2013 KTM`s

[yota]

plus we get heavy unreliable efi components.  oh joy.

[Stusmoke]

We bitch and whine about how heavy the 4$ are, but it really is not how heavy they are in pounds; it is how heavy they feel. That weight felt is due to so much of it being carried to high on the chassis. By lowering the center of gravity, the bike "feels" light and nimble.

Same goes for 2T's. Gasoline weighs about 6 lbs per gallon so we all have 12 or more lbs sitting above the spine of the motorcycle. That is a pretty significant amount of weight.

With EFI, a couple of additional advantages are available in addition to the obvious. First, you have to have a fuel pump. That means you can put fuel BELOW the intake (ever notice you tank never protrudes below the carb?) and thus move that 12+ lbs much lower. Second is, you should never foul another plug since your computer is continually adapting the fuel/air ratio, so no need to struggle with those low slung tanks to continually change the plug. Sure, you might have to remove the tank to do it, but then you'll probably only change the plug when you change a ring!

I've been saying that for a while. I mean really, the 250 dumpers are almost on par in terms of dry weight with the 250 SX its the fact that all that weight is centered up high which is what makes it feel like the bike is sexually attracted to the ground through corners

[Chrisshire]

It has more to do with all the heavy spinning parts creating gyroscopic forces

[scotty dog]

It has more to do with all the heavy spinning parts creating gyroscopic forces

Yea thats why the pieces of shit wanna go straight instead of around a corner

[Super Trucker]

Ktm needs to drop that ugly color, nobody likes it but color blind folks. The best part of the bike is the side plates, a  copy of  honda,s .

[Recovered]

Ktm needs to drop that ugly color, nobody likes it but color blind folks. The best part of the bike is the side plates, a  copy of  honda,s .

if you got up close to a KTM and saw how 3 dimensional they are, they are absolutely nothing like a hondas.

KTM has absolutely left japan in the dust.  and they did it by outsourcing.  acerbis plastics, WP (which is now ktm) suspension, excel wheels, all sorts of shit.

Japan, being the stingy shrewd mercantile economy that they are refuse to outsource anything and make everything in house.  problem is, if someone else is making something better in THEIR house, you should contract them to make that certain part.  japan wont do it, so fuck 'em.

orange isnt for everyone though.  i wouldnt cry if they went back to mid-90s white, that's for sure.

[gpnewhouse7]

[Stusmoke]

I'm not really one for the color orange but I quite like the pictures of the 2013 models I don't like the current 2012s though. Maybe its just cos the 2013 blacker graphics are messing with my eyes. I agree with premixed though white would be really sweet with some decked out graphics

[Super Trucker]

I,m talking about the rear of the side plates, the only area of the plate to add style, that,s 02 and up  hondas. The jap bikes had excell wheels since about 98. The orange color works for county plow trucks and wood chippers, another industrial color is on  CAT heavy equipment, that wouldn,t look good on a bike either. In 1990 they where white with a mint green seat cover with a regular front fender, looked ok, the pros called it the Kmart bike,because of the big K on the shrouds. That front fender has to go also, too many weird pointy shapes. Think of the hood of your car, would you want a smooth lined hood or weird pointed hood. A pal of mine ownes a ktm dealership, I saw the new 2012,s there. I still don,t fit on a ktm, but honestly does anyone fit perfectly on one, I think there built for short riders, because the fit is way off for a tall rider. They have strong motors  tho, in 99 the SX 125 started showing up at the races. Everyone knew he would be up front on the start and not to follow because the bike will start cartwheeling.

[gpnewhouse7]

I,m talking about the rear of the side plates, the only area of the plate to add style, that,s 02 and up  hondas. The jap bikes had excell wheels since about 98. The orange color works for county plow trucks and wood chippers, another industrial color is on  CAT heavy equipment, that wouldn,t look good on a bike either. In 1990 they where white with a mint green seat cover with a regular front fender, looked ok, the pros called it the Kmart bike,because of the big K on the shrouds. That front fender has to go also, too many weird pointy shapes. Think of the hood of your car, would you want a smooth lined hood or weird pointed hood. A pal of mine ownes a ktm dealership, I saw the new 2012,s there. I still don,t fit on a ktm, but honestly does anyone fit perfectly on one, I think there built for short riders, because the fit is way off for a tall rider. They have strong motors  tho, in 99 the SX 125 started showing up at the races. Everyone knew he would be up front on the start and not to follow because the bike will start cartwheeling.

I think you just have to take a minute to get used to the feel of them, I've been riding KTMs for about a year now (2003 SX 125 and now a 2008 EXC 200) and I have to say I really couldn't see myself going back to a jap bike again and after one ride on my 03 SX my mate then went and bought a 2011 SX 150 after being a honda rider all his life. But yyeah I do understand your point there by no means copying the jap bikes.

[scotty dog]

Have the ergo's changed a bit over the last 10 years or so? My 01 was tall and very spaced out in the bars, seat, peg relationship. It suited me good being around 6ft tall.

[Recovered]

 they are still a lot roomier than the japanese two strokes.

and the bars still have 4 mounting positions and have for 12-13 years, just like the new earth shattering "race ready" KXF450 that just got them for 2013.

Late to the game with everything, Kawasaki is.

[VintageBlueSmoke]

I have a new(ish) KTM. I personally don't like all the sharp, space-age fenders. I agree with and paraphase MxA; the graphics are terrible, but they are excellent so I'll have to hate them for a long time! I have a love/hate relationship with the rear fender. I love how it and the number plates are one and the same. I hate it's shape and that the number plates and the airbox are split, and I abslo-f'in-lutly hate how it mounts! Speaking of airbox...what a POS! The seat? The single bolt holding it on is...wait for it...under the fender in the wheelwell! Two years earlier and they had those great quick removal seats like Husqvarna. What happened?

Color. <sigh>. I...they...Well...OK. Let me start off by saying I think branding and color are STUPID. You should buy a bike just like a car - "I want a ____ one". We should not be limited to 5 colors (plus black and white). That said...Red belongs to Husqvarna and Orange...SachsGS? CAN-AM!!!! I've a garage full of orange and red now. I want different colors.

I will probably change my 144 when the graphis FINALLY wear out in a Penton Jackpiner motif - Blue with yellow piping, silver frame, black seat, white fenders.

[metal_miracle]

i agree seat mounting is stupid... my seat fell off mine.
and why they did choose to make sidepanels mount that way i dont know.

but i like the look and shape of the 2011+ bikes

[nom de guerre]

I like my '12, love the flat layout... seems very roomy to me. I like the seat mounting of my Husky better, but have no problems with the KTM, a lil silicone or loctite goes a long way... way better than any Japanese bike mounting(to me). Aesthetically pleasing most ways and easy to work on... oh, fast too BTW.