Recommendations for a "big" supermoto
Discussion
Having tried a few different styles of bike (nakeds, sports, adventure, enduro) I feel myself being drawn to the larger supermoto style bikes. I already own a KTM 450 EXC so I know that throwing some 17" wheels on it is an option but I was thinking more along the lines of Hypermotard, Dorsoduro, 950/990 SM etc.
Can anyone with experience comment on if the reality lived up to the promise of the perfect hooligan bike? What are the shortcomings (not bothered about range or comfort) or are they too compromised?
Not got a budget in mind to be honest but good VFM would be a bonus.
Can anyone with experience comment on if the reality lived up to the promise of the perfect hooligan bike? What are the shortcomings (not bothered about range or comfort) or are they too compromised?
Not got a budget in mind to be honest but good VFM would be a bonus.
I've got a KTM 950 SM-R. It is simply fantastic, and a great bike for pretty much everything. Its great fun on tracks like Cadwell Park and the short Brands hatch. Currently its undergoing some work unfortunately, but its not an indicator of the bike after what I and the previous owner have put it through. It is a bit of a hooligan machine (wheelies and the like), but it is more enjoyable at lower speeds due to short gearing than my other bikes. It is surprisingly good on longer rides (although I've not done long distance touring on it), and I like the visibility and riding position.
Range is rubbish (80 miles urban, 100 miles combined, 110 open road). I do like the fueling of the 950s over the 990s, but 990s will be easier with FI. General upkeep has been simple and cheap until this rebuild - although mine has gone through 2 chains in 5000 miles (did I say it wheelies?).
It is my favourite bike to commute with in London, but sadly it will not meet the cut off for the new ultra low emission zone (something to consider if you ride into London).
It is not as light and agile as the small supermotos, but much more liveable generally. I recon the best looking bike is the Husky Nuda (although every single one I've known has been stolen). The Hypermotos are awesome, but I preferred the ride of the KTM.
I dont think you can go wrong in this class, but just spent a bit of effort finding the right one.
Range is rubbish (80 miles urban, 100 miles combined, 110 open road). I do like the fueling of the 950s over the 990s, but 990s will be easier with FI. General upkeep has been simple and cheap until this rebuild - although mine has gone through 2 chains in 5000 miles (did I say it wheelies?).
It is my favourite bike to commute with in London, but sadly it will not meet the cut off for the new ultra low emission zone (something to consider if you ride into London).
It is not as light and agile as the small supermotos, but much more liveable generally. I recon the best looking bike is the Husky Nuda (although every single one I've known has been stolen). The Hypermotos are awesome, but I preferred the ride of the KTM.
I dont think you can go wrong in this class, but just spent a bit of effort finding the right one.
I replaced a 2009 Dorsoduro with a 990 SMT.
I liked the Dorsoduro, it sounded good with arrow cans and was easy to ride. I kept it in touring mode which was pretty linear, wet was slow and sport gave a chunk of power low down then not much after the mid range. Seat was a bit hard, fuel range sub 100miles.
The Brakes were pretty good but the suspension was too firm yet it still dived under braking.
I have a hyperpro front /rear progressive spring kit in the attic which I didn't get round to fitting before I sold it.
The Smt has better suspension and noticeably more performance and similar weight for not much more.
Range, comfort and luggage space is better too but that may not apply to the Smr.
Feel free to ask questions but I have probably only done 10000 wobbly miles since passing 4.5 years ago.
I liked the Dorsoduro, it sounded good with arrow cans and was easy to ride. I kept it in touring mode which was pretty linear, wet was slow and sport gave a chunk of power low down then not much after the mid range. Seat was a bit hard, fuel range sub 100miles.
The Brakes were pretty good but the suspension was too firm yet it still dived under braking.
I have a hyperpro front /rear progressive spring kit in the attic which I didn't get round to fitting before I sold it.
The Smt has better suspension and noticeably more performance and similar weight for not much more.
Range, comfort and luggage space is better too but that may not apply to the Smr.
Feel free to ask questions but I have probably only done 10000 wobbly miles since passing 4.5 years ago.
I have a Nuda R, absolutely fantastic fun. Live in a super busy city with heaps of traffic but the extra height is helpful. The grunt is fantastic too. I have the comfort seat, wouldn't like to try it with the standard (sat on a shelf in the garage).
Leo Vince Titanium carbon exhaust sounds very very good.
Some parts are made out of cheese, dashboard crumbled to death, that wasn't very easy to replace, mainly due to no dealers in my area. Ended up having to get an electronics wizard change over the eeprom chip between old and new.
Indicators snap off for fun.
Starter Motor Solenoid needed replacing quite young.
All quite manageable in the UK, there is a great spares site available (Bike is not supported by either BMW or Husqvarna). Not so easy for me but there is also a very knowledgeable group on Facebook.
The bike is an absolute riot.
Leo Vince Titanium carbon exhaust sounds very very good.
Some parts are made out of cheese, dashboard crumbled to death, that wasn't very easy to replace, mainly due to no dealers in my area. Ended up having to get an electronics wizard change over the eeprom chip between old and new.
Indicators snap off for fun.
Starter Motor Solenoid needed replacing quite young.
All quite manageable in the UK, there is a great spares site available (Bike is not supported by either BMW or Husqvarna). Not so easy for me but there is also a very knowledgeable group on Facebook.
The bike is an absolute riot.
Killboy said:
I've got a KTM 950 SM-R. It is simply fantastic, and a great bike for pretty much everything. Its great fun on tracks like Cadwell Park and the short Brands hatch. Currently its undergoing some work unfortunately, but its not an indicator of the bike after what I and the previous owner have put it through. It is a bit of a hooligan machine (wheelies and the like), but it is more enjoyable at lower speeds due to short gearing than my other bikes. It is surprisingly good on longer rides (although I've not done long distance touring on it), and I like the visibility and riding position.
Range is rubbish (80 miles urban, 100 miles combined, 110 open road). I do like the fueling of the 950s over the 990s, but 990s will be easier with FI. General upkeep has been simple and cheap until this rebuild - although mine has gone through 2 chains in 5000 miles (did I say it wheelies?).
It is my favourite bike to commute with in London, but sadly it will not meet the cut off for the new ultra low emission zone (something to consider if you ride into London).
It is not as light and agile as the small supermotos, but much more liveable generally. I recon the best looking bike is the Husky Nuda (although every single one I've known has been stolen). The Hypermotos are awesome, but I preferred the ride of the KTM.
I dont think you can go wrong in this class, but just spent a bit of effort finding the right one.
^ ThisRange is rubbish (80 miles urban, 100 miles combined, 110 open road). I do like the fueling of the 950s over the 990s, but 990s will be easier with FI. General upkeep has been simple and cheap until this rebuild - although mine has gone through 2 chains in 5000 miles (did I say it wheelies?).
It is my favourite bike to commute with in London, but sadly it will not meet the cut off for the new ultra low emission zone (something to consider if you ride into London).
It is not as light and agile as the small supermotos, but much more liveable generally. I recon the best looking bike is the Husky Nuda (although every single one I've known has been stolen). The Hypermotos are awesome, but I preferred the ride of the KTM.
I dont think you can go wrong in this class, but just spent a bit of effort finding the right one.
I have owned a KTM SM 950 R for two years now and its been epic, I rarely commute on it as bought for weekends but as said above it does everything with ease and great fun. Everyday maintenance is easy also, servicing is a doddle.
If you go down the KTM route find one with the full Akra system
Another vote for a KTM 950. I have had 3 x 990's and a 950 SM and the 950 was the most enjoyable. Mine had the full X Bikes treatment and rolling road tune and the suspenders set up. Preferred riding it to the 990's by some margin . Don't suffer with too many problems and most are easily sorted. Biggest PITA is the expanding fuel tanks and bubbling decals.
You better be within about 8 miles of a gas station - else it's 
I test-rode a 990 SM a few years back and it was full-on hilarious. At the time I owned a Husaberg FS650, which was (and still is) THE most pin-sharp bike I've ever ridden; an amazing thing to play the hooligan on, but desperately unreliable. I remember thinking that the 990SM was just like a grungier version of the Husaberg, but back then I couldn't see my way to spending £10k on one when the Husaberg cost me 20% of that.
Notwithstanding that I was hanging off like a gibbon, my fond recollection was finding a big roundabout over the motorway and spending quite a bit of the test-ride wearing my RH slider out
I'd have one now they are down to depreciated money. In fact now I come to think about it, I want one!
Notwithstanding that I was hanging off like a gibbon, my fond recollection was finding a big roundabout over the motorway and spending quite a bit of the test-ride wearing my RH slider out
I'd have one now they are down to depreciated money. In fact now I come to think about it, I want one!
I had a Husky SM610 which was the most fun I have ever had on two wheels, replaced it with a Hypermotard 1100S when I started dating a lady 150km away.
It was good but not great, nowhere near as much fun IMO and as soon as she moved closer I sold it.
I will be on a FS701 / SMCR 690 soon.
It was good but not great, nowhere near as much fun IMO and as soon as she moved closer I sold it.
I will be on a FS701 / SMCR 690 soon.
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