What's wrong with me???

[black hills]

So, I drive by the Honda/KTM dealer on my way home from work and there sits a slightly used KTM950adventure (Black). That thing is sweet!!! I can see it now, blasting down the fire trails, exploring those deserted roads.... oh yea.. But, then the voice of reason kicks in. #1 I can't really afford it right now. #2 I already have a perfectly good street bike and a perfectly good dirt bike, so why do I really need the 950?? Or am I just a wussie as Johnny Monsoon would point out?? Or maybe I should sell the CBR and the 300 for the 950 and be a 1 bike guy... No, I would miss the 300 too much.. oh, what to do, what to do.......Maybe it will be gone when I go by today and the problem will be solved? Why do motorcyles do this to me???

[Johnny Monsoon]

...do I really need the 950?? Or am I just a wussie as Johnny Monsoon would point out??

Of particular note:  The KTM950 is in no way a big trallie that would qualify as a wussy bike, even by my standards.  I'd have to have some deep pockets for it ('cause I like to toss my bikes around, a lot when I'm off-road, and that would get expensive in a hurry).

[black hills]

Of particular note:  The KTM950 is in no way a big trallie that would qualify as a wussy bike, even by my standards.  I'd have to have some deep pockets for it ('cause I like to toss my bikes around, a lot when I'm off-road, and that would get expensive in a hurry).

LOL.. you got that right, my 300 needs new plastic almost every year. The woods are hard on bikes, specially if you ride with the attitude that if you don't fall you aren't pushing it hard enough!! Then add in "friends" who are always there to help you destroy your bike "bet you can't climb that hill" or " bet you can't make it over that boulder". I have to admit the 950 is pretty impressive!! Maybe I'll stop by at lunch time and get to know her better....

[Johnny Monsoon]

LOL.. you got that right, my 300 needs new plastic almost every year. The woods are hard on bikes, specially if you ride with the attitude that if you don't fall you aren't pushing it hard enough!! Then add in "friends" who are always there to help you destroy your bike "bet you can't climb that hill" or " bet you can't make it over that boulder". I have to admit the 950 is pretty impressive!! Maybe I'll stop by at lunch time and get to know her better....

This is why I limit myself to trail bikes for the moment... I have friends like you do.  We should ride!  Just remember to bring the first aid kit and the wrenches.

Oh, and back on topic (or at least the 'Big Trallies are for Wussies' topic), the bikes aren't the wussies...

[UFO]

There's absolutely nothing wrong with you.  Healthy as a horse.  

[black hills]

Stopped by to look at it at lunch time. It's an '06, 11,000mi. The e guy was on a trip and it developed a leak around the water pump. Instead of waiting for parts he traded it for a goldwing??? Has the hardbags and all. plus he's supposed to be sending soem "other goodies" when he gets back home? The salesman said it's a blast to ride, and if I want to take it for a spin stop by anytime. How can I pass up an offer like that!? I'll let you know what I think of it.

[Johnny Monsoon]

Stopped by to look at it at lunch time. It's an '06, 11,000mi. The e guy was on a trip and it developed a leak around the water pump. Instead of waiting for parts he traded it for a goldwing??? Has the hardbags and all. plus he's supposed to be sending soem "other goodies" when he gets back home? The salesman said it's a blast to ride, and if I want to take it for a spin stop by anytime. How can I pass up an offer like that!? I'll let you know what I think of it.

I know I'm all sorts of interested in getting your impressions of that bike.  Hard bags?!?  Man...  Oh man...

[Guy]

Stopped by to look at it at lunch time. It's an '06, 11,000mi. The e guy was on a trip and it developed a leak around the water pump. Instead of waiting for parts he traded it for a goldwing??? Has the hardbags and all. plus he's supposed to be sending soem "other goodies" when he gets back home? The salesman said it's a blast to ride, and if I want to take it for a spin stop by anytime. How can I pass up an offer like that!? I'll let you know what I think of it.

Maybe the reason it was traded in was a history of problems and the leaky water pump was the last straw. I'd maybe try to get in touch with the PO and ask him about the bike away from dealership

[black hills]

Maybe the reason it was traded in was a history of problems and the leaky water pump was the last straw. I'd maybe try to get in touch with the PO and ask him about the bike away from dealership

Yea, I think I'll take it for a spin tomorrow, then maybe get the guys # and talk to him. That was my first impression too, but then I thought why would a "seeping" (that's what the dealer called it) water pump make you stop riding?? I've ridden things with all kinds of slow leaks for miles?? The other strange thing was that he traded it for a wing??  There were several "sportier" options sitting on the floor (ST, couple BMW's, etc.)? I'm hoping he just had the wrong bike for his riding style....... Hey you can always hope!!

[mtrider16]

You better buy it!    Just being another "friend" that pushes you to bigger and better things.

What sucks is that I haven't had time to get the XR tuned up and out for a ride this year.  The vffr has been demanding my time.

David

[XLR8]

As much as I really like my FJR, I see this in my future for my ST bike. The black gray is just frackin gorgeous in person too.



I am hopefully test riding today.

[dlrides]

Owner of two KTM 950's here.

Warning:

Once you ride it, you will either buy it or or dream about it intil you buy one !
Blast down fire roads at 90mph +, pass a lot of sport bikes in tight twisties, pack it down with tent, food, drybag, and ride the interstates if needed in comfort. You might say it is versatile !

Beware !!!!!!!:

The KTM 950 is NOT a maintenance friendly bike ! Good ones are great, bad ones are, well.........BAD ! Waterpump issues are very common, but do not only affect the waterpump. Because of the design, coolant mixes with oil when waterpump issues occur. They also have clutch, starter, and low oil pressure issues.

My advice:

Find a new, or low mile used 950 that has WARRANTY remaining. Buy the extended 24 month warranty!!!! When buying used, have the dealer run the VIN through KTM to check service issues and TSB (Technical Service Bulletin) completions. If the bike above does not warranty remaining, DO NOT touch it !!!

[XLR8]

Owner of too KTM 950's here.

Warning:

Once you ride it, you will either buy it or or dream about it intil you buy one !
Blast down fire roads at 90mph +, pass a lot of sport bikes in tight twisties, pack it down with tent, food, drybag, and ride the interstates if needed in comfort. You might say it is versatile !

Beware !!!!!!!:

The KTM 950 is NOT a maintenance friendly bike ! Good ones are great, bad ones are, well.........BAD ! Waterpump issues are very common, but do not only affect the waterpump. Because of the design, coolant mixes with oil when waterpump issues occur. They also have clutch, starter, and low oil pressure issues.

My advice:

Find a new, or low mile used 950 that has WARRANTY remaining. Buy the extended 24 month warranty!!!! When buying used, have the dealer run the VIN through KTM to check service issues and TSB (Technical Service Bulletin) completions. If the bike above does not warranty remaining, DO NOT touch it !!!

Hmmm strangely, none of this has been mentioned by the dealer.  

Good advice - makes me skeered though. I don't want a bike that's a hassle.

[dlrides]

Do some more reading here:

http://www.advrider.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=34

Remember, you only hear of the bad ones ! I know lots of 950 riders, IMHO, you have a 80% chance of getting a good one. I had an 04 that averaged 257 miles of riding before breaking down ! KTM bought it back. I have an 06 that I have put 10K on in 6 months, perfect bike ! Most of the issues can be sorted by a GOOD dealer, which is where most of the real problems exist. Most dealers have sold and serviced single cylinder dirtbikes for 20 years, and this V-Twin 950 thing is foreign to the techs.


Again:

1) Warranty, warranty, warranty !

2) GOOD 950 dealer !

3) Learn the bike !

Follow these steps and you will be fine, and enjoy the most versatile motorcycle ever made !

BTW - Did I mention WARRANTY ??

[XLR8]

3) Learn the bike !

You speaka da truth obi-wan.

Seriously, great point, number 3.

-r