What next?

[GetOuttaMyWay]

I hope these kind of threads aren't annoying to everyone... but trying to figure out what bike to get next. I've gotten input from a few riding buddies but would like to hear BARF's thoughts. I currently have a KTM 690 SM and a Honda F4i. The SM I enjoy the most, so much fun for rips up in the Oakland hills and day rides up the coast and it's my go to bike for running errands and what not. The f4i is my mileage eater I use for touring and occasional track days. I've also had it for 8 years now and just finished a 3,200 mile tour on it and I'm ready for something different and bigger. Its' a great bike, but its just time for something different.

Seeing that I love the SM but it's not the most versatile bike (not enough HP and mass for long hauls), and the F4i is great but it's not the best at what I use it for (touring and track), I'm thinking of selling both and getting a bike that's more versatile, then having a cheap track rat bike for occasional track days.

Currently leaning towards a KTM 990SMT, seems like a more versatile version of my SM that could be good for both blasting the twisties and touring. Weighing that against a '04-5 CBR1000RR.

My buddy had the 1000rr for a minute and I rode it briefly on the coast and it felt like a nice upgrade from my F4i. Everything I love about my Honda, but nicer. Maybe ok for touring but not quite the best solution, but could also be used for trackdays. Maybe not the best for hitting random goat roads on the coast.

A few of my friends have the 990ADV and I've been really impressed with how fast they can haul the mail on them. The few times we've swapped bikes I really like them but, while I'm ADVcurious, I don't practically seeing me leaving the pavement much, if it all.

Trying not to spend much more than $5k. I currently don't commute as my office is less than 2 miles away so bikes are recreational for me.

Anyone have the SMT? Curious to hear your thoughts on the bike.

 

[byke]

I don't have an SMT, but as I was reading, I was thinking, "oh okay, he just needs the big KTM SM", so I think you were right on track with that line of thought over the CBR. The CBR is dope, no doubt, it just doesn't seem to fit at all with the versatility you're after. Really everyone needs a few bikes and these quandaries are the result of not doing that, so I'd just go with a big SM and simply deal with the CBR urge until you can N+1 it.

 

[Gary856]

Used 990SMT are still quite a bit over $5k, but for less than $5k you can easily get a 950SM, which feels more supermoto than the SMT anyway.

I just got a 950SM, and damned if it isn't the most fun to ride bike I've ever had.

I thought I would miss having a tach but it's a non-factor; it looks proper and feels tough without it.

Going back to carb is a revelation - the fueling is perfect - none of the silly snatchy KTM fuel injection on 690SM and 990 SuperDuke. (Starting when hot, though, sometimes take more cranking and isn't as crisp as FI bikes. I could feel the effective of altitude when I get on top of Mt Hamilton. Will have to see how it feels in the winter.)

I've ridden the 950SM on many of my favorite technical roads nearby and I like it more than the Multistrada 1200 so far, at 1/3 the cost of the Multi. On tight and steep goat roads the 950SM feels more composed, tighter and more in its element. The ergos, handling, suspension and fueling all feel right, and as a result the bike is very easy to ride. I don't miss the electronics or ABS. The 950 is so old-tech it feels cool. (On the other hand, the Multi 1200 is much more powerful, and gets much better gas mileage - I've averaged 42 mpg over 5k miles.)

Comparing the 3 KTMs:

- The 690SM is much lighter and more agile - it's magical on roads like Mt Hamilton, but as you already know, being a thumper, it's not great for long distance on the freeway. Averaged 53 mpg over 12k mi.

- The SuperDuke 990 is noticeably stronger than the 950, and a bit smaller and lighter - it's better than the 950 on flatter sweepers (like Hwy 9, Skyline, 84), but it's not as comfortable on tighter, rougher and steeps roads (like Mt Ham, Zayante, Alpine). Averaged 37 mpg over 8k mi.

- The 950SM has more motor than the 690 for relaxed long distance cruising, and better ergos, more suspension than the 990 to tackle rough goat roads. I've averaged 34 mpg over the last 2 tanks, 260 miles. For now, this is the bike I would take if I could have only one.

 

[GetOuttaMyWay]

Thanks for the input Gary, awesome insight. I love your enthusiasm for the 950. Admittedly the FI on my 690 is the only thing I don't like about my KTM, but I absolutely hate dealing with carbs. This is one aspect that makes the CBR appealing. My F4i was the first year Honda offered FI and it's leaps and bounds better than my newer KTM.

I'm hoping the SMT isn't too much of a compromise of how you describe your SM. There's one or two listed on CL's in the mid-low 5's right now.

 

[Kestrel]

I've seen a couple VFR1200s for around 6k. It wasn't the bike people 'expected' as a VFR, and so they really didn't sell well... but... they're absolutely stellar bikes. Not so much a goat-road bike, however. But as a do-all touring bike with good handling, serious power, and stellar build quality... it would do the trick. They're gorgeous in person.

 

[ScottRNelson]

Trying not to spend much more than $5k.

If it weren't for this one sentence, I would suggest the SuperDuke 1290 GT. It's a do-everything bike if you don't expect to leave the pavement and should put a smile on your face every time you ride it.

Sometimes you just have to find a way to spend a few more bucks to get what you really want. Unfortunately it's price is approximately what you want to spend plus what I just spent on a new 1090 Adventure R.

 

[RightCoastBias]

ADV bikes are pretty bitchin on-road. I'd not let marketing campaigns of RTW adventures and gnarly single track dissuade you from choosing one, if you like it otherwise.

990 ADV has it's problems, but they're rad bikes.

 

[auntiebling]

the guy you want to talk to about the SM-t is motoproponent on here. i currently have his former 2010 SMT and it's sitting at 77.5k miles on it. i put the .5 on it so far.

i like it. it grows on me whenever i ride it, i probably need to adjust the suspension a bit because i'm heavier than the average austrian (and motoproponent) but it was appealing to me for the same reasons. if i need to commute it's a great bike for that, i prefer longer distance riding and the huge adventure rigs are just a silly (impossible) idea for me to acquire.

i prefer smaller-ish bikes so if anything this one is too physically large.

i do find the throttle a bit grabby but i freely admit i am not yet used to the bike and with some repetitive stress issues in my wrists it might be "ME" not the bike. i have read that swapping the throttle tube to the RC8 one mitigates the issue as it is progressive, i think.

 

[berth]

Buy the one that makes your heart sing. Whether it's box stock Ninja 300 or a Ural.

It may break it later, but do it anyway. There's lots of bikes.

 

[motomania2007]

Mt/fz09

 

[auntiebling]

cheap caponord if you want to try something sorta adventure-ish miles are kinda high, but it's the rotax engine so likely not a big deal

https://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/mcy/d/aprilia-caponord-etv-1000/6675660443.html

 

[Howi152]

Turbo Busa

 

[nebulous]

I have a CBR600F4 not (i) and an 07 CBR1000rr. It is a good combination but showing some age. the F4 does everything good, it is light and a pleasure to ride several hours a day.

Downsides: F4 suspension is not modern, keeping up with good riders on modern bikes is dicey at best, dangerous worst. The 1000rr, although powerful, not nearly as much as S1000RR or RSV4 etc. Not a good touring bike, as mentioned, not good on goaty roads.

I have been considering S1000R or TuonoV4 to replace both bikes.

oh, if you go CBR1000RR get an 06 or 07 they are improved over 04 and 05.

 

[NoTraffic]

Used versys 1000 but they are hard to find.

 

[cjymiller]

Another Vote for the FZ09 - If you're doing track days though, you'll need upgraded suspension. Which might run a shiny penny.

 

[ScottRNelson]

I do find the throttle a bit grabby, but I freely admit I am not yet used to the bike and with some repetitive stress issues in my wrists it might be "ME" not the bike. I have read that swapping the throttle tube to the RC8 one mitigates the issue as it is progressive, I think.

My 2008 990 Adv had that issue and the throttle tube fix did not make a big difference. Right after a service and throttle body cleaning it mostly went away, but was usually back within 2000-3000 miles. The guys at Tri-Valley Moto told me that if I only put Chevron gasoline in it the problem wouldn't come back. I sold it before I got to the point of finding out for sure if that worked.

My solution was to slip the clutch whenever going from no throttle to light throttle at low speeds. After a few years it just became a habit. I'm having to unlearn that skill, since the 1090 does not have that same issue.

 

[auntiebling]

My 2008 990 Adv had that issue and the throttle tube fix did not make a big difference. Right after a service and throttle body cleaning it mostly went away, but was usually back within 2000-3000 miles. The guys at Tri-Valley Moto told me that if I only put Chevron gasoline in it the problem wouldn't come back. I sold it before I got to the point of finding out for sure if that worked.

My solution was to slip the clutch whenever going from no throttle to light throttle at low speeds. After a few years it just became a habit. I'm having to unlearn that skill, since the 1090 does not have that same issue.

thanks, i appreciate the first hand account!

 

[GetOuttaMyWay]

ADV bikes are pretty bitchin on-road. I'd not let marketing campaigns of RTW adventures and gnarly single track dissuade you from choosing one, if you like it otherwise.

990 ADV has it's problems, but they're rad bikes.

The ADV seems a lot more abundant used, and my friends who have them can walk me on in the twisties when I'm on my CBR, so I agree. I'm actually planning a tour through Chile in the Winter on rented KLR's, maybe I'll hold off on buying until after the trip and see if I get the ADV bug. Both of the guys I'm going with have the 990ADV.

 

[Gary856]

While ADV bikes with 19" or 21" front can hold their own on pavement, you can feel the difference in handling when ridden back to back. For example, my R1200GS handles great on twisty roads, but when I switch to the Ducati or KTM, the stubbier 17" front ends are noticeably crisper.

 

[NoTraffic]

The ADV seems a lot more abundant used, and my friends who have them can walk me on in the twisties when I'm on my CBR, so I agree. I'm actually planning a tour through Chile in the Winter on rented KLR's, maybe I'll hold off on buying until after the trip and see if I get the ADV bug. Both of the guys I'm going with have the 990ADV.

To be fair, comparing the KLR with a 990 ADV is like saying I'll try riding a Suzuki GS500 to see if I might like a ZX-14. KLR's might give you 5% of what a 990ADV will give you.


This is coming from an ex-KLR owner.