Been looking at the KTM SMC-R 690 - Page 4 - SV650.org

17-04-14, 01:58 PM

Just noticed the DRZ is about 40kg lighter than the XT. I really need to test ride one. Even though I'm not getting one for power, I hope that the lack of power compared to my 9 doesn't put me off them.

17-04-14, 02:01 PM

I got rid of mine as i just did not like taking it to 70 on the dual carriageway always felt like I was pushing the bike a bit too much.

There are a couple of sections of dual carriageway between Fraserburgh and Aberdeen (40 miles) after that I would usually meet the others and it would be great on the fun twisty roads but those 40 miles were a chore!

17-04-14, 02:04 PM

Plan your test route, if you set off on dual carriageways you will be instantly thinking its no good but get on your favorite little back road and it will all become clear.

Make sure the bike you are test riding is wearing decent sticky rubber. So many people are on a budget and put rubbish tyres on them which defeats the object totally, then they have no power and no grip either and also go out on a hot day.

Have a look around for decent bits to tune them up and make them a bit more pokey. The parts are not silly money so worth it.

andrewsmith · 17-04-14, 06:55 PM

May I suggest...

Its the XT lump with more Power!! Rictus had one and it did shift (so was I until the SV's tensioner let go!) http://forums.sv650.org/showthread.php?t=178136

or the totally impractical single (but I've just had a trouser accident!!)

kaivalagi · 17-04-14, 07:25 PM

Good Shout Andrew, it was no slouch...but I think that might have something to do with the rider too lol

millemille · 17-04-14, 07:50 PM

Experience with KTM supermoto's?

Yes.

17-04-14, 08:24 PM

I keep going back to the XT over the DRZ. Top speed isn't an issue but I don't want it to be screaming at motorway speeds. The Pegaso looks good but it's more a tourer.

Why the twin headers from a single?

Red Herring · 17-04-14, 08:47 PM

You do realize the XT isn't a proper Supermoto? Like the Aprilia it's a road going trail bike, designed primary for road use with a little unmade trail capability. You can still have fun on it, but it's not even in the same game as the KTM.

A proper supermoto has 17" wheels and will take either a 160 or 180 rear tyre, (apart from the DRZ which uses a 150) and a decent front brake as well.

If you want a nice compromise see if you can find a Honda FMX for decent money. It's got 17" wheels, decent brakes, average suspension and the old Dominator 650 engine which is mega reliable and easy to service. Nowhere near as fast as a KTM, but sensible to maintain.

Red Herring · 17-04-14, 08:57 PM

A quick correction to my last post before someone else spots it.....

Yamaha do now do the XT in Supermoto trim, it's the XT660X, but it's a recent addition and you'd be lucky to find one under 3k......

kaivalagi · 17-04-14, 08:58 PM

There is an SM style XT with smaller wheels, the XTX:
http://www.motorcyclenews.com/mcn/bi...-2004-current/

edit: beat me to it

£2700 for a nice 2008 with less than than 5000 miles: http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classifi...01404143331186

17-04-14, 01:58 PM	#31
Dunn-y Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Been looking at the KTM SMC-R 690 Just noticed the DRZ is about 40kg lighter than the XT. I really need to test ride one. Even though I'm not getting one for power, I hope that the lack of power compared to my 9 doesn't put me off them.

17-04-14, 02:01 PM	#32
aarond Guest Posts: n/a	Been looking at the KTM SMC-R 690 I got rid of mine as i just did not like taking it to 70 on the dual carriageway always felt like I was pushing the bike a bit too much. There are a couple of sections of dual carriageway between Fraserburgh and Aberdeen (40 miles) after that I would usually meet the others and it would be great on the fun twisty roads but those 40 miles were a chore!

17-04-14, 02:04 PM	#33
Machine Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Been looking at the KTM SMC-R 690 Plan your test route, if you set off on dual carriageways you will be instantly thinking its no good but get on your favorite little back road and it will all become clear. Make sure the bike you are test riding is wearing decent sticky rubber. So many people are on a budget and put rubbish tyres on them which defeats the object totally, then they have no power and no grip either and also go out on a hot day. Have a look around for decent bits to tune them up and make them a bit more pokey. The parts are not silly money so worth it.

17-04-14, 06:55 PM	#34
andrewsmith Member Mega Poster Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Newcastle upon Tyne, Just south of salad dodging country Posts: 7,750	Re: Been looking at the KTM SMC-R 690 May I suggest... Its the XT lump with more Power!! Rictus had one and it did shift (so was I until the SV's tensioner let go!) http://forums.sv650.org/showthread.php?t=178136 or the totally impractical single (but I've just had a trouser accident!!) __________________ RIP Reeder 20/07/1988 - 21/03/2012. Always missed squire!!! Every year we meet old friends, gain some new ones, lose old ones and you always remember them all. “Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.” Mahatma Gandhi Last edited by andrewsmith; 17-04-14 at 06:56 PM.

17-04-14, 07:25 PM	#35
kaivalagi Member Mega Poster Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Norwich Posts: 1,955	Re: Been looking at the KTM SMC-R 690 Good Shout Andrew, it was no slouch...but I think that might have something to do with the rider too lol __________________ Mark Triumph and Suzuki owner

17-04-14, 07:50 PM	#36
millemille Member Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 318	Re: Been looking at the KTM SMC-R 690 Experience with KTM supermoto's? Yes.

17-04-14, 08:24 PM	#37
Dunn-y Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Been looking at the KTM SMC-R 690 I keep going back to the XT over the DRZ. Top speed isn't an issue but I don't want it to be screaming at motorway speeds. The Pegaso looks good but it's more a tourer. Why the twin headers from a single?

17-04-14, 08:47 PM	#38
Red Herring Member Mega Poster Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 2,708	Re: Been looking at the KTM SMC-R 690 You do realize the XT isn't a proper Supermoto? Like the Aprilia it's a road going trail bike, designed primary for road use with a little unmade trail capability. You can still have fun on it, but it's not even in the same game as the KTM. A proper supermoto has 17" wheels and will take either a 160 or 180 rear tyre, (apart from the DRZ which uses a 150) and a decent front brake as well. If you want a nice compromise see if you can find a Honda FMX for decent money. It's got 17" wheels, decent brakes, average suspension and the old Dominator 650 engine which is mega reliable and easy to service. Nowhere near as fast as a KTM, but sensible to maintain.

17-04-14, 08:57 PM	#39
Red Herring Member Mega Poster Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 2,708	Re: Been looking at the KTM SMC-R 690 A quick correction to my last post before someone else spots it..... Yamaha do now do the XT in Supermoto trim, it's the XT660X, but it's a recent addition and you'd be lucky to find one under 3k......

17-04-14, 08:58 PM	#40
kaivalagi Member Mega Poster Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Norwich Posts: 1,955	Re: Been looking at the KTM SMC-R 690 There is an SM style XT with smaller wheels, the XTX: http://www.motorcyclenews.com/mcn/bi...-2004-current/ edit: beat me to it £2700 for a nice 2008 with less than than 5000 miles: http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classifi...01404143331186 __________________ Mark Triumph and Suzuki owner Last edited by kaivalagi; 17-04-14 at 09:01 PM.