Yamaha XT660R vs KTM690SM

[gsp0702]

Well TSS in Lower Hutt have kindly lent me a XT660R demo bike for the day, as i am looking at options to replace my current Tiger which isnt suited for the riding i typically do back and forth to work (approx 15mins) SH2 and town roads. I thought a supermoto might be good idea, and maybe more fun. There is a bit of a price difference between the KTM and the Yamaha, but i think the KTM looks way better, and comapring the specs they also probably explain the price difference. Anyway i will take the Yamaha out for an hour at lunchtime but initial impressions are slightly disappointing, although it would probably be good for license preservation. I will post again later after a bit more of a ride but at so far i would say no to the Yamaha and probably no to supermoto's

But if anyone else has had a direct comparison on the bikes i would be interested to hear your thoughts.

[clint640]

Haven't ridden a 690, but the old 640SM was a barrel of fun.

XT660: 180kg, 45hp 690SM: 150kg, 65hp. Sez it all really. Be interested to read your thoughts when you've had a blast on both.

Cheers
Clint

[Ewan Oozarmy]

Well TSS in Lower Hutt have kindly lent me a XT660R demo bike for the day, as i am looking at options to replace my current Tiger which isnt suited for the riding i typically do back and forth to work (approx 15mins) SH2 and town roads. I thought a supermoto might be good idea, and maybe more fun. There is a bit of a price difference between the KTM and the Yamaha, but i think the KTM looks way better, and comapring the specs they also probably explain the price difference. Anyway i will take the Yamaha out for an hour at lunchtime but initial impressions are slightly disappointing, although it would probably be good for license preservation. I will post again later after a bit more of a ride but at so far i would say no to the Yamaha and probably no to supermoto's

But if anyone else has had a direct comparison on the bikes i would be interested to hear your thoughts.

I've ridden both and the Yammy felt way too heavy and underpowered. The KTM (and I'm not biased) felt lighter and more powerfull. Flickable like a proper motard and wheelies are easy as. Have a look on this forum:

http://www.ktmforum.co.uk/index.php

I think there's been a few teething problems with the KTM and it's not the prettiest motard out there but fun nonetheless.

[gsp0702]

Well had a good run out at lunchtime on the XT, not a bad little bike, but at the end of the day built to a budget, and as they just swap the front wheel aif its being sold as 660X (Supermoto) or 660R (Dual Purpose/Adventure) its neither one thing or the other and therefore compromised which i suspect is one thing you could not accuse the KTM of being.

What i liked about it, once you got used to the engines characteristics and used it to its best it was a fun bike to ride very chuckable, and a nice bit of low down oomph for overtaking, which would make it a great bike around town, and i reckon my commute with that style of bike would change less State Highway more back roads, all in all i quite liked the big single and its the first time i have ridden one.

What i disliked, a tad underpowered and would be painful for longer distance work, and i know i dont do a lot but still would like something that would be fun for a blat up the rimutakas and down into the wairarapa and i think thats where its bdget nature and losing 10bhp to the KTM would count. Also crap mirrors, and slow to fill up.

So all in all i wouldnt buy one but still lwant to try a KTM. So all in all i will keep my eyes peeled for one coming up in the local area.

Oh and the tiger felt weird when i picked it up, and cramped on the knees in comparison.

[clint640]

Remember that the lighter again & more conventional looking KTM 690SMC is also on the way in a few months, it'd be my pick if I wanted a motard.

Cheers
Clint

[blueblade]

Ive ridden both, and owned a KTM for the past 6 months. Much more powerful and way better handling than the Yamaha. Can cruise happily all day at 140 and top speed down the back straight at Taupo was 192. Mine is quite a bit quicker than stock as I have dumped the two heavy end cans and replaced with a single Acrapovic and had the alternate KTM map installed. It is a viable long distance bike but I would recommend a sheepskin or some extra padding in your pants as the standard seat is pretty hard after a full days ride. Possibly the most fun bike I have ever owned.

[orangeback]

ride the BMW G650x motard for another option