KTMs?

[Watcher]

Anyone have any experience with KTMs?

I found a dealership selling a 2007 SuperDuke 990 with less than 20k miles in MINT shape.  FMF Apex carbon fiber exhaust, adjustable levers, asking about $7000.

I was at the dealership before it got too cold and got to sit on it but at the time I wasn't buying.  Now that I am looking for a bike I found out they still have it, and they do layaway so I might go and put money down on it.

It's a little steep for me, but then again I've never ever seen another KTM anywhere else and in person it was impressive as can be!  If it was between a Yamaha FZ-07 for $7000 and a used KTM 990 Superduke for $7000, I'm almost inclined to go KTM.
But I know nothing about KTM, their reputation, their build quality, etc.  I don't want to buy it only to find out it needs the valves adjusted every 5k miles and it costs $1200 to do each time or something stupid like that.

[pliskin]

I like KTM, especially the motards. They remind me of Huskvarna back in the day for some reason. You could probably fix it yourself by reading how on the internet if you had to. I doubt there are many places that would work on them. Not as many as the ones that work the 4 jap bikes.

[Kijona]

As with any major purchase, the first step is research, research, research. It doesn't really matter what we say, because ultimately you have to make the decision and you have to live with it. I can tell you one thing, then someone can come behind me and completely disagree/contradict what I'm saying. Such is the nature of the internet and opinions.

That having been said, KTM has been around for quite a while. Their gig is v-twins and they do a pretty good job of it from what I've seen/heard. They are expensive because A) they're German and B) the bikes come with lots of parts that you'd otherwise replace on a Japanese bike with "upgrades". Lots of their offroad bikes come with premier handlebars, chains, lights, etc. I don't know how that would translate to an onroad bike.

I've always thought KTMs were "cool" bikes, and always considered them in the same "class" as BMW which meant, expensive to buy, own and maintain. I don't know that there's any validity to that at all, it was just my impression of them.

You might be better off with a naked Suzuki SV1000. Similar bike, similar engine.

[bombsquad83]

The FZ-07 is a much more practical choice - gas mileage/range, dealer support, and value.  However, the Super Duke sounds like it would be just the opposite, but an absolute blast to ride.

http://www.motorcyclenews.com/bike-reviews/ktm/990-superduke/2005/
http://www.motorcyclenews.com/bike-reviews/yamaha/mt-07/2014/
(The FZ and MT are the same bike)

[Janx101]

If you going the Yamaha route. . FJ/MT 09 (Tracer) .. bigger fuel tank. .  Much! More Fun!

[Watcher]

If you going the Yamaha route. . FJ/MT 09 (Tracer) .. bigger fuel tank. .  Much! More Fun!

But!  But!  2 cylinders are so much cooler!


In all seriousness, the 3 cylinder I think is a cool concept and a great way to have more 4 cylinder type power from a lighter and more compact design, but there's just something about a twin, man.
The sound of it thumping away instead of purring, the more persistent vibration, that sound when you blip the throttle.

Oh yes!

I can't seem to find a video of a superduke with a good exhaust system that wasn't revved like a dork or filmed retarded with the camera being blasted by exhaust.

[Janx101]

  ... Did you just dismiss my beloved future bike  .... You nasty beast! .. Now I'm sad!! ..............

Yeah I get your meaning with the sound of a twin....

But...

Just have a short test ride on a 09 .... Twist the throttle open a few times... Listen to the RAAAAWWWRRR!!!!! .. And tell me you aren't tempted!! 

[Watcher]

I'm not madenof stone 

But I knows what I want.

[Janx101]

... lol

Ride the Mt09. . Join us! ..  eat the pie!! Lmao

[Kijona]

You might be better off with a naked Suzuki SV1000. Similar bike, similar engine.

Since you seem enamored with the sound of a V-Twin, I'd definitely recommend the SV1000. 90°V-Twin and they sound mean as hell with the right exhaust. Torque monsters as well.

Hell, for that matter, why not get a naked SV650? They've even got a similar look.

[Janx101]

Umm. . I went looking for big vtwin bikes to paste in here and blather on about for fun... but got distracted by this! ..  thoughts?
http://thekneeslider.com/neander-turbo-diesel-motorcycle-is-introduced/

[Kijona]

Umm. . I went looking for big vtwin bikes to paste in here and blather on about for fun... but got distracted by this! ..  thoughts?
http://thekneeslider.com/neander-turbo-diesel-motorcycle-is-introduced/

It's fairly quick, has a ton of torque way down low in the RPM band, and kinda looks neat too. Plus, that turbo whine...hopefully. I wonder if it has a BOV as well?

It probably gets hella good fuel mileage too.

[Janx101]

Ooooh BOV!!! yeah boi !!

[Watcher]

You might be better off with a naked Suzuki SV1000. Similar bike, similar engine.

Since you seem enamored with the sound of a V-Twin, I'd definitely recommend the SV1000. 90°V-Twin and they sound mean as hell with the right exhaust. Torque monsters as well.

Hell, for that matter, why not get a naked SV650? They've even got a similar look.

Hmm...  I've always sort of gravitated towards the SV650, but to be honest I never fell in love with it's look.  They sound nice and are quick, but that single round headlight on the naked ones just doesn't seem to belong.  They look best with the fairing, and I don't like the fairings...  I'm not saying I wouldn't own one, but they aren't my first choice.
The FZ-07 is really the first bike that really clicked with me.  I love the style, I love the sound, and I got to sit on a few (but sadly never rode one) and they feel good.

That KTM, though, I can't get it out of my head!  It's like a bad dream.  I went and looked at it again.  Sat on it.  Played with it.  Fondled it a little.  They fired it up for me and the almost helicopter-like drumming of the cylinders pushing out exhaust made me grin the biggest smile I've had in a long time!  It fit perfectly, from the height and width of the bike, to the weight of it, to the position of the bars and pegs and the reach of the levers.  It was perfect!  I've never sat on a bike that needed no adjusting whatsoever!
Read more than a handful of reviews and nearly everyone praises it as a nearly perfect machine.  Fast, reliable, and stock with every upgrade you could think of.

I applied for a loan through the dealership and I was denied.  I'm making decent money working 2 jobs right now, but my credit is poor from my recent unemployment.  I want to go to a credit-union and sit down and talk with a loan officer and see what, if anything, I can do.
The dealership does layaway, if I put $1000 down on it I have 3 months (slightly negotiable) to pay it off plus a $100 a month retainer, and I would scrounge up the $1000 to do it if I thought there was any chance I could make the remaining $6000 in 3 months but that's just not very realistic.  If I do I'd be eating on a diet of peanutbutter and Ramen for that time straight, and I'd be forced to sell my firearms, my PC, and eventually my car.
I don't want to do those things, but I've never been so passionate and enthusiastic about owning anything before.  If I said "I'd sell my left nut to own this," it's the closest I'd ever been to actually being serious.
I'll sell all my worldly possessions to own that bike.  I gotta have it.  I can't sleep, I can't go a damn hour without thinking about it.  The worst part is I know I could easily afford a loan for it if only I could get approved for one.  I'm pulling about $2000 a month, currently with no rent or other drastic expenses besides paying down my credit cards which is only like $100 a month at this point...

[Janx101]

If the dealer credit got knocked back then the bank is likely to be tougher. .. and don't forget that every application you make leaves a footprint... you really don't want to leave denied footprints! .. but every 500 or so you can put towards deposit/part payment upfront  makes a difference.

Credit application rules worldwide are screwed last few years unless you already have significant assets

[Kijona]

If the dealer credit got knocked back then the bank is likely to be tougher. .. and don't forget that every application you make leaves a footprint... you really don't want to leave denied footprints! .. but every 500 or so you can put towards deposit/part payment upfront  makes a difference.

Credit application rules worldwide are screwed last few years unless you already have significant assets

That isn't entirely accurate. When you apply for credit, whether it's for a car loan, mortgage, or credit card, the creditor will query your credit history. This is what's known as a "Hard Inquiry" (conversely a "Soft Inquiry" would be any time your credit is pulled but not for credit application, such as when you pull it yourself).

The only thing a creditor can see is the total number of hard inquiries in the last 2 years. They cannot see whether your application was approved or denied. Though, they can also see how many lines of credit you have, and which bank(s) are the creditors.

Some banks will consider multiple auto loan inquiries as a single inquiry, providing they are made within 14 days of each other. Example: John Smith goes to a dealer to buy a car and has them run his credit. The dealer then enters John Smith's information into their computer and a few (or dozens, just depends on the dealer) banks simultaneously pull John Smith's credit. Each bank responds with "Approve/Deny/Conditional" or something along those lines. It would not surprise me, especially if the car dealership was bigger, if John Smith ended up with 20-30 new hard inquires on his credit report.

Why does this matter? Well, a large number of hard inquiries, especially if made in a small window of time (usually a month or two), can make you look "credit hungry" or desperate for credit. This isn't good in the eyes of a potential creditor, especially if it's something like an auto loan or mortgage (credit card companies care too, but not nearly as much).

TL;DR: Creditors can't see whether you were approved or denied, just how many times your credit was pulled.

[Watcher]

No dice.

Credit union denied me a loan.  Said my income was fine but my credit history blows.  No surprise, but they did say if I could land a cosigner they'd give me a loan.   


No dice.

Couldn't find anyone who was in a position to be my cosigner willing to participate.  Family didn't want to "risk their credit on a toy" (they don't get it), one good friend of mine didn't want to participate due to him already having a couple of loans already, and another friend of mine just didn't trust my employment.  My job with the machine shop I was working at was shaky for a long time, and I resigned from it and am now working 2 steady part time jobs with prospects on a third that I'd likely take over one of my current ones.  I have no desire to leave any of them, nor do any of the companies who employ me have any indication that they are in financial trouble.  In fact, the businesses are prospering, and I should be with them as long as I don't find something "better".
But still, he says he doesn't want me to screw him over if I lose my job so unless I could come up with, like, 50% down he wouldn't cosign with me.  Fair enough, it is a valid risk.  But I also can't help but feel like if I had 50% to put down I wouldn't need any help with a loan...

The one person I know who would be willing to help doesn't have any credit, so he'd ultimately be no help.  I asked if he might still want to try, because it would be credit history for him and potentially a huge benefit, but he mentioned he tried getting a $500 limit credit card about a month ago and was denied even that.  High doubts a credit union would approve him as a cosigner.

So I'm thinking back to a layaway option.  $1000 down, minimum of $250 a month + $100 fee per month for storage.
I could probably comfortably float $1000 a month from my income, but that would mean I don't see the bike until it starts getting cold again.
I was planning on selling my car this year anyway.  That could be the final payment and I can expect $1500 from the car.  So that should get me the bike by August/September or so.
And I looked around at my worldly possessions and my eyes landed on small collection of firearms and ammunition.  Modest estimation of about $2500 there with stuff "priced to sell".
That would see me with the bike sometime in June, which would almost be too perfect as that's the month of my birthday.  And what a birthday present to myself that would be!

I still have a lot to consider, and my contact high, so to speak, is starting to mellow and I am starting to rationalize better.  But I am still enamored with this bike and I'm fighting tooth and nail for it to be mine.
Wondering if I could lay it away, put a few grand on it, then try to finance a smaller amount on it in a month or two's time.  Gotta talk to the dealer about that.
We'll see...

[Kijona]

A word to the wise...don't do it. If you have to fight that hard for the bike, and make all those sacrifices, you're going to find something that will make you unhappy about the bike. It's human nature - you expect the bike to be perfect because you worked so hard for it. Inevitably, there will be at least one thing that you don't like about it. Not only that, you'll be so protective of it that every time something happens, or it makes a strange sound, you'll have a meltdown.

Here's what I would do...if I were in your position, I would save up a couple grand over the next two or three months and then, if it's still there, put that towards a down-payment on the loan. There's a thing in the banking industry called "propensity to walk"; basically it works like this: the more you're willing to invest in the loan, the less likely you are to walk out on it. If you can come up with a three grand down-payment in 3 months (which you seem to be able to do), it will greatly increase the chances of getting the loan.