interesting Honda are only 3rd in France, some way behind as well; despite being the worlds biggest manufacturer, and Gas Gas sell more than Triumph

I would suggest that KTM do so well because they have a specific market that they normally target. They also do well because many of their bikes can be dual purpose road(SM) or offroad.

For me its a matter of practicality and fun.

The 916SP is simply stunning...but with the roads as they are today, its simply tooooo much.

It comes down to whatever floats you boat. I enjoy riding off-road as much as on regarding all forms of 2 wheels. I ride top spec push-bikes on the road to shave seconds of PB's, but also ride mountain bikes off road to just get 'down and dirty'...for a laugh.

For me to buy a bike, whatever the make, I need to lust after it...and that applies to all forms of motorbike. Would I but a Ducati if it looked like a dog, just because its a Ducati, or it has that famous desmo engine....NNNNOOOOOOo way.

Would I buy a Ducati because it looked the absolute dongs danglies, but had an average engine...probably yes!

At the moment, Ducati seem to be aimlessly wandering around with no real direction or purpose regarding design.

Compare that to KTM who have revamped their entire range over the past few years...and have produced some simply amazing designs...some would say bizzare. But they do it with a conviction and self-belief that is contageous!

I mean check out their new Supermoto 690 for next year...absolutly bonkers, but I bet they sell a bucket load!

Design
 

Ducati Haven't lost their way in the design stakes.
You must realize too that Ducati is a small outfit and they are literally fighting for survival.

Interesting - maybe this will be a competitor for the Hypermotard? A lot of the motard riders I know reckon that the Hypermotard will be too heavy with the 1000cc engine in it, so it just won't cut it against the KTM et al offerings.

Could Ducati introduce a 695 Hypermotard? It may be cheaper but I doubt that the weight will be reduced significantly and for it to have enough power to be the class leader?

I test rode the 990 again at the weekend (back to back with a 1200GS) and Sue was immediately preffered the KTM. Nearly did a deal on a used 950 there and then. I expect there'll be one in the garage before long

Rob

Nah the direct competitor is the 950SM or if you really want to be flash the 950R out for 2007



http://www.ktmforum.co.uk/attachment...7&d=1160595773

Re BDG original questions:

1: Can't talk too much about KTM's re financing as I am still under a "confidentiality agreement" but I do know it was vital at the time and more recently GP activities brought the subject full circle back again, and life in the European Motorcycle manufacturing industry is not a life of Riley! Just look at the recent TI reversal out of Ducati.

2: Competitors - well as they make the same transport vehicle (motorbikes) they are competitors - but - every manufacturer will pronounace that they are not in "direct" competition despite the fact that they clearly would dearly love to "win" a sale from one another.

3: Finally from a personal perspective - if KTM made a YELLOW one I'd be in the dealer showroom mucho pronto. However I'm really hoping that the Ducati see sense and HypoM is released in YELLOW, then you'll maybe see mine in PRONTO.

Aargh,I really like the KTM LC4 640 Supermoto.There is a big KTM dealer just up the road from me and I'm often in there for a drool.
Cant justify another bike tho(dont wanna get rid of the 999 or the Multi),..and more importantly,..cant afford it!:(

ktm and ducati compete on many fronts in a subltle way, supermotos v monster (middlewieghts) Vtwin duke and SM v monsters (900,916,999)
and the 950/990adv v the multistrada.
The latter I would say is biased to the ktm but if ducati stuck the 999 in the multi it would swing the other way,
I went from a 900sl to 916bip, added a ktmduke then sold the 916 to fund an 1150GS adventure, that was traded for 950adv , traded that for a 1000ss and sold that to fund a 999, I now hanker after both a 990 adv and a 950se but dont want to loose the 999 so cant quite fund either at mo, ps Still have the ktmduke.
i would say the only real competition is its often difficult to own both so sometimes a choice is forced rather than picked.