supermoto's

sulphur · Trackday Trickster Joined: 01 Oct 2010 Karma :

Ive been looking for ages trying to decide my first bike. I had originally settled down to Ducati monster, or a Honda VFR800. Completely different bikes, but the choice was basically between the two.

I've now noticed a KTM 690 Supermoto...and it's really gripped my attention.

How do these actually ride on the road in comparison to the others? Are you automatically labelled a 'twat' like the kids on their road legal crossers? Is the rear tire life really as bad as reviews say? (1000 miles per tire)

Any info, muchly appreciated. =D

Ariel Badger · Super Spammer Joined: 02 Dec 2006 Karma :

They are awesome for speed hillclimbing and they do eat tyres on the track. What would you be using it for, I do not think it would be an ideal first bike.

My mate Martin breaking the hill record at Prescott
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sulphur · Trackday Trickster Joined: 01 Oct 2010 Karma :

I'd be using it for everything tbh. Commuting when needed, all sorts of distances depending which site I got sent to. Weekend blasts, and maybe some short distance touring type journeys...more like a day out kinda thing.

They just seem to tick all boxes really looking at them. Insurance is decent even for first bike, sound awesome, look pretty decent, handle well, good on fuel etc etc..

Rowey · World Chat Champion Joined: 07 Oct 2007 Karma :

I know the 990 is a hooligan when you want it to be. Great fun Thumbs Up

Not tried the 690, but can only assume it is a little more sedate.

Big singles usually eat rear tyres and chains pretty quickly.
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Ariel Badger · Super Spammer Joined: 02 Dec 2006 Karma :

My mate Martin breaking the hill record at Prescott Click
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Bikers make great organ donors, get 115 on your licence today.

Stevie GooGs · World Chat Champion Joined: 28 Oct 2005 Karma :

Got a KTM 990sm after having a kwak zx10r, tbh i would not recommend the SM for a first bike the throttle is extremely twitchy. I love the bike, great fun, much more fun on the road than my big sports bike but the fact the throttle is either on and off it takes a fair bit of getting used to and at low speeds still catches me out the odd time.

You can stick a screen on and it does make a difference for longer motorway miles as anything over about 90 ish your neck starts to take a beating.

The 990 SM has a decent size tank, pretty similar distance to my zx10r, about 100 miles and start to look for fuel, it would go a lot further, where i live the fuel stations are not every few miles.

If you want to see some videos of the 990 https://www.youtube.com/user/ultimatemobiles#p/u/4/8iZukGmkCSQ
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Current: 2019 Yamaha T7 -> 2015 KTM Superduke R | 2000 Yamaha R1 Past -> 2009 KTM 990 SM -> 2005 kawasaki ZX10r -> 2000 Honda CBR 600 FY -> 2002 Honda XLV 125 Varadero
Bike Pics! -> My Photography Website

killa · Won't Shut Up Joined: 18 Oct 2004 Karma :

After a lot of research it seemed like my friend was settled on a DRZ400SM. It was a lovely looking bike, rode great, sounded nuts but after a month of owner ship he found that he didn’t like to take long trips and was just using it for the commute and having a razz around. All good fun but in the end it was stolen as it was a very desirable bike for thieves.
It really comes down to what you’re using it for. For me I’ve always seen supermoto’s as something you have as well as a proper road bike.
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Cleverly disguised as a responsible adult.
Bike:- Yamaha TRX850 | Killas Biking History | Killas Gaming History | Killas autmotive history

Stevie GooGs · World Chat Champion Joined: 28 Oct 2005 Karma :

400 sm bikes are going to be great fun bikes but not what you want want to do 200 miles a day on (some would love it others hate it).
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Current: 2019 Yamaha T7 -> 2015 KTM Superduke R | 2000 Yamaha R1 Past -> 2009 KTM 990 SM -> 2005 kawasaki ZX10r -> 2000 Honda CBR 600 FY -> 2002 Honda XLV 125 Varadero
Bike Pics! -> My Photography Website

Jayy · Mr. Ponzi Joined: 08 Jun 2009 Karma :

Went from a sports bike to a KTM 640 Duke 2 and it was the best fun I've ever had. Yes it did munch the tyres but it was allot of fun.

EXC-Rider · World Chat Champion Joined: 23 Jun 2011 Karma :

i love supermotos my first bike was a Yamaha xt125x sm when i pass my test im going for a Honda CRF450 sm or a Suzuki DRZ400 sm , supermotos are real fun to ride and can chuck them around bike push bikes
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owned bikes: DR50, Thumpsta 110 , Honda CR85, Speedfight 100, Yamaha XT125X, Honda CRF450, Honda Hornet '07
current bikes: KTM EXC525 AKA the wheelie machine
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