KTM 950 SM or 890SMT Which would you have ?

Robbo1200ADV

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Think I want a Big SM again . Loved my 950SM in 2005 though it had issues with fuel disolving the tank blocking the carbs . Looked at a 890SMT yesterday and trying to arrange a test ride . Anyone got either ?? Arsey had one but looks like he got rid of it quickly . Anyone love the 890SMT? Anyone still have the 950 SM ? Cheers you lovely people
 
890 SMT is tiny - I sat on one and engulfed it - 990 SMT more man sized
 
Think I want a Big SM again . Loved my 950SM in 2005 though it had issues with fuel disolving the tank blocking the carbs . Looked at a 890SMT yesterday and trying to arrange a test ride . Anyone got either ?? Arsey had one but looks like he got rid of it quickly . Anyone love the 890SMT? Anyone still have the 950 SM ? Cheers you lovely people

It was a great bike . Low down fuelling a bit snatchy off the throttle but otherwise ace. Only sold as ordered Tracer GT+ as a better two up touring bike. For solo riding the 890 would be fine. The handling is in another league to the old 950 though the latter has perfect fuelling.

I wouldn’t call it tiny ! The seat height is 860mm compared to 875 on 950 but it’s still a tall bike. More lithe than the 950 though.
 
I’ve had two 990SMs. I found they encouraged me to ride like a loon (no self restraint) and I managed to crash both of them thanks to the way OTT front brakes (no ABS) that would lock the front in a heartbeat unless you gently eased them on and weighted up the front suspension first. Have fun 😂
 
It was a great bike . Low down fuelling a bit snatchy off the throttle but otherwise ace. Only sold as ordered Tracer GT+ as a better two up touring bike. For solo riding the 890 would be fine. The handling is in another league to the old 950 though the latter has perfect fuelling.

I wouldn’t call it tiny ! The seat height is 860mm compared to 875 on 950 but it’s still a tall bike. More lithe than the 950 though.
I had a 950 and I wouldn’t say the fuelling on mine was perfect, though a few easy mods as recommended on a KTM forum made it near enough. I found the handling good but never got to grips with all the adjustability, should have had a professional setup done.
 
It was a great bike . Low down fuelling a bit snatchy off the throttle but otherwise ace. Only sold as ordered Tracer GT+ as a better two up touring bike. For solo riding the 890 would be fine. The handling is in another league to the old 950 though the latter has perfect fuelling.

I wouldn’t call it tiny ! The seat height is 860mm compared to 875 on 950 but it’s still a tall bike. More lithe than the 950 though.

Sure it’s tall enough - but as you say skinny….. I looked like a fat bloke on a skinny wife..
 
So I tried one and well , it wasn’t for me . The engine seemed bland though pokey enough . Handling was good brakes good but I was not blown away . Tried the various modes and they did change the character . It would make a good additional bike but not good enough for me to swap one of mine out . Will continue to look for a mint 950 SM
 
So I tried one and well , it wasn’t for me . The engine seemed bland though pokey enough . Handling was good brakes good but I was not blown away . Tried the various modes and they did change the character . It would make a good additional bike but not good enough for me to swap one of mine out . Will continue to look for a mint 950 SM
Or you could look for a nice SMR :D

KTM 950R 011.JPG
 
If going SMR it’d have to be the limited edition with the tasty marchesini wheels.

Harder to find though.


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Always fancied one but do not all off these have problems with the plastic tanks and modern petrol?
Remember my 2008 990 Super Duke having issues with the tank expanding/getting longer if you removed it from the bike and being a pig to get back on again :blast
 


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