Sorry about this - KTM 990 SMT, any opinions?

Poucher

Poucher

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Hi All,

I've got a sneaky fancy for a KTM 990 SMT at the moment, anybody got one or had a decent long test ride on one and would care to give your opinions?
What really appeals to me about them is the great riding position and the reported ride quality according to press reports, but how reliable are they gonna be long term and I believe they can get a bit thirsty, Bike mag this month tests one against a Multistrada and the KTM gets down as low as 33 mpg

I've ridden a Superduke a couple of times and found it a bit abrupt / jerky on the throttle, so not too sure if I would get on with a snatchy V twin too well?

Cheers,

Poucher
 
I had a 990SM for 4 months and sold it because the fueling was dreadfull.KTM's response was "ride round it use the clutch" it was lethal in the wet and powering out of roundabouts.I had a 950SM before which was so much smoother. I had a throttle cam on the 990 but it did not help.The SMT is the same engine as the SM so try before you buy.I would not have an EFI KTM untill the fueling issue is addressed ,and yes very thirsty
 
I've had a couple of test rides and thought it was grand. Quick, light, good handling and the front brake is tremendous. Would have had one by now if the figures didn't change when push came to shove :blast

Fast compared to my 1100GS :D and felt similarly as 'planted' despite the lower weight/mass. Major grinnage factor :cool:

No ABS at the mo' (not even an option), but don't see that as a problem. There is a white one with ABS coming out next year, with only about 1kg weight gain so KTM claim. There are discounted 2010 bikes around for about £8.5k now - 'normal' price about £10k, so ABS bikes in the spring may be £10k / £10.5k :nenau

Fairly upright so you get a good view, but with less bulk and weight than a GS imho. Easy to move the bike around by hand and by 'paddling' IYSWIM - I moved the one I tested around the dealer's car park by hand a couple of times just to try. I suspect they thought I was a mentallist, but hey ho. Was a doddle to move around. Centre stand about £100 extra.

Pretty comfy when I tried them for an hour or so in the saddle. There is a gel seat as an option which I think is about £110 or thereabouts from KTM - cheap compared to a BMW seat I expect. You would still probably get £50 for your stock seat if you decided to change :nenau

Parts/bling prices seem pretty reasonable from what I recall.

No idea re fuel consumption - I don't recall anyone grumbling about it when I've looked on the ktm forum

Fuelling was fine to me - I gather it has improved each time they update, although many peeps still say it's sh1te. Try before you buy :rob

Have a root around here: http://www.ktmforum.co.uk/forumdisplay.php?f=92

Linky is for the supermoto section (not just the SMT), but plenty info on the SMT if you can be bothered to investimagate :thumb2

If you test one, maybe just test the SMT - I tested that and the 990 Adv and they are both v nice bikes - not helpful to an indecisive muppet like me :blast

:blagblah
 
I'd buy one.

I had an SMT out for a day last year. Feking terrific bike and one well worth considering. It was comfy for the 100+ miles I sat on it and wind protection from the oe screen was fine for me. It's a real hooligan tool and brought the worst out of my riding, but it is able to go at a more sane pace should your license require an amount of self preservation. The handling and brakes are excellent and the much maligned fueling was spot on (tho' I must have a deft throttle hand as I've never had any problems with various injected bikes like others have). It certaintly was pretty thirsty on my test ride, but then you'd expect that. :augie Reliability seems pretty good if you read through several of the more dedicated forums elsewhere on the 'net. I see there's a comparison between the SMT and the Duke MS in this months BIKE. Not having read it as yet, I personally would rather have the KTM over the Duke. Although the Italian offering has more bells and whistles, I don't think the SMT is any less of a bike for having fewer toys. Quality seems up there with the rest and I'd happily buy one should my finances allow. I certaintly would buy the SMT over the KTM 990 Adventure as it is better in every way, except off roading of course. But then, I don't seem to need any off road capability these days. And if I did, I'd prefer to have a proper trail bike more suited to the task than an over-weight behemoth.
 
SMT

Build quality,power,brakes all awesome,fuel consumption,fueling Shite....you need to test one buddy before you decide..................imho
 
I've had a 950SM for 3 years and 20k miles so far. It's been beautifully reliable and is the most wonderous thing to ride - fast, almost psychic responses, agile and with a sensible unstressed riding position.

I chose the 950 over the 990 as the fuelling from the carbs is just delightful - smooth and silky and so finely controllable. My 1200GS was a jerky horrible thing by comparison, and I've heard similar about the injected 990 KTM engine.

It might be worth seeing if you can pick up a 950SM and retrofit the 990SMT front bits and seat to get you some more comfort and weather protection.

I've been down to the Alps on the 950SM - bit of a drag on the way down and you wouldn't want to go above 85-90 anyway (especially not with a Tour-X with a peak on it!!), and once you are down there it was absolutely the best tool around for the alpine passes and twisty bits - nailed everything else on the road.

Oh, on fuel economy the 950 does about 125 miles to reserve, and 150 to empty the way I ride it. On a tour I'd take a break every 100 miles so it works well for me. The SMT 990 should be more efficient being injected compared to the hosing of fuel down the carbs that I have with mine.
 
Just buy one, if you don't like it I'll ride it for you!
 
Nawww,:duno

I just know there's no chance of you cleaning it :soapbox: !!!!
 
I got one after so wanting a gs1200, for so long, but the gs is too big for me, not height just the sheer bulk of it!

the smt is light or seems it, i get 140 till fuel light and it makes me smile everytime i ride it, 400 mile days are no problem with stock seat.

And you dont see loads of em about, might be a real bad reason for that though?

At the moment i is happy but only got 4000 miles on it, bought new for £8200, 8 weeks ago, depreciation is hard on all ktm's so plan is to keep it a while.

fuelling is no worse than other bikes with efi to me
 
I have a 2006 990 Adventure.

Fuelling my arse, yeah it's responsive but it's not lethal. All that's required is a more considered use of the throttle.

The engine is a complete hoot, it spools up very quickly, it's punchy and revvy.

I manage an average of 45 mpg from mine (And I genuinely don't hang about)

Ride one, You'll love it. ................................ Lethal my arse ......... you just need to have an idea how to ride a motorcycle ...............
 
SMT test ride

Rode 2011SMT with ABS at weekend. Most noticeable thing was when getting back on GS, it felt like a old barge, heavy (not just when stationary), cramped (i have low seat on the GS as challenged on the vertical dimensions, yet could ride SMT with std seat). Overall not as smooth but then its not a tourer in drag. Engine made my smile the whole ride. Never noticed that the front was not the telelever system even when using the excellent brakes. Wind protection not as good as GS (std screen + winglets) but the test bike was fitted with std height screen not the touring version. Really like the looks now that the off road plastics/colours have been ditched. PCP available just waiting to see how the figures stack up especially as GS prices will now drop with the L/C version in the wings.

So in summary going back to the GS was harder than adapting to the SMT.
 
Nippy Normans supply Touratech, Wunderlich, Desert Fox and many other makes of accessories.
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