Supermoto

[Red Herring]

Originally Posted by the_lone_wolf

so it IS still an overweight, underpowered barge?

If you say so mate. It would be nice to have more power and a bit less weight, but it seems to have done alright so far. The bike was built specifically for competing in special stage rallies which are basically closed sections of country lane ( as in no other traffic) linked together by stretches of open road. I've got a fair few years experience at such events and been reasonably successful. How can you qualify your opinion?

[the_lone_wolf]

Originally Posted by Red Herring

How can you qualify your opinion?

By owning both and comparing the two bikes back to back, by doing hundreds and thousands of miles on each then basing an opinion on that, i never claimed to be some kind of riding god, but i do know which bike is faster and more capable on twisty roads - if you have to have the SV "built specifically for competing in special stage rallies which are basically closed sections of country lane" it's nothing like the SV anyone else is going to buy... i'm sure you'll say how you've ridden (and raced) your own personal "built for the purpose" SV and then borrowed a mate's moto for 5 minutes and decided that you're faster on your own bike, quel suprise - you don't need a distinguished career as a professional racer to know that 175kg >> 114kg either...

Quod erat demonstrandum...

[Red Herring]

Originally Posted by the_lone_wolf

By owning both and comparing the two bikes back to back, by doing hundreds and thousands of miles on each then basing an opinion on that, i never claimed to be some kind of riding god, but i do know which bike is faster and more capable on twisty roads - if you have to have the SV "built specifically for competing in special stage rallies which are basically closed sections of country lane" it's nothing like the SV anyone else is going to buy... i'm sure you'll say how you've ridden (and raced) your own personal "built for the purpose" SV and then borrowed a mate's moto for 5 minutes and decided that you're faster on your own bike, quel suprise - you don't need a distinguished career as a professional racer to know that 175kg >> 114kg either...

Quod erat demonstrandum...

Eh no. I think the spec of my SV is fairly common, GSXR front end, rear shock, junk some of the non-essentials etc etc. Three seasons of racing Supermotos and five years of Rallying one ought to have given me a bit of experience there as well. As I've already said I have no doubt that in the right hands and on the right track your SMR is the faster bike, however the reality is that in the real world those circumstance don't present themselves very often. I've also that that if you are in the habit of riding on the road in a manner where you can exploit that small advantage then stay away from me please, and my family......

[the_lone_wolf]

Originally Posted by Red Herring

Eh no. I think the spec of my SV is fairly common

not really, very few people go to the lengths of modifying the suspension of their SVs, most just realise the limitations and buy a better bike...

so which is it? "built specifically for competing in special stage rallies" or "fairly common, with a few suspension mods" - it's just a shame there isn't a magical "lose 60kg" mod that makes the experience less like piloting an ocean liner and more like riding a light bike

[tigersaw]

[the_lone_wolf]

Originally Posted by tigersaw

have at you sir...

getting back O/T, theres a review of the Duke 690, Pegaso & XT660 in RiDE this month. For those that havent read it, the Duke has a peach of a motor but is a real hooligan tool. It gets criticism for its riding position. The Pegaso is an easy lazy ride and is the better for everyday riding but is criticised for its dated looks while the XT660 has a real trail bike look but has the weakest motor.

For those that have ridden 690 KTMs, can any of you provide an opinion for which is the best "all rounder" to go for? The Duke seems to be a bit too focused for it to be long distance comfortable

[Red Herring]

Originally Posted by tigersaw

Mine's the red one......obviously behind but not quite so full.....!!

[the_lone_wolf]

Originally Posted by Red Herring

Mine's the red one......obviously behind but not quite so full.....!!

nope, this is yours:

[the_lone_wolf]

Originally Posted by robchester

For those that have ridden 690 KTMs, can any of you provide an opinion for which is the best "all rounder" to go for? The Duke seems to be a bit too focused for it to be long distance comfortable

haven't ridden them but would expect the normal SM to be more distance comfortable than the SMC, but the best thing to do would be to phone a dealer and get some test rides, as riding position is subjective...