Should I buy a KTM950 Adventure?

[Tony W]

I am pretty well satisfied with the two bikes I currently ride. R1100 RS, DRZ 400.
I also like new toys. I love orange and black. I love the looks and concept of the
KTM 950 Adventure. BUT ...I have not yet ridden one.
I am after your opinions about this KTM, and also your views on buying an ex
rental.
Here are my criteria if I were to sell both bikes and sub. one KTM.

1. It must be BMW comfortable for my pillion wife. She loves the 1100.
( no wife jokes; she LIKES bikes, cars, AND gives me money !!! )

2. Maintenance and reliability.
My idea of this is: waterblast, lube, check and change oils and filters when
scheduled.

My inner brain tells me " the KTM engine will BREAK "


(I have been a trailbike owner since 1976,so the modded 400 I have is not
" too small " for adventure riding, as someone who is a roadbike rider
switching to adventure riding might think.
I bought my first roadbike last year.)

I welcome your views, esp. from cynics and skeptics

[Crisis management]

Um, short answer I don't know, however I will burble on a bit anyway.

You're suggesting selling the road & trail bikes for a KTM950, one tool does all sort of scenario? I am having a similar dilemna with wanting something that does adventure riding (longer distances) more comfortably than the DR and the ability to carry a pillion comfortably so have been looking at the KTM950 as well.
My thoughts so far...
950, or GS1150 would do the longer distance / pillion stuff and still have reasonable off road ability.
They are huge bikes compared to a DR 650 and the extra 60kgs (in the case of the 950, more for the GS) would probably prove my undoing. I have yet to ride one somewhere faintly off road ish but am hoping to scrounge a ride this weekend. Are you listening Mike?
I realise people ride these things anywhere, look at Busa jim and the number of 950s punted around the Capital Coast ride, but I doubt I have the skill to do that. So, it may depend on where you expect to take the bike and your skill level.
Comfort, the 950 has a hardish seat I believe, it would be a huge (negative) difference to the 1100rs but seats can be changed so it's not a big issue. Suspension is great and the fairing works well so overall with a new seat comfort should be fine.
Reliability, don't know, but I wouldn't be considering them if I thought they were crap, servicing is 7500kms (oil change) and 15000kms tune etc $600?

If the bikes you are considering are the ex rentals from XXXmoto in Auckland they seem to be a fair price, I have had a look over them and they are in good condition.

In summary, my current thinking is that the 950 / GS size of bikes is too big for me and the adventure riding I want to do so I may have to go the multiple bike route to achieve a longer distance/soft adventure bike.
I will be interested to follow this and see the opinions as i'm open to persuasion either way at the moment.

Keep us posted!

Edit......Why not join us this saturday on the MMMM ride from the Rangitiki pub thru Waikaremoana, in your case then back home and that way you will be able to see at least one 990 in action with a selection of other sized bikes?

[Bass]

I will burble anyway.


They are huge bikes compared to a DR 650 and the extra 60kgs (in the case of the 950, more for the GS) would probably prove my undoing.
In summary, my current thinking is that the 950 / GS size of bikes is too big for me

But you are so skinny that you vanish when you stand side on and have to run round in the shower to get wet.

You have a point though. I threw a leg over a KTM in Dalby. They are a tall beast.
He better not be a short arse

[Crisis management]

But you are so skinny that you vanish when you stand side on and have to run round in the shower to get wet.

I'm just trying to think of a witty reposte....this may take some time

[young1]

Yep I am listening!

You are more than welcome to have a ride of my bike at the mmmmm. I think that there is also going to be a 950 there (one of the guys has a 450EXC and a 950 and I am unsure what bike he is going to take).

But as I said, you are more than welcome to have a ride.

Things I have noticed (compared to my DRZ400). Far nicer on the road, can cruise constantly at good speeds. Fairing (for my height) is crap. At MMMM last year we had a fantastic blast through a forest, with the extra weight (and not the nobblies of my 400) it does take a bit more stopping. The power puts a smile on my face.

See you Friday

M

[Tony W]

Thanks "Crisis".
This is the kind of solid feedback that I'm after.
Cheers.

[Tony W]

Appreciate your offer Young 1, will consider.
Have done that Hastings-Minginui-Raupunga-Hastings loop 5 times!
What a racetrack!!!
Did Motu 3 weeks ago...exhilarating....Could be a bit nasty, if wet, on
a BIG bike...?

[Crisis management]

Did Motu 3 weeks ago...exhilarating....Could be a bit nasty, if wet, on
a BIG bike...?

Camera! I knew I forgot to pack something! Cary, you can definately go first now, this I have to record.....

[EJK]

......
I realise people ride these things anywhere, look at Busa jim and the number of 950s punted around the Capital Coast ride, but I doubt I have the skill to do that. So, it may depend on where you expect to take the bike and your skill level.
.....

This sentense consumes your doubts about "the KTM engine will BREAK". Psychologically speaking, the reason you have posted this thread is because you have already purchased it in your heart. It's inevitable

True isn't it?

[Tony W]

Yep I am listening!

You are more than welcome to have a ride of my bike at the mmmmm. I think that there is also going to be a 950 there (one of the guys has a 450EXC and a 950 and I am unsure what bike he is going to take).

But as I said, you are more than welcome to have a ride.

Things I have noticed (compared to my DRZ400). Far nicer on the road, can cruise constantly at good speeds. Fairing (for my height) is crap. At MMMM last year we had a fantastic blast through a forest, with the extra weight (and not the nobblies of my 400) it does take a bit more stopping. The power puts a smile on my face.

See you Friday

M

Would like to meet up with both you and Crisis Management on Saturday morning at approx 0830. How will I know yiz !?

[offrd]

Its a tough trade, More power, more weight.... Thats why i got the F650 GSD especially after watching some "off's" with big GS bikes on youtube.

But sometimes - - - - - i wish i had more power, after watching "long way round" and "LW down" something cool about cruising along the highway fully loaded and lifting the front wheel, because you can......

But i guess thats the hoon in me....

Ahhhhh but wife say "no" at least untill i buy her a bike anywho!

[Crisis management]

This sentense consumes your doubts about "the KTM engine will BREAK". Psychologically speaking, blah, blah, blah
True isn't it?

No. Being polite, you're spouting absolute drivel...

Would like to meet up with both you and Crisis Management on Saturday morning at approx 0830. How will I know yiz !?

I imagine if you turn up at the Rangitaiki lodge we will be there and varying amounts of lies will be exchanged.
Me: skinny bald white guy, medium height.
Mike: skinny bald white guy, taller height.

Check with Clint (Clint640) that he's ok with you joining in, he has spent huge amounts of effort organising it so he really has the final say.

[CrazyFrog]

You wont be disappointed with the KTM, so long as your legs are long enough. Handling is superb for a big bore dual purpose (compared with BMW R1150GS), tons of power, good fuel range etc. Weight is also better than the Beemer. V-twin sounds wicked.
Mate of mine working at Thunderbike raves about them, perfect bike for NZ he reckons. My demo ride on one left a smile on my face for weeks. So long as you do your routine maintenance, oil changes, filters, etc, they seem to be fairly reliable. The big twin is also refreshingly smooth after the vibration of the 640 Adventure.
Try a Google search, or check out review on ADV rider....
http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=40458
Best of all, get your mitts one one at a dealer, and take it for a half decent test ride.....enjoy!

[young1]

Appreciate your offer Young 1, will consider.
Have done that Hastings-Minginui-Raupunga-Hastings loop 5 times!
What a racetrack!!!
Did Motu 3 weeks ago...exhilarating....Could be a bit nasty, if wet, on
a BIG bike...?

When we went through the forest last time I saw 130km/hr come up on my speedo, an amazing blast.

Last time we did the Motu it was wet and the bike got through okay. I would be able to go through there much faster on my 400 but that isn't why I do these adventure rides.

Mike

[Ruralman]

Look for what it worth (I haven't ridden the big KTM) heres my observation

I think the big KT will be a bit like going to a trail ride on an older bike and looking in amazement at the apparent skill of guys flying past at much greater speed etc on newer machines (eg a Wr450) - you sometimes assume that it is all rider skill - WRONG
When you get a a ride on one of these machines you suddenly find that you are a far better rider than you were on your old bike!! - believe me its true - the advances in everything on a bit of kit like a WR450 on a trail ride or the big KTM on an adventure ride just make what used to look impossible become surprisingly easy. They are easy to ride well - of course a genuinely skillful rider will always beat the less skillful in a competition, but the average rider will still look, feel and go a hell of a lot better than he/she did on their old bike.

I looked close at a 950 as well - I went for the Tiger for rider and pillion comfort on road trips, including gravel. I get my dirt kicks on a dirt bike. If I was to only have one bike then the KTM would probably be top of my list, ahead of the BMW probably because it has something that appeals to the hoon in me that the big Beemer can't match.

Choice of tyres for the purpose will be critical - would be great to have a spare set of rims and be able to swap them as needed.
Good luck with your choice