[nitro.1000bhp]

Originally Posted by Red Liner

Looks like only BANGALORE is terribly delayed? No RTO approvals yet apparently? What a bunch of losers we have over at the transport department.

The same scenario in Chennai too. Apparently new vehicles need some type approval at RTO before getting green light.

[neil.jericho]

RTO approvals are required for every new vehicle that is launched, only once that is in place can the dealerships register the test ride vehicles and customer delivery vehicles. There is always a delay in getting this approval and from what I hear, it requires some greasing of palms to get moving. We just have to be patient for a few more days.

[Red Liner]

Originally Posted by nitro.1000bhp

The same scenario in Chennai too. Apparently new vehicles need some type approval at RTO before getting green light.

Originally Posted by neil.jericho

RTO approvals are required for every new vehicle that is launched, only once that is in place can the dealerships register the test ride vehicles and customer delivery vehicles. There is always a delay in getting this approval and from what I hear, it requires some greasing of palms to get moving. We just have to be patient for a few more days.

High time things like these are centralised at one place. What a stupid and colossal waste of time to get the same thing registered or passed in 27 different locations!

[Jaggu]

Our system is so archaic, inefficient and corrupt! and no one want's to make any changes to it. So much for computerization, parivahan and what not. I fail to understand why a vehicle needs further approval at local RTO when it has gone through homologation and the competent certification agencies have given it a go-ahead? At best they need to enter a few fields in the software at state level to capture the details. And that too often they make so many mistakes lol

[neil.jericho]

Originally Posted by Jaggu

Our system is so archaic, inefficient and corrupt! and no one want's to make any changes to it. So much for computerization, parivahan and what not. I fail to understand why a vehicle needs further approval at local RTO when it has gone through homologation and the competent certification agencies have given it a go-ahead? At best they need to enter a few fields in the software at state level to capture the details. And that too often they make so many mistakes lol

To my understanding, the approvals required are predominantly to enter the vehicles in the local RTO's IT systems so that bikes can be registered under it once deliveries start. That is why the guys who take delivery on day 1 of launch will have to ride around for a few extra days on the temporary plates until the right pockets are lined. Like you said, the officials just need to enter a few fields but even there we find glaring mistakes. For example, in the RTO where my Continental GT was registered, they have entered the Model name as Continental GT 535CC Red.

So every GT 535 that was registered with that RTO had the correct colour under the Colour field but the model name has it listed as red.

[Porschefire]

Originally Posted by Jaggu

I fail to understand why a vehicle needs further approval at local RTO when it has gone through homologation and the competent certification agencies have given it a go-ahead?

For the same reason as the personnel at the Airport Boarding gate asking for VISA when you already have been through immigration and have a stamp on your passport (yes, happens to me every time at the Delhi airport), to feel more important than they should be, I guess.

Sorry for .

[Red Liner]

A satirical on the just concluded KTM press ride.

KTM boycott announced by auto journos

BANGALORE: In a surprising move, all major automotive journalists today announced that they’ll boycott any future KTM motorcycle launch events, unless KTM promises to hold them exclusively at the Buddh International Circuit.

This comes in the aftermath of the 390 Adventure launch, held at a rugged off-road venue near Pune, 19-Degree North. Embarrassing leaked videos of the reviewers crashing willy-nilly into the surrounding bushes is thought to be the reason for this extraordinary decision.

When asked for comment, Mr. Mody had this to say:

Read the rest here: https://riderzone.in/ktm-boycott-ann...-auto-journos/

Good to have him back. I feel much better now.

Here's the actual rip apart: https://riderzone.in/ktm-390-adv-are...t-entertained/

Insta influenzas. I like that. I will start using it.

[sukiwa]

Originally Posted by Red Liner

A satirical on the just concluded KTM press ride.
Good to have him back. I feel much better now.

Any additional comments RiderZone buddy?

Originally Posted by RiderZone

To be fair to them, i wouldn't have fared much better. We don't have the bikes, facilities, or the culture around off-roading, hence no stamina or skills to be able to enjoy the 390 adv. That's why i believe it's a wonderful bike for India, great place to start developing some dirt love.

[CarManMotorcycl]

The 'journalists' with their nonsensical reviews and the Youtubers with their 'Critical Analysis' without even riding the motorcycle have really riled me up. KTM showcased the bike as a tourer which can do off road but not hardcore offroad, but the 'critics' think that it is an enduro bike as people said in this forum! Pretty sure i can count on my fingers the amount of people who would've played with the suspension settings if it had come with the adjustable suspension, I have heard from many that adjusting the suspension is no joke. The hilarious part is people are saying they can get a Himalayan for half the price which can do the same thing.

As for the journalists blaming the motorcycle for your incompetence i have absolutely lost trust in you. Sorry for ranting but i have never seen a motorcycle so misjudged and spit upon by so many for not doing something it was not meant to do primarily in the first place. I hope KTM launches an R version so that they can shut the mouth of these critics. If i was in the market for a tourer i would go with this eyes closed, maybe in a few years!

[neil.jericho]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VjbzF44tRFs

I am surprised that not too many people are discussing this apparent KTM hit piece on the combined journalists and social media influencers group following the launch of the KTM Adv 390. To me (I can understand if you dont feel the same) it appears as though KTM wasnt very pleased with the outcome of the reviews and decided to right some perceived wrongs by releasing this footage. Or maybe they wanted to correct the narrative. Whatever be the case, this is an extraordinary move by a manufacturer. I dont recall the last time that we have any car or bike manufacturer decided to take on the journalists & social media influencers in such a brazen manner. Interesting times indeed.

Before anyone pulls out their pitchforks, let me give you an analogy. Imagine you are a movie director and release a trailer for a new movie showing it to be an action thriller with a star cast. You have the peoples attention. You invite the movie reviewers from prominent media outlets for a preshow. The movie turns out to be a horror thriller instead with just a few action scenes. The movie reviewers are surprised and write the same in their articles. Instead of wondering why the reviewers arent happy, you as a director decide to write a article on social media showcasing that they dont know to review the movie. Justice is served, right? Then again, if you knew that they dont know to do reviews, why call them in the first place? And why advertise one thing in the trailer but showcase something else altogether later?

Now instead, if the movie was actually the super duper action thriller that it was advertised to be, then the reviewers would have been happy and this would have reflected in their subsequent articles.

Originally Posted by CarManMotorcycl

Sorry for ranting but i have never seen a motorcycle so misjudged and spit upon by so many for not doing something it was not meant to do primarily in the first place.

Ummm the journalists didnt decide the venue, road surface or type of terrain to be encountered for the launch of the Adventure 390. KTM did. If the bike wasnt meant to do much offroading, why did KTM chose such a location that had 80% offroading? Why blame the journalists for speaking up? This is a typical case of shooting the messenger!

I really wish that KTM had done the opposite, highlighted its touring capabilities and just done some 10% offroading to prove it had some prowess in that area.

Originally Posted by CarManMotorcycl

If i was in the market for a tourer i would go with this eyes closed, maybe in a few years!

I already have some friends who are set on the Adv 390 for their multi week super tour rides. I think this bike will really be a hit in that segment in our country. More than adequate power, rider comfort, a full bucket of electronics and a wide service network make it a formidable package.

[Red Liner]

Their (journo) experience or the lack of it deserves no more "air time" here. Pun intended.

[nasirkaka]

We are making a mountain of a molehill with regards to how the journalists fared at the offroad track. Firstly, i wonder where is this whole negativity thing coming from as reviews have been very much on expected lines and mostly positive. They have all said good things about the bike and balancing it with a few negatives such as the seat height or lack of adjustable suspension, that too cos they could not find other reasons. Those who have touched upon the touring capabilities of the bike have been all praises with some lame pickings such as "oh it lacks a center stand". I am yet to come across a review which is totally written-off the bike, so where is all this negativity coming from?.

Secondly, India may be a very old civilization, but biking culture in country is relatively new and 'offroading' is a 'just born' baby. We have all grown up riding on some sort of road, including those journalists, and lack the skills to ride on technical terrain. Most of those journalists would have ripped the bike apart on track but its understood that 390 adventure will do good on road. True to the 'adventure" badge, KTM tried showing the off road capability of the bike but went a bit far with difficulty level of the track. A milder version of the track would have been a win-win for both.

With many adventure genre bikes slowly coming on our shores, out skill set will also improve and and our Journalists will be better equipped to handle such rides in future.
as Redliner said, those journalists are getting way more air time then they deserve. At this point in time, there is no other bike that offers what ktm 390 adventure is at that price point, and from the review it seems like a very capable touring bike which can do a bit of off road as well. For specialists and technical terrain enthusiasts, It may be a disappointment, more due to their mental image creation of what the bike should have been like, and not because KTM did not deliver on their promise.

[drt_rdr]

Originally Posted by neil.jericho

I really wish that KTM had done the opposite, highlighted its touring capabilities and just done some 10% offroading to prove it had some prowess in that area.

I get the feeling it was Reimann's idea though... "Goys, forget abaout the baoring auld raods. Let's give aour indian maites just a smoll taiste of advencha with a noice, relaxing little roide through the woods instead, yeah?"

[nitro.1000bhp]

Originally Posted by Red Liner

A satirical on the just concluded KTM press ride.



Read the rest here: https://riderzone.in/ktm-boycott-ann...-auto-journos/

Good to have him back. I feel much better now.

Here's the actual rip apart: https://riderzone.in/ktm-390-adv-are...t-entertained/

Insta influenzas. I like that. I will start using it.

this is hilarious on another level. To be incompetent is one thing but to blame the manufacturer for being incompetent is unheard of.

Test the adv 390 on buddh?!! Then it's only fair they should agree to test all the panigales and s1000s on a Motocross track.

EDIT- Oops...just noticed the satire bit.

[ashwinprakas]

Originally Posted by nasirkaka

Secondly, India may be a very old civilization, but biking culture in country is relatively new and 'offroading' is a 'just born' baby.

Relatively new for us bored city boys, Yes.

Not the case of the rural folk.

During a 2017 ISG2G ride a bunch of us had decided to ride over a few hills, we were all enthusiasts with reasonable road experience at the time and this was first of several hills we crossed, due to rains and several others trying their luck before us the track was slushy and slippery;



A few of us had a hard time maintaining traction, even the CT100B was wheel spinning and this was at less than 4k on the odo so even though I was running on street tyres, they were relatively brand new.

Amongst us was a seasoned off-road professional who used to ride competitively before retiring;



Even he had a hard time before crossing the first hurdle which was the most challenging of them all cause the remaining hills were practically free of skid marks.

Anyhow, while we were beating ourselves up, 3 local kids showed up on a Yamaha Ray, all 3 on the same motorcycle obviously lidless.

These guys took a track to climb the same hill that was even steeper than the one we were abusing, they slowly and steadily climbed the first mountain and that too without slipping the rear and leaving evidence or even one of them dismounting the motorcycle, on later inquiring they told us that crossing the mountains was a shortcut they used to get about.

This is just one of my experiences with meeting local folk who could trail sections we simply couldn't comprehend at the time, and to be honest there are more such instances, one very fond memory is of a fellow enthusiast(not a local) who rode his Bajaj Platina 125 to KL from WB and then rode through a few trails with a pillion during which he managed to break one of his rear shocks, yes break! not leak. The guy then rode the same motorcycle with the same pillion all the way back to WB.

You won't see any of these guys getting airborne like Adam but that simply is because such trails do not present any novelty for them being their usual commute.

With the weight of such experiences I'd say it would be a far shot to claim that Indians in general need to be taught how to "Adventure".

Cheers,
A.P.