KTM950

[andrew taylor]

So who's all tried the KTM and decided to stick with their GS?
Has anyone tried the 1200GS but decided to go for the KTM?

Just wondering what folks opinions were as I rather like the look of the KTM.

 

[Steptoe]

I recently spent a day watching/learning the servicing of KTM's at a main dealer, with a view to working on them -- No i won't be entertaining the idea at all, they're shite to work on , which equals = very expensive to run .

 

[Mikef]

Great to ride though, punchy motor great handling light etc.....

 

[DavidHolmes]

Just rode one this morning - bloody fantastic.

Even the seat was fine (ok, I only did 45 miles/ 1 hour on it), but the pegs are set better so you are taking some weight through your legs rather than all of it through the seat (as on the GS).

I have had 2 (much longer) test rides on the 1200GS and it doesnt do it for me.

There are two things stopping me from buying the KTM today:

1) They wouldn't accept my 1150 GS as a p/ex - they said it was because they couldnt get BMW spares so they couldn't give warranties, hence they wouldn't sell them s/h.

2) The servicing costs: qoted as about £260 for a 5k service and 'just over £300' for a 10k.

However, if I can get a job closer to home (thus reducing my commuting mileage) and come into some cash (as I may well do in a couple of months) I will definitely buy the KTM, and keep the GS as a winter/offroad hack for a couple of years.

But dont take my word for it, go try one - any main KTM dealer should be able to give you a test ride, KTM have advertised as much in the national press, and I certainly had no problem getting one. And even if it doesnt do it for you completely, I would be very surprised if you thought it to be a wasted hour.

 

[IainMac]

I've got the 950, traded my 1150GS adv for it after 14months of hit and miss ownership, hit stuff was when the bike was working miss stuff was all the bits that were naff and when the bike was in for recalls and naff bit replacements. naff bits include disks, shocks, tank, forks and would have included rear end bearings if I hadnt traded it. Anyway back to the 950. its not as expensive a ride as people make out, sofar my servicing costs havent scared the pants of me, 1st major service cost me £122 though I was expecting a lot more. Thats cheaper than any service I had on my GS . As an 1150/950 comparison, the 1150GS is more pillion friendly the 950 is more a riders bike , the saddle is hard but gets better with use, my GS used to give me extreme monkey butt at ~130miles ie before I drained the tank. Cant say on the 1200GS never ridden one. Dont reckon it'll have as much hooligan factor as a 950 mind ;-)

 

[Deadskin]

Sorted out of the box

Maybe a couple of aprovic end cans

and a low gel seat @ £80

New ktm dealerships just opened near me
and the owner is also a partner in CW's

Anybody want a funny coloured GS

 

[Steptoe]

The TWO petrol tanks are £550 each ? . ( one each side ) still holds less than a GS , ( can't remember the exact capacity)

 

[Deadskin]

The TWO petrol tanks are £550 each ? . ( one each side ) still holds less than a GS , ( can't remember the exact capacity)

I'm sure the bike comes with the tanks fitted

 

[Steptoe]

I'm sure the bike comes with the tanks fitted

and when do you ever keep the tank that comes as standard.

 

[IainMac]

950 tank capacity less than GS? my mind is a bit foggy these days but i'm sure that the stock GS tank is 21~22litres please correct if in error. I think in never managed more than 19litres in any one fill-up, the 950 is listed at 22litres and I've managed to get 21.5litres in regularly with about 1~1.5litres left unused, I did drain the remnants once and measure via litre pop bottle accuracy. Never did the same on the GS but it was farting and coughing on a few occasions approaching the 19litre fill up. I may have had fuel in left? side but I never did fancy the lean it over to xfer fuel to pump, that was a pain to do on a big tanked ktm lc4 never mind a fully loaded GS.

 

[BBB61]

The most I have ever got in my standard GS tank is 24.5 litres at fill up time.

Bob

 

[Spanish Bob]

I had a two hour test ride on the 950S and I thought it was very very good. Seat was way too hard for my soft and ample bot, but easily curable with a bill meyer saddle (or others).

I went for the Adv only because my riding is a varied, short and long distance touring, commuting and off roading. The beast over heats a bit (can add an extra fan quite easily apparently) but still probably not great communting bcn.

Still once I have 200k on this bike I very well might by a KTM.

 

[Fenlander Strasse]

Quote: The most I have ever got in my standard GS tank is 24.5 litres at fill up time.

Bob, If that is true I'd go to another garage - it sounds like the pumps have been "clocked".

Oh and a 950S is a bloody good bike, but it helps to have long legs.

 

[Flying Dutchman]

Question for IainMac

IainMac - I’m sorry to hear from one of your posts above that you had a load of problems with your 1150 ADV. While in Norway I recently had a problem with my rear end bearings , I saw you mention soothing about rear end bearings and that it was going to be repaired under warranty/recall I’d appreciate it if you could tell me a little more. To see my post please go to: http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=24203

Thanks

FD.

 

[Spanish Bob]

Quote: The most I have ever got in my standard GS tank is 24.5 litres at fill up time.

Bob, If that is true I'd go to another garage - it sounds like the pumps have been "clocked".

Oh and a 950S is a bloody good bike, but it helps to have long legs.

F/S

actually it did happen to me - but the main info I have comes from advrider. Remember that the average temperature in Barca is a bit higher than Cambridge! I know I used to live there. The bike I was riding had 3000 real kms.

Even Meoni´s mecahanic said the bike needed it. Who am I to argue with him? But I would simply have added another fan and walked to the office - still would have been way cheaper than what I have spent on my r1150gsadv. I think its a great bike - trully it does enthuse me in a way that the 1200GS hasn´t YET. I would like to have one.

glad you are enjoying yours!

bob

 

[IainMac]

Re: Question for IainMac

IainMac - I’m sorry to hear from one of your posts above that you had a load of problems with your 1150 ADV. While in Norway I recently had a problem with my rear end bearings , I saw you mention soothing about rear end bearings and that it was going to be repaired under warranty/recall I’d appreciate it if you could tell me a little more. To see my post please go to: http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=24203

Thanks

FD.

I've replied to orig post but I dont think its gonna tell you what you want to hear

 

[BBB61]

Bob, If that is true I'd go to another garage - it sounds like the pumps have been "clocked".

I've filled up at a number of garages over the years and put in between 23 and 24 litres a number of times. Maybe most of the garages are clocking their pumps!!

I should point out that I have drilled 3 holes in the filler neck of my tank which helps it breathe better, and that helps with getting the extra in.

Bob

 

[Fanum]

[stir] If i had to choose 'tween a katoomer and a 12gs, i'd be riding a big orange now......

Thank fekk for the ADV

[/stir]

 

[robeekay67]

I've filled up at a number of garages over the years and put in between 23 and 24 litres a number of times

.......of course he does, if you can't do it, you're simply a fool.

 

[BBB61]

After a bit of searching around, I have discovered robeekays favourite shop

Bob