of back in the day when I could ride a bike and was racing SM on my great big 636 CCM. All SMs then were great big LC4's, CCM's, 610 Huskies etc and we all thought we were the dogs and super macho riding the big shit......... Then along came the cheeky whiper snappers on their Execs and similar; fecking girls bikes they were...........thing is they pissed all over us and one or two seasons later nobody was racing the big old dinosaurs............... 
Arsey you've been very selective when comparing weights by quoting the massive Safari tank which incidentally lowers the c of g when after the first gallon is used.
Virtually every 950SE has it's TWO very heavy silencers replaced with Akras or similar which not only give a massive weight saving but with correct jetting dyno readings suggest 100+ bhp (not to mention the 990 conversions).
Talking of bhp, I'm not sure where you get the idea a 790 is more powerful???
Yes the SE is outrageously tall (it's an outrageous bike!) But fitting a tall Renazco seat then complaining about the height shows more bias than a Brexit debate
Of course comparisons are drawn on forums, a decade and a half of technological advances is of course going to lead to improvements in economy etc.
It's used to be the HP2 v SE debate which makes sense, trying to compare either of them with modern and arguably more bland bikes misses the point of them by a country mile.
But deep down in the beige soul of all motorbikes they really all want to feel and sound like a 950SE.
Firstly, I think some seem to over estimate my off road abilities!
What I do know with some more focused bikes is the harder they're ridden the better they become, that's certainly true with many rally bikes and I'd say the same for the 950.
It appears the 790 will be very user friendly and compliant off road even at lower speeds and thats not to say it doesn't also work when pushed.
That is where the 790 will undoubably excel and appeal to many riders.
All I'm saying is that's not what I'm looking for in a bike.
ABS, traction control and heaven forbid a twist and go AT are all designed to yes be safer but also easier and to many that's what makes a 'great bike' but I'll never forget Robbie C's words to me after my first ride on a 950SE.....
" with some bikes you think I could kill myself on this but the SE wants to kill you"
I think Cymarc need to get the toolbox made up quickly as there’s enough room for a full tool box, sofa and lap dance on the opposite side to the exhaust.
Firstly, I think some seem to over estimate my off road abilities!
What I do know with some more focused bikes is the harder they're ridden the better they become, that's certainly true with many rally bikes and I'd say the same for the 950.
It appears the 790 will be very user friendly and compliant off road even at lower speeds and thats not to say it doesn't also work when pushed.
That is where the 790 will undoubably excel and appeal to many riders.
All I'm saying is that's not what I'm looking for in a bike.
ABS, traction control and heaven forbid a twist and go AT are all designed to yes be safer but also easier and to many that's what makes a 'great bike' but I'll never forget Robbie C's words to me after my first ride on a 950SE.....
" with some bikes you think I could kill myself on this but the SE wants to kill you"
Quite possibly, but you’re certainly up there in the OAP category-well apart from GrandMaster Flash himself , aka JohnnyHalfEmpty !
And the 790 will never be your kind of bike,as you like a challenge and need to wrestle a bike into submission.
But for us mere mortals,I think the 790R will be fantastic.
I used to ride EXCs but the only off-roading I’ve done on a big bike in recent years apart from the 2 day Honda Adventure Course on the AT was when I took my 1290 up the tracks in Potes last year.
I could have got all the way to the top of the Fuente De cable car but wasn’t sure of the way and ran out of time as it was an early morning solo ride before brek with g/f.But it was starting to get a bit gnarly in places and I was mindful we still had a week left of the trip.
I’m going back with the ATAS this year ,unless I take the 790 but know that I’ll be more comfortable on the ATAS than the 1290 and probably even more able on the 790,what with it’s fantastic low C of G and balance.
Now if only KTM will make a KTM 790R DCT !
It must have shrunk then !!! And changed colour and style !!
