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drthompson65 · 04-30-2003, 03:04 AM

Wow. First Post. KTM does some awesome bikes. You wouldn't be unhappy with your purchase. A buddy of mine has a SV650 with Givi hard bags and says it's the best bike he has ever owned. Gas, Tires, Oil and Chain is all he has ever done to it.

obandoj · 04-30-2003, 03:42 AM

Get the SV, as far as faster and better handling, you will not believe it! Plus you get the reliability, great milage and cheap parts and service.

Neal · 04-30-2003, 03:58 AM

The KTM LC4 is an incredible bike,its better in the dirt than the KLR but not quite as smooth on the hiway(yes Ive ridden both).if you gonna do a lot of desert and "occasional" freeway,its a good bet for you.......if you gonna do "occasional desert and more freeway,the KLR might be better.The only problem maybe that its not exactly a beginner offroad bike.....its tall and heavy...youll have to practice before you attack the tuff stuff.You might be better off to buy a street bike and a used XR250/400,but if I was you Id say hell with it and buy the Katoom...its a neat bike

lbauer · 04-30-2003, 04:50 AM

KLRs are supposed to be much easier and cheaper to maintain than KTMs. They may not be as great off-road, but with the right tires they can do pretty much anything fairly well. If money is an issue, it's hard to beat the KLR's value, and even if it's not, it's still a great all-purpose bike. Check out http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/DSN_klr650/ for more info.

-Lujo

'99 KLR 650

chopperdog · 04-30-2003, 04:56 AM

KTMs are beautiful, top'o'the'line machines. They're also pretty pricey. When I look at the price tag on a new sickle, the same thought always comes to mind, "For that much I could buy two used bikes!" For the price of an LC4 you could get a great used SV650 AND a good used XR 650. This of course assumes you have the space to store two bikes, but what living room wouldn't look better with a SV.

Neal · 04-30-2003, 05:04 AM

youre probably right......the KLR can probably handle what 95% of us(including me) will ever be able to dish out at a cheaper price---both to buy and maintain.I let my enthusiasm for KTM cloud my judgement.The best bet for this guy is probably either a KLR or an SV and a used off road bike. But I still want a KTM.

5

seruzawa · 04-30-2003, 05:38 AM

I know I'm going to step on some toes here, but in my own experience I would shy away from a dual purpose bike if I were using a bike as a general street bike. The main reason is that dual purpose bikes are dirt bikes which have been made street legal. While these are excellent bikes they seem to become worn out more quickly than bikes designed for street use. Their design basis is not longevity in the face of constant droning. Again my comment is generalized and other's experience may vary.

A dual purpose bike is about as different from a GL500 as you can get. Do you have any friends who own one you could borrow for a bit to see if you really like it?

Some people have experienced severe rim damage on KTMs from hitting curbs, etc. I don't know if the newer KTMs mount stouter rims or not. Anyone else know?

Also the big dual purpose bikes are very tall (I have to tippytoe my brother's 2001 Honda 650 with my 32 inch inseam) which makes it diffcult to balance heavy loads. Another thing to consider is the seats on these bikes which bear striking resemblances to sitting on a pine log. My brother bought the Honda DP for the purpose of commuting to work and found it viciously uncomfortable. I personally find that type of bike a poor choice for heavy street use.

All these criticisms are basically niggling and can be dealt with so... get what you like and to hell with what anyone else thinks. You are the one who has to live with it. Just try to get test rides before you buy.

longride · 04-30-2003, 05:45 AM

Test rides? Buy what he likes?? What kind of crazy advice are you giving this guy?? LOL

remanking · 04-30-2003, 06:01 AM

I have ridden the LC4 extensively, off and on road. It is a very capable off road bike, heavy but can handle it all. Obviously a lighter bike would be better on the tighest singletrack, but I have had no problems. On the freeway if your ride is over15-20 miles at a time it could get old. As with all dual purpose things, it can do it all. but it doesn't do any of it best.

seruzawa · 04-30-2003, 06:08 AM

Damm! You're right. Forget all that. JUST READ MAGAZINES!

04-30-2003, 03:04 AM	#1
drthompson65 Founding Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Brooklyn Park, MN Posts: 238	Re: Curious about KTM... Wow. First Post. KTM does some awesome bikes. You wouldn't be unhappy with your purchase. A buddy of mine has a SV650 with Givi hard bags and says it's the best bike he has ever owned. Gas, Tires, Oil and Chain is all he has ever done to it. __________________ 2000 Honda CBR 929RR (Sold) 2002 Suzuki GSX-R1000 (Sold) 2003 Honda RC-51 (Sold) 2004 Ducati 999 Mono Yellow (Wrecked May 06) 2006 Ducati 999S Mono Black (Replaced Wife June 06) 1972-2000 A collection of mini, dirt, and road bikes to vast too list..

04-30-2003, 03:42 AM	#2
obandoj Founding Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Arizona Posts: 912	Re: Curious about KTM... Get the SV, as far as faster and better handling, you will not believe it! Plus you get the reliability, great milage and cheap parts and service.

04-30-2003, 03:58 AM	#3
Neal Founding Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Posts: 731	Re: Curious about KTM... The KTM LC4 is an incredible bike,its better in the dirt than the KLR but not quite as smooth on the hiway(yes Ive ridden both).if you gonna do a lot of desert and "occasional" freeway,its a good bet for you.......if you gonna do "occasional desert and more freeway,the KLR might be better.The only problem maybe that its not exactly a beginner offroad bike.....its tall and heavy...youll have to practice before you attack the tuff stuff.You might be better off to buy a street bike and a used XR250/400,but if I was you Id say hell with it and buy the Katoom...its a neat bike

04-30-2003, 04:50 AM	#4
lbauer Founding Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Posts: 3	Re: Curious about KTM... KLRs are supposed to be much easier and cheaper to maintain than KTMs. They may not be as great off-road, but with the right tires they can do pretty much anything fairly well. If money is an issue, it's hard to beat the KLR's value, and even if it's not, it's still a great all-purpose bike. Check out http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/DSN_klr650/ for more info. -Lujo '99 KLR 650

04-30-2003, 04:56 AM	#5
chopperdog Founding Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Posts: 7	Re: Curious about KTM... KTMs are beautiful, top'o'the'line machines. They're also pretty pricey. When I look at the price tag on a new sickle, the same thought always comes to mind, "For that much I could buy two used bikes!" For the price of an LC4 you could get a great used SV650 AND a good used XR 650. This of course assumes you have the space to store two bikes, but what living room wouldn't look better with a SV.

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04-30-2003, 05:04 AM	#6
Neal Founding Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Posts: 731	Re: Curious about KTM... youre probably right......the KLR can probably handle what 95% of us(including me) will ever be able to dish out at a cheaper price---both to buy and maintain.I let my enthusiasm for KTM cloud my judgement.The best bet for this guy is probably either a KLR or an SV and a used off road bike. But I still want a KTM. 5

04-30-2003, 05:38 AM	#7
seruzawa Robby Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: 8501 ft. Posts: 16,803	Re: Curious about KTM... I know I'm going to step on some toes here, but in my own experience I would shy away from a dual purpose bike if I were using a bike as a general street bike. The main reason is that dual purpose bikes are dirt bikes which have been made street legal. While these are excellent bikes they seem to become worn out more quickly than bikes designed for street use. Their design basis is not longevity in the face of constant droning. Again my comment is generalized and other's experience may vary. A dual purpose bike is about as different from a GL500 as you can get. Do you have any friends who own one you could borrow for a bit to see if you really like it? Some people have experienced severe rim damage on KTMs from hitting curbs, etc. I don't know if the newer KTMs mount stouter rims or not. Anyone else know? Also the big dual purpose bikes are very tall (I have to tippytoe my brother's 2001 Honda 650 with my 32 inch inseam) which makes it diffcult to balance heavy loads. Another thing to consider is the seats on these bikes which bear striking resemblances to sitting on a pine log. My brother bought the Honda DP for the purpose of commuting to work and found it viciously uncomfortable. I personally find that type of bike a poor choice for heavy street use. All these criticisms are basically niggling and can be dealt with so... get what you like and to hell with what anyone else thinks. You are the one who has to live with it. Just try to get test rides before you buy. __________________ I've seen things you people wouldn't believe. Attack ships on fire off the shoulder of Orion. I watched c-beams glitter in the dark near the Tanhauser Gate. All those moments will be lost in time, like tears in the rain.

04-30-2003, 05:45 AM	#8
longride Super Duper Mod Man Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Anywhere they let me Posts: 10,484	Re: Curious about KTM... Test rides? Buy what he likes?? What kind of crazy advice are you giving this guy?? LOL __________________ I'm a knucklehead

04-30-2003, 06:01 AM	#9
remanking Founding Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Posts: 15	Re: Curious about KTM... I have ridden the LC4 extensively, off and on road. It is a very capable off road bike, heavy but can handle it all. Obviously a lighter bike would be better on the tighest singletrack, but I have had no problems. On the freeway if your ride is over15-20 miles at a time it could get old. As with all dual purpose things, it can do it all. but it doesn't do any of it best.

04-30-2003, 06:08 AM	#10
seruzawa Robby Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: 8501 ft. Posts: 16,803	Re: Curious about KTM... Damm! You're right. Forget all that. JUST READ MAGAZINES! __________________ I've seen things you people wouldn't believe. Attack ships on fire off the shoulder of Orion. I watched c-beams glitter in the dark near the Tanhauser Gate. All those moments will be lost in time, like tears in the rain.