KTM 790s to be build in China

https://www.cycleworld.com/2019-ktm-790-adventure-gets-an-attractive-price

I know the dirt world is nervous about this. How do you all see it? I think it'll be alright with the right quality controls in place. China is developing into the new Japan.

 

Considering how well that went when they gave the manufacture process to Bajaj for the 390 series, I'll pass.

 

NO .....

 

If KTM controls the factory and the QC, who cares? If the components are the same as if they built it in Austria (or where ever) , same is the same.
They are passing along the cost savings and all that shit.

 

Yamaha built in China- I'd be worried about lower quality
KTM built in China- I would be the same amount of worried about quality.

 

If this was the Dungeon then I'd say RACIST!!!!

But it's not so I won't.

 

The problem is that when I got my 390, you can tell it's poor quality metals and plastics. Bolts would strip and snap and the plastic would break very easily. It was no where near the same as the Austrian KTMs. Not to mention the motor explosion problem. I took a huge hit with that one, nobody wants those bikes.

 

That all sounds like it falls squarely on KTM not so much where it was made.

If they left it up to their chinese partners (if they are not in control of the assembly plant) and allowed them to source their own parts and subs, KTM f@cked up. If KTM selected the cheaper parts themselves to save a buck, it's on KTM.

I deal in China a lot and if you don't stay 100% involved with everything, things will go sideways. If you let them source the raws and sub assemblies themselves, it will eventually blow up in your face.

I'd love to check out a 390 up close, would be a real interesting adventure.

 

I want to like the KTM, but for that kind of money I'm getting the Guzzi. Some people think it was hit with an ugly stick but I like it. And it will probably be as reliable as an anvil.

 

I was looking at the MG website yesterday along with Harley and triump for an old fart bike idea.

They all had bikes that were about 40% where I'd want my bike to be.

 

An anvil that shakes parts loose, and eats electrical components? But, sure. Yah. Reliable.

 

RC390 is built in India yo

 

No way in HELL I would ride that think more than 50 miles from a Guzzi dealer!!!

 

I thought Guzzi's are dependable bikes! They used to be. What happened?

 

I was thinking that but it was sounding like China. Didn't know.

India has it's own issues. The people work hard and are usually very smart. Problem is that sometimes they think they are smarter than what they are told to do and how to do it and take it upon themselves to "help."

Still, be fun to check one out and take apart. Someone else would have to put it back together though.

 

Well, I have one and yeah its pretty weird. Austrian engineering, I guess.

 

Guzzi= Italian Harley
KTM= dirt Harley

 

Even the Germans make fun of the Austrians.

 

Chinese welds that I'm trusting my life on? Nope. all that just to use semi-slave labor? Nope again.

 

Even the KTMs built in Europe have shit reliability, as per my friend who is a tech advisor at the largest KTM dealership around here. Just sayin'.