4 bikes I am considering at the moment.

[Laava]

KTM Superduke 990, TL1000r, Speed Triple 1050 and Monster S4R.
Which of these would be the most comfortable to use a tank of gas on? Not SH1 style riding!
Good points on any of the above.
Bad points on any of the above.
I am reasonably familiar with the specs on these bikes. Cheers, Laava

[BMWST?]

i liked the 1050 triple(Tiger?) when i rode one.I did not like the KTM 990 (smr?).No experience at all with the other two

[pritch]

Well I can comment on two having had an S4R and currently owning a Speed Triple. Both were great bikes but there were minor annoyances with the S4R.
The Ducati has a 14L tank compared to the 17L tank of the Triumph neither of which is huge.

Most people dropped a tooth off the front sprocket on the S4R (to 14?). Even so there is basically no power under 4000RPM which is close to 100kph in top. The bike isn't great in town as you never seem to be in the right gear, either revving too hard or if you change up there's no power and the engine is lugging. With Termignoni pipes it's not like you manage all this unobtrusively either.

I was never totally confident in the Ducati clutch, it never actually played up but...

Similarly really tight hilly roads present the same problems as town running. More open winding roads though are a joy.

When I first bought the Triumph somebody said' "You'll find that a lot easier to ride." He was right. Smooth power from idle.

Two occasions spring to mind when I was grateful to have changed to the Triumph: the first when I was passing over a tight part of the Gentle Annie, and not long after that when embarking on a tour of the South Island. The former because of the comparative ease of using the Trumph engine, the latter because of the tank range. There was one leg on that trip where we were all running on empty and the Duc just would not have made it.

Ducati had an active owners club with annual gatherings and regular tours. Ive had no dealings with RAT so can't comment.

The S4R and the S3 are very different but there's plenty to like about either of them.

https://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/album.php?albumid=3878&attachmentid=228690
https://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/album.php?albumid=3878&attachmentid=264717

[AllanB]

Out of that lot I'd dump the Suzuki just for it being so old tech compared to the others. Unless that's your thing of course.

Any can be made comfortable with a change of bars, seat, pegs to suit the rider.

Triumph is a bit fat still but like a chubby girl you can still have fun on the dance floor.

[nzspokes]

Gremlin had a 990, think he had a fair amount of trouble with it. Pay to ask him.

TL seems to need upgrades to work well and is a bit meh. The Duc will break down.

Speedy will be the pick of that bunch but having had some time on one, a street could be more fun on the twistys with a great sound track.

[Ocean1]

The 990 SD is a bit hyper focused, good quality kit but I wouldn't choose it for commuting. The quickest of that group I think though. Think I mentioned elsewhere I'd prefer an SMT/SMR.

TLR has a nice engine, needs complete suspension upgrade to come close to matching the rest.

Have only spent 10 min on a 1050, didn't notice any serious deficits, but didn't really feel any need to look for more either. Not a great fan of the distributor.

I really wanted to like the S4R, and for the most part I did, but I found holes in the power delivery annoying, and the one I rode had been a pain in the arse reliability wise.

[Laava]

Thanks guys for your comments, rode the 990 today and it didn't immediately jump out at me, the seat had been modified for a short person(my guess) and the motor was pretty vibey at commuting speed, not thatI am buying a bike for that! I have written the s4r off as well from what you guys have said(=reviews) and a stupidly small gas tank

[pritch]

My S4R was reliable but there was always a question mark over the 996 engine, it being son of the 916 which was reportedly problematic. On the Ducati boards there was mention of the chrome peeling off the cam followers, everybody and his dog had ideas on how that could be avoided. Over time I came to the conclusion that the problem was probably due to a faulty batch and all the suggested precautions were basically bollocks.

The chrome stripping off the cam followers though is the sort of thing that could potentially keep you awake at night. I can't remember the exact figures but the followers weren't all *that* expensive, about 100 quid each? But there are 16 of them.

I had my fingers crossed every oil change, hoping there were no chrome flakes in the oil.

[Laava]

chrome flakes in the oil.

Thats how I like my sardines!

[Laava]

Problem is, you have a look, ar the s4r for instance, and cant help thinking "will I regret not spending another 2k ?" in time. So now that I have scrubbed the s4r from the list, I have added the M1200...bigger tank, more power, abs etc etc...

[AllanB]

So now that I have scrubbed the s4r from the list, I have added the M1200...bigger tank, more power, abs etc etc...

I wouldn't hesitate to buy a late model Ducati. Oh wait I did. As some have said depending on the model low end fueling can be average - mine was, Termis and the Ducati race ECU they came with tidied it up but it's still no Honda Hornet down low (my previous bike) - it has a 'stop pissing about and twist it' attitude to it. Which after 8 years on the Honda I kind of like.

Nothing too odd now days - run a list of bikes turning up with average low end fueling to meet emission standards (that Suzuki 1000 springs to mind).

That M1200 is a nice piece if kit. The one I rode fueled very well.

Ride one.

[Ocean1]

Problem is, you have a look, ar the s4r for instance, and cant help thinking "will I regret not spending another 2k ?" in time. So now that I have scrubbed the s4r from the list, I have added the M1200...bigger tank, more power, abs etc etc...

Bah, if you're not limited to the original list then why limit yourself at all... http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/sports/auction-1105859693.htm

[Gremlin]

Well here's my thoughts back in 08: https://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php/81857-2008-KTM-990-SuperMoto-vs-990-SuperDuke-vs-Triumph-Speed-Triple

I picked the Supermoto. Long suspension travel was freaken awesome, Duke's clutch was too stiff for the variety of stuff I did, and while the Triple engine was good, I didn't like it's suspension or handling. Remember the Duke mid life got a bigger fuel tank, so steer to the later ones (I forget the specific year, but you can find that, or probably already know). Aprilia also tends to do that with their models.

Big part of the equation for me is who will look after it, I'd avoid brands of bikes if there isn't someone I can trust.

[Laava]

I wouldn't hesitate to buy a late model Ducati. Oh wait I did. As some have said depending on the model low end fueling can be average - mine was, Termis and the Ducati race ECU they came with tidied it up but it's still no Honda Hornet down low (my previous bike) - it has a 'stop pissing about and twist it' attitude to it. Which after 8 years on the Honda I kind of like.

Nothing too odd now days - run a list of bikes turning up with average low end fueling to meet emission standards (that Suzuki 1000 springs to mind).

That M1200 is a nice piece if kit. The one I rode fueled very well.

Ride one.

Heh, my only ducati has been a Darmah, I believe they have come along a bit...
As for the SDR Ocean, it is on the outer edge of my radar...

[nzspokes]

Bah, if you're not limited to the original list then why limit yourself at all... http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/sports/auction-1105859693.htm

You might want to get a baffle for the pipe on that one, its fucking loud. He started it for me a year ago when I was looking for a bike. De-cat with no baffle was so loud it hurt. The salesman said it was to loud as well.

[AllanB]

Oh and the Euro twins appear to be geared for Autobhans ..... As noted previously a drop of one tooth on the front of most Ducatis is a good move. Done it - much better. Apparently a common 1st service thing.



That loud KTM - why does the shop not add the dp killer insert, or if it's missing order one. Silly if it's turning people away because of the volume.

[KawasakiKid]

Do not change gearing by going to a 14 tooth on the front, change the rear instead. As to the bikes, I've ridden all but owned none of the new 4 choices. I like the KTM and Ducati best. The Triumph was easy to ride but not exciting, the Suzuki a great engine but not a great overall feel. The KTM my daughter likes, I like the M1200 although I prefer a slightly wider handlebar. Get a bike with known history and choose one you get excited about throwing a leg over.

[Laava]

M1200 it is then.

[Gremlin]

Gremlin had a 990, think he had a fair amount of trouble with it. Pay to ask him.
63k in 27 months. Dinged the front rim twice (no idea how), broke the rear subframe twice (knew exactly how, but if I improved the replacement it voided the factory warranty, so I broke it instead and got another under warranty :lol:)

Yes, it cost to maintain (turning a supermoto into a sport tourer probably wasn't my best idea ever), but wow, what a ride Katie was. I see that 990SMR and think... how the hell could I store another bike. Of course the beemer or Hornet does the work, so the SMR would be a toy... and what a toy :drool:

[nzspokes]

63k in 27 months. Dinged the front rim twice (no idea how), broke the rear subframe twice (knew exactly how, but if I improved the replacement it voided the factory warranty, so I broke it instead and got another under warranty :lol:)

Yes, it cost to maintain (turning a supermoto into a sport tourer probably wasn't my best idea ever), but wow, what a ride Katie was. I see that 990SMR and think... how the hell could I store another bike. Of course the beemer or Hornet does the work, so the SMR would be a toy... and what a toy :drool:

If you washed the Hornet, it would be like having a new bike. :lol:

[Gremlin]

If you washed the Hornet, it would be like having a new bike. :lol:
11 odd years of dirt, and it runs so nicely. Why would I change that?!

[caspernz]

If you washed the Hornet, it would be like having a new bike. :lol:


11 odd years of dirt, and it runs so nicely. Why would I change that?!

Wash? I can lend you a chisel and a hammer...:innocent:

[Laava]

Don't underestimate a good layer of old crud!

[pritch]

Interesting comment from Kawasaki Kid about the Triumph being boring. People used to say that about the Hornet too but the Hornet was, to me, the pick of the last four bikes I've owned, even if it was the least 'glamorous'. When mine came out the Hornet had a faster 0-100mph time than a GSXR1000 of the same year. It had more 'snap' than the VFR or the S4R which followed although it did have a Dynajet with a custom map.

Somebody else commented that the Triumph didn't handle, I haven't noticed that but then mine has an Ohlins on the back and a Racetech front end. The S3 makes 130bhp and was tested to do 150mph - just. There should be some excitement in there somewhere.

Some people may just like a lot more thrills than me, but then thrills can result in RHF.*




* Risking Hospital Food

[Laava]

Interesting comment from Kawasaki Kid about the Triumph being boring. People used to say that about the Hornet too but the Hornet was, to me, the pick of the last four bikes I've owned, even if it was the least 'glamorous'. When mine came out the Hornet had a faster 0-100mph time than a GSXR1000 of the same year. It had more 'snap' than the VFR or the S4R which followed although it did have a Dynajet with a custom map.

Somebody else commented that the Triumph didn't handle, I haven't noticed that but then mine has an Ohlins on the back and a Racetech front end. The S3 makes 130bhp and was tested to do 150mph - just. There should be some excitement in there somewhere.

Some people may just like a lot more thrills than me, but then thrills can result in RHF.*




* Risking Hospital Food

Yep, fair enough too, i had a load of bikes on my watch list last week and slowly crossed them off for one reason or another... a couple of months ago, I swapped rides with a guy, him on my 04 gsxr750 and me on his 07 sv1000. I enjoyed the ride home much more on his bike than I would have on mine despite being wary of how weak the brakes were. And lets face it, the SV is not a highly rated bike, but I reckon it's all about the power delivery and even more so, the sound!

[Ocean1]

Paging Mr Laava........

https://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php/183413-URGENT-SALE-2005-KTM-SuperDuke-990-with-a-tonne-of-EXTRAS!

[Laava]

Paging Mr Laava........

https://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php/183413-URGENT-SALE-2005-KTM-SuperDuke-990-with-a-tonne-of-EXTRAS!

Thanks Mark, seems a bit steep for an 05, plus the small tank is a bit of a deal breaker for me. I had a couple on my watch list, test rode a 2010 model with low k's and ended up buying a 1200 monster. Plus the sun will be shining tomorrow and it's the weekend!

[nzspokes]

Photos?:cool:

[caspernz]

Thanks Mark, seems a bit steep for an 05, plus the small tank is a bit of a deal breaker for me.

Probably comes with a trailer though :innocent:

[Ocean1]

Thanks Mark, seems a bit steep for an 05, plus the small tank is a bit of a deal breaker for me. I had a couple on my watch list, test rode a 2010 model with low k's and ended up buying a 1200 monster. Plus the sun will be shining tomorrow and it's the weekend!

No worries mate, tbh I didn't take much notice of the actual asking price, if it's that urgent it'll be appropriately negotiable.

M1200 was on my radar couple of years ago, but this SDR presented at a doable price... Had much time on the monster yet?

[AllanB]

If you don;t have one buy yourself a nice wee quarter inch socket set with hex head attachments (I got a nice Stanley one from Bunnings of all places). The Ducati will have a shit load of bolts with tiny hex heads, and all be assembled with loctite.

[Laava]

No worries mate, tbh I didn't take much notice of the actual asking price, if it's that urgent it'll be appropriately negotiable.

M1200 was on my radar couple of years ago, but this SDR presented at a doable price... Had much time on the monster yet?

Nope, one wet and slippery ride in the boonies last weekend, tomorrow is the big break in!

[Laava]

Photos?:cool:

You can have one to start with...