First Ride: 2010 KTM 990 SM T and 990 SM R

[UFO]

2010 looks to be a very good year for European bike choices.  The folk over at motorcycledaily.com have put up their first impressions of the new KTM 990 SMT and SMR.  Look for part two of their write up later.



Americans get two versions of the big supermoto, the sporty R and a more practical tourer. Both bikes share a liquid-cooled, fuel-injected, four-valve 75-degree 115-hp motor and basic chrome-moly trellis chassis. From that common ancestor, KTM's engineers started adding go-fast bits to make the R. Wheels are forged Marchesinis, saving 4.4 pounds of rotating mass, and it gets those delicious four-piston Brembo monobloc racing calipers. A supermoto needs a powerful, sensitive rear stopper as well: the R (and T) is equipped with a two-piston caliper back there. The minimal plastic bodywork is deceptive: the low-profile tank holds almost four gallons.

Read the entire article over at motorcycledaily.com.

[Schneegz]

...both bikes are priced the same at $13,998.

Now we know.  That's about $2,000 more than I want to pay.  Hmmm.... to wait for a deal or to bust the budget, that is the question.

[Rincewind]

Any idea when the SMT will be in the showrooms?  I am really looking forward to having a sit, or better yet a test ride, and compare it to my Tiger.  The KTM advantage seems to be suspension and a maybe a lighter weight.  My impression is that the Triumph leans more towards touring and the KTM towards sport.

[ride200mi]

Now we know.  That's about $2,000 more than I want to pay.  Hmmm.... to wait for a deal or to bust the budget, that is the question.

With the USD in the crapper, I, like you, may have to go over what we really want to pay for any euro bike...
The KTM, I might mention, is about $6K cheaper than the Ducati Multistrada.

[garry]

Any idea when the SMT will be in the showrooms?  I am really looking forward to having a sit, or better yet a test ride, and compare it to my Tiger.  The KTM advantage seems to be suspension and a maybe a lighter weight.  My impression is that the Triumph leans more towards touring and the KTM towards sport.

That's a pretty fair assessment. Matches my impression when I demo'd the Tiger. The Tiger has more power than my 950 SMR. Probably a wash against the 990 version. I really liked the Tiger, but it felt a bit "soft" to me. I wanted something with a more sporting edge to it and the KTM pushed that button for me. Put top-shelf suspension and brakes on the Tiger though and it might have been a different story. It will be interesting to see what the Ohlins/Triumph thing actually turns out to be.

[evilted]

It's undoubtedly old news, but there's a write-up in the November (I think -- just saw it 2 weekends ago) print version of Visor Down that features the KTM 990 SM-T as compared against a VFR800, K1300GT and Hayabusa.  

The KTM got the most positive coverage, and they seemed amazed that they could tour on something that was so much fun to ride.

[Schneegz]

With the USD in the crapper, I, like you, may have to go over what we really want to pay for any euro bike...
The KTM, I might mention, is about $6K cheaper than the Ducati Multistrada.

Yeah, well, I knew the Multi was way out of my range as soon as I saw it!    I've been pining for a 990 SM since I tried one out at INTERMOT 2008, but now I'm not so sure I can swing it.  Maybe after the next deployment!  

[Rincewind]

MCN Video boasts it as the "perfect sport-touer" and "head and shoulder above the competition" which in this case was the Multistrada, Tiger, and Tre-K.

[Tar Snake]

The minimal plastic bodywork is deceptive: the low-profile tank holds almost four gallons.

= FAIL

I've had bikes that you have to gas up 100-120 miles and it's a pain. Especially out west. Anything with a "T" suffix should have at minimum  a "safe" range of 150 miles per tank, meaning it should be on fumes at 175 miles +.

[evilted]

It's not clear from the context, but that quote only applies to the SM-R.  In the next paragraph of the review they note that the SM-T holds ~ 5 gallons.  

= FAIL

I've had bikes that you have to gas up 100-120 miles and it's a pain. Especially out west. Anything with a "T" suffix should have at minimum  a "safe" range of 150 miles per tank, meaning it should be on fumes at 175 miles +.

[Rincewind]

= FAIL

I've had bikes that you have to gas up 100-120 miles and it's a pain. Especially out west. Anything with a "T" suffix should have at minimum  a "safe" range of 150 miles per tank, meaning it should be on fumes at 175 miles +.

That was written poorly.  The SMT has a 20-liter tank, which is just over 5.2 gallons.  They we "almost 4-gallons" was referring to the SMR bike, I believe.  The SMT should be good for at least 175-200 miles.

[Tar Snake]

Me = FAIL

That's more like it the world is normal, all is well! Carry on.  

[expatbrit]

To be honest, I think the regular SM is about the perfect compromise for me. Shame it's not coming here. Taller, with the 20l tank, and not quite as race focused as the SM-R.

[some_finn]

I usually get about 250 km (150 miles) before the warning light comes on, at that point there is enough gas for about 50km/30miles more.
I've ridden a little over 17000km (10500 miles) on my SMT since the end of June.
I have to admit I haven't "properly toured" on it but I've done a lot of 500km/300 mile days, often with minimal breaks.
It's great fun and I do plan to do some touring on it next season.
Or maybe I should say travelling. When released here in Europe KTM made sure everybody knew the T means Travel, not Touring.
I think they have a point. It's not a "touring bike" by any definition but an extremely versatile and fun bike that can also be used for travelling or touring.
It won't be as comfy on the autobahn as a Beamer LT or something, but way more fun pretty much anywhere else.

Lotsa pics here
Mini tour in Finland pics
More pics
Few more still
And a video

[Windblown]

So many bikes  , so little money.

[Rincewind]

I usually get about 250 km (150 miles) before the warning light comes on, at that point there is enough gas for about 50km/30miles more.
I've ridden a little over 17000km (10500 miles) on my SMT since the end of June.
I have to admit I haven't "properly toured" on it but I've done a lot of 500km/300 mile days, often with minimal breaks.
It's great fun and I do plan to do some touring on it next season.
Or maybe I should say travelling. When released here in Europe KTM made sure everybody knew the T means Travel, not Touring.
I think they have a point. It's not a "touring bike" by any definition but an extremely versatile and fun bike that can also be used for travelling or touring.
It won't be as comfy on the autobahn as a Beamer LT or something, but way more fun pretty much anywhere else.

Lotsa pics here
Mini tour in Finland pics
More pics
Few more still
And a video

Nice post.  I love the clear clutch cover.

[kendenton]

What a great collection of SMT photos - thanks!

[Schneegz]

I usually get about 250 km (150 miles) before the warning light comes on, at that point there is enough gas for about 50km/30miles more.
I've ridden a little over 17000km (10500 miles) on my SMT since the end of June.
I have to admit I haven't "properly toured" on it but I've done a lot of 500km/300 mile days, often with minimal breaks.
It's great fun and I do plan to do some touring on it next season.
Or maybe I should say travelling. When released here in Europe KTM made sure everybody knew the T means Travel, not Touring.
I think they have a point. It's not a "touring bike" by any definition but an extremely versatile and fun bike that can also be used for travelling or touring.
It won't be as comfy on the autobahn as a Beamer LT or something, but way more fun pretty much anywhere else.

Lotsa pics here
Mini tour in Finland pics
More pics
Few more still
And a video

Thanks for the pics and info.  The mileage averages to roughly 35.3 miles / US gallon, according to Google.  That's lower than I'd like, but it's such a cool bike I'm seriously tempted to overlook it.  

[Brad1445]

I'll take one please!  The T model.

[mugwump58]

I'm gonna have to work on that 35.5 number, I was kinda expecting it