I couldn't disagree more with 'Da Dude'! (see other review). This is my second KTM, following a Rallye 620. That really was my bike, or so I thought, until I drove the Duke II. My brother has owned a Duke I since 1997, and I always thought it to be a little too nervous for my taste. But the...
read more
I couldn't disagree more with 'Da Dude'! (see other review). This is my second KTM, following a Rallye 620. That really was my bike, or so I thought, until I drove the Duke II. My brother has owned a Duke I since 1997, and I always thought it to be a little too nervous for my taste. But the version II, with the better rear swing, the better front fork etc.etc. is the machine for me. Yesterday (07-03-2002) it was exactly two years old and I drove 20.000 km. on it till now (that's about 12,500 miles). I live in Amsterdam and my driving style is (quoting a policeman that stopped me after trapping me with a lasergun) 'like an animal'. I don't have bent rims, wheels or whatsoever. And belive me, we have putholes and tram rails in abundance. The only thing that happened to my bike in two years of everyday driving is a sweaty (not leaking) valve lid gasket and an ignition lock that was not completely watertight. Both were graciously fixed free of charge by KTM Netherlands. Everything else has come down to sheer driving fun. Ever tried to overtake a FireBlade in a corner, round his outside? His bodywork almost hitting the asphalt and the Duke's just waiting to pushed a little more... This bike still surprises me, even after two years. What this bike can do comes down to the pilot's ability. So far the bike's still ahead of me. So, mister Dude, stop whining about depreciation: get yourself a BMW next time and be bored after a couple of months. The rim bit sucks, but complaining to the highest ranks possible (those are in Mattighofen, Austria, under http://www.ktm.at) might work for you. Final conclusion: this is my 6th bike, and on every previous bike I've been fiddling around with replacement shocks, better brake pads, open air filter boxes etc etc. That mostely started after a couple of month after buying it, and becoming increasingly dissatisfied. My Duke is entirely standard, the same as the day I bought it. Need I say more? Nothing to wish for.
Show less