KTM 990 SMT ...
- Thread starter Pipster
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I had a good look round it and a sit on it at the show as well. Does have a very comfy, just right feel about it. Didn't think the price at around £8,500 was that far off either.
Had it been out a year sooner, I could have been sorely tempted.
Had it been out a year sooner, I could have been sorely tempted.
No no no.
Pipster
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No no no.
I think this bike ticks a lot of boxes Supermoto fun with a decent size tank plus a fairing and luggage
List price of £8.500 compared to £10.000 for a GS 1200 
Theres no way I would ever go back to a BMW for me owning a KTM has been a much better ride
Jonny_L
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You know, I really loved the idea of that bike when the first pictures came about, but I'm finding myself veering away from it now. I'm sure it'll be great to ride, but it's too soft for a supermoto, and if it's a tourer you're after the adventure's better. It's a bit V-strommy for my liking too.
But, if it's not a tourer, a giant trailie, or a supermoto you're after ...............
I've had an 1150GS, a 950 Adventure, tried a 950SM and 990SD. Didn't want a big trailie or big RT type tourer, but found the SM/SD too full on. Much as I liked the RC8, my bones said no way.
So bought myself a "sprint tourer" HP2 Megamoto. Love it. But if the 990SMT had been out, at £3,000 less, I would have been sorely tempted.
Weight, power, suspension, riding position, quality are all up there with the Megamoto, with probably a comfier seat and larger tank range (my only real MM dislikes).
I hope it does well for KTM
I think this bike ticks a lot of boxes Supermoto fun with a decent size tank plus a fairing and luggage
Theres no way I would ever go back to a BMW for me owning a KTM has been a much better ride
I take your point.
But the FI on the 990 is horrid.
I don't personally like the looks of the SMT.
It's not even a Supermoto.They've just kept the name.
It certainly won't handle like the SM,as it is fitted with hard compound touring tyres.
The luggage is unlikely to be waterproof if it is anything like the bags KTM make for the standard SM,although they are much better designed in the way they just clip on to the exhaust shields :
<img src="http://img.skitch.com/20081206-8bpq8whkyptc59ti5c2htpnp1j.jpg" alt="30825_2f99d12b2cc501_m"/>
The SMR is sticking to the real SM idyll :
<img src="http://img.skitch.com/20081206-gynbaxjkwnim7ihms9tg9rjutw.jpg" alt="PB060033"/>
But then you only get a small tank and no luggage capability.
The SMT will sell well,but I think many owners will be surprised how responsive and snatchy the FI really is.
That would be my biggest concern. The injection on the 990 Super Duke I tried was dreadful, and one of the reasons I bought one of the last 950 Adventures, rather than wait a couple of months for a 990.
Speaking with owners of later 990's they tell me it's pretty much sorted now, though I haven't ridden one.
They are talking bollox.
The FI is still shite.
It was shite on my SD990 .
My mate has an 08 SM 990 and it is still shite.
I asked in Milan at the KTM stand and NO changes have been made to FI for 09
Pressurized
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No. Even though I've put Wings and a PCIII on my Adv, I didn't do it because of the FI.
One man's responsiveness is another man's snatchiness.
True.
The 950 motor as per the Adv S I owned and currently my SE was RESPONSIVE.
But the 990 I had in my SD and on my mate's SM,and also the 1190 on my RC8 is just plain SNATCHY.
Also,the FI hunts on the 990 at part throttle.
You don't notice this when 'on it',but I guess those buying a new SMT won't always wish to be 'on it' and will find the FI a pain in the arse.
990SMT
For my money, it takes away everything that an SM should be...edgy, mad, hooligan etc etc. I can see why they did it, but if yer gonna have a bear , HAVE A GRIZZLY!!!
For my money, it takes away everything that an SM should be...edgy, mad, hooligan etc etc. I can see why they did it, but if yer gonna have a bear , HAVE A GRIZZLY!!!
I'm not a fan of the looks of the nose of the SMT but as Joe said above when you sit on it it just feels 'right' starightaway for someone reason. After 5 mins on it at the NEC I was convinced I wanted one and I can't remember the last time I felt like that having only sat on a bike ( edit: 1988.. Honda VFR750-FH ). If you dont want the big trailie look but the SM is too focussed then the SMT does look and feel like a very good compromise.
Pipster felt the same and then Kev who drove us down sat on it and said exactly the same thing.
It would be a great option for a lot of the solo riding 12GS owners on here who have moved from sports bikes. It got great components and IMHO is more aggressive in terms of styling than the Tiger + KTM is arguably an edgier brand than Triumph. Its also a much better option than a Multistrada or the Tre K in terms of an ownership proposition.
It gets a big thumbs up from me except for the size of the panniers and the unpainted black plastics. Would prefer the painted colour scheme of the white SMR.
Pipster felt the same and then Kev who drove us down sat on it and said exactly the same thing.
It would be a great option for a lot of the solo riding 12GS owners on here who have moved from sports bikes. It got great components and IMHO is more aggressive in terms of styling than the Tiger + KTM is arguably an edgier brand than Triumph. Its also a much better option than a Multistrada or the Tre K in terms of an ownership proposition.
It gets a big thumbs up from me except for the size of the panniers and the unpainted black plastics. Would prefer the painted colour scheme of the white SMR.
I'm not a fan of the looks of the nose of the SMT but as Joe said above when you sit on it it just feels 'right' starightaway for someone reason. After 5 mins on it at the NEC I was convinced I wanted one and I can't remember the last time I felt like that having only sat on a bike ( edit: 1988.. Honda VFR750-FH ). If you dont want the big trailie look but the SM is too focussed then the SMT does look and feel like a very good compromise.
Pipster felt the same and then Kev who drove us down sat on it and said exactly the same thing.
It would be a great option for a lot of the solo riding 12GS owners on here who have moved from sports bikes. It got great components and IMHO is more aggressive in terms of styling than the Tiger + KTM is arguably an edgier brand than Triumph. Its also a much better option than a Multistrada or the Tre K in terms of an ownership proposition.
It gets a big thumbs up from me except for the size of the panniers and the unpainted black plastics. Would prefer the painted colour scheme of the white SMR.
We are all different,obviously.
But i must admit,when I sat on the SMT I thought it was all wrong :
Horrid screen will be fcuk all use.
Bloated looks like some MOR Honda Deauville.
If you want to tour get a GS or similar,if you want to hoon get an SMR.
Actually I'd rather a Street Triple R,having just ridden one.
But,for me ,KTM have dumbed down the brand.
The SMT does have great engine,but it is spoilt somewhat by the FI and delivery.
This can be improved marginally with after-market pipes and a PCIII (which I did on my SD990),but why should you have to.
I think it will be even more noticeable on the SMT,as that bike will attract more tourey types who will ride on a constant throttle,when the 990 motor is at it's worst.
Also,the SMT screen won't be much use,and the luggage won't be waterproof,as it looks like the same construction as the panniers designed for the standard SM.
I had a set for my SE and they came with waterproof covers-the kind that blow away above 60 mph !!!
I'm not knocking KTM for producing the SMT.
They need to diversify in these hard times and the SMT could be a big seller.
But KTM have always been good at niche markets.
This bike is trying to be jack of all trades,but I think will be master of none.
Pressurized
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This bike is the potential answer if you want to do both.
I can't deny that earlier KTM FI was wrong - 06 Adventures are as bad as people say. Since then they have got better. This is a fact borne out by many rides on various ones. One thing, perhaps the only thing, that BMW do really well is fuelling (smoothness and economy) so anyone going from a BM to a KTM is in for a shock. But you can and do get used to it, provided you invest the time. A mate going from an R1150R to a 990SM has found exactly that. He was troubled at first but now thinks it's fine.
Be honest, you're just guessing here.
Small screens can be effective; they may not be as 'waterproof' as bigger ones but they tend to be less buffeting and can take the wind pressure off enough to be worth it. Sitting on one at a show won't tell you squat.
This could be a problem!
Well, whatever. Of course you are entitled to your opinion but, without riding one, like I said, its all guesswork.
Well I did own a Superduke 990 and did a couple of 500 mile days on it.
It was great when mucking around on back roads but was shite at mile-munching on the M way on a constant throttle.
So not guessing,just speaking from experience.
The SMT has exatly the same engine as my 07 SD had.
There have been no mods to the FI,as confirmed by the guy on the stand in Milan I spoke to.
Deleted account 211025001
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But isn't it essentially the same bike. The engine is in the same state of tune as the SM and, IIUC, the steering geometry is actually slightly more aggressive than the standard SM (to balance the extra weight it may end up carrying
).Tyres are tyres, you just bung on sticker one's if that what you want, surely
TBH 'touring' tyres are more than most of us need 99.9% of the time anyway .............I have to say that the standard SM has been nagging at the back of my mind ever since it was released - it ticked most of the boxes for me.
Now it's been modded to make it just that little bit more practicle ( but not tooooo practicle
) I find even more of the boxes have been ticked I'm gonna have to sort a test ride when Leisure Trail get them in
Andres
Clearly it wont be everybodys cup of tea but all 3 of us felt it was great. So based on that it might be popular. Maybe its because you are about 7ft tall
Compared to what ?? No screen can be a right bastard and a big touring screen can often cossett you too much and/or cause a lot of helmet buffeting
I agree there is something not quite right about the drooping nose but maybe its a grower.
Thats a pretty daft statement . What if, like a lot of people, I want to do both! You are a very lucky guy Arsey in that you can afford to have numerous bikers for different ocassions and obviously you don't have to justify the expenditure to your better half either. Many of us can't.
Thats great but why is that relevant re: the validity of SMT in the KTM range?
Maybe they've realised that as a manufacturer you can niche yourself into oblivion. You have to have for want of a better phrase 'mass appeal ' too ?
That would be a concern for me too. Maybe some aftermarket solution will pop up quickly.
Pressurized
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There have been several updates to the FI maps since 07 and they do make a difference.
No one should rule this bike out until it's been tried.
Clearly it wont be everybodys cup of tea but all 3 of us felt it was great. So based on that it might be popular. Maybe its because you are about 7ft tall
6'1"
You're right.
For instance I have the Desierto on my GSA and for my height it is much better than the OE jobby.
This SMT screen may be quite useful.
Point recinded !!
Point taken.
Overdrafts are very useful !!
Er,it's not.
Absolutely.
You need to try !!
But I have ridden my mates 08 SM990 and the FI is still not great
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