Daytona 600 or KTM 950 supermoto

[Faraz]

Getting my first big bike soon.

Narrowed it down to these two bikes.

Opinions please.

Which would you rather have and why?



Thanks.
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'56 Yamaha MT-01
'05 Nissan 350z Roadster GT
3 words dude.. Fvck. Yes.

[nick606]

i wouldn't recommend any of them for a first bike at all; just my opinion i would look at getting a little experience on something a little less of a handful and go from there.

But please give me that ktm !

[T0MMY]

What he said

Have you only had a 50?
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ZX6R + CBR600RR

[c_dug]

The KTM in 640 or 690 size would probably be alright wouldnt suggest the 990 to be honest but that is your choice in the end.

Always fancied a daytona myself too, as above though maybe not an ideal first bike, again that is up to you.

Just to clarify, the KTM, but a smaller one

c_dug
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I am a bellend, I am a man of constant sorrow, I am a gummy bear, I am a rock.

[Valver]

I voted for the Daytona because I don't think the KTM would make a good 1st big bike unless you're very skilled. That said I don't know you so you might well be. I had an unrestricted FZR1000 at 17 and survived without crashing for a year (9k) before I realised I wasn't learning anything and bought a RGV250 instead.
If you really like the look of the KTM then worth looking at the Aprilia Dorsoduro, you'd probably be quicker on it as it's a bit easier to ride, cheaper and slightly prettier IMO.

[Faraz]

Yep, only had a 70cc 2 stroke at most myself but have ridden big bikes before.

The 950 Supermoto produces less than 100bhp which is less than any sports 600.

The bikes will probably be restricted for the first few months anyway.

Also, i dont like the 690 and 525 ktm's because of their thin-ness.
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'56 Yamaha MT-01
'05 Nissan 350z Roadster GT
3 words dude.. Fvck. Yes.

[Valver]

[Faraz]

[Valver]

[Dr. DaveJPS]

wierdly enough i compared teh same bikes myself last year, but coming from my fzs600 i found teh daytona was too much of the same (says a lot about the old fazers competency) so i bought the KTM!

nb the ktm is revolutionised if you get rid of the original scorps and fit 2ct's

but it may be a bit much off a 50
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"intelligent inattention is preferable to unintelligent tinkering"
www.davejps.com

[swiftb]

It all comes down to your ability and how sensible you are. Very easy to be intimidated by a bike. Id say the KTM is best left for experienced hooligans as its no doubt a bit of a crazy horse.
But it does literally boil down to how you feel. Try a test ride on both you'l soon figure out if you have the nuts to ride one or not.
Id only ever ridden a GPR50 road bike and 125 trail/crossers before doing my DAS. Bought a 600sports for my first 'big' bike and never looked back.
You know your own ability better than anyone so only you can make that choice , young padawan
(fuk it id buy the ktm and go rip up the roads like some steroid intoxicated eddie kidd)

[Valver]

I just noticed the question was "what would you rather have?" and not "which do you think I should get?" The KTM would win hands down for me!
Have to agree with DaveJPS about the tyres, I just fitted my 11th 2CT rear two weeks ago (sad that I know that) and wouldn't use anything else.

....but what new bike does come with decent tyres?

[Dr. DaveJPS]

[Seb]

I'd be willing to wager that a 990 KTM is going to be far more of a handful than a Daytona 600, not good for your first big bike as your just not going to be able to learn to ride it properly. Get something that you can abuse for a year and you'll be the better rider for it
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2010 Triumph 1050 Sprint ST

[Smooth]

I did DAS and got a ER5 -Totally unsexy, but a fairly competent machine

A month or 2 after my test, I had a ride on a Fireblade and it made me realise that I'd made the right choice in going for something slower and more forgiving as I couldn't do the Fireblade justice at all.

Get something less valuable with 50-70bhp and learn to handle it well.


If it was me I'd prefer the KTM.
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TDM850

[The Tot]

Get a KTM 640 Duke II and learn how to embarras poorly ridden fireblades and R1's through the twisties! It will be very fun mate and you'd get much satisfaction out if riding.
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The Tot 2019 Z1000SX - 2007 R1
Never argue with autism

[JAMSXR]

I would have the KTM, But they are very different bikes... The price of the KTM starts at around £4000+, and the 600 can be had for as little as £2,500.

So if you are going to spend £4000 I would be looking at the newer Triumph 675 rather then the older 600. And if that was the case the Triumph would be my choice.

In terms of one of them being you first 'big bike' I think you would be fine with the 600, but the weight of the KTM would be too much and there is a good chance you will drop it. It's not that you could not handle the power, but more in terms of low speed maneuvers and getting on and off the bike, it's a huge jump from a 50. Test ride one if you like it, buy it!

Oh yeah and relating to what Titz said, it's not all about having a big engine. Even a very experienced and skilled rider would probably have more fun on a KTM 640, and go faster.
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Honda SFX50 > Aprilia SR125 > Aprilia RS125 > Honda RFV400 > K4 GSXR600 > KTM Duke > C1H 636 > K3 GSXR1000 > Aprilia RSV-R > Triumph Street Triple R > Ducati 899 Panigale > Aprilia Tuono 1100 > Triumph Daytona 675R > KTM SuperDuke 1290 2.0

[Rhys]

I test rode a KTM 950 SMR a few weeks ago. Although it was tall and its big it didn't feel heavy with it being high up. I'm 5ft 10 and got on well with it. I've been riding my RVF for 3 years now which is about 60bhp and although you say just less than 100bhp for the KTM it feels like loads more as its torquey as hell! was abit of a handful ...but then if sensible it could be ridden sedately. I felt alright moving onto it but front brakes were very very powerful and quite snappy; which would put me off as a first big bike, come the first fist full of front brake in a bad situation could probably do more harm!

Like others say maybe have a look at the 640, still have that supermoto mean look to them etc.

Out of those two bikes I'd definately go with the KTM to answer original question, its what I want next anyway, but maybe one you'd be better moving onto
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Current Bike: '94 RVF 400R
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[Valver]

There is also another way to look at it, one which you wouldn't have considered if you are quite new to bikes. I was chatting to a friend the other day who started riding bikes in 1999, just a few years after me. His biking started at 17yrs old with a Mito then an SV650, GSXR600, SP1, Blade (55), R1 (07) to his current GSXR (09). He said the biggest jump in performance (best wow factor) was going from the SV650 to the GSXR600 but generally each step up to the Blade was a massive jump in power and brought with it loads of smiles and giggles. Since chopping in the blade neither the R1 nor the GSXR1000 have felt significantly better, ok maybe the R1 was slightly better but the feeling where you jump on a bike, wind the throttle on and scream inside you're lid has been lost forever. They are never going to make a bike significantly quicker than the thous of today, not IMO. Where do you go next after an 09 GSXR? His father owns a ZZR1400 and had a busa before that so he's riden faster bikes but neither he or myself believe post 1000cc is where the future lies for either of us and neither of these bikes actually feel quicker than the big4 thous, we both feel these barges are for the over 50's
Personally i've never owned a post Y2K 1000cc inline4. Don't get me wrong i've had a 98 R1, 99 RSV, 02 TLR and riden plenty of my mates latest and greatest machines but I want to keep some excitement in reserve for the next 30/40 years of my life which is why i've dropped down the scale again to a Duke748.
I've rambled off topic here I know but what i'm trying to say is you can have too much too soon and ruin things for yourself. Take smaller steps and you might find you enjoy the next few years more and maybe learn the craft quicker too. I guess the same can be said for a lot of things in life.
Just my 2p

[t121anf]

daytona for me.

[Faraz]

[Dr. DaveJPS]

the service costs for the KTM are more expensive (circa £200 odd quid for a major) it hurts
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"intelligent inattention is preferable to unintelligent tinkering"
www.davejps.com

[JAMSXR]

[Faraz]

[JAMSXR]

[url]Just checked, £830. Sad[/url]

Well a good K4 can be had for around the £3,500 mark, and a good 990 is around £4000. Use the money saved to pay for the extra £200 insurance.

If you haven't hunted around for insurance prices, do it! I did a little re-search on the forum and found that Simple Insurance was used by a number of people on here, and it was by far the best price for me.
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Honda SFX50 > Aprilia SR125 > Aprilia RS125 > Honda RFV400 > K4 GSXR600 > KTM Duke > C1H 636 > K3 GSXR1000 > Aprilia RSV-R > Triumph Street Triple R > Ducati 899 Panigale > Aprilia Tuono 1100 > Triumph Daytona 675R > KTM SuperDuke 1290 2.0