am i mad

[elevensies]

im selling all my bmw's because im getting fed up with them.

i really fancy a change, and that change for me is pointing towards a Ktm adventure.

so am i mad? is an 1100gs better?

im not interested in speed of them, i wand just better overall reliability, build quality, and ease of touring.

cheers

Harry

 

[(RIP) Tunneruk]

It's objective.

The 990 certainly is a hoot to ride, very quick, excellent handling.
They are very nicely put together. Simple decent engineering.
From a touring angle the 990 is not as 'all day comfy' as the GS, the tank range is 160-170 miles at best.

Go and ride one, take it for a long test ride and see how you feel.

I made the switch about a year ago. I wouldn't go back to a GS now. The 990's engine is addictive!

 

[elevensies]

i dont find the gs as ''all day touring'' to be honest, but the biggest problem i found so far is finding a bike!!!

i have looked at the suzuki v strom, honda whatsitsface, aprilia campanaud, moto guzzi stelvio, and i just cant seem to find a 990 or 950 to test., not without traveling to the otherside of the coutry..

cheers though, seems theres a few who changed and like the ktm better .

ta,

 

[TERRY RYAN]

http://www.craigsmotorcycles.com/new_bike.php?bike_make=KTM


Dewsbury

 

[Hannu]

im selling all my bmw's because im getting fed up with them.

i really fancy a change, and that change for me is pointing towards a Ktm adventure.

so am i mad? is an 1100gs better?

im not interested in speed of them, i wand just better overall reliability, build quality, and ease of touring.

cheers

Harry

Yes your mad !!!!

I've had a 990 for the last 3yrs, My first complaint was three miles after picking the bike up from the dealership and 35 letters later we are now going to court in June 2010.

Worst bike I've owned, worst service I have ever had.

It is NOT an adventure bike its a race bike detuned and road registered.

KTM should stick to what they do best, Off-Road Race bikes

 

[(RIP) Tunneruk]

Yes your mad !!!!

I've had a 990 for the last 3yrs, My first complaint was three miles after picking the bike up from the dealership and 35 letters later we are now going to court in June 2010.

Worst bike I've owned, worst service I have ever had.

It is NOT an adventure bike its a race bike detuned and road registered.

KTM should stick to what they do best, Off-Road Race bikes

I think you're in a minority there fella!

 

[wheeledwidewebb]

I would agree Hannu, the 990ADV is a race bike, brought down to road and emission requirements (well almost).

I have owned a GS and the KTM and in my opinion the KTM is just the wrong side of acceptable as an all-rounder. Don't get me wrong they handle and go better than the GS but I could not live with the ECU gremlins, they just made it too much like hard work for me to enjoy.

The KTM really is only happy with the throttle fully open or fully closed and if thats how you want to ride then you will love it.

Others will disagree.

 

[elevensies]

i have been looking even more closer at the honda valedero,

im having a test tomorrow i think,

had a look on a ktm forum, dont think orange is the way forward for me.

 

[(RIP) ugg]

Av dun the same mate , but i couldnt find owt that gives me the same as the 1100.

lets see the 1100;
Cheap parts , sh, or new , fast delivery,(motorworks/motorbins etc) good tank range, very reliable, 5000 mile trip no props, cheap tyres , easy services, holds good after market value, shaft drive,enough power to have fun with, easy slow speed manoeuvrability, big enough not to get blown all over the road , will take loads of luggage , and a fat burd on the back wiout no probs.
erm............must be more

Oh its bloody heavy, but arnt most bikes in the 1100s class.
ye could always get a 1200

I looked at

Africa twin, less power , just as heavy wi gear on.
Ktm ,too bloody expensive. end of!
validerooo, dont like and its just as heavy.
1200, dont be daft...Im not rich.
Tdm , not very off road orientated .
Moto Guzzi Stelvio 1200 TT...duno bout this un?

Cant think of any more .

if ye find one that will do the same as my 1100 ,let me know


ugg

 

[Twotter]

i have been looking even more closer at the honda valedero,

im having a test tomorrow i think,

I had a 57reg XL1000VA6 Varadero after my R1150GS. It was an ex-demo bike and came fully loaded with colour matched luggage, centre stand, scottoiler (only adjusted the chain once in 12k miles when I replaced the rear tyre), and auxiliary power socket. I added a MRA Vario Touring screen and a front fender extender, and wired in my GPS too.

Compared to my GS the VD was a bit heavier, a bit softer on the suspension, took a little more effort to swing through the twisties (the weight is carried a bit higher then a GS), and has 4000 mile service intervals. But, the difference was minimal. The VD was more comfortable, had better weather protection from the fairing, more space in the luggage, a better road touring bike all round really.

Usual criticism is that they are bland and suffer from poor fuel economy. Well my experience is that character = competence and reliability. Early carb Varaderos returned mpg in the 30s but the later FI versions have improved. The 25 litre tank helps but I was getting 180-200 miles for 20-22 litres at the petrol pump. Touring in Germany saw the mpg improve even more and I was looking at a good 230-250 mile tank range.

The Varadero is a good bike

 

[Captain KTM]

I brought my 990 based on the "smile" factor that I got from riding the test bike. I do agree that it is a race bike legalised for road use.

But you have to try both bikes, preferably back to back, and then make the decision based on what is important to you.

Try to remain objective as statistically there will always be someone who has had a bad experience with either model, put simply how many bike have they sold how many problems have been reported.

Also there is always someone who once spoke to some bloke in a pub who’s postman’s best friend has a sister, who’s husband once sat on a coach to Blackpool next to some bloke who once in 1991 owned either bike and thinks their shit. These stories’s often omit the true facts and are a waste of time.

 

[longdog]

I had a 57reg XL1000VA6 Varadero after my R1150GS. It was an ex-demo bike and came fully loaded with colour matched luggage, centre stand, scottoiler (only adjusted the chain once in 12k miles when I replaced the rear tyre), and auxiliary power socket. I added a MRA Vario Touring screen and a front fender extender, and wired in my GPS too.

Compared to my GS the VD was a bit heavier, a bit softer on the suspension, took a little more effort to swing through the twisties (the weight is carried a bit higher then a GS), and has 4000 mile service intervals. But, the difference was minimal. The VD was more comfortable, had better weather protection from the fairing, more space in the luggage, a better road touring bike all round really.

Usual criticism is that they are bland and suffer from poor fuel economy. Well my experience is that character = competence and reliability. Early carb Varaderos returned mpg in the 30s but the later FI versions have improved. The 25 litre tank helps but I was getting 180-200 miles for 20-22 litres at the petrol pump. Touring in Germany saw the mpg improve even more and I was looking at a good 230-250 mile tank range.

The Varadero is a good bike

+1 on this

 

[Zoton]

I think you're in a minority there fella!

Yes your mad !!!!

I've had a 990 for the last 3yrs, My first complaint was three miles after picking the bike up from the dealership and 35 letters later we are now going to court in June 2010.

Worst bike I've owned, worst service I have ever had.

It is NOT an adventure bike its a race bike detuned and road registered.

KTM should stick to what they do best, Off-Road Race bikes

Wow.
They do make a good road bike, sorry about your issues but I don’t think I would have lasted 3 years with a lemon.(And BMW's do make them as I had one).I would have thought you have lost the same amount in depreciation whilst waiting for the courts.
Good luck.

As for the honda is a good bike but missing something.

 

[chad]

had an Fi vara typical honda does all you want it to do but just left me a bit cold,after 8k in just under 6mnts sold that .


had my 990 for just under a year, i had one minor electrical fault that took a couple of visits to sort,, aye i was pissed off at the time but jim aims got it sorted wnet on to put 15k on it in 11mnths

yup its fast , yup its well built with great components , but for me it was just to damn expensive to run

servicing cost a fortune and it wasnt one of those engines i wanted to tackle.
and 130-150 to a tank was driving me nuts




sold it got an 1150gsa and havnt looked back TBH, easy and cheap to service
and it give me just as many laughs as the katoom did

 

[Tricky]

990 Adv

It’s certainly a curate’s egg of a bike.

Sometimes I think that going back to a soft puppy like a GS (or something similar) would be the sensible option. I like doing tours in Europe with my partner and at present she hates the Katoom. BUT… it is such a goddamn hoot to ride that I am (for the first time in my biking life) looking to maybe buy a second bike just for the touring bit.

I don’t know what to do at the moment…

 

[Tricky]

I don’t know what to do at the moment…

My partner Julie is a keeper.

(Just thought I get that in before any smartarse does...)

 

[Hannu]

Wow.
They do make a good road bike, sorry about your issues but I don’t think I would have lasted 3 years with a lemon.(And BMW's do make them as I had one).I would have thought you have lost the same amount in depreciation whilst waiting for the courts.
Good luck.

Sorry but have to disagree, its a good off road race bike as someone here said great full throttle or no throttle, they don't do 30mph

Yes I know, its a very long story but solicitors don't do owt fast !

 

[elevensies]

i like the valderdoriododo apart from the bloody name,

so

its the only option left i think, buy your right, bit bland, bit plasticy, but its got to be better than a gs

ugg, mate i know what you mean, but the bmw is just not giving me the ''thing'' anymore, and i just really dont trust the final drive anymore

i just dont know, why cant ktm's be simpler???????

 

[mechcanico lee]

I have a ktm 990 r version 2009, its one of the best adventure style bikes i have owned, have owned a 1200 gsa and gs 800.

It all depends on your riding style the Ktms are mad and aggressive a bit glitchy low down ..it doesnt like going slow, very plush suspension, around the back lanes its a scream to ride and there isnt any other bike that makes me grin so much.

But as a total package as a all rounder and for some steady touring and big miles i would say the 800 gs or r 1200 is the better bike, there a bit more user freindly .

You have to ask yourself what type of riding you will do most of and get the bike that suits your needs best

 

[elevensies]

cheers mate,

just been wondering that too, i tour and commute, if i go out for some back road scratching i have another bike for that.

feck it im sticking with the gs

cheers for your help, im not mad afterall