ktm 950 Adv or 1150GS Adv. My take on it

[IainMac]

or a tale of two adventures.
Just thought I'd post a ride rep on my take on KTM vs GS adventures. I'll avoid my gripes over GS reliability (hence the swap) and try to be objective.

Lets start with meaningless stuff and the rest in not particular order

Looks:
Silver KTM vs Silver GS Adv, GS wins however if the KTM is orange..
Mind I prefer stealth bikes so my KTM is silver

Bars/clocks and other fiddly bits?
KTM has a better clocks/Bars seat to bars ergos, GS is due a big revamp here, (probably in the 1200) ie crappy steel bars should have been binned years ago (esp at that price)

Brakes:
GS is the easier bike to stop in a hurry, minimal dive from telelever front, good road tye (Tourance) and ABS make it difficult to get it wrong. Not that the KTM cant stop, its just that it requires more skill due to skinnier more trail spec tyre, dive from long WP forks. Though the lower wieght of the KTM is big plus. Two up the GS is the winner here

Seat:
Lots of people bitch about the KTM seat, it is hard, though mine is getting better with use or my butt is getting broken in? IMHO is not GS plush but its not Ducati torture either. Open verdict untill i get a tank emptying run in (most I could sit on GS was only 130miles ??!)

Suspension Spec.
No contest, well not much. KTM has proper suspension , GS stock units are cheap(sorry expensive) crap, Ohlins on GS get closer though still not as good as KTMs WP. GS Telelever front makes abig heavy bike handle far better than it has a right to, esp on those crapstock shocks.

Weight:
Ktm feels feather weight after GS, even walked the ktm backwards up a trail to turn it round, I wouldnt dared take GS down same trail.

height (seat) pegs etc
GS Adv was higher than Stock KTM (S taller) though this was with Ohlins but it sinks more when sat on. On stock shocks (worn in/out?) the GS is lower . Ktm is easier to peddle about as seat is narrower so legs at better angle. KTM has lower pegs than GS which IMO were too high.

gearbox.
tractor versus Knife Throu Marmite

Engine or Grunt:
KTM engine is a singer, it wants to fly (800miles sofar?!) GS engine needs working even when uncorked with Remus and y pipe. GS was run at 11K miles so should be fair compare.
Dont ask if KTM is reliable (time will tell) GS isnt a paragon of virtue here, time will tell.

Pillions?
GS spoils passengers due to no dive under braking. though think KTM has better pegs (lower?) Seat? havent subjected the other half to a longer ride yet (ask me next week)

Bits I miss about GS?

ABS? dunno .squealed KTMs front once but suspect i've got ABS lazy.
Front Beak, great for resting gloves on when disk locking front wheel
Heated grips!!!
Accessory sockets:
KTMs has them of a sort but isnt quite the same.

Bits I dont miss:
No cubby holes storage on GS ADv. thats crap. KTM can carry chain and padlock under the seat and stuff in "glovebox" on tank.

Twin trips , I dont miss them cos it didnt have them but should have. KTM has.

RID: looks usefull but isnt really, rode to trip and fuel light for fill up estimates.

Overall? Glad I've swapped, not too sure the missus is. The KTM is more of riders bike if that makes sense. though I think it'll be more than capable of long distance stuff , alledged vibes haven't shown up. The engine is a pearl , grunts like agood V-Twin should, takes me back to my 916. but with a human riding position. Saddle jury is out, though if it turns out bad its relatively easily fixed.

I wont go into BMW back-up qualityreliability vs KTM as the former is a myth and the latter hasnt had a chance to prove itself.

PS KTM exhaust sounds great even with stock cat cans on. GS adv on Remus Tit Revolution/Y pipe was too loud even with baffle in. I must be getting old(er)

 

[parklife]

Having had three different KTM's in the past, some of your points are very valid, and they've all been very reliable (save for a couple of silly niggles). I do, however, question the re-sale value of your Adventure in, say, two years time...

 

[IainMac]

I cant argue with bmw resale vs KTM, though they are still only worth what people will pay and I suspect 1150GS prices are going to take a pasting when the 1200GS comes out next year.
I hadn't planned on parting with the GS so early (14months 11K miles) but circumstances (bike, bmw recovery and other crap) change.
I tend to keep bikes for longer than 2 years, I usually get attached. Bad financial planning esp if bought new, as I take all depreciation. but hey I dont buy bikes to get rich. Last bike (pre bmw) was a 916 which I had for 5 years, only sold that as it made my back scream and wrists ache plus better half wouldn't touch with a barge pole, (who could blame her).

 

[_pi_]

Im curious how you make out with the silver KTM... most importantly you verdict on the seat.

 

[Howard Millichap]

Well jumped Iain. Keep us informed please.
You may have noticed that I jumped to a Triumph Tiger and bore people here about it's benefits over my R100GS.
IMHO BMWs are built down to a price these days. If they made them like they used to in the 60's & 70's the GS would cost about £12K.

 

[theclowncrusty]

Just you wait.......

Prior to getting my Gs i had a BMW R1100S and a KTM 640 Adventure..... Bliss, two great bikes completly different depending on my mood.
Why have now got one bike and that bike is a GS?
The simple answer is KTM`s spares service, after two weeks of having the bike i managed to snap a spoke in the front wheel. By the time i had pulled over to see what was making all the noise, it had took a chunk out of my front brake caliper. Ripped off the fork protector (upside down forks.). Scored the front brake disk.And pulled out the magnetic speedo sender from the front wheel.
No problem i thought, take it back to the shop and get it all fixed under warranty!!!!!
WRONG!!!!!!!
KTM`s spares policy revolves around the idea that whatever you want for the bike you have to order it from the factory in Austria!!!
Waited a total of seven weeks to get my bike back.
I have no problem with my local dealer as they went out of their way to keep me on the road during this time, with the loan of several curtesy bikes to keep my on the raod.
Said dealer does not sell KTM`s now due to the spares problem,and all the money they were making on sales was being spent on warranty work. (Even now they have 4 bikes in their showroom they cant sell due to the fact that parts have been taken off them to get customers bikes back on the road!!!!)
Great bike but DON`T break it............
Also servicing........ Every 3k miles for a head rebuild??? I dont think so!!!!!
Rant over
Mark

 

[BawdyMonk]

...If they made them like they used to in the 60's & 70's the GS would cost about £12K.

They bloody well do here!!!





But you've made me feel better about it

 

[Deadskin]

Iain
Had a go on a gorgeous orange 950,
if i ever have reliability problems with the
GS i'll definately put it on my list.
My only worry is with the ktm dealers in my area they all seem
to have a single mechanic,which is fine if you have a exc model
and don't mind waiting for a couple of weeks to get it looked
at.
But i've been used to being looked after by CW motorcycles who are excellent.
Imho i think ktm have a long way to go if they think they can compete with the likes of bmw.

 

[BigBadBen]

Don't talk to me about depreciation!

Oops.. wrong thread...

 

[Deadskin]

Re: Don't talk to me about depreciation!

Oops.. wrong thread...

You want the show us yours section
rcc54's K1200LT

 

[_pi_]

Ian - how do you like the KTM? What is the verdict on the seat?

Cheers, Pi.

 

[GADGET]

I tested the 950 ADV.(orange) before making the change, loved it. The speed,sound, looks,price. But the Mr SENSIBLE in me ruled and I bought the 1150 ADV!.

 

[IainMac]

We'll I'm still happy with the Ktm at mo, though bad weather and a trip downstairs not using my feet has limited rides and mileage, I've only just broken through 1100 miles, so i've not been able to make judgement on the saddle for longer trips. Not a problem sub 50miles which is the most I make on local trips during week. I'm not sure if i'll get a long ride in now before winter (as it seems to be here already) and dont fancy a spill on dead leaves if I can help it. Other than that, the bike still impresses, the power seems to be superb, bucket loads of it available , almost sportsbike fast (last one of those I rode being a '96 916 , in 2001). Light weight (compared to GS) is a boon. There is a low rpm carb glitch/flat spot, mine shows at 3Krpm (ish) but lifting the carb needles alledgedly fixes this , caused due to v.lean fuel mixture for noise /emission tests.

PS I had worried (?) about going back to chain gloop cleaning rituals on the back wheel, but its been far easier to clean than the GS rear and using chainwax instead of grease has kept crud levels down too. GS wheels are a right royal pain in harris to clean due to spokes at edge of rim.

 

[_pi_]

Thx for the update. Im still considering the KTM to switch from my Dakar. I still cant decide if an 1150GS is too wide for London commuting. Dakar works a treat in traffic.

Think ill book in a 2hr test ride on the KTM and test the seat for myself. Have you seen the 2004 one in black - pictures look sweet.

 

[Jon451]

KTM

I fancy one but I know nothing of the running costs. What is the frequency of servicing, how much does it cost and what is the mpg?

Cheers.....................Jon

 

[IainMac]

The ktm wins hands down for commutting /lane splitting Imho. Used to land split regularly on GS Adv (with eng bars) and its possible but when it gets gnarly ur relying on the GS bulk and presence to spook cars out of ur way. The ktm slips through gaps only a courier on a GS would consider. (ie lanes split looney, - no offence to couriers intended ;-)

As to running costs.... well you dont have to
1) buy ohlins
2) consider bar upgrade
3) buy exhaust can (except for asthestics -personal pref etc)

but the ktm servicing is likely to cost more than a GS as its more complicated (shim under bucket) and tanks have to be removed to get access, plus interval is 4K miles not 6K. Plus Bmw have fixed price service costs- alledgedly.

Swings & roundabouts.

PS black 950 looks the dogs...

 

[Spanish Bob]

Thx for the update. Im still considering the KTM to switch from my Dakar. I still cant decide if an 1150GS is too wide for London commuting. Dakar works a treat in traffic.

Think ill book in a 2hr test ride on the KTM and test the seat for myself. Have you seen the 2004 one in black - pictures look sweet.

You can get an aftermarket seat from an Italian company called Selle della Valle - see www.advrider.com for details. The local KTM dealer also offers to modify the foam profile to round off the square profile. If that doesn´t work wear a pair of cycling shorts (with padding).

I had a 3hour test ride booked for yesterday, but couldn´t make it, will try again in a week or so.

Regarding exhausts, in the same web page I mentioned an Italian KTM rider posted details of a conversation he had with Fabrizio Meoni´s mechanic, who said one of the first thisgs you should do is bin the standard exhausts cans, the new ones are lighter and you get rid of the cats, that way. Other issues, go seriously off road with the standard rims and they end up buggered (possible recall).

Still any GS rider will probably find reliabiliy quite good.

I´ll post details of the test ride when I get round to it.

bob

 

[Spanish Bob]

Well finally did the dirty deed and test rode the big orange adv. And I have to say its fantastic. The engine is really really great, the handling is also evry very solid. Just ambling along you notice how good the suspension is. The build quality seems really nice in general. I did a mixture of motorway, town, twisties and some forest tracks. The bike was standard except the seat had been modified, rounded off where ones anatomy is a bit round as well and softer foam. Not bad really, but I doubt I could cope with a full tank range.

It is also true that the suspension beds in a fair bit - I sat on a brand new one in the show room and it was about half and inch higher than the tester, which had been given some stick off road.

Negatives - quite windy today and you definately notice it more than on a GS. Whilst the finish is really nice and I good stare at the Renthal bars all day (sad basket that I am) some of the body panels seem a bit misaligned. The thing that miffed most was the fan - it kept coming on in the city - I understand now why guys in advrider have built up a kit to add an additional fan. It wasn´t even hot in Bcn today, cant imagine the summer.

The brakes are interesting - after having an airhead having a back brake at all comes as a complete shock, as did taking a couple of corners almost supermotard style. The front brake is good without being anything special.

For me I would have liked bigger grips and higher bars. The Akrapovic costs €1000.

After about twenty minutes of the test I was convinced I had found the bike for me. However, probably it isn´t. Id say it is a true dual sport and I am not. I like to do both, but I do many more miles on the road. On top of that BMW are offering a pay half now pay half in two years with not interest offer on existing stock of GS adv so on monday thats what I´ll be getting. I just hoep I am doing the right thing??????