KTM's Phasing Out Demo Mode, But Its Customers Are Getting Less Than Before

KTM is framing the phasing out of Demo Mode as a good thing and a response to customer feedback. But, in reality, customers get even less than before. Sneaky.

Photo by: KTM

By: Robbie Bacon

Jul 1, at 7:00am ET

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Excitedly, I took to my laptop to finally write some positive KTM news today, but the Austrian brand doesn't make that easy. I recently said KTM should take a leaf out of Stark's book, as the EV company is giving Traction Control to its customers for free via an over-the-air update, while KTM restricts features on its motorcycles after customers hit Demo Mode's 932-mile limit. But the KTM quietly announced that it is phasing out Demo Mode, and although that sounded good, I realized it's even worse than having Demo Mode.

For those who don't know, Demo Mode is the system that lets KTM customers try all the bike's features for 932 miles before locking certain ones. To unlock the features, you need to buy packages, like the Tech Pack or Track Pack, depending on how many of the pre-installed features you want to use. Nobody likes paying extra for hardware and software that's already on the bike. Nobody.

Doing away with Demo Mode should be something KTM is shouting from the rooftops, not burying it in a press release about the 2026 Duke 790. In the press release, it states, "Most importantly, we listened and we acted. Rider feedback has been taken on board with intent, leading to the phased withdrawal of Demo Mode from future models. A clear decision, shaped by those who ride." One of my particular peeves is when companies are sneaky, and this is sneaky.

What do you think?

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Customers aren't annoyed that KTM bikes have Demo Mode, they're annoyed that, after it's up, the pre-installed features on their bikes don't work, like the quickshifter or cruise control, to name a few. And they're even more annoyed that they have to pay more for KTM to unlock them. But now that situation is even worse, not better.

The phasing out of Demo Mode means riders won't even get to experience the full capabilities of their bikes for 932 miles. All the features are still there, both the hardware and software, but customers will still need to buy packages to unlock them. If you buy a new KTM without Demo Mode, you effectively get less, not more. This is not listening to feedback because that would mean letting customers use the hardware and software that are pre-installed on their bikes.