Anyone gone from 1100/1150GS to a 950 Adv?

[essjay]

Fairly sure at this stage that I'm swapping the 1100GS for an 1150GS before Christmas. But in the corner of my eye is a 950 Adventure.

Has anyone moved across and regretted it? I test rode a 990 before and hated it. Awful snatchy throttle and terrible brakes (or so I thought as I had been riding an 1150 with servo brakes). I did love the light feeling though.

Worth thinking about? The screen looks tiny. Will I get my head blown off on the motorway?

 

[IainMac]

went from a 1150GSA to a 950Adv years ago. Seem to remember the KTM WP knocked spots of the GSA suspension (even with Ohlins) and was a far more lithe machine. Saddle was firm and missus didnt like the passenger accomodation. Faster than a GSA , Brakes ok though no abs back then, bit thirstier than the 1150.
Issues to look for, water pump seals wear and seep into the oil filter, if the oil light stays on a short while when starting and cam chain tensioners take up the chain slack slowly (will hear the cam chains rattle at start up) then the oil filter is proably contaminated with coolant. Sommer airbox mod (replaces triangle access panel with mesh/grate etc) is easy to home doo and sorts carbs with only needs to lift needless a clip. Early bikes had soft carb vent pipes which collapsed under load causing flat spots, should be fixed by now with stiffer tubing . Lots of over the years tweaks in typical KTM style. Fit bleeder valves to the forks as air pressure can build up and cause seal weeps.
Didnt mind the small screen but may be a bit buffety if using peaked lids at higher speeds. .

 

[Tricky]

But in the corner of my eye is a 950 Adventure.

Good move.

Has anyone moved across and regretted it?

No. But the GS is the better bike for two up touring so I kept my GSA for that purpose.

I test rode a 990 before and hated it. Awful snatchy throttle

The 990 (06-08) Bikes are the worst for this.

Worth thinking about?

A 950 most definately.

The screen looks tiny. Will I get my head blown off on the motorway?

No.

The 950 Adv is a fantastic bike.

 

[ktmman]

got both , 1150 great for touring , better brakes , slightly better on fuel(maybe the way each bike is ridden) , 950 great all rounder , goods suspension , good off road , great engine for when you fancy a thrash , both bikes excel in different areas.KTM a bit more demanding on the service side , ie 4500 miles and likes oil at £50 for 4 litres, bm gets anything thats free or cheap.
Ref the water pump , mines has done 20k and still is fine , same with the alleged dodgy clutch slave cylinder.
Buy one you wont regret it.

 

[trainman]

got both , 1150 great for touring , better brakes , slightly better on fuel(maybe the way each bike is ridden) , 950 great all rounder , goods suspension , good off road , great engine for when you fancy a thrash , both bikes excel in different areas.KTM a bit more demanding on the service side , ie 4500 miles and likes oil at £50 for 4 litres, bm gets anything thats free or cheap.
Ref the water pump , mines has done 20k and still is fine , same with the alleged dodgy clutch slave cylinder.
Buy one you wont regret it.

i agree, both great bikes but different characters, i went from 1150 to 950 and now to a 1200GS, 950 was taller, thinner, lighter, much revvier and a deal more unique (if thats what you crave), if you have a decent dealer then service costs are fine and spares are cheaper than BM IMO.
Seat was hard on long trips (most who tour upgrade it to a gel one) and in town you wont see much above 34mpg. If you get the 990 get the latest one you can or make sure the fuel map is bang up to date, I rode one and the 950 was much more smooth (mind you suffered fuel freezing in winter even with carb heaters!! had to add FSII)

 

[zoot]

Fairly sure at this stage that I'm swapping the 1100GS for an 1150GS before Christmas. But in the corner of my eye is a 950 Adventure.

Has anyone moved across and regretted it? I test rode a 990 before and hated it. Awful snatchy throttle and terrible brakes (or so I thought as I had been riding an 1150 with servo brakes). I did love the light feeling though.

Worth thinking about? The screen looks tiny. Will I get my head blown off on the motorway?

had the 950 in a sm, love the bike (holigan) but didnt have the low down torque of 1200gs (current) sm gel seats little dif. to oe
990 throttle response can be helped with a dif profile cam (throttle)
Both lovely bikes but different

 

[The Foolish Fellow]

ME

7 years ago , never looked back. ( just changed to 990 )

 

[DollyRocket]

Got both, 990ADV and 1150. Love the 990 and use it more often than the GS. GS is more for long touring, the 990 is more for fun rides (they both do either really but it is how I justify two bikes to the missus).