Narrowed it down to two (potential) bikes, help.

Narrowed it down to two (potential) bikes, help.

Author
Discussion

Benbay001

Original Poster:

5,794 posts

156 months

Wednesday 7th October 2015
quotequote all
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.

Edited by Benbay001 on Thursday 8th October 18:31

Chicken Chaser

7,744 posts

223 months

Wednesday 7th October 2015
quotequote all
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

6,511 posts

142 months

Wednesday 7th October 2015
quotequote all
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?

Benbay001

Original Poster:

5,794 posts

156 months

Thursday 8th October 2015
quotequote all
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. smile

MotorsportTom

3,318 posts

160 months

Thursday 8th October 2015
quotequote all
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.

fixitfelix

7 posts

102 months

Thursday 8th October 2015
quotequote all
Motorsporttom is right

davel*

311 posts

180 months

Thursday 8th October 2015
quotequote all
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 said

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

MotorsportTom

3,318 posts

160 months

Thursday 8th October 2015
quotequote all
bowtie

Finally getting the recognition I deserve

scorcher

3,982 posts

233 months

Thursday 8th October 2015
quotequote all
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.

black-k1

11,889 posts

228 months

Thursday 8th October 2015
quotequote all
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.
frown 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.

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.

MotorsportTom

3,318 posts

160 months

Thursday 8th October 2015
quotequote all
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.
frown 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.

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.
Don't misunderstand me, I have just bought an FJ1200 that I cannot wait to ride and I'm sure I'll have lots of fun on it.

However knowing Ben and knowing his bike history he needs to have a silly bike at least for a little while!

Benbay001

Original Poster:

5,794 posts

156 months

Thursday 8th October 2015
quotequote all
You were all meant to suggest the infinately more practical FJR.
Anyone ridden both?

Lungauer

293 posts

151 months

Thursday 8th October 2015
quotequote all
KTM for sure. And touring on a 950SM is a pleasure (since fitted with Akras for more aural entertainment). Had from new and I will not sell her (I just add to the collection).


Benbay001

Original Poster:

5,794 posts

156 months

Thursday 8th October 2015
quotequote all
How have they been reliability wise?

Benbay001

Original Poster:

5,794 posts

156 months

Thursday 8th October 2015
quotequote all
I probably should have added, the bike will be used nearly daily.
Quite a major point and im not sure how i forgot to mention it.

EvoBarry

1,903 posts

264 months

Thursday 8th October 2015
quotequote all
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 biggrin

jackh707

2,126 posts

155 months

Thursday 8th October 2015
quotequote all
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.

Benbay001

Original Poster:

5,794 posts

156 months

Thursday 8th October 2015
quotequote all
Not feeling much love for the FJR..

Chicken Chaser

7,744 posts

223 months

Thursday 8th October 2015
quotequote all
That's the thing with newer models, service intervals aren't so short. Not too bad if you're not doing many miles but if you're riding a lot then it soon comes up. I think about buying a Tracer at £8k then think I could have a 990sm for a few grand less.

Mr2Mike

20,143 posts

254 months

Friday 9th October 2015
quotequote all
Benbay001 said:
Not feeling much love for the FJR..
It's a 264kg behemoth. Probably great for doing trans-continental trips in comfort, but the KTMs undoubtedly have the fun factor for shorter trips. Not to mention being taller and narrower so better for filtering etc.