Gone to the dark side!!

[Luddfooter]

I've just sold my beloved GS12 after 3 years of ownership from new.

Have had my fair share of niggles early on but seemed to be ok after that.

I am now the proud owner of a new KTM 990 Supermoto, it's great mega handling and engine, much lighter than GS. Dare say bulid quality equals or even surpasses. I never took pillions or did huge miles on the GS so fancied something more fun. Not to say i wont come back to a GS when i'm older and more sensible!!
It would be great if they could give the GS the front end feel of the KTM with the upside down 48 mm White Power forks......
Any way buy for now folks and enjoy your travels......

 

[Pressurized]

Nothing dark about that side. Rode a 950SM and reckon it to be the best bike I've ever ridden. The 990SM must be even better.

I had an R1200 for just over two years, several niggles and very disappointing overall. Never regretted going to a 990 Adventure. There is no doubt the build quality is streets ahead - no doubt.

You're a lucky chap.

 

[birdseye]

Got to agree with you about the build quality - my 990 was far ahead of my GS. But I was never as happy with the 990 as the GS - it was just too Jap for me. Could easily have been built by Honda. GS had way more character.

 

[Robbo1200ADV]

I,m Thinking of trading my 950SM in for the 990 due to recurrent problems with the Carbs getting full of shit,I think its delamination of the tank so would like to hear your full view on the 990? I have a GSA12 as well but the SM is an awesome bike and the best handling and most fun bike I have ever ridden

 

[birdseye]

this might be some help

http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=124617

I've now sold the bike and part of the reason was that I never really gelled with the 990 like I did with the GS. But thats a personal feeling and you might have a different view. One thing I should warn you about , however, is the fueling of the fuel injected 990 compared to what I heard of the carbed 950.

The 990 is far too much on / off at low revs. Great on the open road but when you are trying to feather the throttle through city traffic or on potholed roads, it isnt good. On difficult off road it must be cr*p, but then I never diod off road to confirm this. The much talked about maps and throttle rocker mods dont amount to a lot of improvement. The real problem is that KTM dont have the resources / technology that allowed the big Jap companies to sort this issue out.

Depends how you ride but I much preferred the BMW injection system to KTM's. That apart, the bike was faultless.

 

[Luddfooter]

I disagree i think the fuelling is perfect, no probs at all in traffic or anywhere else. Compared to a 990 Adventure i once tried which was very snatchy at low RPM the 990SM is very smooth. As for character the 990 has it by the bucketful!! The engine is such a free breathing torque miester there's no way the japs would get a bike of this type through their stuffy corperate R and D.
The front end feel and general handling are in another league to the GS. But again its horses for courses i dont tour or ride two up i like to have good long blasts and fun commutes to work and for this the 990 IMHO is miles better than the GS.
Mine has handguards and a screen, this along with the bigger fuel tank, comfier seat and rev counter new to the 990, really does make the bike an all round beasty!!
Birds eye i think there may be some confusion here....i'm talking about the 990 Supermoto not the 990Adventure......very different bikes.....

 

[Pressurized]

I disagree i think the fuelling is perfect, no probs at all in traffic or anywhere else. Compared to a 990 Adventure i once tried which was very snatchy at low RPM the 990SM is very smooth. As for character the 990 has it by the bucketful!! The engine is such a free breathing torque miester there's no way the japs would get a bike of this type through their stuffy corperate R and D.
The front end feel and general handling are in another league to the GS. But again its horses for courses i dont tour or ride two up i like to have good long blasts and fun commutes to work and for this the 990 IMHO is miles better than the GS.
Mine has handguards and a screen, this along with the bigger fuel tank, comfier seat and rev counter new to the 990, really does make the bike an all round beasty!!
Birds eye i think there may be some confusion here....i'm talking about the 990 Supermoto not the 990Adventure......very different bikes.....

I think there is some confusion. To call a KTM as being lacking in character compared to the GS tells me something about the rider - like he has no clue what he's on about. Apart from the build quality - he's spot on there!

 

[GSmonkey]

Enjoy the KTM...........won't be too long before I've got something orange in the garage as well

 

[Pressurized]

Enjoy the KTM...........won't be too long before I've got something orange in the garage as well

Oh really...

 

[GSmonkey]

Oh really...

...life's too short for only owning one bike