First Ride: KTM 950 Supermoto "R" (meet the Hooligan Within)

[garry]

Some people asked me to post riding impression of my new bike. I got out for 100 miles of meandering country highway and some fun sweepers today. Nothing really technical, but it's a pleasant route. Short Answer: it's exactly what I thought it was: big fun.

Looks tall, but seat height is a manageable 34". Seat is firm and narrow, much like a dirt bike seat (i.e. not very comfy). Bike feels solid, but not particularly light (because it isn't). Wet weight is probably 440-450 pounds. Seemed a bit finicky starting with the bar-mounted choke lever. Not sure how much choke it needs yet to be happy on a cold morning. Lots of torque everywhere, but not crazy fast. A bit lumpy at low RPMs (typical of big twins). There is definitely a surge or something at steady throttle that is supposedly cured with some jetting tweaks. Handles fine, but not uber-flickable. Probably due to the rotating mass of a liter bike. Suspension is firm but not harsh, even over some messed up pavement. Good stuff, even on stock settings. Brakes are great thanks to high-spec Brembos all around. Two-finger stoppies with good feel methinks. Rear brake squeals like a stuck pig sometimes (known issue on KTMs). Low fuel light came on at 100 miles. Bike took 2.7 gallons a quarter mile later, so I got 37 MPG on my first tank. That small tank will suck, but I'll deal with it. Mirrors are very good: clear and good view. The bike definitely has some vibes, but they're more of  a "your riding a motorcycle" rawness than something that puts body parts to sleep. No windscreen means clean air all around. No windscreen also means it gets a bit cool riding around in the 40s. No windscreen means windblast is an issue over 80 MPH. Power wheelied once on accident, so I did it a few more times on purpose :-) Clutch pull is a little heavy, but not bad. Shifting is very positive. Gearing is quite tall, so I'm going down one tooth up front to start.

Overall, I'm a happy camper and hope to squeeze in a couple hours tomorrow morning before a cold front brings winter back to Pittsburgh.

Once I get the various mods (topcase, exhaust, jetting, gearing) done I think the bike will be very well sorted and a huge blast to own. The only real downsides are the small tank and ass abusing seat. The seat can be fixed with a stack of dead presidents. Maybe I will always carry a 2L fuel bottle with me...

[ksann]

How tall are you?

Your inseam?


I have not yet ridden one, but love it in so many ways.



But that fuel range (or lack of) is a killer to me.



ken
(who recently ran out of gas on his K1200S where 8 other bikes made it...)

[garry]

How tall are you? Your inseam? I have not yet ridden one, but love it in so many ways. But that fuel range (or lack of) is a killer to me.

6' 3" tall, 34" inseam. Fits great. I can flatfoot it with room to spare. It appears that I've got about 125 mile range. Sigh. I knew this going in and hope I can adjust my riding habits. There's no lack of gas stations around, but they aren't necessarily available every 100+ miles so it's going to mean opportunistic fuel stops. I usually plan routes to have a gas stop every couple hours, so it shouldn't be a big deal. I will probably carry a 2L fuel bottle (or two) as insurance on longer rides. I've never had any issues with my sportbike and it needs fuel every 150 miles.

[bahwolf]

Great write up, Garry. I've looked seriously at your bike's kissing-cousin, the 950R Super Enduro, but it's just too damn tall for me (I'm 5'11"). Real men only need apply for that one, I think.  

Enjoy your Supermoto; Like the HM, I'm sure it's an absolute blast to ride!

[R Doug]

It looks like you'll be able to keep up w/ me now.    








(j/k, you're a hell of a rider no matter what you're on.  But, I couldn't resist)

[Brad1445]

I'm SOOOOOOO Jealous

[gamountains]

Check you mpg after you drop one tooth on the counter sprocket. I lost about 8 mpg on my KLR after I did that, but with a 6 gal tank its not an issue. Good luck and enjoy the new bike.

[Orson]

The only real downsides are the small tank and ass abusing seat. The seat can be fixed with a stack of dead presidents. Maybe I will always carry a 2L fuel bottle with me...

seems that they go hand in hand  

with an ass abusing seat...yer not gonna wanna go much more than 100 miles without a stop no how  

if it were me, I'd hold off on paying for a new seat and see if you develop a "butt callous". If you look at the seats them Tour de France dudes use, they're pretty tiny. Tiny seats allow better pedaling. They develop a butt callous after a few hundred miles, then it doesn't seem so bad anymore.

Maybe you'll develop a KTM butt callous  

Edited to add: Oh...and stop posting pictures of that dang thing...I don't need any more temptations  

[Tobes]

Sounds like a great bike.  Enjoy!  

[SWriverstone]

Waitaminit Garry...I totally missed this!   What did you do with all your other bikes? Did you pull a Doug and sell them both to buy the KTM? If not, how did you afford the KTM?  

Scott

PS - I dunno...looks like the Pittsburgh/Morgantown area is in danger of becoming a bunch of KTM snobs.  

[garry]

I posted a "Merry Xmas to Me" thread here: http://www.sport-touring.net/forums/index.php/topic,19488.0.html

The Wee Strom sold within a day. New owner is flying in from NYC on Wed morning and riding it home Wed afternoon / Thursday

Ninja bike is up for sale. I'm happy to let it sit  until spring when the market heats up and squids abound with money to burn.

No payments or interest for 6 months on the KTM means I have until June 2008 to sell the Ninja bike before writing a big check. A larger than expected Xmas bonus and a price I couldn't refuse on the KTM sealed the deal for me.

I'm only snobby about beer. I could give a rat's ass what anyone rides, how they ride, or where they ride. Do what makes you happy...

[SWriverstone]

The Wee Strom sold within a day. New owner is flying in from NYC on Wed morning and riding it home Wed afternoon / Thursday

Well that makes me feel fine about hanging on to mine---they're obviously still in big demand!

Scott

[R Doug]

PS - I dunno...looks like the Pittsburgh/Morgantown area is in danger of becoming a bunch of KTM snobs.  

   I don't think street Katoms have a snob factor to them like the dirt counterparts.  I just like the fact they're (as Python would say) something completely different.  

[johne]

I just perused over to look at the other thread you posted of pics of the bike. Good God...that bike makes my pants feel funny. Congrats on the xmas present to yourself. It's a beaut !!