All good advice in this thread. Forget the REFINED and more technology crap. Take as many m/cs for a test ride as you can, with mates or a mentor. KB use to have a good mentor prpgram. It rarely isn't until yoy on a machine until get a better idea of what it is like. You may find an nolder model that is still in product actually better than a new model hot of the assy line.
Is the goal to replace both current bikes orjust one?
Are you planning to do your own maintenance? Even just oil/filter and valve clearces adjustments.
Good luck.
Sounds like you have a good head on your shoulders.
You do have a fantastic selection of m/cs these days both older and newer models.
Joining up to AVDRider is probably a good idea. They have forums for a whole host of various makes and models. I just recently started a thread about Honda shoc four cylinder bikes 650-350 and had a very response wrt feedback. Just ignore the so called "NEWS" because that is just generally full of mindless drivel by most contributors who know absolutely no clue about the m/c they are going on about. It's more like a UK tabloid. .
Really your best knowledge comes from riding/owning a variety of bikes. Generally speaking, bikes today don't suffer flexi frames, rubbish brakes etc, they're pretty good. Do you like singles, twins (which sort), triples, inline 4? v4? 6 cylinder?
Bearing in mind it's potentially your third bike, take time to get to know the mid capacity bikes, lighter, less power to complicate things, but plenty enough to get you into trouble.
Yeup, having owned a KTM before, and now owning another, Euro are not cheap to run, if you want that, get something jap. However, once you've had/ridden a few, to me at least, there is something about them, something a bit extra/special that makes up for the increased maintenance, costs etc. I do say this re KTM/BMW/Aprilia/Ducati etc, and put MV/Moto Guzzi in a separate category of hell, reserved for those really looking for the full workshop experience.
If I was looking for something to commute, it would be either Yammy (I've used a CB919 for commuting). For fun, without question, the Duke 790. Once you remember that Ducati's idea of a tourer was the Multistrada, you'll also understand KTMs "Ready to Race" philosophy. The Euros have passion baked in, but it's gonna cost ya!
Originally Posted by Jane Omorogbe from UK MSN on the KTM990SM
Those are all good things to do so it sounds as though you have gotten the right idea. As people have said there's no substitute for test riding and choosing what you like as opposed to what you think you should like/want. One of the bikes I mentioned, the Monster 797, falls into that category. All you read will say that they bigger 821/1200 models are bigger/better/sexier and so on. Plus the 797 only has 75Bhp - How on earth could that ever be enough???
However I can tell you from riding the mechanically similar Scrambler Urban Enduro that it is a cracking machine to ride, it looks good, sounds nice and keeps you entertained. Plus it's better looking than the liquid cooled 821 and 1200 IMHO.
I was in similar situation recently with the Street Triple RS I owned a year or two back. It was a cracking bike but too top-end biased in its power delivery and as such I just didn't get as much fun from riding it as I should have done. I moved it on and re-learned the lesson that its the seat of the pants feel that's usually the most accurate and important.
It's almost inevitable that buying a bike involves a degree of compromise unless you own a couple or more bikes (eh, Navy Boy ?) It's that old chestnut about "fitness for purpose". If you're predominantly commuting in traffic for example, a pure sport bike can be hard going. In my case, I'm retired and live in the countryside so a Duke 790 perfectly fits my needs (although it commutes just fine in traffic, especially if you stick it in rain mode). As others have said, service costs, insurance etc will all have a bearing but it sounds like you've got plenty of time to make a decision which suits your needs. Both Navy Boy and I mentioned the emotional aspect of owning a bike. Before the 790, I had a GSX-S 1000. Great performance but I found it bland and boring - no "character" and happy to see it gone. Whatever your choice, just make sure that the bike thrills you to be riding it. From personal experience, you find that out quite quickly when you do some test rides.
There are no bad bikes, just different bikes for different folks. All orders bikes like you mention are capable well engineered machines so buy what you fancy yourself on. The one you’ll look at in your garage and think, wow. Let’s ride.
Stuff everything...I've always got my bike.
What? Are you a new age school teacher or something?
Every bike gets a Participation certificate.
Try a poll of ex Hyosung or flyby night Chinese clone owners .
Learners used to be attracted to GN250s but they were dreadful compared with, well just about anything. Some bikes like Yamaha Scorpios were built down to such a level they rusted in front of you.
Don't you look at my accountant.
He's the only one I've got.
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