I am thinking of buying one, so any thoughts on these would be appreciated, I would be using it as an all round bike with some summer touring.
KTM 990 SMT, anyone got a any feedback on these?
- Thread starter MikeS
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I have a good friend that owns one, he absolutely bloody loves it! It's not as frugal on fuel as some but it just oooozes character.
RJT_Berlin
Registered user
I had one briefly. Goes like stink!!!! More aggresive than the 990 adventure. I had an issue with the front wheel - could have been me, but didnt like the way that handled, but never heard of bad reports tbh
i rode one (well, an SM actually). it was very nice but the steering is fearsomely quick after a GS. i think it would take some getting used to.
It would,but ten minutes later you would be smiling from ear to ear.
I'm still considering one as a change from the GSA...........
Owners seem to love them without exception. They'll take reasonable panniers, and can handle motorway miles too.
The real benefit is their light weight, low-inertia wheels and whatever road-rubber you want - right up to SuperCorsa BSB tyres.
Al
Owners seem to love them without exception. They'll take reasonable panniers, and can handle motorway miles too.
The real benefit is their light weight, low-inertia wheels and whatever road-rubber you want - right up to SuperCorsa BSB tyres.
Al
SMT - great bikes,the do it all that KTM should have kept making. They are quicker turning than a GS or many other bikes for that matter.I found the seat to peg more cramped than the 950 SM I had,but still Ok.
They are more compact and initially feel cramped compared to a GS,and any of the KTM SM models give a harsher ,firmer,sportier ride no matter how you tweek the suspension when compared to a GS.
On bumpier B roads I prefer the KTM Adv models,they do give a better ride with the suspension soaking up the bumps rather than bouncing/lifting off them.
Engine wise ,they all prefer to be on the throttle rather than pottering along,like most V twins.
Build quality and reliability are very good on all models.
Personally I would recommend an SMT or any of the KTM 950/990 models. But I am a little biased.
They are more compact and initially feel cramped compared to a GS,and any of the KTM SM models give a harsher ,firmer,sportier ride no matter how you tweek the suspension when compared to a GS.
On bumpier B roads I prefer the KTM Adv models,they do give a better ride with the suspension soaking up the bumps rather than bouncing/lifting off them.
Engine wise ,they all prefer to be on the throttle rather than pottering along,like most V twins.
Build quality and reliability are very good on all models.
Personally I would recommend an SMT or any of the KTM 950/990 models. But I am a little biased.
SMT - great bikes,the do it all that KTM should have kept making. They are quicker turning than a GS or many other bikes for that matter.I found the seat to peg more cramped than the 950 SM I had,but still Ok.
They are more compact and initially feel cramped compared to a GS,and any of the KTM SM models give a harsher ,firmer,sportier ride no matter how you tweek the suspension when compared to a GS.
On bumpier B roads I prefer the KTM Adv models,they do give a better ride with the suspension soaking up the bumps rather than bouncing/lifting off them.
Engine wise ,they all prefer to be on the throttle rather than pottering along,like most V twins.
Build quality and reliability are very good on all models.
Personally I would recommend an SMT or any of the KTM 950/990 models. But I am a little biased.
They are more compact and initially feel cramped compared to a GS,and any of the KTM SM models give a harsher ,firmer,sportier ride no matter how you tweek the suspension when compared to a GS.
On bumpier B roads I prefer the KTM Adv models,they do give a better ride with the suspension soaking up the bumps rather than bouncing/lifting off them.
Engine wise ,they all prefer to be on the throttle rather than pottering along,like most V twins.
Build quality and reliability are very good on all models.
Personally I would recommend an SMT or any of the KTM 950/990 models. But I am a little biased.
JoJo
Registered user
I have owned one for 18 months / 15k miles and LOVE it!! Plenty of power and brilliant handling (yes they're fast steering but they're very planted). I use 70ltr soft luggage and a tank bag. Standard seat and screen was comfy enough for a 5000 mile trip. However the build quality won't be as good as the GS.
So good, he had to say it twice.
Had my SMT for 2 years now - I use it only for European touring and very occasional trips/day trips in the UK. Everything about it is good, apart from the screen. It took me a long time to find a decent one, which is a PalmerProducts one from Iain Palmer in Basildon. That now works a treat, so the bike is complete in my eyes.
It is smaller than a GS, but I'm a solo rider, so that's ok.
It's lighter than any equivalent size bike I know, by some significant margin. Very easy to wheel around and generally manhandle.
Handling is great, but does take some careful setting up. It's old school, manual adjustment, but with preload and rebound at front and rear you can get it just right.
Quality items - Marzocchi wheels, Brembo brakes, they all marry up well to produce a fantastic bike that can do everything a GS will, except perhaps take 2 of you loaded with 2 weeks worth of camping gear. But you wouldn't buy one if that's what you wanted it for.
It's a bit juicy (40 - 45mpg), and a bit hard on rear tyres (5k), but that's coz it's so much fun blasting it out of corners.
Can't see me getting rid of this fro a long time, there's nothing quite like it out there either new, or second hand that does what this thing does.
So good, he had to say it twice.
Yes
A good point you made that the SMT or in fact all the 950/990 models are very easy to man handle around . Rear tyres can go very quick ,although the RP2 or3's last well.I found they took a little getting used to after using a more sporty tyre,but they no doubt will outperform the rider .
JoJo
Registered user
Pirelli Angel GT's last well over 6k miles and give superb grip in all conditions, inspiring oodles of confidence, I'm on my 3rd set now.
Deleted account 240831001
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A friend of mine has had his from new and has put over 30k miles on it in about 3 years and says the only thing he'd trade it in for is one of the last ones but with low mileage.
His is used for everything from commuting to touring Europe and just seems to soak up all the abuse he throws at it with the only downside being that it can be a bit thirsty if ridden enthusiastically but a bit of extra fuel is a very small price for a lot of fun.
His is used for everything from commuting to touring Europe and just seems to soak up all the abuse he throws at it with the only downside being that it can be a bit thirsty if ridden enthusiastically but a bit of extra fuel is a very small price for a lot of fun.
JoJo
Registered user
I think Sir realiseth-not - just now low the bar is on BMW build quality .....
Al
However low it is on a GS it is lower on any of the 990s I'm sad to say. Never take a bolt out expecting it to go back in with ease as nothing is set straight and everything is a faff about. But I can forgive that for WP suspension, Brembos and big grin factor
Thanks for all the replies, really tempted to get one even though it isn't the sort of bike I normally buy, I fancy a change from my airhead (which I will be keeping) and I think this could be the one.
I liked the light weight and lack of electronic gadgets, a fun straight forward bike that you can actually go some distance on.
It's eagerness will take some getting used to but that is part of the appeal.
So do I try and get a test ride or just take a leap of faith, I usually do the latter and it usually works out ok.
I liked the light weight and lack of electronic gadgets, a fun straight forward bike that you can actually go some distance on.
It's eagerness will take some getting used to but that is part of the appeal.
So do I try and get a test ride or just take a leap of faith, I usually do the latter and it usually works out ok.
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There is a ktm super twins forum that has a lot of info about them. I think it was originally an SMT only forum but have expanded it. There is a guy kev on there who has done lots of mods to them and documented it all. He has now moved onto a 1290 sdr but still chips in with the SMT questions.
JoJo
Registered user
Well if you do test one keep it above 5000 revs on the open road as its a lumpy, snatchy throttled pig below that, (no less that 4000 round town if you can help it). I've had lots of big twins and it's hands down - the worst! I borrowed my mate's SMT for a 20 mile tootle in the dark before buying mine and was 'too respectful' of it. I remember thinking that it felt like it wouldn't pull the skin off a rice pudding, I realised when I bought mine that you need to be aggressive with them at all times, for best results, and things get really fun between 6-8k revs. Be warned that the snatchy throttle is a pain in the arse and by all accounts the SMT's is worse than the 990 Adv, so get a cam fitted to calm it down.. Other than that, just wring it's neck everywhere you go and you'll have an absolute hoot
Go for it Mike you'll not be sorry!
Mine replaced an MTS1200 :-O and for my needs is perfect....even more fun than the Mutley on north Devon back roads or the Brecons and whilst not such a mile muncher still more than comfortable enough for touring.
Whilst JoJo's comments are valid, somewhat over emphasised imho......I really didn't find mine that bad and in any case there are lots of solutions (with bonus benefits!), 16T front sprocket, get the fuelling sorted and if you really can't control your right hand lol there are throttle cams to reduce throttle sensitivity.
http://www.ktmforum.co.uk/forum.php
http://ktmsmt.com/
https://www.facebook.com/uk.ktm990smt.owners?ref=bookmarks
https://www.facebook.com/groups/62868957425/
Mine after a bit of AndyW'ing
Mine replaced an MTS1200 :-O and for my needs is perfect....even more fun than the Mutley on north Devon back roads or the Brecons and whilst not such a mile muncher still more than comfortable enough for touring.
Whilst JoJo's comments are valid, somewhat over emphasised imho......I really didn't find mine that bad and in any case there are lots of solutions (with bonus benefits!), 16T front sprocket, get the fuelling sorted and if you really can't control your right hand lol there are throttle cams to reduce throttle sensitivity.
http://www.ktmforum.co.uk/forum.php
http://ktmsmt.com/
https://www.facebook.com/uk.ktm990smt.owners?ref=bookmarks
https://www.facebook.com/groups/62868957425/
Mine after a bit of AndyW'ing
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