<!--quoteo(post=93:date=Fri 17th Mar 2006, 06:37 PM:name=wicklamulla)-->QUOTE(wicklamulla @ Fri 17th Mar 2006, 06:37 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->the only thing i'd be concerned about is the cost of maintaining a KTM<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Yep that's a bit of a worry to me too. It needs a major service every 9000 which was roughly my annual mileage on the TDM, they reckon £275 for that. I can do the minor services once it's out of warranty, the main prob seems to be taking all the plastic and the petrol tanks off to get at the filter and plugs, but I haven't looked closely yet. I don't suppose it eats tyres and brakes any faster than anything else of similar weight and performance. I've heard reports of early water pump failure, and there have been several 'Technical Bulletins' put out by the factory which involve minor mods, but it's had all those done. Just hope it's reliable!
It has it's drawbacks - the engine vibrates more than the TDM, it has a raw sort of feel to it. The high mounted exhausts get very hot and they're quite close to the pillion grabrails and they would make it very wide with panniers. The cable routing above the bars makes it awkward to get the ignition key in. Plus it'd be a bit intimidating for the short of leg (I'm 6'-4"![[Image: biggrin.gif]](http://www.carpe-tdm.net/ipb/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.gif)
)
I went over to see a friend in the next village this evening and took a couple of single-track roads that I'd be quite cautious on normally and it just floats over potholes, bumps and gravel and suddenly I can go as quick as I dare, in this case about 60 where I'd probably do 30-40 on the TDM due to the state of the road. It is just SO confidence inspiring. I mean I'm impressed by all of it, but the suspension is just amazing to me. Clearly I'm never going to trouble it's limits! I've been riding over crap road surfaces on purpose and nothing seems to worry it.
Sorry I'm dribbling again.
Yep that's a bit of a worry to me too. It needs a major service every 9000 which was roughly my annual mileage on the TDM, they reckon £275 for that. I can do the minor services once it's out of warranty, the main prob seems to be taking all the plastic and the petrol tanks off to get at the filter and plugs, but I haven't looked closely yet. I don't suppose it eats tyres and brakes any faster than anything else of similar weight and performance. I've heard reports of early water pump failure, and there have been several 'Technical Bulletins' put out by the factory which involve minor mods, but it's had all those done. Just hope it's reliable!
It has it's drawbacks - the engine vibrates more than the TDM, it has a raw sort of feel to it. The high mounted exhausts get very hot and they're quite close to the pillion grabrails and they would make it very wide with panniers. The cable routing above the bars makes it awkward to get the ignition key in. Plus it'd be a bit intimidating for the short of leg (I'm 6'-4"
)I went over to see a friend in the next village this evening and took a couple of single-track roads that I'd be quite cautious on normally and it just floats over potholes, bumps and gravel and suddenly I can go as quick as I dare, in this case about 60 where I'd probably do 30-40 on the TDM due to the state of the road. It is just SO confidence inspiring. I mean I'm impressed by all of it, but the suspension is just amazing to me. Clearly I'm never going to trouble it's limits! I've been riding over crap road surfaces on purpose and nothing seems to worry it.
Sorry I'm dribbling again.