Which one should I get? BMW vs KTM vs YAMAHA vs TRIUMPH vs ...

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Gab83
Posts: 39
Joined: Fri Mar 06, 2015 9:17 pm

Re: Which one should I get? BMW vs KTM vs YAMAHA vs TRIUMPH vs ...

Post by Gab83 »

DaveCon wrote:
Gab83 wrote:Thanks everybody for your opinions.

But it is just the fact that being a mono concerns me about its long trip capabilities. I might be wrong but more power and less vibration is always good.
I wouldn't worry too much about it being a single cylinder. These engines are very capable plodders. The basic design goes back 30 years! An extra cylinder does not mean less vibration, designers have to do other things to get rid of the vibration, and not all vibration is the same. For example the 660 engine is a "thumper" at low revs which is hardly noticeable at higher revs (not that you can rev a single that high anyway). The GS800 is ok at lower revs but buzzes through the pegs at cruising speed which I find very uncomfortable (and is probably why the front sprocket fix is so well known!).

Anyway, sounds like you've talked yourself into a KTM, so it's time to shit or get off the potty :laugh: But which one 690, 900, 990 ??? :laugh: (thumbs)
Regarding the mono engines, let put it this way. I've always ridden pretty powerful bikes, especially over the last few years. And the extra power given by a 2 cylinder engine cannot be matched by a mono. That might give more the idea of what I meant.

It seems that a lot of people find a lot of flaws in the GS. At the same time it is one of the most sold if the bunch though. Weird!

Regarding the KTM, it would only be the 990. The 690 is a mono, the 900 is a beast (and also very rare) and the 950 is almost impossible to find.

I am still very doubtful.
Ian1964
Posts: 6
Joined: Sun Jun 07, 2015 6:26 am

Re: Which one should I get? BMW vs KTM vs YAMAHA vs TRIUMPH vs ...

Post by Ian1964 »

Took me a long time to decide what to buy, big decision.
Bought a new BMW R 1200 Adventure.
I did look at the 800's but went with the 1200 as I'm going to carry pillion,

Ian
Gab83
Posts: 39
Joined: Fri Mar 06, 2015 9:17 pm

Re: Which one should I get? BMW vs KTM vs YAMAHA vs TRIUMPH vs ...

Post by Gab83 »

Ian1964 wrote:Took me a long time to decide what to buy, big decision.
Bought a new BMW R 1200 Adventure.
I did look at the 800's but went with the 1200 as I'm going to carry pillion,

Ian
New GS 1200 Adv is way too big and heavy to be able to do proper off road. And don't get me wrong, for "proper" I mean the one that big bikes are capable of - not talking about paths that only 250 bikes can do.

And the new Adv is also too expensive.
Gab83
Posts: 39
Joined: Fri Mar 06, 2015 9:17 pm

Re: Which one should I get? BMW vs KTM vs YAMAHA vs TRIUMPH vs ...

Post by Gab83 »

KTM 990 Adventure vs 990 Adventure S

Hello everybody,

I have almost made my decision. And I think I will go for the KTM.

That said, can someone help me to understand the differences between the different 990 models? I am talking about year (pre and post 2008) and also about the normals 990 and the 990 S.

I've googled it and found some topics even on this forum but could not find a comprehensive one.

I would also need to know how to recognise the different models. Searching the bike on websites like Autotrader they never specify if it is a 990 or a 990S. I guess that the first thing to look at is the front wheel in order to see the ABs cable but unfortunately very often the pictures are not good enough to be able to see it. So I wonder if there were specific colours to make them different from each other.

If somewhere there is a KTM guru please come and help me!

Cheers,

Gab
CRAIGREVO
Posts: 4023
Joined: Fri Sep 24, 2010 1:57 pm

Re: Which one should I get? BMW vs KTM vs YAMAHA vs TRIUMPH vs ...

Post by CRAIGREVO »

This is the R simple. ;)

Image
dom501
Posts: 24
Joined: Wed Jul 24, 2013 10:00 am

Re: Which one should I get? BMW vs KTM vs YAMAHA vs TRIUMPH vs ...

Post by dom501 »

I have a KTM 990 adventure at the moment. For me it's a marmite bike, I love it and I hate the bloody thing aswell!!!

It's the sweetest handling bike you will ever ride (basicaly it's just a 1000cc crosser). But it just isn't practical for adventure riding. The bike guzzles oil!!!
And it takes 10w50 so if you get stuck it's pretty hard to get hold of in an emergency which I found out when the bike wouldn't go into neutral... because after 400 odd miles it had burnt half a litre of oil.

My advice check the oil level before test ride, take the bike on a motorway or somewhere the revs can be kept constant then check the oil level after.
Stevied
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Re: Which one should I get? BMW vs KTM vs YAMAHA vs TRIUMPH vs ...

Post by Stevied »

dom501 wrote:I have a KTM 990 adventure at the moment. For me it's a marmite bike, I love it and I hate the bloody thing aswell!!!

It's the sweetest handling bike you will ever ride (basicaly it's just a 1000cc crosser). But it just isn't practical for adventure riding. The bike guzzles oil!!!
And it takes 10w50 so if you get stuck it's pretty hard to get hold of in an emergency which I found out when the bike wouldn't go into neutral... because after 400 odd miles it had burnt half a litre of oil.

My advice check the oil level before test ride, take the bike on a motorway or somewhere the revs can be kept constant then check the oil level after.
I've had my 990 from new. 3 years 19000 miles. Yes they use a small amount of oil, but it's never been an issue. Certainly nowhere near in the region you are talking. I wouldn't say its a common problem. Now
fuel, that's a different issue all together. If you are adverse to petrol stations walk away. Ps 990s or r should be pretty easy to identify.
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