KTM off road bikes

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OursSauvage

OursSauvage

Joined
Apr 19, 2005
Threads
57
Messages
554
Location
Ottawa
Website
rinho.org
Hi,
I want to buy a used Ktm motobike .
But in Canada, the KTM's street legal off road bikes are sell only since 2007.

Is this different (I hope so) in USA ?
 
what is the deal, as far as quality goes for them?

I've herd them being referred to as "Keep Two Mechanics", but like all the internet, grain-o-salt.


So tell me. Are they as good as I think they are?



(not that I won't always find a Honda 1st:flipoff2:)
 
The Ktm are "ready to race"
Even if you are not a racer, they are close to the final stage you could imagine.
No need to change anythings for improvment.
It's an important point when considering the global cost.
I love them ...
I bought a BMW1150GS because my wife wanted to travel with me (first time since 1989)
After the third ride, she realized being passenger is not the fun thing.
So, she passed her licence and ride now a 650GS
I think about selling mine for a KTM950 or 690 (but I know nothing's better than a 400 in curvy trails)

Riding a Honda is like driving a GM... good, but you can find better
 
Hi.. If you now your biz you drive KTM or HUSABERG..
the rest.... well Hondas and others are pretty safe..;)
 
Last edited:
A response from Down Under

G'day Gaup,

In Australia we are blessed with a really big country and a relatively small population, so when it comes to trail riding it is pretty easy to clock up big distances in the bush. This weekend I rode about 580 km's over two days. So for this reason I reckon Australians are well placed to comment on the issue of 'reliability'.

Modern KTM's are a terrific motorcycle. Every time I go for a ride the number of KTM's seem to multiply. They still have a reputation of suffering from a bit of head shake and an after market steering dampener would be a valuable investment. The stock suspension will suit most riders up to about 85 kg's, after which you might want to think about a new rear spring.

The side-stands are the work of the devil (either that or some KTM engineers idea of playing a cruel joke on consumers). It not uncommon to see them leant against a tree, rather than using the side stand. This a small thing though

I hope this answers your question.

Cheers, Ben,

P.S. For what's it's worth I ride a 07 Yamaha WR450 - but next time I reckon I probably go a KTM.
 
KTM

KTM bikes uses top of the line parts and they are ready to race. Their woods bikes are the top of the line and KTM are the Land Cruisers of Trail Bikes.
 
OursSauvage said:
The Ktm are "ready to race"
Even if you are not a racer, they are close to the final stage you could imagine.
No need to change anythings for improvment.
It's an important point when considering the global cost.
I love them ...
I bought a BMW1150GS because my wife wanted to travel with me (first time since 1989)
After the third ride, she realized being passenger is not the fun thing.
So, she passed her licence and ride now a 650GS
I think about selling mine for a KTM950 or 690 (but I know nothing's better than a 400 in curvy trails)

Riding a Honda is like driving a GM... good, but you can find better
Click to expand...


Never been a OR-motorcycle rider myself, but a friend of mine took me out on some trails this past summer. He had recently bought a KTM and still had his honda and said the same thing. The KTM came stock with all the nice off the shelf brand-name upgrades that he would generally put on the Honda, at additional cost. So the additional purchase costs pretty much ends up a wash...

Pretty cool concept for a company to employ imo.. why reinvent the "wheel"-rim-exhaust-shock.. w/e when you can just grab it off the shelf..
 
Well I have an 06 450 EXC in the garage So I am a little biased. I love the KTM. It does require religious maintenance but If you are used to a cruiser than that is not a big deal.
As far as street legal All KTM's since 05 were green compliant as far as exhaust, All you need for any dirt bike to be street legal is DOT rated tires signals, head lamp and a horn. At least that is how it works in the US. Not sure about up north.
Dave
 
Thanks,
I asked the question because I wanted to import one (basically, vehicle built for USA are allowed to be imported) but there's a special treatment for this kind of bike... From a couple of year, at least in Quebec, if the constructor didn't sell it as a road/off-road bike in Canada , you can't change the usage yourself, even if the bike is provided with every things needed (light, turn light, mirror...).
Stupide law... you can build your own bike, but you can't transform one ???
I'm sure there's a way to contourn that, but for the next year, I'm too busy for continuing thinking of that
 
Go to any scramble or enduro anywhere in the world. Half the field will be orange. This isn't because they break down and need extra maintenance.

Just a thought.
 
KTM makes a wicked bike both street and dirt!! The sticker shock sets you back a bit and the maintenance schedule...wow! If you've got the money and like to spend time in the garage it's the perfect bike for you!
Those Euro's can build a great bike though!!!
 
Why import? KTM sells street legal bikes in Canada. They have all sorts of enduros, supermotard, and even some road specific models.

They are excellent bikes, but expensive to maintain.
 
My previous bike was a 01 KTM LC4E, an excellent dirt road/two track machine. I never had any issues with the bike, regular maintenance(it was a very easy bike to work on) kept it running dependably for years. In comparison to my present bike, 04 BMW 1150GS Adenture, the KTM was practically maintenance free and MUCH cheeper and easier to work on.
 
Why import? .../...
Click to expand...
did you read what I wrote ?
In Quebec, you can't (anymore) have a licence plate (and so, the right to ride on road to catch another trail)for this kind of bike (aka bikes not sold as legal by manufacturer, and KTM didn't do before 2007).
Even if you put signals, mirror...
If you want a LC4, you have to buy a 2007 or earlier, or a 640LC4.

Mine ( I'll see and ride it in two week... while visiting family) was the first 400LC4 in the world... the proto... so, that mean "trouble could happen" and guess what, I only experimented one trouble.
A parts in the head, a kind of big washer (I don't know the US word for it) broke, and one valve felt not completly) in the engine.
Except the valve, zero dommage was found after taking everythings aparts (and inspection by qualified mechanic).
The only special maintenance thing was flushing the oil (less than 2 Qts) and replace filter each 10 fuelling.
 
Ya I read what you wrote... and you just said a couple of years. KTM have been selling Dual Sports for longer than that in Canada. They have been selling the 950, which you initially spoke of, since 2005.

You shouldn't have any problems bringing in a '92... although the lovely land of red tape, aka Quebec, might think otherwise! :D

Good luck regardless:cheers:


OursSauvage said:
did you read what I wrote ?
In Quebec, you can't (anymore) have a licence plate (and so, the right to ride on road to catch another trail)for this kind of bike (aka bikes not sold as legal by manufacturer, and KTM didn't do before 2007).
Even if you put signals, mirror...
If you want a LC4, you have to buy a 2007 or earlier, or a 640LC4.

Mine ( I'll see and ride it in two week... while visiting family) was the first 400LC4 in the world... the proto... so, that mean "trouble could happen" and guess what, I only experimented one trouble.
A parts in the head, a kind of big washer (I don't know the US word for it) broke, and one valve felt not completly) in the engine.
Except the valve, zero dommage was found after taking everythings aparts (and inspection by qualified mechanic).
The only special maintenance thing was flushing the oil (less than 2 Qts) and replace filter each 10 fuelling.
Click to expand...
 
so, these bikes I see in the Dakar with the 2 symmetric "vertical" exhaust pipes in the back are KTMs, right?
 
Red Herring said:
Ya I read what you wrote... and you just said a couple of years. KTM have been selling Dual Sports for longer than that in Canada. They have been selling the 950, which you initially spoke of, since 2005.

You shouldn't have any problems bringing in a '92... although the lovely land of red tape, aka Quebec, might think otherwise! :D

Good luck regardless:cheers:
Click to expand...

I understand the confusion... I said that now, I own a 1150GS that I would like to change for a LC8, but the thread start, seven month earlier ( if I'm correct with the day and month order in the date stamp), with importing a LC4 (I learned later that LC4 620, from the 90's was available even in QC).
I continued to think importing because of the price in USA versus the price in QC ... but today, it's less interresting.
But, for sure, the choice is bigger in the south.

When I decide to come in Canada, I projected to import my 400, but with all the things to change to allowing the road ride, and the shipping price... I gave up.

What I'd like now ( I'm not riding alone anymore... I have to take my wife in consideration) is sell the BMW and buy a used 950 or a brand new 690.

:cheers:
 
Go to ADVRIDER.COM and check out the Orange Crush forum for details. There are a ton of Cannucks on dual-sports and they can help with any specifics on legality, mods and even help you find a great (used) 950/990 base or S. Or a 690 or EXC.

The guys can also help with the differences between model years and any details the separate the US models from the Canadian (though I don't believe there are any)

I recently picked up a 2004 LC8 950 and really enjoy it. If you get one a couple years old, it will most likely have all the goodies (farkles) already on it. If not, you will buy the bike for X and spend $2k getting all the crap you really want for touring the great white north.

enjoy and my username is the same on that forum if you want to talk KTM's or bikes.
 
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