buying a KTM clone bike, is it a good idea?

[JalapenoJoy]

I was talking about interesting to get a KTM clone bikes with my brother, and he really threw a wrench in my plans!

He owned one before and said it went belly up within a month, and trying to fix it was like pulling teeth.
He ended up just throwing in the towel and getting a KX250 instead. Now that he knows I'm looking at one, he's bending over backwards to talk me out of it.

I just wanna know, are these bikes really as bad as he said?
This is my first time buying a motorbike, these kinds of bikes are within my budget (around $3000) and it looks nice
if it's bad, maybe I get a Loncin SX2 250 instead
Any comments or experiences? Thanks a bunch!

 

[RedRoses]

That experience isn't uncommon, some KTM clones look the part but cut corners on component, try out the Loncin SX2 250

 

[Meganus]

I get your interest, but I'd be wary, cheap KTM clones can be hit-or-miss. Your brother's experience isn't rare, and first-time buyers often get stuck with unreliable bikes and no support

 

[drdoolittle]

KTM clones can be a mixed bag, some are great for the price, but others break down quick and can be a pain to fix just like your brother said. If you want something more reliable, a Loncin SX2 250 or a used KX250 might be better choices. It really comes down to how much time and money youre willing to put into repairs.