Dellis
Registered user
So the bike is now two and a half months old and I've covered 4,000 miles, did I make the right move?
For those who don't know I chopped my 2009 GSA in for the KTM on the 1st March this year, the GSA was my second 1200 and I'd previously had a couple of 1150's, all in all I've covered over 100,000 miles on GS's and I was getting a bit bored. I'd fancied a 990 Adventure for a while and after a test ride I decided to take the plunge. As I've already said I've now covered 4,000 miles in ten weeks and all for pleasure
so I think I've done enough to have formed my views. Most of the miles have been two-up and mostly loaded with camping gear.
When I first rode the bike I thought the twin fuel caps were a real pain but I've become accustomed to the idea and as was pointed out to me I now no longer need to take the tank bag off to fill up and as I almost always ride with a tank bag.... I also wasn't too sure about the brakes but in reality you just need a bit more lever pressure than the GS but they do haul you up when you give them a good tug on a plus note the rear brake works which is a novelty after my two 1200's (neither had ABS or linked brakes) however, I prefer the lower lever pressure of the GS. The next thing I thought was that it wasn't going to be much cop on the motorway but although it hasn't got the same weather protection as my GSA it's fine, not quite as good but not enough of a difference to be of great importance to me. Fuel range isn't as good but that's not going to be a surprise to anyone, the KTM holds about 13 litres less than the GSA and it uses a bit more juice, I was getting 45 mpg on the GSA while the KTM fluctuates depending on use and varies from 38 to 42 mpg (figures are actual not from the computer).
Rider comfort is as good as the GSA helped by the narrower profile of the KTM, Blondie says pillion comfort isn't quite as good but she didn't notice any difference until we did a 1,000 mile weekend nipping up to The Highlands. Tyres are a bit of an issue with the first rear Scorpion being shot after 2,500 miles, I used to get 5,500 on the GSA from a Tourance, but a pair of Conti Trail Attacks should help here. Handling is better, much lighter with far superior suspension to any GS I've ridden, Blondie has also noticed the ride quality especially on smaller undulating where it really shines. The engine is a peach, loads of mid range, fantastic 'feel' and as an added bonus it sounds great too. I've fitted a pair of Fuel end cans which were made to order without 'Fuel' badges so they blend in really well, they are much lighter than the standard cans and don't retain anything like the amount of heat the original cat fitted items did. One item that did have to go was the standard pannier frames, I have a pair of 45 litre Zega Pros and I loved the sloping forward look of the boxes but I was running out of ground clearance which will never do
a set of Touratech frames sorted the problem and gives over 3 1/2 inches more clearance and since fitting them the boxes haven't touched down. I fitted a Scottoiler from day one and after a bit of messing around with the flow it works really well with the chain only needing one slight adjustment so far.
The KTM suits me down to the ground and I'm really pleased with my choice, I'm having bucket loads of fun and really enjoying my riding which after all is why I do it.
Dave
For those who don't know I chopped my 2009 GSA in for the KTM on the 1st March this year, the GSA was my second 1200 and I'd previously had a couple of 1150's, all in all I've covered over 100,000 miles on GS's and I was getting a bit bored. I'd fancied a 990 Adventure for a while and after a test ride I decided to take the plunge. As I've already said I've now covered 4,000 miles in ten weeks and all for pleasure
so I think I've done enough to have formed my views. Most of the miles have been two-up and mostly loaded with camping gear.When I first rode the bike I thought the twin fuel caps were a real pain but I've become accustomed to the idea and as was pointed out to me I now no longer need to take the tank bag off to fill up and as I almost always ride with a tank bag.... I also wasn't too sure about the brakes but in reality you just need a bit more lever pressure than the GS but they do haul you up when you give them a good tug on a plus note the rear brake works which is a novelty after my two 1200's (neither had ABS or linked brakes) however, I prefer the lower lever pressure of the GS. The next thing I thought was that it wasn't going to be much cop on the motorway but although it hasn't got the same weather protection as my GSA it's fine, not quite as good but not enough of a difference to be of great importance to me. Fuel range isn't as good but that's not going to be a surprise to anyone, the KTM holds about 13 litres less than the GSA and it uses a bit more juice, I was getting 45 mpg on the GSA while the KTM fluctuates depending on use and varies from 38 to 42 mpg (figures are actual not from the computer).
Rider comfort is as good as the GSA helped by the narrower profile of the KTM, Blondie says pillion comfort isn't quite as good but she didn't notice any difference until we did a 1,000 mile weekend nipping up to The Highlands. Tyres are a bit of an issue with the first rear Scorpion being shot after 2,500 miles, I used to get 5,500 on the GSA from a Tourance, but a pair of Conti Trail Attacks should help here. Handling is better, much lighter with far superior suspension to any GS I've ridden, Blondie has also noticed the ride quality especially on smaller undulating where it really shines. The engine is a peach, loads of mid range, fantastic 'feel' and as an added bonus it sounds great too. I've fitted a pair of Fuel end cans which were made to order without 'Fuel' badges so they blend in really well, they are much lighter than the standard cans and don't retain anything like the amount of heat the original cat fitted items did. One item that did have to go was the standard pannier frames, I have a pair of 45 litre Zega Pros and I loved the sloping forward look of the boxes but I was running out of ground clearance which will never do
a set of Touratech frames sorted the problem and gives over 3 1/2 inches more clearance and since fitting them the boxes haven't touched down. I fitted a Scottoiler from day one and after a bit of messing around with the flow it works really well with the chain only needing one slight adjustment so far.The KTM suits me down to the ground and I'm really pleased with my choice, I'm having bucket loads of fun and really enjoying my riding which after all is why I do it.
Dave
Any plans to take it off road?
