Next bike quandry...

[rob13]

After having a great 9 months with the Versys, I'm now considering another bike. Whilst the Kawasaki has been a great ride, something doesnt quite stir the soul for me, whether that be the fact its a Kwak, maybe its the exhaust note or whether it is just a bit too weird looking to be taken to the heart. Everything else the bike does well, maybe lacking a little in top speed (cruising Mway speeds just feel a little leggy although the bike copes with speeds above this). The low down torque of the engine does give the bike a real mid-range kick which is great for road riding.

I have thought over and over about what I want next and I just dont know what ticks the boxes. Whilst the likes of a 954 Fireblade, a GSXR 750 or a Honda SP1 are beautiful bikes I don't think I want to return to riding with clip ons (which rules a lot of bikes out). Maybe I need to try one before I dismiss it. Whilst I would love to join the Ducatisti on a 749, theyre just too uncomfortable to sit on and I would imagine a bit temperamental.

In the other box there is the KTM 950SM, the Street Triple and the Shiver. None of these have any fairing protection, but all have the style and riding position which I think i'm looking for.


What do I want the bike for? Well i'm all pleasure rider, no commuting and for the next couple of years, I dont really see myself doing any long distance trips on the bike. I have wondered whether I'm looking to change the bike, purely to replace the lack of riding compadre's i've had this year as I have found myself on my own on rides more often than not. None of my mates will now get on a bike after seeing me laid up last year. A couple of them were considering it.

Is there a bike that I'm overlooking and yet it ticks all of my boxes? I want something that's exciting and fun to ride, something which won't cost the Earth to own, something which is comfortable and can offer some protection from the elements and overall something which stirs the soul.

What am I looking for?

[fizzwheel]

Maybe I need to try one before I dismiss it. Whilst I would love to join the Ducatisti on a 749, theyre just too uncomfortable to sit on and I would imagine a bit temperamental.

954 Blade is supposed to be comfortable, ask Hovis he has one. If you go older GSXR K5/k4 before they went stubby on the exhaust, I have one of those. Did Scotland and back in one day and was fine.

As for the 749, its seat is more comfy than the one on my GSXR is and its definately more comfy than the SV seat was for me.

Liz has a 749S we've not had any major trouble with it, apart from the fact it was neglected when sat in the dealers for 9 months before Liz bought it. Apart from having it serviced and putting a new battery on it with a higher cold cranking value, its been fine. We'ev had a problem with niggly fueling but we think we've sorted that now as one of the Fuel hoses was trapped under the tank.

IMHO look into a bit more get a test ride if you can then discount it. I love my GSXR, but it doesnt stir the soul like the 749 does....

[rictus01]

No weather protection, but if one of these doesn't stir the soul, you're offically dead, had one out on Monday.

http://forums.sv650.org/showpost.php?p=2047670&postcount=65

http://www.lerepairedesmotards.com/img/motos/ktm/ktm-superduke-990-orange.jpg

Cheers Mark

[hovis]

954 Blade is supposed to be comfortable, ask Hovis he has one.

very comfortable (IMO)

i managed germany to cardiff in a day, i love the thing, its awsome, pretty much bomb proof being a honda,

[the_lone_wolf]

In the other box there is the KTM 950SM...

Don't know what you're planning on spending but there's a 990SMT available with panniers and fairing:

http://cmgonline.com/images/stories/bikes/KTM/990smt/ktm_990_smt_09.jpg

[JamesMio]

very comfortable (IMO)


Plus one - it's not great for around town, but open roads are fine - I toured the Highlands for a week on mine and was absolutely fine. The seat's a brick, but either an Airhawk (I'm keeping my eyes peeled for a cheapy one) or a pair of cycling shorts cures this.

[Scoobs]

I'm riding a Fazer thou at the mo. The more I ride it, the more I like it. Review here: http://forums.sv650.org/showthread.php?t=139912&highlight=fazer+thou

I was scraping the pegs 4 days after I picked it up. It's a great bike, if a little soft. It hasn't got that turn round and look at it when you get off though.

[hovis]

Plus one - it's not great for around town, but open roads are fine - I toured the Highlands for a week on mine and was absolutely fine. The seat's a brick, but either an Airhawk (I'm keeping my eyes peeled for a cheapy one) or a pair of cycling shorts cures this.

never had any probs with the seat>?

[JamesMio]

I'm probably heavier than you!

[hovis]

I'm probably heavier than you!

probably;)

[barwel1992]

the new cb1000r is so so nice in the flesh my dads thinking about geting one they are quite small but comfortable, and look a damn site better than the 600 hornet

http://i.telegraph.co.uk/telegraph/multimedia/archive/00840/motoring-graphics-2_840554a.jpg

[rictus01]

the new cb1000r is so so nice in the flesh my dads thinking about geting one they are quite small but comfortable, and look a damn site better than the 600 hornet

http://i.telegraph.co.uk/telegraph/multimedia/archive/00840/motoring-graphics-2_840554a.jpg

just as a matter of interest what does it weight in at ?

Cheers Mark.

[Alpinestarhero]

JUst been looking at those KTM SM-T's.

Wow, I would really like one! Lots of accesories aswell. From what I gather, KTM make really good, solidly built bikes.

[barwel1992]

just as a matter of interest what does it weight in at ?

Cheers Mark.

217kg wet :/ still to heavy for you ? i have moved one around and the weight realy is low down feal no more heavy than a sv obv u an save weight with exhasts and stuf but not down to 200kg like u want

sorry bout hijack

[Tim in Belgium]

Rob,

I'd definitely try riding a bike with clip ons, see how the wrist deals with it, could be ok and open up a lot more options.

The SMT as mentioned could be a good bet, or how about the newer Triumph ST, the triple engine may stir your soul, plenty of fairing and a great road bike, without super low clip ons. Also what about a TDM, more power than the Versys? Or a Tuono, a smidge of a fairing there, and a great bike.

GSXR is a great choice for a do it all bike, although I'm biased ;)

[xXBADGERXx]

I have been considering the KTM990Smt as my next bike as well due to there being a smidge of a fairing on it , or a SuperDuke . What about a late model V-Strom 1000 , same engine as the SV with a bit more legs on it with the bigger tank and high up position , or are you trying to get Brawn as well as beauty in the same package ?

[the_lone_wolf]

JUst been looking at those KTM SM-T's.

Wow, I would really like one! Lots of accesories aswell. From what I gather, KTM make really good, solidly built bikes.KTM know how to make a bike that's fun to ride while still being sensible if you want it, the reliability isn't Jap bike good yet but it's constantly improving, they're heart bikes not head bikes...

The 9x0 engines have their issues, water pump seals, clutch slave cylinders and on the 990s the fuel pump should all be considered wear items but there are easy upgrades that make the problems go away permanently, it wouldn't (and didn't) put me off buying, there are people who've stripped them down at 60/80,000 miles and found everything within tolerances

You could probably get a lot of the SMT's touring ability on the original SM with a few extras added, and they'll be much cheaper than buying new:cool:

[Tim in Belgium]

BMW R1200s, looks like some kind of plane in my opinion. The last ones are special.

Or what about one of the latest Guzzis?

Or even a new Triumph Tiger, a grown up Versys :D

Spend the winter test riding!

[yorkie_chris]

+1 about the tiger, but what about speed triple?

[Tim in Belgium]

MMmmmm, I want a Speed Triple and a Griso in my garage too.

[nik_nunez]

rob you can take a spin on my gsxr if you want, to see if your wrist is ok with the bars

[Tim in Belgium]

He might not want to give it back!

[rob13]

Right well gents, I went out on the Street Triple today. I've been going on about this bike for ages (as long as I've had the Versys) and I was worried about riding one as it would probably mean that I would then look for any way I could to buy one.

So, rolled up at A1 Moto in York (Motorcycle dealer of the Year according to RiDE magazine). I was presented with the Street in standard form, non adjustable suspension etc in Roulette Green. The bike itself had a cowl and screen on it, hugger and a gel seat.

After jumping off the Versys, sitting on the Street Triple immediately felt really small, and I actually felt as if I was on a pedal bike with its dimensions rather than a motorcycle. It really is narrow but the bars are fairly wide, if not as wide as I'm used to. I liked the clocks and the way the needle ran across the rev counter and the lights flashed when turning it on. Firing it up, that exhaust note sounded great and encouraged me to keep blipping it just to hear it.

Out on the road, the engine is a gem. It just wants to go ALL OF THE TIME and it really brings out the hooligan in you. The bike is so small, even at my diminutive 5'9 I thought it was compact and it did unsettle me. I took it out onto the first B road I could find which had a fair number of twisties and I felt so much feedback through the front end, I thought it was a bit too stiff up front and it was quite twitchy. The brakes are great and more than enough for the road but I found myself not finding the ride particularly compliant. The road wasn't in great condition and had its fair share of bumps and scars and the Triple was a bit unsettled on it. Cornering, I thought the bike was light enough to flick through the bends but around the really tight bends, I was a lot slower than I would be on the Versys. I think given that the bars were narrower than what I was used to, I needed to push them harder to get the same kind of response. At £1500 excess, I didnt quite fancy pushing it too hard!

All in all, great engine, great finish and really impressed with the brakes. Unfortunately I dont think the bike is for me due to its size and riding position. I jumped back on the Versys and although a different delivery (and less of it) I didnt find the Versys lacking in grunt and I was pleased to be back up high with wide bars.

This does lead me to conclude that I dont think I'm looking for a Sportsbike, or a Sportsbike without a fairing for that matter but for a back road tool which is similar in ergonomics to the Versys but with a little more power and some better components....

I have a work colleague who is currently selling his KTM 950SM. I've been for a look this evening and this is some weapon. I havent ridden it, only sat astride its throbbing frame (twin Akro setup) but in size and in style, it is similar whilst likely being better at everything. Radials, WP suspension and quality parts just give it that certain je ne sais qoi that I am looking for. Now all I need to look for is a test ride and the thick end of £5k.

[rob13]

Oh and thanks Nik for the offer, but as above, I think i'm looking for something else and I'd probably only kill myself on one anyway!

[shonadoll]

I was put off by the size of the Street Triple too, but the Speed Triple is a bit more substantial, that's my next test ride.

Hubby LOVES his Versys, he is incredibly fast in corners, I can't begin to keep up, he says it's a really easy bike to ride and my SV is unforgiving in comparison.

[rob13]

I can't begin to describe how easy the Versys is to ride. If you enter a corner a little to hot, the engine helps to pull it back but you can give the brakes a tap before the corner without worrying about overloading the suspension. The KTM will be a completely different animal and it might be just out of budget at the moment but its something I'll have to consider. Getting a test ride of one could prove an issue with no new 950's anymore.

[xXBADGERXx]

Rob if it is a 950 sm then it should be nearer the 5k mark than 6k . You said it was the thick end of 5k , my local dealer was selling a very low mileage 950sm with twin akrapovic pipes on it (complete set not just cans) and that was around 5k over a year ago . If it was a 990 I could understand , but he may be being a tad optimistic there .

[rob13]

sorry, I should have said around £5k. The one my colleague is selling is a tad over this, but looks in exceptional condition with only 2500 miles on it. Not quite having the cash for it at the moment, it's just out of reach.

[shonadoll]

I really must try OH's Versys, I'm on tiptoes on it which has been putting me off, but it sounds like worth a go.

[Daimo]

Aprillia Tueno (?sp)

[the_lone_wolf]

sorry, I should have said around £5k. The one my colleague is selling is a tad over this, but looks in exceptional condition with only 2500 miles on it. Not quite having the cash for it at the moment, it's just out of reach.

I know you said £5k, but if it were me I'd find the extra grand somewhere if I wanted one, the akrapovics alone are ~£800 new:

http://www.ktmforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=41667

[Bri w]

Hey, No one's mentioned the Vfr - I know, old git's bike (until the Vtec kicks in).

Rob, i'm only just down the road if you want to take it for a run.

It's an '06, cost me £5.6k with 1400 on the clock.

[xXBADGERXx]

I wouldn`t call a viffer and Old gits bike personally , very capable milemuncher in my eyes but Rob has passed more than a nod in the direction of a bit of sit up and beg style riding with wider bars rather than the normal clip on style , this is what seems to narrow the quest down to a certain style more than anything else .

[rob13]

Yeah, I think maybe I just prefer the upright position. To be fair, my old man has a 1200GS and he never uses it and says I can take it out which I think I will for the day just to see how I get on with a boxer. Not to say I'll be buying one, as the KTM for me ticks the boxes in looks and ergonomics. That 990 is beautiful Lone Wolf, but I have heard a lot about the snatchy FI on them, plus that really is going further into the budget. The 950 my work mate has also has the twin Akra setup. To finish the bike off, I like the look of the screen the 990 has, plus some heated grips (first time I bought them on the Versys and I think theyre possibly the greatest purchase for the bike).

I just wonder how much difference running costs will be in owning a KTM.

[the_lone_wolf]

I just wonder how much difference running costs will be in owning a KTM.
"If you have to ask you can't afford it sir..."

They ain't cheap... Service intervals are 4500 miles or annually, alternating between minor/major service, typical prices are £190/£290 excluding VAT for minor/major respectively

On the plus side home servicing is a doddle, I'm servicing the Adventure without hassle, it's obvious someone took time to design a bike that's easy to work on, the SM/SuperDuke and SMT all share the same engine.

[the_lone_wolf]

That 990 is beautiful Lone Wolf, but I have heard a lot about the snatchy FI on them

The "snatchy" FI is a load of balls IMO, no worse than the low rev throttle response on the SV... Sounds to me like a load of people came off IL4s and expected the KTMs to be as smooth, mistaking typical V-twin snatchiness as a problem unique to KTM

A gentle throttle hand is all that's required...

[xXBADGERXx]

On the plus side home servicing is a doddle, I'm servicing the Adventure without hassle, it's obvious someone took time to design a bike that's easy to work on, the SM/SuperDuke and SMT all share the same engine.

They probably had feedback along the lines of "I was in the middle of the Paris/Dakar rally in searing heat and couldn`t get to X part of the Engine to affect a small repair"

or

"I was in first place on an Enduro and couldn`t sort out X when the bike had a small problem that would have been easy to rectify if only you had ......... "

It`s nice when a company listens to it`s users/customers and you see the changes and suddenly understand why they have done what they have to make life easier for you . On the flipside you also get other companies who make things so hard and need a special tool with no reason for it just so that you have to get it serviced by their "Authorised" dealers .

[rob13]

The "snatchy" FI is a load of balls IMO, no worse than the low rev throttle response on the SV... Sounds to me like a load of people came off IL4s and expected the KTMs to be as smooth, mistaking typical V-twin snatchiness as a problem unique to KTM

A gentle throttle hand is all that's required...

Well, my workmate had both the 990 and 950 with a Street Triple in the middle, and preferred the 950 because of its ease of use at lower speeds. He said the throttle was off/on and nothing in between.

In terms of running costs, its not a case of "can't afford it" its a factor in whether one bike is worth the extra for the experience. I have plenty of other hobbies into which I can waste my money, I just try to get VFM in every area.

[rictus01]

Just as a comparison, I had a superduke out on test Monday, it's got the LC8 990 engine, and I can't say it was "snatchy" at all, sure you got the lumpy bottom end of a large V twin, but the injection was fine*.


Cheers Mark.

* it did have a couple of dips, but they corresponded to emissions and noise regs I'd guess, but nothing major.

[Tim in Belgium]

V-twin for the win, it even rhymes Rob! Just spend your hard earned and get a big bike ;)