Here's my explanation.
It's one or more of:
1) Matt didn't pay them enough for the bike
2) They don't make enough models to tempt the rest of us. It's a GT or a GT. Retro, cruiser, commuter anyone?
3) Their electronic reputation precedes them
4) You can't buy one without orange on it somewhere. (Matt will prove me wrong, but I can't remember one.)
5) Most riders don't need a bike that's 'Ready to race'
However, I want to like them. But 3 worries me.
I agree with Rich (especially on number 1
) as a view from "the punters perspective", although 3 is a bit much to be raised on a BMW forum and especially a K forum! Pretty much all makes and models have a weak point somewhere.
No one I know who has bought a KTM has seriously regretted it (unlike a few that have owned BMWs) however, I think points 2 and 4 have a bigger impact than might be accepted by the KTM marketing dept. Many riders like to try different styles of bike and you can't do that while staying brand loyal to KTM. BMW and Triumph have understood this and even Ducati have a broader range than KTM for the rider of large capacity road bikes ie most of us!
Other manufacturers have previously released orange models and I think, anecdotally, every single one has undersold the same model offered in another colour. While I would probably still have ended up with my H2 SX, I think a blue or green SD1290GT would have made the decision even harder.
I really hope KTM come out the other side of this and continue to make fun and exciting bikes. The SD1290GT, and I assume now the SD1390GT are bikes completely in the spirit of the K1300S (traced back to the original R90S and R100RS), a bike that is sporty with excellent performance, but is comfortable and capable of taking a pillion and integral hard luggage.
As for 5 Rich! Really? I for one want every bike I ride to be 'ready to race'!
