Update from Eddie, comment on KTM-Panasonic.

[flecc]

Here's the latest from Eddie, with interesting comment on the new Panasonic hub motor:

"currently down in Spain enjoying temps up in the 30's in mid October..

This KTM/Pana drive bike is far from perfect, with many issues including overheating and faults on motor needing glueing and sometimes factory return etc....


One of the main exponents and early adopters who lives in a mountainous region has just bought a Bosch all mountain as well due to the overheating cutting out.. There are loads of really long threads on this system over on German pedelec..I urge anyone serious about it to read before believing all the usual hype. A good bike, yes undoubtedly but as for perfect ..far from it!



best wishes Eddie"

 

[barrycoll]

I am afraid that I have been out of the loop for a good while, so....

what has happened to all the super-heated comments from dear eddio???

it was all quite lively, at times

 

[trex]

Here's the latest from Eddie, with interesting comment on the new Panasonic hub motor:

"currently down in Spain enjoying temps up in the 30's in mid October..

This KTM/Pana drive bike is far from perfect, with many issues including overheating and faults on motor needing glueing and sometimes factory return etc....


One of the main exponents and early adopters who lives in a mountainous region has just bought a Bosch all mountain as well due to the overheating cutting out.. There are loads of really long threads on this system over on German pedelec..I urge anyone serious about it to read before believing all the usual hype. A good bike, yes undoubtedly but as for perfect ..far from it!



best wishes Eddie"

if it's too good to be true then.. you know.
I still think for mountain roads, crank drives are best.

 

[JuicyBike]

Good to hear from you Eddie. Thanks Tony. 30c very nice. Shame about the bike having issues.

 

[KTM Bike Industries UK]

If you can find me a frame number I can tell you exactly what the issue is. Also if there have been problems with the bike why has it not been back to the dealer to resolve?

The Panasonic hub drive was a totally new system and last year was the first year. The latest version that just won the test in Germany is supposed to have cured the issue the 1st gen one sometimes experienced.

If you can find me some actual details I can try to help.

 

[flecc]

I've no doubt these issues that the German users have experienced were on year one bikes, but nonetheless, caveat emptor, it's as well to be aware of the possibilities until the first of the second year models prove themselves. As ever, the exhaustive testing should have been done in the first instance by the respective manufacturers, not by their customers.

 

[flecc]

I am afraid that I have been out of the loop for a good while, so....

what has happened to all the super-heated comments from dear eddio???

it was all quite lively, at times

Eddie's comments got him permanently excluded I'm afraid, but as he has useful input I relay this for members. I'd rather him be able to post himself, but that's not in my control.

 

[KTM Bike Industries UK]

I've no doubt these issues that the German users have experienced were on year one bikes, but nonetheless, caveat emptor, it's as well to be aware of the possibilities until the first of the second year models prove themselves. As ever, the exhaustive testing should have been done in the first instance by the respective manufacturers, not by their customers.

I've worked in the bike industry for 20+ years now.... and I can honestly say KTM are one of the better companies I've been involved with, there is a reason they are still around and growing after 50 years.

They do actually do in house testing of things.

There are many many bike brands that over the years have zero r&d, they simply get a product made and sell it.

lots of brands are too small to be able to afford testing prior to launch.

 

[flecc]

I agree, I know that KTM are a fine company and well respected. My prior testing comment was mostly aimed at Panasonic of course, since the problems are related to their product. However, I'm still surprised that KTM did not pick up on the problems at an early stage since adequate testing would clearly have shown up problems of this nature.

 

[KTM Bike Industries UK]

I think to be honest, its so many many times better and less trouble than the Bionx system that its replacing in the KTM line up that even with some faults its considerably better than what it was replacing. So one year with a first gen model that had issues, was still better than the alternative.

 

[103Alex1]

^^ which is interesting because BionX is such an expensive system to run. Consumable battery costs in particular for example. It's so often only when something new comes along that you begin to hear systems which were so widely applauded and defended being slated !

 

[flecc]

I think to be honest, its so many many times better and less trouble than the Bionx system that its replacing in the KTM line up that even with some faults its considerably better than what it was replacing. So one year with a first gen model that had issues, was still better than the alternative.

Yes, BionX do seem to have been experiencing far more trouble recently than in their many previous years. There's a new BionX coming for next year so hopefully they'll have overcome these problems with that.

 

[shemozzle999]

I hope he didn't buy one. He knows he needs to bite the bullet and will only be happy with the 18Kg Carbon MPF, after all its only 5500 euros


http://www.e-lom.com/product_info.php/info/p3_c29er-x-cross.html

 

[flecc]

No, he isn't buying one, it has a 95 kilo limit so as Eddie puts it, for the lighter rider.

That said, Eddie has now lost 2.5 stones and is now feeling a real gain in cycling fitness.

 

[shemozzle999]

No, he isn't buying one, it has a 95 kilo limit so as Eddie puts it, for the lighter rider.

That said, Eddie has now lost 2.5 stones and is now feeling a real gain in cycling fitness.

He can't be far off that target weight.

From the exploded view the motor looks quite a robust design.

Has anyone tried the latest one?

 

[KTM Bike Industries UK]

Has anyone tried the latest one?

I think eMotion in Swindon have a 2014 one on demo already.

We'll have a couple in the uk from November for people to demo if they arrange it with their local ktm dealer.

We are going to try to get one to a uk journalist to review soon, it's just working out who's best????