Are KTM going to sell the 950 in the USA? Will it be the same spec as the European bikes? What sort of cost variation is there across Europe and the States?

Iain

(Possible Africa Twin defector...!)

Are ther any other reviews from riders that have purchased the 950 adventurer? Pro's? Cons? Complaints? Problems? Or are they really that good that everyone who owns one is out riding? Now that they have been out in Eroupe what is the response?

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Rocket

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Rocket Ron

Had a test ride on a silver version in April coutesy of Windy Corner. Cracking bike but noticed the following:
1. I weigh about 80kg fully kitted and the rear shock hardly moved under my weight, despite being on minimum preload.
2. I'm 1.80m / 5'10" tall & just managed to get both feet half on the ground. A softer spring would sort out points 1 & 2.
3. The engine was incredibly revvy, felt like a sports bike, acceleration through the gears was exceptional (I've also had various GSX-R's & FZR's for the past 12 years). This bike is more than capable of catching out sports bikes on paved roads.
4. Despite having a 21" front wheel, cornering at speed(45mph) round an unknown roundabout felt good. None of the vague & floppy steering you get with some bikes.
5. Although the top speed is about the same as an 1150GS, the 950 probably needs to rev at least 1,000 to 1,500 higher to reach 130mph i.e. quite a peaky engine.
6. I'm very inexperienced off road but can't help wondering how the peaky nature of the engine dictates your style of riding off road - perhaps you need to be a better rider off road on the KTM than you would on a GS in identical conditions?
7. The quality of all components looked very good. The twin fuel tanks looked to provide easy access to the engine. I've never owned a KTM and have no idea how their workshop prices, service levels and general customer back up compares to other marque's?
8. I would love the low version in orange but not the current metallic orange, slightly reminiscent of a 70's Dodgem car.

Steve

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My photos: www.possu.smugmug.com

yeah its a nice bike,too bad it's a bloody rip off!

Thanks for the info Steve! I would assume that you did'nt notice much vibration since you did not metion anything? Have you purchased one? I guess every one else is out ridding their's. Or the bike has taken all the talk out of the nay sayers? It does seem pricey if your comparing to jap dirt bike's but to a GS or other comprable bikes it doesn't seem so bad. Is ther any one else who has one have anything to say? I'm trying to justify buying one without riding it first and being new to the market.

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Rocket

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Rocket Ron

No, I've not bought one. I've never had a new bike in over 19 years on the road. On a brand new model such as this, I personnally would wait up to a year to check out reliability issues. You only have to look back at some recent jap bikes to see a lot of recalls?

I have a choice of selling my R80GS Paralever and buying a second hand 1150GS or selling my GSX-R1100 as well and buying a newish but second hand KTM.

Most of my riding is on the road. The 1150GS is good but not excitingin the same way that the KTM is, despite having a similar top speed - they are very different machines in may respects.

I carry out all my own servicing, including the GSX-R. I know I could service an 1150GS with the exception of the fuel infection tuning. Lookin at the heads on the KTM, I assume that it has shim under bucket valve clearances. Slightly more difficult but made a little easier by the chain & gear driven cams a la TL1000.

I don't remember any real vibrations, the mirrors vibed slightly but nothing really noticeable. With all those revs, I doubt if it's as smooth as the 1150 Adventure I rode recently?

I have yet to see one on the road, let alone manage to speak to someone who's clocked up a few miles.

Anybody able to shed light on KTM dealers in the UK re: customer service etc?

Steve

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My photos: www.possu.smugmug.com

Thanks Steve Great info!

I wish I practiced what the two of us preach about buying bikes. I always end up with a new one. Spending way more than I need too, I was hoping to replace my dr650 with the ktm. I need more get up and go. The dr is good at eveything, but not great for what I use it for. (touring) I rode it round trip from san diego to the arctic circle last year. The bike worked great but I felt like it needed more. I have dirt bikes for the dirt and a ducati ss for going fast in the back country and track days. I'm hoping the 950 adventurer will better what I have. I would also want to hear what others that have some miles on the bike.

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Rocket Ron

Hey Guys,

All you gotta do is ask and I'll tell you all you need to know, I've had my 950S since mid May and have over 2500 miles on it now.

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\"restricted to 132bhp\"

Oh, go on then DucatiMan, tell us all about it then...! (Have you taken it off the island yet?)

Iain

(Possible Africa Twin convert)

Have a look at my initial posting on 16th May 2003 about the 950s on this thread.

The bike simply gets better and better, I changed the standard cans for the optional Akrapovics which were considerably lighter and certainly noisier, the sound is good and not unlike a Ducati, made a difference to the performance too. I also bought the tank bag and panniers (plastic - not ally) they are huge and excellent quality, only problem is they make it even harder to swing your leg over the bike and believe me it is difficult enough with the height anyway.
Handling and braking are really good for a bike of this type and I am able to keep up with or embarass most average sports bike riders (and I'm an old bastard!) mid range is as good as anything I've come across but it starts to run out of breath at about 125mph, I've seen 128 on the digital readout on the mountain, steering starts getting a bit vague at that speed and can be quite hairy in side winds. As regards the handling, I'm amazed given the suspension and tyres fitted that this bike handles so good, like I said I can stay with sports bikes in the twisty bits, no problem. Have you seen the pics on the German web site of the 950's that have been super motard-ed and fitted with 17" rubber, don't whether to try it or not.

Yes, been off the Island on a long weekend to Scotalnd, did all those Loch Lomond, Inverary, Inver Cock a Leekie, Glencoe roads etc. absolutely brilliant, this is the type of road that the 950 was built for, quick enough for A roads, nimble enough for B roads and off road enough for tracks. Did 900 odd miles in 4 days, which wasn't too bad, only problem - my arse hurt at the end of the trip, I really have to do something about the seat this winter. Other than that I cannot fault this bike in any way.

The most fun is when you stuff some guy on a Hayabusa or the like on some twisty bits, he catches up when you stop and says "what the hell is that!" and you reply " oh just an old enduro bike!"



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"restricted to 132bhp"

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\"restricted to 132bhp\"

Thanks Iain, for provoking ducattiman. That's the type of info I was wanting.

Anyone else out there had their 950 out for some miles. I would like to read your thoughts also.

So far it sounds (all positive comments)like all I need is for the bikes to show up in the USA and some cash.

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Rocket Ron

Are you able to provide the website address or a link to the German 950 Supermoto's?

As soon as I saw the 950 at Windy Corner I thought this.

Thanks

Steve

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My photos: www.possu.smugmug.com

Sure, here is the address for the 950 Supermotard website

http://www.braumandl.com/adventure.html

what do you all think, worth doing or wait for the 950 Duke?

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\"restricted to 132bhp\"

Hi Folks,

Ive had my 950 for 3 weeks and just come back from a 4 day, 750 mile blast up to North west Scotland.

Got to agree with ducatiman about the seat, soft to touch but after Day 3 a real sore point. Possibly a sheepskin cover soon.

I felt that 6th gear is "tall" for cruisin at 60mph, its feels like the engines labouring. On the motorway its great plenty of grunt.

Cant fault the handling on the twisty tracks i was riding but i felt that the Pirelli Scorpions that are fitted are a bit twitchy going over white road markings and tar lines. I would possibly fit Trialwings (if they do a size for this model)

Im using KTM metal pannier frames with Ortlieb throw over panniers and ortlieb bag and found slight handlebar shake between 44 and 48 mph (havent checked tyre pressure)no problem though.

This is my two pennies worth, i think its a great bike and wouldnt change it (well maybe for the Dakar version).

Ian

Thanks IanW. Has any one done any off road? If so I would like to hear about it! Sounds like the KTM seat continues it's reputation.:-(

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Rocket

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Rocket Ron