Ktm 950 sm?

Test rode one of the last 950 engined SMs last year, was bloody brilliant. Found an (ahem) private stretch of road that looked similar to the A20 and did a "top speed" attempt, a van pulled into the outside lane about a quarter of a mile ahead and I gently squeezed the brake... and stoppied from over 100mph... Great chassis, terrific engine, phenomenal brakes. Build quality looks good too.

Down sides: vibey bars (after a couple of hours) seat that feels like a wooden plank, those brakes may catch you out in the wet (but I'm sure you'd get used to them). They have now released the 990smT though, which has a comfier seat and a rack: is this now the most fun practical bike on the market?

[STRAMASHER]

Fragile , highly strung engines with short and expensive services intervals are the things at the back of my mind with any of the Vtwin KTBooms.

Fanatastic parts and finish quality.

Mines a 990SM and a get out of jail free card ,ta.

Originally Posted by STRAMASHER

Fragile , highly strung engines with short and expensive services intervals are the things at the back of my mind with any of the Vtwin KTBooms.

I thought that was just the hardcore off roaders? AFAIK the service intervals on the twins are about 4.5k, so comparable with Jap bikes.

Why don't my A roads look like that

Test rode the 690 duke in the summer and was addicted to it, amazing unbelievable bike... didn't get a chance to try the 990 super though...want to try that and the sm next year for sure...saving up already

[northwind]

The Duke 3 and all of the various 950s and 990s are all on my "Don't testride it because you'll buy it" list Loved the Duke 2 but it was just a wee bit... Well, it's sort of hard to explain but it was too impractical to be a good road bike but not stupid enough to be a proper supermoto. But it seems like the 3 cleaned that up a bit. And the big SM is just stunning. Wants it.

[Mej]

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[Mej]

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Originally Posted by STRAMASHER

Fragile , highly strung engines with short and expensive services intervals are the things at the back of my mind with any of the Vtwin KTBooms.
Fanatastic parts and finish quality.
Mines a 990SM and a get out of jail free card ,ta.

Have you ever owned a KTM?
Ive not had any real issues with fragile, highly strung engines on the 4 that I've owned.
Parts are well speced, brembo, wavy discs,braided lines, magura clutch as standard but I dont think the build/finish quality is any higher than most other bikes out there.

Originally Posted by Bear

I thought that was just the hardcore off roaders? AFAIK the service intervals on the twins are about 4.5k, so comparable with Jap bikes.

The offroad bikes are pretty well bullet proof.
Change the oil every couple of rides (depending on mileage/ hours running of course).
The road range service intervals have been lengthened to make them more comparable/competetive with the jap stuff.

Originally Posted by J2UK

now im stuck between these 2 when it comes to upgrade next year

1. GSXR 750 k4 or K7
2. KTM 950 SMT

2 very different bikes and both aimed at 2 different markets.

I love KTM bikes and always have tried to keep at least one available to me to ride (currently 520 enduro).

I find that they seem to have developed a machine that anyone who see it will instantly recognise it as its something a little different from the "jap jelly mould".

I always have a grin when I've been on a KTM too, they just feel "special".

[the_lone_wolf]

Originally Posted by speedplay

Have you ever owned a KTM?
Ive not had any real issues with fragile, highly strung engines on the 4 that I've owned.
Parts are well speced, brembo, wavy discs,braided lines, magura clutch as standard but I dont think the build/finish quality is any higher than most other bikes out there.

Build quality has minor issues in places but nothing serious

The 9*0 engines are about as bulletproof as they come, so long as you're aware of a couple of minor, easily sorted, issues...

KTM build bikes that are fun to use, the GSXR is massively competent, technically amazing, but IME sterile and every time you open the garage door you'll wish you'd at least tried the KTM...

Most of the issues were with the early bikes thought wernt they? 1980-1995 were renowned for "issues"