I'm really starting to think that KTM is the Alfa Romeo of bikes. Questionable reliability, a few crazy quirks, and that certain something that puts a smile on your face in a way that no other bike quite can.
I've heard the horror stories but I have also spoken to people who own 1290s, the adventure and SuperDukeR and even a guy that owns a Duke GT. One guy has 80000km on his 2017 KTM SuperDuke without a single problem. None of them have had any major issues besides a recall or two that happened on the 2017 Models I think.
I own a citroen C4 as well... OH NOO
Bought it at 88000km, it's been serviced twice since me owning it from March last year and it's now got 120 000km without a issue.
I reckon most of those horror stories are few and far between.
If you look after it the vehicle will last, you could also be unlucky and get a bad apple, My little Suzuki 250 was a bad apple and my sister's Kawasaki ER500 is proving to be a bad apple as well.
KTM is a bit more expensive to maintain and run but I expected that, and it's still cheaper(not by much
) than maintaining two bikes.
I got the 990 SDukeR on a whim and the twin's torque just won me over again, from my Hyosung 650 and SV650 going to a inline four was the biggest mistake I did when it came to bikes.The Honda CB1000R I had was brilliant, looked good,went well and has a finish/build quality just as good as the KTM, maybe even better. But being able to leave a Superbike straggling behind on the initial acceleration to 200kph is just brilliant xD. Also having the beast that can lift it's wheel in 4th is goosebumps inducing.
What were we talking about? oh, comparison to Alfa.
Yea, maybe. But do you think Alfa owners care?.... I suppose KTM fans adopted the same attitude