GS Vs. KTM 950 Adventure

[paul thompson]

interesting observations gents.
have to admit, before i picked up the gs i had thought of a ktm, but managed to speak to an old mate who works in a local dealers that has a ktm franchise. He told me that i shouldn't touch 'em with a barge poll. No backup from the factory and warranty claims all over the shop. I know no manufacturer is perfect, (even the mighty honda), but i felt that BMW was the safer option, and had a better resale potential.
As far as other options are concerned i have heard good things about Aprilia and would consider a caponord if they wern't so bloody expensive to service.

 

[MikeO]

As far as other options are concerned i have heard good things about Aprilia and would consider a caponord if they wern't so bloody expensive to service.

Spares supply for Aprilia is apparently awful (I did a course over in Shrewsbury last year, at an ex-Aprilia dealer, who told me about this). He eventually gave up the Aprilia franchise because, when he needed a spare part which was not in stock in the UK (a not uncommon occurence, apparently), the Aprilia factory would just add it to the list of parts to be shipped in the next container. When they had a container-load, they shipped it.
If you happened to order a part the day after they'd shipped a container, you would have to wait weeks. There was no airmail backup to this system. This dealer had a RSV off the road in his workshop for 6 weeks waiting for a new footrest. In the end, he felt it was too much hassle for the return he was getting and he gave up the franchise.

Mike

 

[paul thompson]

So...italian 'character' vs german efficiency...i know what i'll stick with!!

 

[smiffy]

GS vs KTM950

I feel the GS vs KTM issue to be a moot point - the KTM's have a different design and subsequent usage brief than the GS's. The 640 and 950 are surely built primarily for balls-out back road/bush/forest screaming, with massive amounts of suspension travel to soak up the rough stuff etc etc. Transport stages (ie freeway/highway) between this sort of riding would be preferably short - they're just not designed for it. As for long distance pillioning, forget it.
The GS's have been designed as a dual - purpose, and do the job well. The KTM's may be called dual - purpose, but the purpose definitely leans toward the extreme.
Just my thoughts, and my first post. Great website - thanks.

 

[Wreford Miles]

Got a KTM950 test ride booked for this Saturday...

The dealers had the demo over winter so it'll be intresting to see how it's faired.

My GS has just been washed, 1st since last October.

The salts done some damage but after a 50 quid valet it'll look grand.

What's the verdict on the KTM's looks after a winter of abuse?


Also any boby ride a KTM with lugage and a pillion...The GS just seems to get better when loaded

 

[IainMac]

I've got a winters worth of abuse on my 950, and did the same to my (now Ex) GS ADV last winter.
Forks on the GS pitted pretty badly near the axle clamps , disk bolts corroded, calipers pistons stuck and disks warped. Tank also developed rust spots underneath an along the external seams. Mirror stems developed rust based acne.

The Ktm has now got a matt finish swingarm , comes bare and polished from the factory, a bad idea, should have been anodised like the new LC4 swingers. Rear disk squeals in use(doesnt appear to be warped suspect sticky caliper). Spoke nipples rusted (crap flaky chrome plate), now replaced with "zinc" type plated nips, but no other noticable corrosion or salt effects to speak of so far.

Most (all?) fastners on the KTM are stainless unlike the Bimmer which used painted non-stainless steel all of which were rusty after my tenure, especially noticable on the front engine bolts.

Plus points on the bimmer: it used stainless spokes and nipples in its wheels, something KTM should have done too. (ps ktm spokes are chrome plated - not rusting sofar but only a matter of time probably).

 

[agis]

All you guys that say that ktm is so much better off road, have you played with the front preload on your GS before you take it to the loose stuff?
My experience is that it transforms the character of the bike.