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.

http://photos-d.ll.facebook.com/phot...414619_891.jpg

Horror stories of both please!

m

Ktm
 

Not me mate!

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

John

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...:rofl:

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

Yes, I think so, but:

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

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...

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3049/...750a18.jpg?v=0

with some of this for for fun

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3281/...5eb87b.jpg?v=0

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.

Ktm or xt
 

:funmeteryes:
Perhaps the biggest wank would be the go.
Ben

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

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.

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.

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.

and so it came to pass that I bought an XT :-)

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

What a fab machine.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3519/...7d855c.jpg?v=0

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

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3415/...117e41.jpg?v=0