Steildraai
Puppy
When I joined the forum at the beginning of May I was actively looking at buying a motorcycle. I had already decided on getting a KTM/Husqvarna/GASGAS, but I was flipflopping between different models. In the end I settled on trying to get a used 890 Adventure R or Norden 901.
I made some calls and even visited a dealer on two occasions; the lack of commitment by some who never bothered to phone back after I had shown serious buying interest surprised me at the time. No problem though since events have a way of working out better than expected.
One evening I had a brainwave to do an Alfie Cox Racing internet search, and low and behold he had a 2021 890 Adv R available for sale on his website. I contacted him the next day via WhatsApp and his lovely wife soon replied. The legend himself phoned me a little later and explained that the bike had been sold, subject to finance. He offered an alternative; a bike that a friend wanted to trade on a new 890 Adv R, subject to approval from his live-in minister of finance. It was the most wonderful experience talking for what felt like hours to Alfie about bikes. It soon transpired that I wouldn't be able to buy either bike since finance came through for nr 1 and the finance minister vetoed the sale of nr 2. Alfie was (completely needlessly) apologetic and IMMEDIATELY set out to find me a bike somewhere else. He found two 2021 models available from KTM Cape Town and sent a message asking them to contact me. What INCREDIBLE service!
Less than five minutes after Alfie's message Clinton Pienaar of KTM Cape Town phoned me from the NAMPO trade show. I had met Clinton in 2020 when he was at KTM Paarl and he made a great impression on me and my wife. He moved to Cape Town KTM in February, so my timing turned out to be spot on. We had a lovely conversation and I decided there and then on one of the 2021 bikes. To sweeten the deal Clinton included the 15,000 km/annual service in the deal.
I flew down to Cape Town on a Friday and Clinton kindly picked me up from the airport. We had a great chat on the way to the dealership and I spent a lovely morning with the kind people of KTM Cape Town, leaving much later then I had planned. I bought a new helmet from them too, so I also had the pleasure of a crystal clear visor to enjoy the trip home. I honestly cannot commend Cape Town KTM highly enough. They are fantastic; also evidenced by the number of bikers just dropping in for a chat and a coffee. There are some negative comments about the dealership on the internet, but it all predates the current group of people.
And then there's the bike... what a machine! After riding mostly BMWs since 2002 (GS with a smattering of RT and R thrown in for good measure) I am so happy to have switched to a bike that is so incredibly capable in the dirt. Where I once endured gravel on the GS (and usually tried to avoid it) I now go on dirt exclusive rides. This is the bike I should have been on for my white knuckle Namibia trips! "Flood Damage" warnings have become an invitation to see if I can find a surface that can challenge the R just a little. With heated grips, quick shifter and cruise control it makes for a pretty comfortable cruising bike as well. I'm 1.93 m and the size is just perfect.
I purposely waited a few weeks before giving feedback so that the initial euphoria of the purchasing experience and the bike itself could wear off a little to allow for a more balanced report. However, I still can't think of anything negative and if the past few weeks are an indication of my future KTM ownership experience, then I'm on the best ride of my life.
I made some calls and even visited a dealer on two occasions; the lack of commitment by some who never bothered to phone back after I had shown serious buying interest surprised me at the time. No problem though since events have a way of working out better than expected.
One evening I had a brainwave to do an Alfie Cox Racing internet search, and low and behold he had a 2021 890 Adv R available for sale on his website. I contacted him the next day via WhatsApp and his lovely wife soon replied. The legend himself phoned me a little later and explained that the bike had been sold, subject to finance. He offered an alternative; a bike that a friend wanted to trade on a new 890 Adv R, subject to approval from his live-in minister of finance. It was the most wonderful experience talking for what felt like hours to Alfie about bikes. It soon transpired that I wouldn't be able to buy either bike since finance came through for nr 1 and the finance minister vetoed the sale of nr 2. Alfie was (completely needlessly) apologetic and IMMEDIATELY set out to find me a bike somewhere else. He found two 2021 models available from KTM Cape Town and sent a message asking them to contact me. What INCREDIBLE service!
Less than five minutes after Alfie's message Clinton Pienaar of KTM Cape Town phoned me from the NAMPO trade show. I had met Clinton in 2020 when he was at KTM Paarl and he made a great impression on me and my wife. He moved to Cape Town KTM in February, so my timing turned out to be spot on. We had a lovely conversation and I decided there and then on one of the 2021 bikes. To sweeten the deal Clinton included the 15,000 km/annual service in the deal.
I flew down to Cape Town on a Friday and Clinton kindly picked me up from the airport. We had a great chat on the way to the dealership and I spent a lovely morning with the kind people of KTM Cape Town, leaving much later then I had planned. I bought a new helmet from them too, so I also had the pleasure of a crystal clear visor to enjoy the trip home. I honestly cannot commend Cape Town KTM highly enough. They are fantastic; also evidenced by the number of bikers just dropping in for a chat and a coffee. There are some negative comments about the dealership on the internet, but it all predates the current group of people.
And then there's the bike... what a machine! After riding mostly BMWs since 2002 (GS with a smattering of RT and R thrown in for good measure) I am so happy to have switched to a bike that is so incredibly capable in the dirt. Where I once endured gravel on the GS (and usually tried to avoid it) I now go on dirt exclusive rides. This is the bike I should have been on for my white knuckle Namibia trips! "Flood Damage" warnings have become an invitation to see if I can find a surface that can challenge the R just a little. With heated grips, quick shifter and cruise control it makes for a pretty comfortable cruising bike as well. I'm 1.93 m and the size is just perfect.
I purposely waited a few weeks before giving feedback so that the initial euphoria of the purchasing experience and the bike itself could wear off a little to allow for a more balanced report. However, I still can't think of anything negative and if the past few weeks are an indication of my future KTM ownership experience, then I'm on the best ride of my life.
