Narrowed it down to two (potential) bikes, help.
Discussion
Im hoping get another bike in the early part of next year, and run without a car until next autumn.
I was pretty dead set on the bike I wanted. FJR 1300.
However, since then ive moved to Southampton, and have come to appreciate low speed agility, light weight and a skinny chassis.
I then learnt how to wheelie (or as best as you can on a deauville).
It got me looking quite seriously at KTM 690/950/990 Dukes and Supermotos.
So here i am, torn between either an FJR1300 and a 950 SMs
Anyone got any input?
ETA the bike will be used daily.
I was pretty dead set on the bike I wanted. FJR 1300.
However, since then ive moved to Southampton, and have come to appreciate low speed agility, light weight and a skinny chassis.
I then learnt how to wheelie (or as best as you can on a deauville).
It got me looking quite seriously at KTM 690/950/990 Dukes and Supermotos.
So here i am, torn between either an FJR1300 and a 950 SMs
Anyone got any input?
ETA the bike will be used daily.
Edited by Benbay001 on Thursday 8th October 18:31
Loved my 950sm, I wouldn't say the twin lump was necessarily smooth, its a bit raw. Plenty power for the type of bike it is and the handling is awesome. Such good fun. Early models suffer on a variety of issues not least the tank having some problems causing it to deform and leak. Apparently sorted on later models. I'd look at getting a late one, black frame if you can. Quite thirsty but big twins, what do you expect?
creampuff said:
Well you aren't going to be able to put crap in a KTM unless you pay extra for panniers. Whereas the FJR comes with panniers. Do you need to put stuff in your bike?
The KTM would probably get a top box.I fill my panniers currently once per week average.
Top box gets filled daily.
Chicken Chaser said:
what do you expect?
To go everywhere on one wheel i think. MotorsportTom said:
KTM without a shadow of a doubt. You're young you need to dick about on fun bikes not get tied down in the practicality of a tourer!
Own the KTM, nail chicks because you're a badboy wheelie and stoppie champion and have beer for breakfast. Winning all round imo.
What he saidOwn the KTM, nail chicks because you're a badboy wheelie and stoppie champion and have beer for breakfast. Winning all round imo.
I live in Southampton and have a KTM SM950 if you wanted to come and have a poke around one. If you do drop me a PM
Two completely different bikes and having owned and travelled 7000 miles on my 950SM in the last 12 months, a FJR wouldn't even be appearing on a "want list".
Just buy the 950SM, do the X-bikes mods,and fit Akrapovics, and never let the thought of buying a dull bike like the FJR cross your mind again.
Just buy the 950SM, do the X-bikes mods,and fit Akrapovics, and never let the thought of buying a dull bike like the FJR cross your mind again.
MotorsportTom said:
KTM without a shadow of a doubt. You're young you need to dick about on fun bikes not get tied down in the practicality of a tourer!
Own the KTM, nail chicks because you're a badboy wheelie and stoppie champion and have beer for breakfast. Winning all round imo.
I had a tourer from the age of 19 and never felt that I was "hard done by" on the fun stakes. In fact, riding my CX500 across Europe to Malta seemed way more fun than any of my mates on their "fun bikes"(400/4, 350LC, KH400 etc.) were having.Own the KTM, nail chicks because you're a badboy wheelie and stoppie champion and have beer for breakfast. Winning all round imo.
As for which of the two bikes mentioned, I’d definitely recommend trying both. Both are very good at what they do but what they do may or may not be exactly what you want after you've tried them.
black-k1 said:
MotorsportTom said:
KTM without a shadow of a doubt. You're young you need to dick about on fun bikes not get tied down in the practicality of a tourer!
Own the KTM, nail chicks because you're a badboy wheelie and stoppie champion and have beer for breakfast. Winning all round imo.
I had a tourer from the age of 19 and never felt that I was "hard done by" on the fun stakes. In fact, riding my CX500 across Europe to Malta seemed way more fun than any of my mates on their "fun bikes"(400/4, 350LC, KH400 etc.) were having.Own the KTM, nail chicks because you're a badboy wheelie and stoppie champion and have beer for breakfast. Winning all round imo.
As for which of the two bikes mentioned, I’d definitely recommend trying both. Both are very good at what they do but what they do may or may not be exactly what you want after you've tried them.
However knowing Ben and knowing his bike history he needs to have a silly bike at least for a little while!
Service intervals are quite short, and not cheap (Think ~£100 for oil service at dealer) and they do need more looking after than Japanese machines from what I'm finding, but when you're on them you don't care. I have a 990SMT. The way you can simply roll away from the lights and pick your altitude on throttle alone never gets boring
Ive just picked up a 990SMT. Best bike I've owned yet.
Its the goldilocks bike in my garage in terms of power. I find my blade and RC8 a bit difficult to exploit on the road, smaller bikes not enough.
Most fun bike I've ridden, front wheel hates tarmac, brakes are eye popping, turn in is insanely fast. Very flickable and exploitable.
If you start losing traction its predictable and you can get away with loads when traction is low on gravel or damp.
The SMT is the least extreme of the SMs, thoroughly recommend one.
Its the goldilocks bike in my garage in terms of power. I find my blade and RC8 a bit difficult to exploit on the road, smaller bikes not enough.
Most fun bike I've ridden, front wheel hates tarmac, brakes are eye popping, turn in is insanely fast. Very flickable and exploitable.
If you start losing traction its predictable and you can get away with loads when traction is low on gravel or damp.
The SMT is the least extreme of the SMs, thoroughly recommend one.
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