Is KTM in financial trouble?

[mangocrazy]

The only way I'd be buying a KTM at the moment would be if I was offered a stonking discount - 40 to 50% off list. And if they have to offer discounts like that, it further compounds their woes.

Yeah that. If I was like you and still had my 690 I'd not be worried as it's too old and there'll still be bits for a while. But no way I'd be chucking £20k at one of the new big uns not knowing if they'll collapse at any point soon.

Long term I'm a bit concerned about spares availability for the 690, as I do regard it as a keeper, but pretty much all of the consumables are non-KTM so not such a big deal. The only other KTM that has really piqued my interest is the Duke 890 R. If I saw a new one on offer for around £5-6k I'd be sorely tempted...

[Supermofo]

is the Duke 890 R

The whole cam thing would put me off any 790/890. Had that ticking time bomb in my 690 which lead to me selling it.

[mangocrazy]

is the Duke 890 R

The whole cam thing would put me off any 790/890. Had that ticking time bomb in my 690 which lead to me selling it.

Yeah, that as well. KTM are in a bit of a perfect storm at present, but all of their own making.

[Bustaspoke]

Whenever I've thought about KTM ownership in the past I got the impression that when they're working they're a hoot but there's a lot of negatives,feck they're ugly looking things & I've read a lot of bad reports about KTM customer care.All that's gone on in the last 12 months just seems to emphasise the negatives of KTM ownership.I'm tempted to call in at one of the local KTM dealers for a demo ride just to experience a KTM on the road (I've ridden them off road in Spain) but they're going to have to offer massive discounts to get people who aren't dyed in the wool KTM fans to buy any of their massive pile of unsold stock.

[KungFooBob]

They should do BOGOF offers on them, then you've got a spare for when one of them breaks down.

[mangocrazy]

Whenever I've thought about KTM ownership in the past I got the impression that when they're working they're a hoot but there's a lot of negatives,feck they're ugly looking things & I've read a lot of bad reports about KTM customer care.All that's gone on in the last 12 months just seems to emphasise the negatives of KTM ownership.I'm tempted to call in at one of the local KTM dealers for a demo ride just to experience a KTM on the road (I've ridden them off road in Spain) but they're going to have to offer massive discounts to get people who aren't dyed in the wool KTM fans to buy any of their massive pile of unsold stock.

I'd definitely ask for a test ride when the weather cheers up. I imagine KTM dealers will be falling over themselves to give you a test ride at present. They really do have 'fun' in their DNA. KTM are in a cleft stick right now; unless they offer big, big discounts the stock won't shift and if they do that they trash the brand even further. But it really is their own idiotic, misguided management decisions that have brought them to this situation.

[Supermofo]

Whenever I've thought about KTM ownership in the past I got the impression that when they're working they're a hoot but there's a lot of negatives,feck they're ugly looking things & I've read a lot of bad reports about KTM customer care.All that's gone on in the last 12 months just seems to emphasise the negatives of KTM ownership.I'm tempted to call in at one of the local KTM dealers for a demo ride just to experience a KTM on the road (I've ridden them off road in Spain) but they're going to have to offer massive discounts to get people who aren't dyed in the wool KTM fans to buy any of their massive pile of unsold stock.

I've owned 3 KTMs. Never had any actual issues with any of them. The early 690s had a potential issue which is what lead to me getting rid, but didn't actually cause me problems. I have 3 mates with KTMs
A 990SMT with 40k miles, other than it being a pain in the arse to work on it's been pretty good and he's had it since new
A 1190 Adv with 35k miles never had any issues also owned since new
A 1290 Super Adv with 144k miles and counting No issues at all!! He bought it with 50k miles.

To ride IMO KTMs definitely have something about them a certain character all their own. I love em.

[Bustaspoke]

Whenever I've thought about KTM ownership in the past I got the impression that when they're working they're a hoot but there's a lot of negatives,feck they're ugly looking things & I've read a lot of bad reports about KTM customer care.All that's gone on in the last 12 months just seems to emphasise the negatives of KTM ownership.I'm tempted to call in at one of the local KTM dealers for a demo ride just to experience a KTM on the road (I've ridden them off road in Spain) but they're going to have to offer massive discounts to get people who aren't dyed in the wool KTM fans to buy any of their massive pile of unsold stock.

I've owned 3 KTMs. Never had any actual issues with any of them. The early 690s had a potential issue which is what lead to me getting rid, but didn't actually cause me problems. I have 3 mates with KTMs
A 990SMT with 40k miles, other than it being a pain in the arse to work on it's been pretty good and he's had it since new
A 1190 Adv with 35k miles never had any issues also owned since new
A 1290 Super Adv with 144k miles and counting No issues at all!! He bought it with 50k miles.

To ride IMO KTMs definitely have something about them a certain character all their own. I love em.

My mate's son does Enduro on a KTM,he's had a few & no problems he also rates them but there's been so much negativity about the brand that it makes me wary,especially in their current situation..

[Noggin]

I REALLY REALLY want a 390 Duke again. Sadly I haven't seen the 'usual' offers over here that we generally see in the UK. If I found a dealer with decent offers, I'd be seriously counting some pennies and going to see the dealer!!

But then, I've never had a bike long enough to worry about warranty - and I know enough biker people around here now that I could get help to sort things (not ideal, but I'd still take the risk)

I will keep looking, and I also am going to keep an eye out for an older RC8r (but no worries on warranty there) - sadly I think that even with 30% off (if that happens) I couldn't afford a fancy/newish RC8

[mangocrazy]

I will keep looking, and I also am going to keep an eye out for an older RC8r

Buggerbuggerbugger. You just reminded me that I really fancy an RC8R in my life...

[Noggin]

I will keep looking, and I also am going to keep an eye out for an older RC8r

Buggerbuggerbugger. You just reminded me that I really fancy an RC8R in my life...

Sorry, not sorry!!

[Wossname]

To quote Donald Sutherland… “What’s with all the negative vibes?”

OK , I know.

But - I’m on my second SDGT, now 5 years old, 28k. Suggest another equivalent bike for me - stonking, characterful engine, brilliant for me on my own, happy to take a pillion/luggage, compact, versatile, track it, tour, squirt around on a Sunday ….
Down side is that I really don’t know what I’d replace it with, so please stop talking KTM into the grave…

[Skub]

To quote Donald Sutherland… “What’s with all the negative vibes?”

OK , I know.

But - I’m on my second SDGT, now 5 years old, 28k. Suggest another equivalent bike for me - stonking, characterful engine, brilliant for me on my own, happy to take a pillion/luggage, compact, versatile, track it, tour, squirt around on a Sunday ….
Down side is that I really don’t know what I’d replace it with, so please stop talking KTM into the grave…

Buy a new one as a reserve and keep it in Tiepin's loft.

[Noggin]

Oooh, they've reduced them a bit. Not enough for me to go new tho Not sure I want to buy a second had 'baby' bike over here - it'll have been thrashed everywhere!!!

https://www.elitemoto15.com/motos/6913- ... -2024.html

[dern]

I've had 5 ktms but the latest was a 1290 SD so nothing very new. I liked 2 of them and didn't like 3 and still have 1. They were all completely reliable though.

[Sunny]

Oooh, they've reduced them a bit. Not enough for me to go new tho Not sure I want to buy a second had 'baby' bike over here - it'll have been thrashed everywhere!!!

https://www.elitemoto15.com/motos/6913- ... -2024.html

I suspect they'll all have been thrashed, regardless of the location

My KTM was cheap and cheerful 18 months ago, and because it's a (relatively speaking) cheap toy, I'm less concerned about them going pop and leaving me with a potential future issue than I would have been 20 years ago when I didn't have much in the way of disposable income.

I'd be sad though. KTMs are fun.

[Noggin]

Oooh, they've reduced them a bit. Not enough for me to go new tho Not sure I want to buy a second had 'baby' bike over here - it'll have been thrashed everywhere!!!

https://www.elitemoto15.com/motos/6913- ... -2024.html

I suspect they'll all have been thrashed, regardless of the location

My KTM was cheap and cheerful 18 months ago, and because it's a (relatively speaking) cheap toy, I'm less concerned about them going pop and leaving me with a potential future issue than I would have been 20 years ago when I didn't have much in the way of disposable income.

I'd be sad though. KTMs are fun.

True. TBF, mine was pretty well thrashed before it was nicked!! LOL A handful of trackdays and most of the road time trying to keep up with a nutter on a ZX9r!

I'm going to keep an eye on the new prices here just in case it becomes a bit possible

[Skub]

MV bought by Art of Mobility S.A.
https://www.roadracingworld.com/news/mv ... -from-ktm/

[The Spin Doctor]

MV bought by Art of Mobility S.A.
https://www.roadracingworld.com/news/mv ... -from-ktm/

Thanks to KTM's over-production policy, they too have a warehouse full of unsold bikes - I seem to remember more than 2000. They've just had to pre-reg some of them because they are pre-Euro 5+.

I would hazard a guess that Sardarov is laughing all the way to a bank. He almost certainly sold his shares for top dollar and bought them back for peanuts in the KTM fire sale.

[Count Steer]

Art of Mobility? Sounds like a supplier of disability aids.