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Post Christmas shopping - XT660 or KTM990? Post Christmas shopping - XT660 or KTM990?
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Photo by Hendi Kaf, in Cambodia

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Hendi Kaf,
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  #1  
Old 28 Dec 2008
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Post Christmas shopping - XT660 or KTM990?
Basically I'm trying to get someone to talk me out of spending $21k on a brand new KTM990 in Oz.

After deciding to leave the CBF here in the UK and sell it - I've now got to get something to play with. I want something that I can throw around Australia and also, possibly, run the silk route back to the UK in 4 years time when I come home.

So, choices at hand are:

Second hand XT660 - really good market out here for this particular bike and can pick up an 18 month job with very few miles on for around $6k - even less on older models - and I must admit I find the older dual headlight jobs very sexy.

or.... splurge and borrow some money to purchase a brand spanking new KTM990 which I sat on at the Melbourne Bike Show and fell in love with again.



Horror stories of both please!

m
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  #2  
Old 28 Dec 2008
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Talking Ktm
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Originally Posted by mattcbf600 View Post
Basically I'm trying to get someone to talk me out of spending $21k on a brand new KTM990 in Oz.
Not me mate!

I had the 950. No horror stories for mine, apart from the dealer.
Loved it.

John
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  #3  
Old 28 Dec 2008
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Guess that LP job is really working for you, great! I'd say get what you really want - the KTM? - but an as-new used one that's taken the initial depreciation hit and had any teething problems ironed out (and some of these engines have had big blow-ups, read the posts... some seem fine, mind). I say buy your heart's desire as it may constantly bug you to buy something else and then see ktm's around... happened to me so i got what i really wanted and got it out of my system. However, i have found out the hard way that often what you really want isn't that good yet something of lesser emotional value is more suitable - but should that occur it'd be much easier to downgrade if you have the more expensive item. Rant over, phew...
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  #4  
Old 28 Dec 2008
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ahhh guys you're not helping!

Would have to borrow cash for the KTM - but would be paid off well before the return journey to the UK.

XT is a really very good bike though isn't it....?

m
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Old 28 Dec 2008
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XT is a really very good bike though isn't it....?
Yes, I think so, but:

Two questions... why only post a picture of the KTM

What will be the percentage of tarmac miles will you do... big place Aus.

John
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Old 28 Dec 2008
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Originally Posted by Redboots View Post
Yes, I think so, but:

Two questions... why only post a picture of the KTM

What will be the percentage of tarmac miles will you do... big place Aus.

John
Because I had the photo of the KTM from the Melbourne bike show - don't have one of the XT.

% wise - given there's a load of gravel out here - it'll boil down to 50/50 I would imagine - mon-fri there's the 5km into work and back and then on the weekends... well it's all like this...



with some of this for for fun

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Old 28 Dec 2008
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when it comes to bike purchase you have two options buy what you realy want regardless of cost, or buy what you can afford and compromise.

I losy my GS1100 last year and did not have the money to purchase a replacement GS without taking out a loan, decided to purchse a bike only using the insurance pay out. I brought an XT660R, 2007 model and have just started to purchase the parts I want to make it into a good trvel machine. I have done a few short trips on it and I am loving it go any were, good fuel consuption, lots of bits avalible for it and a prity reliable motor to boot, might not be the fastest bike but when traveling I like to take my time and take in my suroundings.

Also a lot to be said for a smaller bike. IMO.

colin.
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Old 28 Dec 2008
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Ktm or xt

Perhaps the biggest wank would be the go.
Ben
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Old 29 Dec 2008
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Why not buy a new (brand new) XT660Z Tenere which will be available in Australia from 2009?

It will be half the price of the 990, and more than capable enough everwhere - you'll also get all the benefits (warranty, running in etc.) of a brand new bike?

The KTM is a fantastic machine, but it really isn't ideal for serious off-road riding (weight, costs, eats rear tyres) - I'm sure you'd have far more fun on the new Ten' believe me...

xxx
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Old 29 Dec 2008
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Don't borrow money to buy a bike .
Get the XT .
Save up and see if you still want the KTM in a year or so.
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Old 29 Dec 2008
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Bennett - wha?

JMo - good thought - I did have a sit on the new machine at the bike show but it just left me a bit 'wanting' in the inspiration area and I couldn't bring myself to consider borrowing money to purchase it. However, there's a really good second hand market here for the XTs which simply doesn't exist for the KTMs - hence KTM exciting enough to borrow money to buy new and XT good enough for me to buy second hand.

Doger - you're quite right of course. I've never had to borrow money to buy a motorbike - there's something simple and honest about owning your own machine out-right. But the KTM is worth it ;-)

Having said all of that - I'm feeling a bit more confident about the XT now - I keep looking at those double round headlights and fall for it a little more each time.
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  #12  
Old 29 Dec 2008
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But if it's a ktm you want... why not a 640Adv, or even the new 690 and mod to suit - not many around, so you could lead the way! I'd still have the xt, mind, as they've the reliability and the cash you'd save would allow more travelling, oohhh yeah.
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Old 2 Feb 2009
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and so it came to pass that I bought an XT :-)

Smile...? I've never smiled so much!

What a fab machine.

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  #14  
Old 5 Feb 2009
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Well I guess it all depends on what your going to do with it my friend..

Those KTMs are tall girls...... Not much fun off the tarmac if you aint 6 foot with muscles like woven steel lol
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  #15  
Old 5 Feb 2009
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Well I guess it all depends on what your going to do with it my friend..

Those KTMs are tall girls...... Not much fun off the tarmac if you aint 6 foot with muscles like woven steel lol
I am well known for my muscles of woven steel

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