KTM SMT 2011 - Ongoing Impressions For My Second Bike

[kaivalagi]

I've fitted new tyres now, the Conti Sport Attacks went after 3200 miles...the rear squared too quickly for my liking, I've been having too much wrist twist fun

I've now fitted Michelin Pilot Road 3's as I wanted an all-around tyre with a hard centre....although I was almost tempted to go for a SM tyre. I got the pair fitted for £245 (going rate?) from my local bike tyre fitter and am so far fairly happy with them...

They're only just scrubbed in and I just had a good Sunday ride on them yesterday. The front did slip once and gave me a little scare but that was most likely because of inexperience and the fact that it's not had enough miles on it. The tyres are most likely not the issue...

The rear spun out in the wet on the way home during a torrential downpour when I accelerated for an overtake but again I put that down to being new and me needing some experience of the bigger engined bike in the wet.

I'll post back once I've had some time on the tyres and have experienced a few different conditions and pushed it a little more than now

Another minor thing done to the bike is the KTM plastic radiator guard I've fitted, it's £7 and is for a 06 SMR and was fitted with cable ties....the standing still temp in town/congestion has gone up a notch on the gauge from what I can tell but when in motion the guard makes little to no difference.

I am seriously getted tempted by some Leo Vince cans and a TuneECU cable...I am trying to hold back until atleast it's 1st anniversary!

Here's a new pic of the bike from Sunday before the ride out:

Which reminds me... mine needs a clean again

Have you got any of the more sensible accessories, or just the crash bars and rad guard?

[kaivalagi]

Originally Posted by orose

Which reminds me... mine needs a clean again

Cleaned mine that morning, it was just to get rid of fly splat and then I got anal I didn't get the toothbrush out or the polish though...

Originally Posted by orose

Have you got any of the more sensible accessories, or just the crash bars and rad guard?

So far the list of bits added onto the standard bike are:

• Travel kit (tank bag, panniers, center stand, touring screen(not fitted), ram mount)...the panniers are very impressive and it's very quick to fit the brackets and panniers to the bike
• Crash bars...think they look great and much nicer than the R&G crash bungs you can get
• Crash Bobbins (front and rear)...had to be done really
• Radiator Guard...cheap as chips and well worth it
• Frame Protectors....not so keen on the sprocket cover element, it is more minimal than the stock cover it replaces and leaves a unused plastic mounting peg below the front sprocket

Planned for the future so far:

• Orange reflective rim tape (maybe, still pondering, might get black reflective)
• TuneECU Cable (self made and used to turn off the O2 sensors at first, I'll remap later maybe once I have after market cans...kevxtx is playing with his SMR and Leo Vinces on the other forum so I might follow his lead)
• Replacement LED indicator and rear lights (bl00dy expensive though!)
• Leo Vince cans (or similar but not for a good while)

[dyzio]

Cans!!!

[kaivalagi]

Originally Posted by dyzio

Cans!!!

I like the sound from the stock cans to be fair even through they are a little quieter than after markets, and I still get a bit of snap crackle and pop here and there. Plus new cans would only be of benefit for the noise factor anyway, re-tuning with cat-less cans will only give a few HP which IMHO isn't worth the money at all!

That said, the noise they would make would be nice I have to be wise with where the money gets put though...and cans will take a big wedge out of the bank that could go towards a new xr1100 symmetry tc-8 (need some orange!) and some more clothing and protective gear

[dyzio]

Originally Posted by kaivalagi

new cans would only be of benefit for the noise factor anyway

and



I get your point, but I'd get the cans anyway

Similar package to me then - tank bag and ram mount may be heading to eBay though, as I don't own or want a sat nav, and the bag annoys me (also seems the map pouch isn't waterproof, based on this weekend).

I've left the pannier brackets on (for the SW-motech/KTM boxes), but dropped the touring screen with the unseasonably hot weather - it seemed to create a hot bubble of air behind it, just in front of my chin vent. Lovely when the outside temperature gauge is reading 32C.

[kaivalagi]

Originally Posted by dyzio

I get your point, but I'd get the cans anyway

A little voice in me keeps nagging me to just do it....so far I have resisted but if I ever hear an SMR/SMT in person with after markets I'll be sold I reckon

Originally Posted by orose

Similar package to me then - tank bag and ram mount may be heading to eBay though, as I don't own or want a sat nav, and the bag annoys me (also seems the map pouch isn't waterproof, based on this weekend).

I use sat nav but want to replace the ram mount bracket with a Telferizer one that screws into one of the bolts on the bar bracket, and I use the tank bag for work...although the zip isn't holding up too well, I'll be re-enforcing the zip ends with something soon I think....it would have been nice if the tank bag was properly waterproof too rather than coming with that horrible waterproof cover

Originally Posted by orose

I've left the pannier brackets on (for the SW-motech/KTM boxes), but dropped the touring screen with the unseasonably hot weather - it seemed to create a hot bubble of air behind it, just in front of my chin vent. Lovely when the outside temperature gauge is reading 32C.

That's good to know about the tall screen, I was planning on fitting it once the weather turns in November-ish to give me a bit of protection

The panniers stay off for the most part...they'll come into their own when I eventually get a proper time out from work and can get some good miles in (I want to hit the highlands before the late summer / early autumn if I can)....work keeps renewing my contract though

Protection is great for my height - I suspect the air goes over my head completely, hence the bubble.

[kaivalagi]

Originally Posted by orose

Protection is great for my height - I suspect the air goes over my head completely, hence the bubble.

Likely to be the same for me, I'm 5'10" and more or less on tippy toes...it took some getting used to after being flat footed with a sports bike but it's fine except if needing to move the bike backwards