence before A2 was a thing.

For me motorcycling is about getting out and about and away from everyday life crap. That doesn't work if the bike brings additional problems into my life and the dealer isn't receptive and responsive. The ultimate solution is if I don't own a car or a motorcycle they can't cause any additional hassle.

Edited by carinaman on Sunday 7th April 11:39

[Biker9090]

carinaman said:

My thoughts earlier having seen the thread about which model year to avoid due to problems or spec. was to just get the Suzuki.

I am disappointed the KTM dealers you've dealt with haven't been great. If they're being muppets before you've brought a KTM I can only imagine how they'll be if there are problems with the bike. Is the deposit stuff or placing an order before riding part of the sales qualification process and idntifying whether you're a serious propect in which case it seems to be about securing a sale rather than you as a customer getting the right bike for you.

Timmywoo the ex Top Gear YouTuber has used P&H and owns a KTM. Because I only know your approximate region from your profile I am now wondering which KTM dealer it was who's messed you around. Could it be the dealer with the same name as a Ferrari and Triumph? I am not bothered which KTM dealer it is but it kind of taints all of them which is a bit of a shame as my KTM dealer is pretty good and almost offered me a 1290 SDR loaner once, the dealer principal thought I was an A2er rather than someone who got their licence before A2 was a thing.

For me motorcycling is about getting out and about and away from everyday life crap. That doesn't work if the bike brings additional problems into my life and the dealer isn't receptive and responsive. The ultimate solution is if I don't own a car or a motorcycle they can't cause any additional hassle.

One near Oxford which does have a Triumph Garage literally attached to it. I was ignored the moment I got there whilst they talked amongst themselves. I then got a load of huffs and sighs when I wanted to sit on the bike nevermind before I asked re test rides. I made it clear from the offset I'd be part exing and brining my VFR with me.

It seemed like they just wanted to focus on people who wanted a finance purchase. I don't want finance, I've been made redundant 3 times since covid so the thought of it scares me. I also don't want to wipe out my savings both of which are why I have a firm budget in mind that doesn't stretch to a newer bike.

Just pisses me off this one was very close to home and I got dicked around. The other dealers were honest in that they wanted rid of the strom as it had been there a year and people were drawn in by good finance deals on much fancier bikes they had in stock but either way they made the effort and didn't fk me around. I reckon I could get even more money off the list price considering they'd had it so long.

[Hugo Stiglitz]

I must admit my experiences of many brand main dealers is poor. KTM ignored me in the showroom. Triumph talked to me like I was an idiot.

Honda were great but all but Honda offered me test rides.

The rest said no.

[GriffoDP]

Ah I take my 1290GT there, and indeed purchased it from there a couple or so years back. It changed hands not too long ago, 6-9 months ago I think. Ok I checked my email, it was last July! Even before then, it was no BMW (Bahnstormer have always been easy as pie for me with regard to test rides). But then the one down Bracknell way (it's only been there a few years) is even stranger. I was asked for so much information, and told I didn't really want a 1290 SAS to replace my 1290GT but a 701! .

Anyway yeah, sorry you had a bad experience there. They used to get relatively good reviews for KTM. Sadly I have nowhere else to recommend as I don't know any others!

[KTMsm]

Biker9090 said:

Unfortunately broke my hand some years ago so sitting at any constant speed holding a steady throttle is incredibly painful.

If I can find a dealer not willing to either be a complete prick or wanting me to put a deposit down before riding I'll have another look at the KTM but if this is how the pre sales is then I'm having none of it.

We all have different requirements, again I don't sit at a constant speed although I believe there are various aftermarket solutions

The problem is that Dealers are constantly messed about by people wanting test rides - that costs time, fuel and cleaning ( admittedly more with the latest bikes than an old 1290)

I'm a small dealer in used bikes, I ask that they pay for the bike then can test ride it - it eliminates all the idiots, I've yet to have anyone test ride and not buy the bike

It helps if you want to test ride to make that clear when you call and book an appointment and turn up on the bike you want to PX

[Biker9090]

KTMsm said:

We all have different requirements, again I don't sit at a constant speed although I believe there are various aftermarket solutions

The problem is that Dealers are constantly messed about by people wanting test rides - that costs time, fuel and cleaning ( admittedly more with the latest bikes than an old 1290)

I'm a small dealer in used bikes, I ask that they pay for the bike then can test ride it - it eliminates all the idiots, I've yet to have anyone test ride and not buy the bike

It helps if you want to test ride to make that clear when you call and book an appointment and turn up on the bike you want to PX

Yeah I'm not buying one without testing. Made that mistake in the past nor am I handing over money. At most I would pay for fuel without issue.

I did turn up on the bike I wanted to part ex along with details of service info etc

[carinaman]

Interesting stuff on that dealer and them recently changing hands. I called them late on a Friday afternoon last spring so no sales ppl around, but the chap who dealt with my call was professional. I am a professional snoozer and loser so my fault for calling late on Friday.

I know someone who's recently bought a lightly used bike from that dealer remotely having only seen the inages online, they'd previously bought another bike unseen from years ago and it was in immaculate condition.

[Biker9090]

carinaman said:

Interesting stuff on that dealer and them recently changing hands. I called them late on a Friday afternoon last spring so no sales ppl around, but the chap who dealt with my call was professional. I am a professional snoozer and loser so my fault for calling late on Friday.

I know someone who's recently bought a lightly used bike from that dealer remotely having only seen the inages online, they'd previously bought another bike unseen from years ago and it was in immaculate condition.

Yeah, I am being a bit hard on the bike. Overall it was good, I was just suprised at my 44k mile 2010 VFR having no rusty engine bolts but the 17k 1290 was covered in them as well as all over the pannier rack - think I had a mild case of PTSD remembering how fking appalling my BMW was when all the Torx bolts were either seized or rounded off.....

Had he not have treated me like a pain he may have been able to change my mind somewhat.

[SteveKTMer]

Biker9090 said:

SteveKTMer said:

I had a V-Strom, although an older one. It was very capable, very comfortable, the engine was quite tractable but it was like swinging a pendulum around corners. Hard work to ride fast, wasn't really that fast. but for touring two up, I'd imagine it would be one f the better options. The XT is a much more modern version of mine but I'd imagine the weight and handling will be similar.

Currently have a KTM 1290GT but have ridden the 1290 Adventure S. As mentioned above, the KTM is light years ahead of the V-Strom. Much faster, much better suspension and much better handling, it's a premium product compared to a middle of the road bike.

Unless you want to go off road, I'd suggest you look at the KTM 1290 GT. Has semi-active suspension, adjustable riding modes, 170bhp, it ballistically fast for a sit up bike and with the heated comfort seat, very comfortable, suitable for 700 miles a day with ease.

How do you mean pendulum? Any ideas if this is just chassis or crap OEM suspension? I admit I haven't quit been able to understand if it is effectively a tarted up 20 year old bike or if there are major frame changes etc from then....

Currently trying to find somewhere I can test ride.

How did the S and the GT compare? For some reason I seem to see a lot less issues about that year S vs the GT.

I fully appreciate a lot of what I want is for my own ego - I can't help feeling I'd be somewhat disappointed in my head with the Strom albeit I wouldn't be pushing it to it's limits. I would like something that is the "easiest" to ride fast between A and B rather than having to really wrench it round corners etc.

Sorry, I missed this. By pendulum I meant the way it felt turning it into corners, the weight felt quite high, so I had to push the bars quite hard to get it up and then over onto the other side for faster riding. Once it was down it was very stable and would hold a line well, but it was hard work. So it felt like an upside down pendulum, flopping from side to side. Sounds worse than it was, at average speeds it was perfectly acceptable but who rides at average speeds, that's not why I have a bike.

The V-Strom was an older design than the KTM and it's also not a premium model, so the brakes and suspension were average - they worked but it was nothing like the KTM, not even close.

The KTM 1290GT is an absolutely stonking bike, it's got fantastic brakes, suspension, handling, feedback, power and torque, it's a fantastic package and I still don't know what I'd buy instead. Possibly aTuono V4, that's about the only bike that has been in my mind recently but the new 1390GT will be out end of this year early 2025, and I've already got a finger in for one of those.

I only test rode the KTM Adventure S, not owned one, and it felt very pedestrian compared to the GT, I think the engine calibration is softer and the whole bike is more supple and less taught, which is probably how it's supposed to be for its intended use. It weas still fast but it lacked the sharpness of the GT.

[TimmyWimmyWoo]

carinaman said:

Timmywoo the ex Top Gear YouTuber has used P&H and owns a KTM. Because I only know your approximate region from your profile I am now wondering which KTM dealer it was who's messed you around. Could it be the dealer with the same name as a Ferrari and Triumph? I am not bothered which KTM dealer it is but it kind of taints all of them which is a bit of a shame as my KTM dealer is pretty good and almost offered me a 1290 SDR loaner once, the dealer principal thought I was an A2er rather than someone who got their licence before A2 was a thing.

Edited by carinaman on Sunday 7th April 11:39

Ex-Top Gear? I'll take that, ha! Ex-carwow and DriveTribe is about as good as I get, sadly. P&H were always good with me for servicing, and I've had test rides from them without any deposits or nonsense like that. I bought my 1290 SAS as an ex-demo from Laguna in Ashford and they were absolutely fine in terms of buying a bike from… but I didn't test ride from them.

[Biker9090]

SteveKTMer said:

Sorry, I missed this. By pendulum I meant the way it felt turning it into corners, the weight felt quite high, so I had to push the bars quite hard to get it up and then over onto the other side for faster riding. Once it was down it was very stable and would hold a line well, but it was hard work. So it felt like an upside down pendulum, flopping from side to side. Sounds worse than it was, at average speeds it was perfectly acceptable but who rides at average speeds, that's not why I have a bike.

The V-Strom was an older design than the KTM and it's also not a premium model, so the brakes and suspension were average - they worked but it was nothing like the KTM, not even close.

The KTM 1290GT is an absolutely stonking bike, it's got fantastic brakes, suspension, handling, feedback, power and torque, it's a fantastic package and I still don't know what I'd buy instead. Possibly aTuono V4, that's about the only bike that has been in my mind recently but the new 1390GT will be out end of this year early 2025, and I've already got a finger in for one of those.

I only test rode the KTM Adventure S, not owned one, and it felt very pedestrian compared to the GT, I think the engine calibration is softer and the whole bike is more supple and less taught, which is probably how it's supposed to be for its intended use. It weas still fast but it lacked the sharpness of the GT.

Gotcha, thank you.

Yeah it's difficult understanding it tbh. Compared to my VFR the Strom turned in unbelievably quickly - apparently the 2020 update makes a difference - but then the KTM would obviously do so even more. As much as I adore the VFR it is showing it's age with more modern and agile bikes in that and other departments.

I've contacted a few more today re KTM so shall see. Albeit, I'm not a quick rider and even with riding for 17 years and at 18 stone in gear I find my CBF500 more than adequate 90% of the time...... Maybe the 1290 would be wasted on me.

[carinaman]

I've ridden a few Duke 790s and one thought was that I couldn't use the performance on the road and I probably couldn't resist temptation and it wouldn't be good for my driving licence. I scratched the surface of what that bike could do.

Regarding the discounts available on the V-Strom I was tempted by a 2023 reg <30 mile Duke 890 GP with Tech Pack for £7495 despite not liking the orange subframe. My point being is a discount or the feeling of getting a good deal can be quite attractive, another nod to the winter 2017 Africa Twin PCP feeding frenzy.

Edited by carinaman on Wednesday 10th April 18:51

[Biker9090]

Well, deposit paid on the Strom in the end.

Whilst I was still deciding i counted 9 new failure to start/stalling in dangerous places in two days, plus at least 2 more total gearbox failures on the KTM. Simply can't deal with the threat of that in the back or my mind when I need reliability.

All i saw of the Strom was what luggage fits here/how do I wire in aux lights. Can't say I've found a single mechanical failure report in 3 months of searching. The Lav and Ollie YouTube channel made a massive impact as well. Does everything I want, absolutely loved the test ride so I'm happy.

[carinaman]

I had to go into town yesterday, I saw on a main arterial route in a black with pale metallic blue side panels V-Strom with the square-ish H4 headlamps with a KTM Adventure type bike behind with the horn shaped DRLs and 6 LED headlamp which I like lots. This thread crossed my mind.

Edited by carinaman on Thursday 11th April 10:42