Interesting story Omid...

Thing is, everyone is different and require their bike to do a particular job and base their purchase on that requirement. You like to ride on the road to the desert and then have some fun in the dunes and then ride back...You were also in a position to purchase a new KTM to suit your needs and, for sure they are a well specced bike and really nice to ride too. KTM has a great new facility and it is as you mentioned, well stocked, both with bikes and with accessories also....

One bike missing from that line up is the KTM300 stroker... Having had a chance to ride this lightweight "flying machine" on many occasions (cheers Martin) This bike would fit the bill you mentioned to a "T" but, it is not available "off the shelf" as it were, only by special order...Why,  Well, the market place doesn't call out for such a machine but, I can safely say, it is a bike which would do all you require and possibly more. Road work is easy, off road it is a pleasure, very light and agile and with bags of power, especially with the stronger of the three power valve springs supplied...and with a race pipe.....Yippee more power still (and a cool sound)...

Not everyone can afford a new machine though and so that narrows things down a little as you have to take what is available or, wait until the right machine turns up at a price you can afford... Also, not everyone wants to ride on the roads of Dubai to get to where they want to be for a bit of fun in the dunes, options are a pick-up or a trailer to get your pride and joy to the "start line"...

Out here in Dubai I have owned Kawasaki, KTM, Honda and currently a Yamaha...All off roaders and all great bikes, all in different ways...

The likes of Suzuki, Yamaha, KTM & Honda have been out here for a long time and therefore have a presence and, they know how the market is, they base their quotas on that knowledge in order to bring the right bikes in and the ones they know will sell....
For Jim Drane at Kawasaki, he has just had the opportunity to bring in the "Green machines" and in a first class facility, so far he is doing real well with the road stuff and making inroads into the off-road scene too. I will be riding his demo 450 KX & KLX this weekend for a comparison test...I will be posting a little report on the off-road section after doing so too. At the end of the day, people like to be informed...True, it will be subjective & based on what I think, that may not be the opinion of other riders who have ridden them before me or, those who will ride them after me, but that's what makes the world a great place, freedom to try, to think and say what you like (in most places anyways )...

Sure hope to see ya out and about bashing the dunes tho Omid and I am sure you will be more than happy with your new KTM...

Welcome to the good old UAE m8....

Dealers are handcuffed by the manufacturers in UAE as the market is relatively small in worldwide terms and we're last to get almost everything, although I'm sure this will change in time...i will prob be too old by then to get my leg over ..

......... Way too much info FOS 

waiting for Ferrets tuppence worth.....

Whaddya mean....tuppence.... I don't have any money....

Any more for any more anyone...

Hi Omid. your findings intrest me very much as I was in the same situation not long ago. I needed a bike to rent out that had electric start and would be strong in the desert. Honda nothing available. Same for Yamaha, I new Jim at Kawasaki had a 450 but with only being open in Sharja at the time, if I had a problem with the bike it may be a pain. What to do? I bought a KTM 450 exc r. Ive had it about 4 months now and it has not missed a beet. If I were you I would have the guys stiffen the suspension before you go to the desert, its a little soft as standard. If you need someone to go riding with my usual riding buddy broke his wrist this morning so I'm free. Keep safe Jonathan.

Sandstorm Motorcycles 3395608

I will be riding his demo 450 KX & KLX this weekend for a comparison test...I will be posting a little report on the off-road section after doing so too.

SO if you riding the bike WHO'S taking the pics 

Yo BAB,

I will be out doing a back to back test (hopefully) next week with Jimbo's KX450 and KLX450 out in the desert...I will be able to offer you some information after the ride but not before as I haven't ridden the 4 stroke Kwaks yet, only the smokers...

I know you mentioned a KLR650 but It may give you an idea as to what they are like. Also, you could speak to Jim over at Kawasaki and arrange to go over and take a peep at them. I suppose it is all dependant on what kind of riding your going to be doing, what % of off road to road work you will be doing and if you will be touring onit etc...

What you can be sure of is that it will NOT be a bad bike and will be very comparable to the other big make brands out there, it's all a matter of personal taste and of course, the money... The other thing you have to think of is the aftersales service you will require, with some it is good, with some of the others....Well, we all know about them don't we...

I am sure that if you go online you will also find plenty of good write ups about the bike as well, they should be able to give you a pretty good idea as to how good it is...

Happy hunting and happy off roading mate...

Ferret...

a KLR650 demonstrator is available now and 2009 KLX250S is at the port and will be with us soon.

Well, Afetr the weekends ride I must say that I am very impressed with the Kawasaki KX & KLX450 machines.

Many thanks to Jim over at Liberty Kawasaki for arranging the test ride and to his boys for getting them sorted and ready to ride. I managed to cover close to 40km on each bike - all off road across the dunes to Fossil Rock and back again from the White Villas.

I must admit that my favorit was the KX450 - Kicking her into life was a matter of 2 pushes on the kick starter, the engine was very smooth and quiet whilst idling away and warming up. Once we got off, the bike felt very compact, light and very nimble through the camel grass and very responsive on the throttle. The front end was easy to loft into the air whenever needed and never felt the need of a steering damper on the fast lively parts of the run. The softer suspension on the Kwaks was so plush and perfect for my weight of around 70 - 71kg's. I managed to use the whole travel available on the front end without bottoming out once. The rear was also very plush, digging in when required and giving good drive and soft enough to handle everything I could chuck it's way.

The engine was so strong through the mid range that I was never caught out looking for quick gear change to get back on the power. The gear ratios and sprockets fitted were no problem even on the large dunes or in the soft power sapping sand. All in all an excellent package and one that I felt at home on right away.

The KLX was a very similar package with the main differences being the slightly extra weight due to the electrical package fitted for this duel purpose machine. The taller gearing and different rear tire made the ride of the bike different too, not in a bad way, just different with the gearing allowing a higher top speed. This was also an older demo bike with a few hours on the clock and it did feel a little loose compared to the new KX. The suspension was a little stiffer throughout the travel range but not harsh. The grip from the rear tire was not up to the KX tire combo but very predictable and very easy to steer on the throttle. Once again the engine was very smooth, torquey and had plenty of power on tap when needed.

I will be doing a more detailed test report for Wheels Magazine shortly so you will be able to get a good idea of how the whole ride went and my opinion on both bikes...I know this is subjective and riders want their bikes to do different things but it will give anyone who has not ridden the bikes an idea as to how they perform...

PS
If your wondering, would I go out and buy one ? If I was in the market for one right now, it would be a very serious contender in my very short "short list" 

Thanks again to Jim and Liberty Kawasaki for the loan of the bikes for the test...

Ferret...

Spence - ur selling your bike NOOO ! I will miss your smiley face at 6am on friday morning rideouts much better than looking at Ferrets burst ball

and illl miss your prompt Medical Assistance oh and your fashion sense

me - i sold my bike too and stealing a friends KTM for the summer