quote:
... That suggests it is a locally legit model....... doesn't it??
Yes, because it's made in Thailand. No, because it seems that you won't get a legal registration for it. In the meantime I spoke to 3 Kawa dealers selling the bike as new between 200.000,- and 280.000,- Baht (see my comment above). But all of them agreed that a road legal registration is not possible. Surely there are other ways, which I can't recommend.
Guys, get used to it: there are no legal & cheap bikes in Thailand and I'm afraid there will never be in our lifetime!
It's funny to see grown up men talking about this like kids about having seen Santa coming to town!
Use your brain: How likely is it that KTM or other companies come here (or Triumph sell the bikes they actually make here at the local market) and set up outlets for bikes with decent pricetags and a good service?
Thai politics does not want (!) motorbikes above the 200cc range to be on the road.
It's more likely that there will be a crackdown on illegal registrations for bigger bikes sooner or later.
And even if someone (not KTM itself) should open up a dealership: where are the mechanics supposed to come from? Even today it's more very hard to find one (e.g. at "bigbike" stores).
I don't see any reason for KTM to come here. They are not competing in local offroad-races, they have no experience of doing business (motorcycle business!!) here, and 10-40 units a year is surely not profitable.
KTM and Triumph are companies, not welfare organisations trying to help desperate bikers! Get it?