KTM990 Adventure vs BMW1200GS

[Dazza]

Just do it. A while back I had my Super Duke in for her 30,000 k service @ AMPS(ouch, now that was painful $wise) & they needed the bike for 9hrs. They gave me a Adveturer 950 for 2 days so made the most of it & took the long way round to Whangarei, it was fitted with a brand new duel purpose tyre on the rear & I had a ball. Did a few K's on the gravel roads out the back of Tokatoka (sp) & really loved her on the gravel (& the seal for that matter) just had to change my riding style whilst cornering in the tighter stuff.On the way back to Auckland found the turn off to Woodhill Forest & never having been there went to check it out.Thought I'd check out the beach, made it 3/4 of the way down the sandy whoop dee doo's & chickened out as feck it was big in the loose sand & I don't Bruce would've been too happy with me getting it bogged.Didn't like the buffeting @ 120-130clicks but aparrently a different screen fixes that.If I was a rich man I would certainly have one in the stable beside the Super Duke,one day !

[Zapf]

I would certainly have one in the stable beside the Super Duke,one day !

A thought did cross my mind of swapping all my bikes for a pair of SD and 950/990...Adv.

What are KLE500's like? A bike mech friend of mine told me that the KLE's are nicer to ride than the KLR's... (slighly off topic I know)

[Dazza]

A thought did cross my mind of swapping all my bikes for a pair of SD and 950/990...Adv.

Now there's some level headed thinking

[warewolf]

What are KLE500's like? A bike mech friend of mine told me that the KLE's are nicer to ride than the KLR's...

The KLE is a parallel twin (so smoother, more power cube-for-cube), much more a road-oriented bike in terms of comfort and capability.

[Zapf]

Super Duke in for her 30,000 k service @ AMPS(ouch, now that was painful $wise) & they needed the bike for 9hrs.

Well that is exactly what I am talking about, 9 hours for a 30'000k service. I got my Honda 900 Hornet in for its big 36'000 k service (valve clearance / shims etc) and the bill was around 3~4xx dollars. It means I have more $ for tires and riding. That is a big -ve for me against KTM atm, but I have just found someone who can service KTM's and is a good well know mech.

Anyone wants to teach me how to ride dirt / gravel roads?

[Cary]

I'm looking at an upgrade next year. Will either be the R1150/12 or 950/990 Adv. Any feedback on the pillion seating as want to get partner out more so comfy seat a big decider. Read quite a few reviews on both but bugger all said about pillion comfort.

[ZReX12]

I'm looking at an upgrade next year. Will either be the R1150/12 or 950/990 Adv. Any feedback on the pillion seating as want to get partner out more so comfy seat a big decider. Read quite a few reviews on both but bugger all said about pillion comfort.

Don't know about the BMW, but the 990 gets a thumbs up from my other half for comfort.
The stock seat is comfy and with a packrack to prevent unexpected near exits all seems well on the pillion front. The height of the bike make the pillion position comfortable on the knees,ie no squatting position like on sports bikes.
Two up the bike handles superbly, far far better than my old ZRX12. Probably due the longer wheel base which has the pillions weight on the front side of the rear axle a bit more. And much better than the F650 which had the pillions ass going numb after 20minutes or so.
Several hours nonstop two up on the 990 is no problem whats so ever, even for us old farts

[Krusti]

Only problem I have with a pillion on the 950 is I tend to feel wind between me and the pillion. Proabably has something to do with my height and screen.

The wind seems to pass over my helmet and straight down my back.

Pillion loves the ride though and can not believe the speed and ease with which we cover distance.

[Cary]

Cheers Guys, I've just read about and keen to do 'Passes Ride' so i'll be looking to upgrade round mid Jan and the KTM is sounding good

Cary.

[Pete_Hoult]

I have taken both for a thrash. Ended up buying an 07' R1200GS due to the better luggage capacity and two up comfort. Have now done 30 000km with no objections from "the Boss" and still had the room to take the kitchen sink. Also splurged and got the tank bag which when fully loaded (four month trip around sth island including moleswoth rd) settled the front end down a bit especially on the gravel.
Only draw back is the service costs a bit costly.

[Oscar]

Only draw back is the service costs a bit costly.

More than $800 for a first service?

[pete376403]

The KLE is a parallel twin (so smoother, more power cube-for-cube), much more a road-oriented bike in terms of comfort and capability.

Sorry for thread hijack but I'd suggest you try the '08 KLR before deciding . Nice and smooth on the road, quite comfortabel at 140km/hr. Excellent brakes, superb lights. Yes I have one.

[Kawazuki]

Rode both, bought the KTM990. The KTM begs you to behave like a bogan, while the Beemer made me wonder how it ever won Bike of the Year in 2005. Maybe because 990's weren't invented then.

[ZReX12]

Rode both, bought the KTM990. The KTM begs you to behave like a bogan, while the Beemer made me wonder how it ever won Bike of the Year in 2005. Maybe because 990's weren't invented then.

Out of interest, how do you decide which to ride (assuming you've got both the the ZRX and the 990)?
They both make you want to behave like a bogan, just sound different. Both love lofting the front wheel and wrecking rear tyres.

[beemr boy]

I know the KTM is a good bike but after putting 20,000k on the bm in 12 months accross all types of terrain I love it more and more. It's hard to believe where you can get them - and I have primarily road tyres on...besides...orange....really!