Bike Brand Bigotry or BBB is an interesting thing. Most of us have some manifestation of it, but we generally don’t see it in ourselves. As a staunch equal opportunity kind of bike owner, I like to think I am open minded and open to the possibilities. I am often surprised at the level of BBB or even one brand blind loyalty that I see, hear and read.
Recently on a VFR list, a member posted that if it wasn’t a Honda, he wasn’t interested in it, period. To me that is like never trying any ice cream flavor other than vanilla and then declaring that to be the be all and end all of ice creams. At a recent MC show, I saw an attendee with a shirt on that said, “If you ain’t a Harley rider, then you ain’t shit.” I immediately thought two things — Does that mean that if you are, you are? …and has he really ever ridden any other brands?
When I consider a new motorcycle, and I do that often(!), one of the considerations for me is have I ever had that brand? My first motorcycle was a 1979 Honda XL185s, so I have an historical affinity for that brand. When buying that bike, we shopped Kawasaki, Yamaha and Suzuki as well, but my dad liked the 4 stroke motor and Honda reputation for reliability, and of course meeting the nicest people. Harley didn’t have an offering at that point that fit our needs, and besides their reputation didn’t fit ours. I guess there was some BBB in the family, even back then. Now, I still have a bit of BBB for third world manufacturers, or at least those that have yet to convince me of their worthiness of my money. There are a few Italian Exotic brands that I am not quite ready for as well… I have owned a Ducati, and ridden a few more and loved it, and would consider another purchase if there were a dealer closer than 2.5 and 3.5 hours away. I have lusted after a few Moto Guzzi’s, but dealers are scarce on the ground for MG as well. I guess it is the reputation for fragility, regular intensive service or proprietary valve adjustments that really keep me away. Maybe that isn’t BBB, but something else – perhaps location anxiety.
I made a pact with my lovely wife that I would not buy a modern BMW until they get their warranty issues and final drive failures under control. We also have the issue with the closest dealer being about 2 hours away, and the closest good one being a bit more than 3…
I am considering the purchase of a KTM 1290 Super Adventure this spring.
I have never owned a KTM, but am well aware of the reputation of the Austrian brand. Ready to Race! They certainly are and have dominated MX and SX and Enduro events in recent years. There is also a darker orange side. Owners also tell me that KTM stands for Keep Throwing Money, Known Teutonic Mistake, shoulda Kept The Money… Yeah, yeah, whatever. (is denial the same as an open mind?) There is a local dealer, so I don’t seem to have the same fear…and my people are from Austria — might as well give it a try. Wonder if I will feel the same way if and when things go wrong? I can, after all, ride on the back of my wife’s VStrom if the KTM 1290 SA breaks while we are tooling through the Blue Ridge…
Ok, I have BBB, but I am working on it.