Been looking at the KTM SMC-R 690

This was harder than I thought. I think I'm going to hold out a little while and see what comes up. I'm not in any rush to sell my ZX9 as it's a great bike and I still really enjoy riding it.

[kaivalagi]

Might be worth getting a demo ride in at your local Yam dealer....I might even blag one this weekend just to know what it's like...

[kaivalagi]

Saw this on visor down and thought you might be interested: http://www.visordown.com/motorcycle-...tos/24813.html

Aprilia SXV550 looks a good option, not sure on reliability, price or availability but 70bhp from a twin cylinder and only 124kg sounds good to me

[Red Herring]

Originally Posted by kaivalagi

Saw this on visor down and thought you might be interested: http://www.visordown.com/motorcycle-...tos/24813.html

Aprilia SXV550 looks a good option, not sure on reliability, price or availability but 70bhp from a twin cylinder and only 124kg sounds good to me

Probably the best Supermoto I've ever ridden on the road, absolutely incredible performance however that comes at a price, the maintenance schedule is measured in minutes not hours (maybe a slight exaggeration but it sure felt like it) and reliability isn't that brilliant even then. They have sorted some of the issues with the earlier ones but there is no way you want one of these as a road bike unless you are a truly dedicated mechanic, or can afford to employ one!

[kaivalagi]

I thought it sounded too good to be true, that's the trouble with supermoto...most of the well performing lightweight bikes are off road hours serviceable ones...I guess it all comes back to the KTM 690 for a well performing light weight miles based servicing bike...

All this thread has gotten me interested in it as I am still toying with downsizing the SM-T later on (maybe next year) and a ~600cc SM would be the ticket I think...looked at the XTX but the low quality suspension pretty much excludes it from proceedings for me...I know the engine is a bit lacking but is reliable and can be tuned a bit, but front forks that crap on an SM doesn't sound good...I guess a demo ride wouldn't hurt.

I need to check out the CCM too, they do a new 450 adventure style bike now as well but it's pricey for what it is and the performance specs aren't the best (it is a 450cc after all)...looks like a great piece of kit though (maybe cheap enough if I can find one S/H in a year or so):

Aprilia twin cylinder bikes don't break down like old ducatis.

The rotax engine from the Mille is bombproof and rotax make light aircraft engines so have to be good.

I wouldn't worry about reliability on any new Italian motor

I wouldn't go with a CCM they look like they have been built by ex TVR mechanics down to a price then sold at a premium for no good reason. Very agricultural!

Stick a decent set of forks on an XT if that's what the budget is telling you to get

[kaivalagi]

Hope you dont mind all the questions Machine as you seem to be in the know about a fair few things supermoto Do you even the new 450 to be inferior for the money? It has brembo brakes, marzocchi forks, it's running an ex-bmw detuned engine too etc etc. Also has a large fuel tank and good MPG so it will chug on for miles and miles...might need a gearing change to do long runs regularly I guess, something a second set of SM wheels could cover off maybe?

What forks could be had for an XTX? Is it a common practice to replace them?

@Dunn-y, hope you don't mind me running with these questions, I figured it might be of interest to you too? You've got me thinking of a alternative lightweight bike now lol

@kaivalagi no problem at all. Looks like I may have changed my mind again anyway. I would still love a supermoto but not as my main bike so I'll wait until I can afford to have one as a second bike. For now, I'm quite interested in the naked Z1000.

[kaivalagi]

Or get a 990 sm