Suzuki GSX 1250FA v's KTM RC 390

techathy · Traffic Copper Joined: 09 Aug 2015 Karma :

So of the 7 bikes, including the bikes at the motorcycle training centre. Incomparable as they seem I've come down to the Suzuki GSX 1250FA & the KTM RC 390 as my first bike.

Here are my pros & cons
RC390
Pros
- Cheaper
- Nearest dealership
- Low weight
- Looks great
- small/agile
Cons
- More aggressive riding position
- Engine less forgiving
- Luggage? What luggage?

GSX1250
Pros
- Low RPM torque
- Luggage, the problem isn't taking the kitchen sink it's finding at the other end!
- better weather protection
- It's a Japanese bike
Cons
- Breathless at the top end
- Occasionally feels very heavy
- not exactly the most manoeuvrable
- doesn't 'do' tight filtering

As I'm mostly doing to be riding on more open A roads with very little tight backroad & town riding I'm heading towards the Suzuki but what do other people think?

redeem ouzzer · World Chat Champion Joined: 06 Oct 2015 Karma :

It's like comparing an apple to an angle grinder. Two things that do completely different jobs.

techathy · Traffic Copper Joined: 09 Aug 2015 Karma :

I know but they both ticked all the right boxes for me Laughing

Rogerborg · nimbA Joined: 26 Oct 2010 Karma :

techathy · Traffic Copper Joined: 09 Aug 2015 Karma :

Both are perfectly adequate for doing what I see as the majority of my motorbike miles - commuting & disappearing off to friends houses 15-30mile away. It's if I replace cycling in & around town with the RC 390 or get the Suzuki and use that instead of my car for weekend trips.

Baffler186 · World Chat Champion Joined: 31 May 2013 Karma :

In the past I've found that out on the open road, two very different bikes might both be suitable. It's the other things that make a difference to how easy the bike is to live with.

RC390 - do you want to carry your lunch/beer around all the time in a rucksack? In the rain? How easy is it to service, or how expensive for a garage to do it?

The GSX - much heavier and probably wider. Where are you parking and storing it? Will you want to paddle the thing around every time you need to go to the Co-op? And again servicing and maintenance - do you have the space to do it, and how easy is it given the facilities you have.

If none of the above bothers you, then I personally prefer the GSX even though it would be slight overkill for my uses.
____________________
Current: 2009 SV650 S, 1990 Kawasaki GT550
Previous: 2009 CBF125, 1998 GSF600, 2004 FZ6 Fazer, 1978 CB400a Hondamatic

Ste · Not Work Safe Joined: 01 Sep 2002 Karma :

Spend less on the bike so that you can buy one of each. Wink

Ste · Not Work Safe Joined: 01 Sep 2002 Karma :

Spend less on the bike so that you can buy one of each. Wink

chris-red · Have you considered a TDM? Joined: 21 Sep 2005 Karma :

The 390 is supposedly a good little lightweight bike, the bandit 1250 is not a good bike compared to its peers, the only thing going for it is price point. IMO this is not a good reason to choose a bike.

I'd rather have something like a VFR800, Sprint GT, Tiger Sport, Tracer etc.

I haven't looked but I'm pretty sure all those bikes are lighter and more powerful. The brakes, suspension and finish will be much better too.
____________________
Well, you know what they say. If you want to save the world, you have to push a few old ladies down the stairs.
Skudd:- Perhaps she just thinks you are a window licker and is being nice just in case she becomes another Jill Dando.
WANTED:- Fujinon (Fuji) M42 (Screw on) lenses, let me know if you have anything.

Rogerborg · nimbA Joined: 26 Oct 2010 Karma :

chris-red · Have you considered a TDM? Joined: 21 Sep 2005 Karma :

stevo as b4 · World Chat Champion Joined: 17 Jul 2003 Karma :

techathy · Traffic Copper Joined: 09 Aug 2015 Karma :

arry · Super Spammer Joined: 03 Jan 2009 Karma :

You've ridden both - right?

techathy · Traffic Copper Joined: 09 Aug 2015 Karma :

Copycat73 · World Chat Champion Joined: 11 Jan 2013 Karma :

think i would be looking at a 600cc middle weight .. not a race rep. but the upright , street variety with a small fairing or naked ..
some think like a fazer or hornet.
____________________
Whatever I post I have no citation and no intention of providing one..
caveat emptor

techathy · Traffic Copper Joined: 09 Aug 2015 Karma :

Slacker24seve... · World Chat Champion Joined: 10 May 2010 Karma :

Rogerborg · nimbA Joined: 26 Oct 2010 Karma :

Slacker24seve... · World Chat Champion Joined: 10 May 2010 Karma :

techathy · Traffic Copper Joined: 09 Aug 2015 Karma :

Rogerborg · nimbA Joined: 26 Oct 2010 Karma :

Oops, I'm in the wrong thread. Embarassed

<gets me coat>
____________________
Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike

Slacker24seve... · World Chat Champion Joined: 10 May 2010 Karma :

P.addy · *Formerly known as* P. Joined: 14 Feb 2008 Karma :

Street Triple.

All the hooligan fun but with the breakdowns and warranty work that the KTM will need.

talkToTheHat · World Chat Champion Joined: 21 Feb 2012 Karma :

If luggage has crosed your mind (as you mention as a bonus for the fat bandit) then you have to try the vfr. Admittedly I've only rode a pre-vtech one, but it was an eye-opener. Not punch you in the chest crazy, and quite smooth at manoeuvring/filtering speeds and low revs, but entirely capable of launching you at the horizon at silly speed with a full set of givi boxes on the back. Headlights were pretty good too.

Hard luggage is indispensable if you plan on using the bike for more than joyrides.

You can filter on pretty much anything so long as you remember how wide it is. My long sufferieng 535 works well enough for such so long as I dont forget I put the wide panniers on it.
____________________
Bandit. does. everything.