My choice would be the KTM I'd have one in a heartbeat if I had the means to afford one. I don't see why a dealer with a second hand one in stock would refuse you a test ride, adding a few more miles to the clock isn't going to effect their ability to sell the bike. The dealer I regularly use had one in a while ago and said that everybody who had a test ride on it came back with the biggest grin on their face, it wasn't in for very long before it was sold.
What else to look at before pulling the trigger?
- Thread starter Scuzi
- Start date
I went to have a look at the KTM earlier today. In person, it looks and feels like a bigger bike but when perched on it, it feels lighter between the legs.
The spec is so much higher than the Ducati and the bike just looks and feels more like a traditional supermoto.
I'm seriously tempted to put a deposit on it. I think I'll sleep on it and in the meantime try to source a dealer with a second hand one in stock.
The spec is so much higher than the Ducati and the bike just looks and feels more like a traditional supermoto.
I'm seriously tempted to put a deposit on it. I think I'll sleep on it and in the meantime try to source a dealer with a second hand one in stock.
Just put a deposit on it. This is either going to be an awesome decision or a huge mistake. Guess I'll find out in about 4 weeks. It's going to be a hell of a wait. I want to take it now but we're about to move house and the new house has a garage and the current one doesn't.
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Yup, thrown in as part of the deal. I've been looking at vids on YouTube and it sounds pretty good. Nowhere near as obnoxious as my last bike though!
Now to look into security arrangements. I'm thinking of fitting a ground anchor in the garage. Hopefully that with a chain will be enough.
Picked up the KTM today. Holy ****! It's completely mental! I bought it blind but within 5 minutes I knew it was the right choice. I can't believe that a bike of it's weight can feel so light and flickable. You can really flick from side to side with hardly any effort. It feels like a motocross bike.
My only gripe so far is the throttle. It's very snatchy around town and requires careful handling. It would be perfect if it had the Ducati "urban" profile, but hey ho.
Performance wise, I'm still being careful with it but it is neck snapping in the right scenario. When overtaking a car at about 40mph, a quick blat of the throttle from even as low as 3-4k rpm has you up at 80-100mph in a matter of seconds. I think I'll need to watch my licence with this thing. The bonus is, that when you go over 80, the wind resistance really kicks in and makes it hard to maintain that speed for any prolonged amount of time.
Smile is this wide....
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My only gripe so far is the throttle. It's very snatchy around town and requires careful handling. It would be perfect if it had the Ducati "urban" profile, but hey ho.
Performance wise, I'm still being careful with it but it is neck snapping in the right scenario. When overtaking a car at about 40mph, a quick blat of the throttle from even as low as 3-4k rpm has you up at 80-100mph in a matter of seconds. I think I'll need to watch my licence with this thing. The bonus is, that when you go over 80, the wind resistance really kicks in and makes it hard to maintain that speed for any prolonged amount of time.
Smile is this wide....
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Very jealous. Regarding the throttle snatch, just wandering if the bike has the right fuel map, I assume it will need a different map with the Akro's fitted !?! Sounds like something that could be resolved with power commander and an hours Dyno time with a competent tuner, but if there's a proper map that can be uploaded by the dealer ......
They changed the map to accommodate the pipes but even still, it's something that all of the reviews pick up on. Apparently, as you say, a bit of time on a dyno with an airbox mod, chucking a few sensors and a tinker with the map can fix it. That's something I might get round to in summer. For now I'll just have to look like one of those numptys who comes straight off a DAS and onto a litre bike 
I only got to do about 30 miles before putting it to bed since we're moving house tomorrow. With the rubbish weather, it'll be next week before I get out on it again at this rate. I'll get some more pics as soon as I can.
I only got to do about 30 miles before putting it to bed since we're moving house tomorrow. With the rubbish weather, it'll be next week before I get out on it again at this rate. I'll get some more pics as soon as I can.
Looks awesome.
I went and saw a Duke 690 today and I think I am already sold. Love the styling of the newer KTMs.
I saw a guy tear up the road on one of these when I was at the dealer. OMG the noise of that big single was awesome.!
In my haste in a pitch black garage, I misaligned the left prong of the paddock stand, gave the stand a kick to lift the bike up onto it and promptly flipped it onto it's left side. Bust the clutch lever, broke the mirror and scratched the tank fairing. I'm so god damn angry with myself but it's a good excuse to get some new levers.
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Nooooooooooo
As soon as I can get the 690 Duke out I so am, fingers crossed for some dry weather!
I've been youtubing vids of the KTM SM's over the last few hours and decided i would really like one as a hoon / fun bike.. but it would have to be a second bike. Been looking at the 06/07 650 SM's, they look like not bad value. £4k or so?
I could also use it for commuting in the summer.
I could also use it for commuting in the summer.
Honestly, if this bike wasn't my only bike, I'd have went for one of he more traditional supermotos. They're much more flickable and you can really manhandle them to do almost anything. The 990SMR sits between those bikes and the big sports bikes. It's a compromise. I had amore focused supermoto as my last bike and while it was immense fun, I literally couldn't feel my **** or balls after 20 minutes on it. They were completely numb.
What do you class as the more traditional supermoto's out of interest? Should I be looking at something else (smaller or cheaper perhaps?).
Sorry for thread hi-jack
KTM 640/690, Aprillia SXV, Husky 450/510/570/610 etc.
It really depends what you're after. My Suzuki DRZ400SM was a bit underpowered but I could set it on its side into any corner, foot pegs scraping the Tarmac, throttle pinned open. Immense fun at legal speeds!