I know people rate them but I don’t. I’ll try and sum it up as briefly as I can.
Bought Duke 125 one year ago.Broke down within a few weeks (battery/immob.). Refused to arrange recovery, had to orchestrate it myself (but was free). Refused to give me a courtesy bike. Without method of transport for long enough to p me off. Time on clock out of sync + front brake squeaky when I got it back. 1st service - didn’t fit a new L plate like I asked weeks in advance (first one flew off very quickly). Reluctantly fitted dirty one with TAPE, flew off days later. Time on clock made out of sync again. Service_not_reset as soon as I hit the road. Stayed on there until my 2nd service. Head gasket oil leak made the bike unsafe, they refused to recover, told me I would have to pay. Refused courtesy bike. Risked it and took it up myself.2nd service - kept me waiting almost 5 hours without prior warning. To do what? Oil, filter, check pads, one or two more things. Had to sit on a brick wall sweating my nuts off in gear in the middle of nowhere. Immediately after service, had a mechanic check my bike. 0 play in clutch, lever incorrectly adjusted. Fittings on clutch shaft incorrectly fitted, grinding shift and causing long term damage.
There’s more, just can’t remember it. Whatever you say, if you pay £4k for a 125, you expect top notch service.
If I ever get a KTM again I will check out Croydon, hopefully they treat you with more respect than a black homosexual in Russia. They talked to me like I was a c*** just because I was young, new to bikes and on a 125.
5 hours sat on a wall being Humpty the Numpty getting some shoddy work done and serious wallet assault… Vs… 20 mins reading how to do a service and change some brake pads …maybe 2 hours to do the job for a first timer … probably get it done under and hour the next time also saving the 20 mins reading time and loads of money left for job well done beer . …
Go down to OMC and get spannering mate… You’ll learn things quickly and also be able to get yourself out of a jam, as well as if you need to use a mechanic you can be a bit more knowledgeable…
If you don’t want to get your own hands dirty, plenty of folk around these parts who do a good service for a lot lot less than a dealer.
Dealers can be hit and miss… you can get ones who know what they’re doing but you more often hear of stories of shoddy (and expensive) work, particularly on customers who don’t know what to look for and who just want the stamp in the book (which by my understanding doesn’t have to be a dealer).
Cannot overstress the importance of keeping the ktm warranty, so get it serviced properly, as I suspect I’ve had 2-3k of work done to my 640 for free. Also full history is very important for resale, especially on the somewhat unreliable 125. I would not touch any KTM without FKSH unless I knew the owner.
As for hemel, I’m surprised, though I’ve not been up there for a year or so. I’ve recommended them plenty in the past and will continue to do so until I experience otherwise. I’m sure their main business is in the bigger bikes but the management never seemed to be snobbish. Honest question are you old enough for a courtesy bike? I couldn’t get anything until I was 25, bike or car. Edit: or indeed can they insure a learner rider?
As for other dealers, I’ve had good parts prices from Jim aim and hyside though I’ve only used hemel for the last dozen services or so. I think most dealers can service the 125 as it’s not overly complex, it’s knowing which ones can look after the older models that can be a challenge.
I don’t know, I’m 22, but they didn’t give my age as a reason, nor my license. They just said they won’t lend a 125. Every time they serviced it they seemed to make something worse.
Quite seriously, if the stamp is not important, head to OMC and learn to do it yourself. Pays off in the long term and you know the work is done properly. There are people on hand with tricky bits and you can do the maintenance course with them to get up to speed as well. Old dogs can learn new tricks and young ones are quicker at it…
Hemel were great with my 950SM. for servicing the bits I couldn’t fix, parts and lending me demo’s- The only demo’s they had when i was in there were 990s & 1190s though. Not sure what the insurance requirements are but the arrangement was both parts of licence and agree to pay a specified excess I think £350 at the time.
Friendly, knowledgeable and coffee on the go every time I went.
I might have had an advantage, being an old git and being very specific about what I wanted them to do?
But regardless, you take it to them to keep the warranty, no? And boy does the bike need its warranty. Shouldn’t have to get a brand new bike recovered twice within 10 months of purchase.
For the record, I (now) know how to service a bike. I did the oil change myself at one point. But there’s nothing wrong with following the book.
"I bought it new one year ago so I’m the first and only owner. It needs absolutely no work and is in great condition. Just paid (£200) for second service and have full service history. Comes with front and rear crash bungs fitted by KTM. 4k miles, taxd, motd and under warranty until 1st September 2015. Both keys, original documents, yada yada yada.
It’s a fantastic commuter/city bike, weaves in and out of traffic like a dream. It has a turning circle that would make any cabbie wince. It has served its purpose extremely well but alas a bigger bike is calling my name.
I can get more pictures up if requested, the bike is located in West London.
Looking for £2800 but may be open to sensible LB mate rate offers. "
You’ll learn things quickly and also be able to get yourself out of a jam, as well as if you need to use a mechanic you can be a bit more knowledgeable…
