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KTM 790s to be build in China

Discussion in 'General' started by stk0308, Jan 31, 2019.

  1. BSA43

    BSA43 Well-Known Member

    And I thought I was interested in a KTM 390.

    Maybe I should just redirect the KTM money to resurrect my BSA. :crackup:
     
  2. rd49

    rd49 Well-Known Member

    Go with the devil you know not the one you do not know. :D
     
    Banditracer likes this.
  3. JBowen33

    JBowen33 Only fast on Facebook

    Doesn’t the 390 have all sorts of issues?!
     
  4. motion

    motion Nihilistic Member

    They do have cooling/head gasket issues, but not that hard to fix. I've "bullet-proofed" mine. A bunch of us race them at Willow Springs with AHRMA and haven't had any problems at that track. If they can survive Willow, they can survive anywhere :D
     
  5. gt#179

    gt#179 Dirt Dork

    AFAIK the 390's are built in India. I've heard horror stories about them as far as basic issues when they are taken out of the crate (no lube on bearings, wheels not straight, not able to be balanced, etc).

    As others have said, china could be a deal breaker, but will have to wait and see how the first batch comes out. I used to deal with Taiwan a lot (very different from mainland china) and even there you had to keep a lot of QC to keep products on track. Especially in China, if you aren't there 24/7, your stuff will go down hill quickly. And I won't even get into any IP issues if you have any proprietary processes, procedures, or products.
     
  6. rd49

    rd49 Well-Known Member

    There will probably be an MTK 790 introduced right after the 1st KTM rolls off. :)
     
    scottn likes this.
  7. Robby-Bobby

    Robby-Bobby Steeltoe’s Daddy

    I was a Ktm dealer for many years and sold a LOT of 390’s...

    The only issues we saw was when ted cob killed a transmission at Jennings.

    They seem pretty good to me.

    As far as their dirt bike line and big bike line they are rock solid from what I know. I’ve worked on them for 15 or more years and saw nothing but improvements on them.


    No clue on the 790 thoigh.
     
  8. Dave K

    Dave K DaveK über alles!

    RB, what do you all sell now?
     
  9. noles19

    noles19 Well-Known Member

    :stupid:
    The ktm dirt bikes are one of the most reliable bikes out there, most go 100+ hours with no issue.
    My husky which is 99% the same as ktm is my favorite bike to work on and ride that I've ever owned. And the only issues I've had with it were from other companies, magura. And brembo..
     
    Last edited: Jan 31, 2019
  10. Robby-Bobby

    Robby-Bobby Steeltoe’s Daddy

    Pretty all euro except Ktm and bmw.

    Triumph
    Ducati
    Aprilia
    Vespa
    Piaggio
    Kymco
    MV Agusta
    Genuine
     
  11. Banditracer

    Banditracer Dogs - because people suck

    Sounds like the reliability would be about the same... :D
     
  12. gt#179

    gt#179 Dirt Dork

    You have the market for the Benelli? their new little Grom style 135 bike looks nice.
     
  13. JBowen33

    JBowen33 Only fast on Facebook

    This is a bummer. I was looking at the 790 adventure but now idk.
     
  14. SGVRider

    SGVRider Well-Known Member

    Chinese can make good shit if you control them and watch them like a hawk. Seems to work for Apple. Well for a given definition of “good shit”. Their labor costs are also rapidly increasing so they’re losing a lot of competitive advantage. Plus companies have figured out the total costs involved in China manufacturing can be higher. I’m not saying the China assembled KTMs will be garbage, but I’d definitely put less stock in them than something made in Europe. Though don’t KTM and other Euros manufacture in Slovenia and Eastern Europe? Same problems they have in China I’d assume albeit smaller scale.
     
  15. motion

    motion Nihilistic Member

    The A&R article on the bike makes a good point in stating that a lot of the OEMs are already sourcing many components from China. We might be surprised at just how much is coming from China. I don't see an issue, but I am surprised at the relatively high cost of the bike, given that its being outsourced to China. Thought it might be more affordable... like $9,000 or so. Oh well.
     
  16. ChemGuy

    ChemGuy Harden The F%@# Up!

    These guys are based and manufacture in Slovenia. A buddy took a tour a couple years ago while on vacation. They have a good rep for quality.

    https://www.pipistrel.si/

    Id fly an eastern Euro built plane looooonnnnnnggggg before a Chinese built one. Several of the US light aircraft manufacturers and major suppliers have been bought out by Chinese companies in the last few years. BUt they are still run and produce stuff here, for now...
     
  17. kenessex

    kenessex unregistered user

    Do any of you guys know how a global economy works? There is stuff sourced from all over, assembled anywhere for companies that are owned by other companies that may be based anywhere and then move based on taxes and government concessions and labor availability. Go ahead and try to buy local. Good luck.
     
  18. BSA43

    BSA43 Well-Known Member

    Go Harley!!!

    Made in Amurica!!!
     
  19. kenessex

    kenessex unregistered user

    forks, shocks, carbs, tires?
    500s and 750s?
    nevermind
    Hell yeah, murica
     
    BSA43 likes this.
  20. grady anderson

    grady anderson Well-Known Member

    KTM Right.JPG
    My 690 Duke had no reliability issues. Under 300lbs (by one half a pound but still....) and fun to ride. I am very attracted to the 790.
    Especially the Kramer version being developed.
     
    Last edited: Feb 8, 2019
    stk0308 likes this.

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