[mithunvvijayan]

Originally Posted by ebonho

Then there is the bike itself. Its built (and proven) to last. Its all metal. It can be repaired. It can be refurbished totally to like-new. It really ages pretty much at the same rate as the human rider does. Am using the example of me and Doppie here, from 2002 to today, and comparing both of us to see the nicks and dinks of time, the slight loss of performance, but still very handsome and giving the young guns a run for their money.

I dont know how my bike will age, say 30 years from now. What about the spare parts availability, can the engine be rebored, what about the electronics. Before I went for my bike I was almost inclined to buy std 500, with its carburetted fueling and the style. And 6500 kms later, after its heart operation, I dont regret it. But I will buy my 500 ( or a 750 single??) one day.

[ebonho]

Originally Posted by mithunvvijayan

I dont know how my bike will age, say 30 years from now. What about the spare parts availability, can the engine be rebored, what about the electronics. Before I went for my bike I was almost inclined to buy std 500, with its carburetted fueling and the style. And 6500 kms later, after its heart operation, I dont regret it. But I will buy my 500 ( or a 750 single??) one day.

I think KTM's 690 (679 actually) is the biggest single there is.

By Std 500, I only think of the cast iron Bullet 500. Though I suspect what you are referring to is the carbed UCE 500 in all black which has been handed over the crown, so to speak.

P.S. I see no reason for a KTM not to last for 30 years. Or any bike, maintained well.

We call the Jap bikes plastics, but I have seen enough examples of first lot Indo Jap 100 cc machines from the mid 80s still going strong, and many of them restored to brand new factory fresh condition (RXs mainly, but some Ind Suzukis and KB 100s also). That's 30 years right there.

[mithunvvijayan]

Originally Posted by ebonho

I think KTM's 690 (679 actually) is the biggest single there is.

By Std 500, I only think of the cast iron Bullet 500. Though I suspect what you are referring to is the carbed UCE 500 in all black which has been handed over the crown, so to speak.

P.S. I see no reason for a KTM not to last for 30 years. Or any bike, maintained well.

We call the Jap bikes plastics, but I have seen enough examples of first lot Indo Jap 100 cc machines from the mid 80s still going strong, and many of them restored to brand new factory fresh condition (RXs mainly, but some Ind Suzukis and KB 100s also). That's 30 years right there.

Anyways, not going to sell my bike, it has become mine. I think you mentioned that the 690 will not be sold here. And they are bringing a twin.

[ebonho]

Originally Posted by mithunvvijayan

Anyways, not going to sell my bike, it has become mine. I think you mentioned that the 690 will not be sold here. And they are bringing a twin.

Yup, that is true.

What I meant was that technically no manufacturer had been able to build a larger single (in reference to your wish for a 750 cc single).

[mithunvvijayan]

Originally Posted by ebonho

Yup, that is true.

What I meant was that technically no manufacturer had been able to build a larger single (in reference to your wish for a 750 cc single).

Then its a 500 for me then. Which I think will quite complement the Duke.

[VW2010]

@ebonho

I honestly wish KTM brings that 690. Even if its priced over 5L that bike is a stonker compared to many 650's in naked segment.

But at present in the market when you talk about value for money the Z800 is head and shoulders above other offerings while FZ1 and CBR 1L literally are out of reach.

ANd the Z800 is such a torqy engine to take it for daily rides.

[zulfi hansi]

There is competition coming in Z800 category, the Benelli 899 and Ducati 821. And on the lower end Triumph Street Triple. So the 690 might very well be the VFM contender.

[nasirkaka]

Its OLX and Quikr which largely set the trends. Especially OLX. They even have a MSP calculator which more often than not gives ridiculous results. Because it datamines what's put up in ads. NOT what the actual deals close at.

So true.

I recently put up an ad for my C5 for sale. checked the ongoing price of 2010 C5 and ppl have been asking ridiculously high prices on olx, quikr, etc. it does affect new sellers like me, as initially i was intending to quote 1L but ended up asking for 1.1L. Its a different story that my bike is no where close to stock.I got few offers for 90k but am still holding, as i feel the equipment thats gone into the bike is worth much more. Most of the callers are clueless about basics of the bike, and just want a bullet. some even go to the extent of saying that i will buy it for 90k, use it for a year or so and sell it for 80k. So yeah, these sites like olx which provide a platform to create a false cost benchmark around a product/brand. I seriously doubt people who have quoted 1.4L for a 210 C5 will get anything close to it. Old Ci bullets are classics and are in a different category.

[Urban_Nomad]

Originally Posted by zulfi hansi

So the 690 might very well be the VFM contender.

Is the 690 coming? I thought that plan went bye bye long back

What can be expected is the 800 ish cc twin IIRC

[zulfi hansi]

Originally Posted by Urban_Nomad

Is the 690 coming? I thought that plan went bye bye long back

What can be expected is the 800 ish cc twin IIRC

It's only my sixth sense logic! Mainly seeing how Bajaj has always responded to the market, the 690 really makes a strong case, especially if it is already made here in India and exported, at present. But if at all they are considering to phase it out in favor of 800 cc twin in near future and also since the numbers sold will be less, it may not justify the inventory and after sales service etc, assuming this they just might not bring it.

IMHO both 690 and 800 can coexist. Not to forget not many options exist in 690 range.

[Urban_Nomad]

Originally Posted by zulfi hansi

Not to forget not many options exist in 690 range.

Many options exist if we are talking about engine's cc here (& not add no. of cylinders to the equation):

- Ninja 650
- Er6N
- Street triple (675)
- Daytona (675)
- Benelli 600 (i & GT)
- (Upcoming) CBR 650
- Hyosung GT 650
- Hyosung 650 N

Very doubtful if the 690 will make it. I think a big man at KTM clearly mentioned that the 690 shall be no more. An 800 twin it is

I think despite its manic power, it did lose out it terms of usable RPM band. If online reviews are anything to go by, it started to come "in the zone" at around 5k RPM and revved out at 8. The twin might be in the works to address just that and give the rider a wider power band to work with

Knowing KTM, I dont think they will lower the fun factor .... single pot or not

[zulfi hansi]

Originally Posted by Urban_Nomad

Many options exist if we are talking about engine's cc here (& not add no. of cylinders to the equation):

My bad, should have been 800. But even that may not be for long, Ducati 821, Benelli 899 on the cards and existing Z800 and Tiger 800.

[ebonho]

@zulfi do you have any inside info on the 690 or is it only a wish/hunch/crossed-fingers-and-toes type thing?

The 690 would top out just shy of 200 kmph. About 10 kmph more than a Ninja 300 and about 10 kmph shy of a Ninja 650. But in the real world, its what it does from standstill to that point that makes it a cult bike and a modern legend.

Nothing against the soon to come twins, but if they get this bike here, even if it were to be phased out the world over a day later, I would be first in line for it.

Sadly I don't think that's happening though.

[zulfi hansi]

Hi Doc, just being wishful, but mostly applying logic based on real data on how Bajaj usually reacts to the market. They are known to offer numerous products plugging every possible niche, but then that's all under 150cc, well now that they have come up with Pulsar 150 & 200AS then why will they not look at 690 + 800 in the line up? When they have 5 variants off the 200cc motor (2+3 KTM&Bajaj), then why will they not try to give both 690 & 800 focusing them as two different bikes behaving differently?

[Urban_Nomad]

Originally Posted by zulfi hansi

then why will they not try to give both 690 & 800 focusing them as two different bikes behaving differently?

Pricing? Product overlap? Remember, they have been ridiculed enough for their discover / pulsar variants with 10 - 15 cc differential