Soon to be New Zealand Owner

Hi Guys,

I ordered a new antrcite (best get that out the way first as I'm sure I'm in for some abuse) SD yesterday. It should be ready for pickup on Friday, so the countdown has begun.

I tested a few other bikes such as the Aprilia Tuono, Triumph Daytona 675 etc. but none left me with the ear to ear grin that the SD did.

The Aprilia was good and I could have lived with it, but after riding the SD, the Aprilia felt almost vague in the corners in comparison although it certainly has some nice grunt. The Daytona was also a nice bike but was agony on my wrists.

In the end there was really no contest and I'm just couting the days, hours, minutes and seconds until it's ready for pickup.

Thanks Dazza. How much was your first service and who did it in the Naki? or did you get it done at AFC?. Are you in New Plymouth or a bit closer?. Thanks for the nice comments on the bike, I had waited for 6 months for an Aprillia Tuono R to come in and 2 weeks before it arrived I had the chance to ride the KTM, needless to say I did not buy the Tuono, but still had budget approval for $28K so the R was a must. If you have not already, check out BRM September issue for a test on the 07 990 v Ducati Hypermotard and in the October issue a small test on my SDR. Would be keen for a ride sometime, pity about SH3!, I do quite a few trackdays at Manfield and am looking at Taupo next month so might see you around. PM OK.
I would be a starter for Wanganui this year...keep me in the loop.[/list]

I'm not going to let you know the cost (it was over 2yrs ago). Lets just say I got no change out of $1400 (for 30000k service,not including chain & sprockets) I get my bike serviced @AMPS, have bought 2 Aprilias & 3 KTM's off the same salesman but Franky says no more. Saying that he has got my name on the first RC8 due April 2008,but that's just a wind up unless I have a big wind fall between now & then, don't like my chances. Well that's me for the week, catchyall next week Oh & I live in NP ,waiting to see copy of BRM thanks forgot which mag it was in (as he rushes away to newsagent) I was thinking about MotoTT in November @ Taupo, few of my mates have Aprilias so need to get them along as well

Congrats on the R Minimomo...

My first service was $450 including fitting pipes and a map [which would not be much work].

LOL! S'pose the mere mortals could come along

Wait until you get your 15000k & 30000k service done, she was in for 10hrs for the 30K service, ouch. Coalman re. your oil tank, it won't be your dealer dragging the chain it'll be KTM NZ that's the hold up. Iv'e had a couple of issues with them so far but to give them credit (thanks KTMNZ) they sorted it but not as fast as I would've like. ie.5wks for a wee part to turn up, they obvoiuly wait until they've got alot of stuff to get from the motherland & get it all @ once, but hey I'm over it now !

Coleman ,

thanks for that clutch spring stuff, cos that would explain one of my own concerns.

Brilliant!!....Now all you need is a halfway decent Rugby, Football and cricket team. [/quote] Ouch !

Thought I'd post this here for other Kiwis to read.
Bloody pissed off honky I be!

Just took my SD-R in for its first service and when I went to pick it up I found that they had taken the steering dampener removed as they'd just been notified by KTM that 4 people(worldwide) have had the dampeners bracket brake and that it's now a genuine hazard. Shocked
Biggest issue I have is that KTM haven't even developed the replacement bracket as yet which sucks arse.

Dmented,

Shit...Better hide my bike before the KTM police come round and remove parts off it!.
But seriously, did they give the damper back to you?, it is clearly yours and as such I guess you could just put it back on?
Is this steering damper thing really an issue?, do I need to remove it myself?
Would be interesting to get some of the overseas guys in on this discussion, have you posted as a seperate thread?