KTM Duke 125 Build Quality....DON'T BUY ONE!!

bunglebubs · Spanner Monkey Joined: 17 Jun 2011 Karma :

Most metal fractures look like that, why do you assume it's high in Zinc? Zinc isn't used in any mild steel or cast iron, it is however used to galvanise or protect it as an anti corrosive barrier in certain applications such as in marine not a standard application for any bike component. The only definitive way you will know what any metals chemical make up is is to analyse it chemically or using a spectrometer. Most metals can be made to look the same or similar colour through heat treatment processes and chemical treatments.

A quick education for you, iron always wants to return to it's normal state that it comes out of the ground (iron oxide) so anytime anything that is made of iron is exsposed to oxygen will react with it and eventually return to its nominal state, which is commonly known as rust. Of course this will vary depending on the atmosphere it is exposed to and what is mixed with the iron or steel how quickly this will happen.
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The other Paul Rudd · Scooby Slapper Joined: 06 May 2013 Karma :

mpf1959 · Nova Slayer Joined: 09 May 2013 Karma :

as a matter of interest, the chinese companies have to achieve quality standards such as dot and e mark iso ect, in order to export. does this have any bearing on materials, or just systems?

other paul rudd, if its any consolation the indian made royal enfield bullets (though not perfect bikes by any means) are still providing reasonable service today even when made in the 90's 80's and even the 1970's, the steel in them seems to be able to withstand 40yrs plus at least.

G · The Voice of Reason Joined: 02 Feb 2002 Karma :

Rogerborg · nimbA Joined: 26 Oct 2010 Karma :

G · The Voice of Reason Joined: 02 Feb 2002 Karma :

Rogerborg · nimbA Joined: 26 Oct 2010 Karma :

bunglebubs · Spanner Monkey Joined: 17 Jun 2011 Karma :

mpf1959 · Nova Slayer Joined: 09 May 2013 Karma :

UnspeedySam · World Chat Champion Joined: 25 Nov 2009 Karma :

Khanivore · Scooby Slapper Joined: 24 Jul 2013 Karma :

Really gutted to read this thread. Was ready to buy one today. Bought my helmet, gloves and boots yesterday! Sad

Thanks for saving me from some future heartache. Disappointed, but I should be relieved I guess. I am now back to thinking that I should just ditch the whole 125 idea, do my DAS and the spend the money on something 600cc'ish.

UnspeedySam · World Chat Champion Joined: 25 Nov 2009 Karma :

G · The Voice of Reason Joined: 02 Feb 2002 Karma :

Indeed; there's a lot of other bikes that will do just as good a job of 'being a bike' that you'll lose a lot less money and may encourage you to enjoy the riding more because you're not worrying about every little scratch on quite a few thousand points worth of shiny machinery!

Necrotix · Derestricted Danger Joined: 11 Aug 2013 Karma :

lazymccrazy · L Plate Warrior Joined: 21 Feb 2013 Karma :

Just a follow up on my duke that I told you all about on page 1.

Since then I have had to go in for a new wiring loom AND a lambda sensor on separate occasions. My bike is now at 6K miles.

All in all I have had to take 7 days off work in holidays to get this bike to the garage and have it sorted. The quality of these Indian Dukes is shite. I was speaking to the mechanic in the garage and we both found it funny that there 125 bike that was supposed to introduce young riders to the KTM brand does the opposite and puts them off due to the problems.

I will never buy another KTM product in my life, appalling.

bikertomm · World Chat Champion Joined: 03 Jul 2010 Karma :

Insane! Reading alot of negativity about these 125 dukes.. it begs the question for the newer bigger KTM's.. are they going to be of better quality? I sure hope so!
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Irn-Bru · World Chat Champion Joined: 13 Aug 2009 Karma :

The lads on the KTM forum are quite vocal about the issues they have, plenty of threads on the 690 not being as reliable or as well made as the price tag would lead you to believe. Mine was starting to go downhill @ 4,000 miles - FI issues mainly, used to go into reduced power mode and run like a bag of shite. When it was working 100% it was amazing though, I'd still own another one but KTMs support is god awful as well, after sales support doesn't translate into German very well.
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KTM 990 SMT & Suzuki DR-Z 400 SM

Polarbear · Super Spammer Joined: 24 Feb 2007 Karma :

What really upsets me about this is its fraud (in my eyes)

If I buy a Triumph, I expect it to be made in UK or at least made to Triumph UK standards.

Same with any other bike brand.

This seems chinese screw you

Roger, comments please
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prawny1 · World Chat Champion Joined: 28 Jun 2005 Karma :

Rogerborg · nimbA Joined: 26 Oct 2010 Karma :

Rickstar1996 · L Plate Warrior Joined: 05 Sep 2013 Karma :

Right I'm agreeing with all that's been said I've got a duke 125 done 4500 miles alternators gone (wasn't charging to a high enough rate)
Light switch rear
Chain link frozen
Flickery dash how ever think is my 4th ktm (six 65 sx85 exc 300 duke 125) all never had a problem with which shows that they haven't got the hang of electrics yet. However in comparison to my friends bikes lexmoto Yamaha r125 Honda cbf125 is is the fastest best looking and nicest bike all round aha proud to own however I've found I'm not riding it to its full and getting 24kmpl and I've started riding higher revs and getting around 29kmpl

lazymccrazy · L Plate Warrior Joined: 21 Feb 2013 Karma :

Morning fellas. Sat at the bus stop as my duke won't start this morning has given me time to reflect on just what a piece of shit this bike is.

Irn-Bru · World Chat Champion Joined: 13 Aug 2009 Karma :

We need a sticky on here titled: "DO NOT BUY A KTM DUKE 125 OR HONDA CBF 125!"

The dash issue thing applies to nearly every single model of KTM, on the 690 it was a "dust" issue - mine never had it but it wouldn't surprise me if it happens at some point to whoever owns it now.
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KTM 990 SMT & Suzuki DR-Z 400 SM

Rogerborg · nimbA Joined: 26 Oct 2010 Karma :

And MCN's review still gives it 4* for quality... Rolling Eyes

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GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike

imperialmen · Derestricted Danger Joined: 24 Dec 2013 Karma :

I cant seem to understand how the quality can be so bad on the D125s there in the UK. Its so hard to believe there are so many problems with them.

Because here in India, the D200s are tough little machines... the roads are bad.... dust and mud and potholes and graveled roads, and we ride through them at 100kmph like they were nothing. We brake hard to avoid a stupid jaywalker, we accelerate hard to avoid being hit by an oncoming bus while over taking a slow lorry on a narrow 2 laned road. We crash countless times due to a cow, or a dog that suddenly decided to cross the road. Yet the little ktm just goes on. The Dukes here were never known for breaking down.. even after the amount of abuse they are subjected to. I mean, come on, we thrash around those Duke200s so hard, and yet the bike just keeps coming back asking for more with little hesitation.

And I come across this thread, and its just unbelievable. Lemons? Really? Or is it just the first timers 17 year olds speaking?
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