Moto-Brian

From GA, no? If so, he's a youngin and is certainly legit. You had me worried thinking you were referring to Spector. You guys really need to consider figuring out how to keep him away from the school... He's out of control and is so erratic and dangerous it isn't funny... Also, Kerr is up there. Ryan is really coming around and showing some serious promise. He has been looking good and I really think the way he rides the bike, his style on the machine and the overall mindset he has is going to lead him to doing some good things. Overall, the youngins are coming!! Damn kids...

Hmmm... shouldn't be an issue, but could be if the previous owner never took proper care of it. A chain is tougher than checking the valves. I'd check first and then see. However, if you need to replace shims, it is a bit of a hassle on that bike. Not tough, but time consuming...

Who's that?

If you replaced the CCT, depending on your miles, you may need a chain, too... Also, when was the last valve check you did?

Not sure on that. I don't really care for large groups. Maybe 2-5 guys is cool with me, but that's about it...

Perks are cool sometimes! You're welcome to take it for a test ride...

Nah, I hadn't ridden street (except an occassional ride on a new style bike that would come out) for a LOOOOOOOONG time. Now with KTM, I get a chance to street ride regularly... Still a track addict, though. Will be racing this thing too a bit this year so, just trying to get a feel for it.

Do now more than before. Have an RC8R that I ride... Hate street riding much, but it's good. I ride not so much because I convert back and forth on this bike vs. my race only GSXR, but I bet I ride 2-3 days a week...

Heard there were some Euro Bike Nights around Granville? Is that right? If so, anyone got info?

I can plan a trip to Pony or Polaris and meet a group of people to drop things off. Monday or Tuesday is good for me this coming week as after, I am in CA for almost 2 weeks...

Yup. Sorry.

Sorry man, overlooked it. Still got 'er...

Hey everyone... I've been slammed with work and not paying attention to this thread. I can maybe split the thread up into helmets only, etc... BUT, bump and asking folks to make offers before I go Ebay with these. I can now do PayPal and ship. The thing is that you are going to have to increase it 3% for PayPal and pay the shipping which will not be much other than stands - and I think they are spoken for... So, shoot offers and let's get rid of this stuff before Ebay. Here's a link to pics of everything: http://img692.imageshack.us/g/buellpucks.jpg/

Ben, listen... You win. I can find a dealer with a radiator. My reference to no dealers having them is a GENERAL statement. I can find one. The thing is that some bikes have wear items that are constant replacement items vs. other bikes in their same category. Look at the older R1s with the clutch actuator arms. Typical break items in a low side crash. They are usually an item in stock in dealerships. However, look for one on a GSXR for example... Not usually a carried piece. Reason is that the design of the GSXR is different and it doesn't typically need replaced. Maybe it is a case cover on one vs. another... Apparently, the Strom needs radiators on a regular basis... Who knows? The thing is that you could go to a local KTM dealer in South Dakota and order it next day right on the spot. You'd get it as quick as you would from Johnny's Internet Parts Supply. Plus, you'd support a dealer vs. a warehouse. If you are in BFE, guess what? You are gonna be hosed no matter what. You going to have the part shipped to Perkins Pancake house or the Road Side Rest stop? The problem I have is that you stated the parts aren't there for a KTM. Yes, I work for them and know them a little better than I know the other companies, but the bottom line is that the parts ARE there. A dealer can order next day just like you can. Sure, maybe it is a deal where you win by one day as you may have to call to order it and then have them ship it, but if you are concerned over a series of parts, get with a dealer you know that has a majority of big issue parts in stock. You're looking for Whore price internet companies. But, if you are at a Rest Stop off 80 with no hotels or fuel or anything within say, 60 miles... What then? You can spin and win all you want. I'll let you call it a victory, but rest assured that KTM DOES carry a lot if not most of the parts in stock. Plus, we have a West and East warehouse and can most likely get that part in 1-2 days NORMAL shipping to a dealer. You can always pay up and get it quicker... I just want to say what you were claiming "parts aren't readily available", you are stating ill facts. They are. Maybe not in your dooms day scenario, but they are available. You can claim that when you are in BFE that you will be an extra day out, but be realistic for once... By the way, how many of these out in the middle of nowhere trips do you make a year? So far, since you've owned the Strom, how many times have you been so remote and had to have a part replaced on the spot? That argument is warranted, but you are like a lot, if not most riders in that you do day to day commuting and would probably have a mechanical during that typical day to day riding. So, on a majority of the time you own the rig, parts are as accessible as anything else...

Listen, I understand what used to be the way things were. But, like anything, things change and a lot of times, for the better. Parts are available. We are stronger in street based bikes than ever before. Parts are there, the network is there and even unobtanium things are there. Ben doesn't have anything tangible to go off. He's looking at Cyclehut. He can go to his local dealer or ANY KTM dealer and get the part tomorrow. Simple. My point is that if you are going to base things off guesses, you are just making yourself look bad. Your situation is slightly different as you owned one and at least can speak from experience. Ben cannot. I understand your side, but again, even a buddy of mine that had KTMs even 4 -5 years ago has noticed that things are a lot different than before. The point is that we are growing and we are doing things a lot differently. I don't want to push KTM. I don't give a rat's ass if Ben buys one, rides one or anything. Just don't go spouting facts that are simply not true. Oh, and the cool aide isn't an issue. Ask anyone I know. They'll tell you that I don't care what people buy and what people think. I will, however, will make a stance when things aren't told correctly. Don't confuse that with me trying to be a salesman...

Again, parts ARE readily available. You aren't going to get a rad from a dealership on your trip. Lucky if you do, but realistically, they aren't going to carry one. Two, the same will be true with the KTM. Why is it that you guys think the parts aren't available? Strange the guess work you guys are doing... As for th newer vs. older modles, there are PLENTY of parts available for a LOT of previous years... I understand if it doesn't fit you, doesn't look good in your eyes, but to throw out crap about things based on assumptions is crazy and ill informed...

Let me lay this out as nicely as I can. ANY dealer that orders a radiator, will get it from Amherst, Ohio. That means, you go into HNW and ask for a radiator, they probably aren't going to have it. However, you pay and they order today, they get it tomorrow. We have them in stock... LC8 radiators might not be at a dealership, but if you ordered it from cyclehut, you are going to get it 1-2 days best after you buy it. You can support a local dealer and get it in 1 day... Next opposition?

Pics are going to help a ton. The fact that $3k is pretty much the going rate for such a bike in crashed condition, I would hope it is in good shape. Especially for a racer as the essentials need to be solid. Frame, wheels, forks, motor, etc....

One, you are correct. Two, did the 990 fit your budget? I'd think not since the Vstrom is cheaper... Again, Dave has nothing but good to say about the bike and so too, Rick the owner... The bike isn't good because I say it is. I know it is and there's certainly proof of that. Now, as stated, it is taller and maybe not as comfortable as say your Strom. Again, to each their own... But, to sit there and make acusations about how the bike performs is not fair if you haven't even thrown a leg over one. Looks aside because I feel there isn't a single Adventure style bike that "looks good"... We can remedy that this July at Mid-Ohio. Come up and ride on. The route is gonna suck, but maybe you and I can go for a ride on our own. You give it an honest shot and let me know your honest thoughts. If it isn't for you, cool. But, at least you tried it... Plus, you can ride them all and get a feel for some different bikes you may not even consider and understand where each style bike has a focus on within the public's eyes... Deal?

I can tell you with confidence that parts availability is great right now. Ask me how I know...

$1k a weekend isn't going to get you up with the top guys... Think more along the lines of about $2k and average a LOT more as they do motor builds each year and motor freshening at the end of the same year. It's costly to win at the top... My overall suggestion before you go balls deep into racing? Go do some track days and really get yourself acclimated to track riding aggressively with control. My $.02 as we never had track days back when I started...

No money via contingencies this year... A lot of guys are sitting on the couch this year... Young pups and that's pretty much it racing for the top spots...

Well, then you should have bought the Adventure. It's lighter and more powerful even though it has a smaller capacity engine. Quit trying to spin it that everything is based on racing. R&D developes via racing and why product is as good as it is... As for parts, KTM has a warehouse in Amherst. Dealer orders a part today, gets it tomorrow. Not gonna happen with the Suzuki guys all the time... And, if you don't value what I say, ask Dave at Honda NW. They are an Orange Level dealer and think the Adventure is one of the best bikes in class hands down... All I am saying is to not knock something based on looks.

Seriously, man... You're an idiot. They had pretty much nobody in AMA due to the fact that Goodyear paid more. It's more about money than anything... Wanna chirp in on how many championships Rossi made and won on Michelins? Do you believe that had Michelin WON the contract for the spec tire that all the riders wouldn't have completed races and failed at the events they ran? Want unbiased? Ask me how many tire companies I have raced for. Ask how many I have tested under some serious conditions. Ask me who I think are the players and who isn't. I never once say ill about Pirelli, Michelin or Dunlop. Know why? Well, if you don't know, it won't amaze me... MX? Let's look at world MX events. Let's also discuss world car events... What, because you seemingly only like the brands that pay the most, you probably run Dunlop tires on your racey ZR1100, Goodyear tires on your car, run EBC brake pads and only use BP fuel.... Well, you are welcome to come out and go up against my inferior brake pads, shit tires and crappy gas. You truly amaze me as to how you have no clue what you speak and only base things on what you read or what you see on machines that are racing with organizations that have a spec tire... We won't even go into club racing where Robert Jensen has numerous track records on shit pile Michelins... Isn't it funny that you probably think Dunlop is kick ass because Goodyear dumps enough money in the AMA series (remember, you think Michelin sucks because of their results in AMA) and yet, they too suck major tit in MotoGP. Yes, if you think Michelin sucks balls after all the championships (count for me the number in 10 years so you can counter what you stated) they garnished in MotoGP, then Dunlop has to be total shit, right? Afterall, they have really tried to do MotoGP and failed terribly. Oh, and Pirelli must suck a major set of donkey balls because they cannot win shit at the AMA level and aren't even a spec in world level stuff like MotoGP. Guess that WSBK and WSS racing means dick. The deal is simple. Call us when you've tried more than two sets of tires and don't base what you know on what you read. Wow.

Which ones? Let's talk setup so you have the best setup before you ride on them, cool? It won't make any difference and probably be worse if you run w/o resetting things... I got a TON of notes for that chassis...