R1200GS -v- KTM 950s detailed comparison

[The Foolish Fellow]

ktm

i said it b4 why do we not have an orange crush section . and a section for any big trailie bike that merits enough interest. It is after all a similar type of person that may purchase either bike.
My main gripe about the ktm as a good few of you already know is that the tyres are not tubeless.

 

[MikeP]

i said it b4 why do we not have an orange crush section . and a section for any big trailie bike that merits enough interest.

It's bad enough that there's two-valve vs 4 valve, 1100 vs 1150 vs 1200 in here already!

(Besides there are Forums for other flavours elsewhere).

 

[Fenlander Strasse]

The Duc was a dissapointment in power so now have a 999.

Well, you clearly need one of these then.

 

[Sugarcube]

Great report!

I did 22,000 miles on a GS1200 over 15 months and rode it to Mauritania in January this year. That trip left me feeling that I needed something lighter and less complicated in the electronics division when I repeat the trip.

After a few months of research I opted for the KTM 950 S. I bought a 04 one a few weeks back so I could get the carb model. I'm sorry to say on this forum that it blows away the GS in so many ways.

It's an animal and wants to be ridden fast and can eat up whatever you give it to do off road (as some of the boys on the Ireland forum who have been to Donegal with me twice in the last few days will agree). It's perfectly balanced and despite being only 1kg lighter than a 1200GS it feels like its much lighter when riding it.

It's much taller and being 5' 10", I feel like a jockey on a horse but when you get moving you forget all that and take advantage of the higher ride height. It has a very uncomfortable seat but you forget about that pain in the arse (literally) when you ride it through interesting moments such as off road, chasing Ducatis etc.

I've made the right choice. I've 1600 miles on it in 3 weeks and I have loved every minute of it.

Still think this forum is the best one out if that's any consolation.

 

[Mucky Helmetier]

Hi,

I loved my 1150GS, but after careful thought I bought the KTM 990.

FWIW the snatchy fueling that is being reported goes away after the first service. They do a Injection reset which basically involves leaving the bike to idle for 15 minutes.

I haven't had a single issue with it at all and highly recommend it, I really rated my GS and it was a fantastic ride, but the 990 blows it out of the water.

 

[GSAdvMelbourne]

1150GSA to 990

I've got an R1150GS Adv and test rode a KTM 990 the other day, liked it alot. I've had the Adventure for just over two years and I think if I was making a decision between a 1200GSA or KTM 990, I'd go for the KTM.

Regarding service intervals, are you sure they're 4000 miles (6000 kms) rather than 10000 kms? I ride the bike to work every day and do about 10,000 kms a year, I'm not sure how much the servicing would be for the KTM.

Also, the dealer in Melbourne told me that he had the last one in the country and wouldn't have any more until next year, seems a bit odd. Whats the lead time like in the UK?

 

[Zoton]

i said it b4 why do we not have an orange crush section . and a section for any big trailie bike that merits enough interest. It is after all a similar type of person that may purchase either bike.
My main gripe about the ktm as a good few of you already know is that the tyres are not tubeless.

Yea,went down that route not so long ago.
Pi55ed a few off i think.

http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=77797

 

[kyle]

Great report!

It's an animal and wants to be ridden fast and can eat up whatever you give it to do off road (as some of the boys on the Ireland forum who have been to Donegal with me twice in the last few days will agree). It's perfectly balanced and despite being only 1kg lighter than a 1200GS it feels like its much lighter when riding it.

agree with sugarcube.
i ride 1150adv but am seriously thinking of a change.would not go for a 12 or i think another bm of any description.imho they are relying on a rep they built up years ago but dont live up to now.

sugars 950adventure s did all the things my bike could do but so much better .

great write up tobers

cheers

 

[bakerlonglegs]

It's bad enough that there's two-valve vs 4 valve, 1100 vs 1150 vs 1200 in here already!

(Besides there are Forums for other flavours elsewhere).

Agreed! I know this was dealt with elsewhere in Zuton's thread, but this is a GS forum and I wouldn't expect Paul to dilute it with other makes/types of bikes. Once you've been tango'ed, Orange Crush on Advrider is a great source of help and info, and has a fair number of UK owners for local knowledge.

However, there's no reason why comparative KTM-v-1100/1150/1200 threads shouldn't continue in 'GS or not 2 GS'—seems a valid discussion topic for that section to me

 

[MikeP]

'GS or not 2 GS'—seems a valid discussion topic for that section to me

I suppose it comes down to a matter of opinion and we all know the saying about opinions!

I just question the relevence.

If I want to consider a KTM (or any other bike), I'll find all the justification I can to convince myself that I'm making the correct choice by making my own comparisons.

Whether such comparisons or justifications can be deemed objective or not won't matter to me. Nor will other peoples opinions for that matter.

I enjoy reading about other bikes but comparisons are pretty worthless because there are too many variables and it doesn't help that an owner making a comparison will nearly always seek self-justification. Press comparisons will be skewed by personal preferences, "handouts" and the press's need to push manufacturers to update or change their model line-up (otherwise they'd be out of a job).

Like I said, it's an opinion. This is just mine.

 

[dot250]

KTM 950 Supermoto

See above title in General Spouting on Honda VFR Club site

 

[Zoton]

However, there's no reason why comparative KTM-v-1100/1150/1200 threads shouldn't continue in 'GS or not 2 GS'—seems a valid discussion topic for that section to me

A very good and valid point.

 

[ianran]

Great report!

I did 22,000 miles on a GS1200 over 15 months and rode it to Mauritania in January this year. That trip left me feeling that I needed something lighter and less complicated in the electronics division when I repeat the trip.

After a few months of research I opted for the KTM 950 S. I bought a 04 one a few weeks back so I could get the carb model. I'm sorry to say on this forum that it blows away the GS in so many ways.

It's an animal and wants to be ridden fast and can eat up whatever you give it to do off road (as some of the boys on the Ireland forum who have been to Donegal with me twice in the last few days will agree). It's perfectly balanced and despite being only 1kg lighter than a 1200GS it feels like its much lighter when riding it.

It's much taller and being 5' 10", I feel like a jockey on a horse but when you get moving you forget all that and take advantage of the higher ride height. It has a very uncomfortable seat but you forget about that pain in the arse (literally) when you ride it through interesting moments such as off road, chasing Ducatis etc.

I've made the right choice. I've 1600 miles on it in 3 weeks and I have loved every minute of it.

Still think this forum is the best one out if that's any consolation.

Glad to see you made the right choice for you, isnt this what keeps so many manufactures and different bikes on the road (viva la difference!!) quite rightly in my opinion.

Having shopped around these are my thoughts

1) It is still the ugliest bike on the road!!!
(Though mmmmm KTM sponsored by LEgo for the Dakar??? I spy a marriage in heaven!!!).
2) Its too tall for us mere mortals to keep upright!
3) If it can chase down Ducatis then the guy on the Duke bought the bike for name not his ability to ride.

PS I am not criticising peoples choice just expressing my own
PPS Orange crush section? start a KTM forum thats much easier!

 

[Sugarcube]

I am not criticising peoples choice just expressing my own

Totally understand. If I had the money, I would probably have kept the GS as daily motorway bike.

By the way, any Ducati would not get away from the KTM (or the GS) on the roads I was chasing this 748 on the other day. I don't usually do that kind of thing but I have to admit that I felt like a cat playing with a mouse!

If I wasn't doing as much off road stuff and going to places in the world with no real dealer support, I would have stayed with the GS but I'm glad my needs have introduced me to the KTM.

 

[ianran]

Totally understand. If I had the money, I would probably have kept the GS as daily motorway bike.

By the way, any Ducati would not get away from the KTM (or the GS) on the roads I was chasing this 748 on the other day. I don't usually do that kind of thing but I have to admit that I felt like a cat playing with a mouse!

If I wasn't doing as much off road stuff and going to places in the world with no real dealer support, I would have stayed with the GS but I'm glad my needs have introduced me to the KTM.

Oh thank you very bloody much !!! Now Im gonna have to go and try one all over again to see if I missed something

 

[Mucky Helmetier]

1) It is still the ugliest bike on the road!!!

2) Its too tall for us mere mortals to keep upright!

[/QUOTE=ianran]

Ugly... Yes... But have you looked at a GS recently, I think they are both equally ugly..

I am almost 5'9 with a 32" leg (or legs if you like) and I have no problem with the height of the standard 990..

 

[Pint6x]

I enjoy reading about other bikes but comparisons are pretty worthless because there are too many variables and it doesn't help that an owner making a comparison will nearly always seek self-justification. Press comparisons will be skewed by personal preferences, "handouts" and the press's need to push manufacturers to update or change their model line-up (otherwise they'd be out of a job).

I think that's why Tobers was setting out to produce as unbiased a report as he could. He has both bikes so clearly rates them both. For that reason I found his comparison very worthwhile - he wasn't setting out to criticize one bike over another, but to provide an objective comparison between the two without any blatant bias.

Indeed I went to a local tango dealer at lunch time and now have my 990 Adventure test ride booked !

Be interesting to compare against the 1150GS

 

[Tobers]

I had both bikes - my R1200GS has now sold. Still have my Aprilia as well though - fab bike but like sitting on a toaster in this weather! It was nice having 3 bikes in the garage though, it seems like just the right number to have.

Orange Crush is indeed the place for everything KTM. I'd hate to see a KTM section on this site as its for GSs. I'm sure that the comparison is worthwhile though to some people and not to others - after all, nobody is forced to read it.

If its OK with you lot, I'll hang around on here even though I'm BMW-less at the moment. Superb site which brings me lots of enjoyment.

 

[Fanum]

If its OK with you lot, I'll hang around on here even though I'm BMW-less at the moment. Superb site which brings me lots of enjoyment.

*sucks teeth*

Oooooo.............I dunno...........

 

[richie]

Thing that I like about the write up is my desire to get an 1150 after reading it.....

Good work.....