I tried to do a search but unable to find anything related to this bike here. How is the reliability, mpgs, any niggling details etc? I just saw one in person at the local Katoom dealership. I have no prior history with KTMs other than seeing them out and about perdiodically, I actually only stopped in the store on a whim to kill some time. They had a nice white one in the show room and it looked like a pretty nice machine overall.
I have had mine for a couple of seasons and am pretty happy with it. No problems to speak of although I have only 8000km so far. You may want to check out http://ktmsmt.com, not much activity but a forum devoted solely to the SMT. For anything mechanical looking in orange crush will get you most questions answered given the same LC8 engine between the SM, SMR, SMT and Adventures. Also Youtube has some great videos with some roadtests.
Tough search, SMT990 got me heaps, enjoy. http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=553603&highlight=smt990
A fantastic bike, by all accounts. The SMT would make my KTM Superduke and my BMW R12R, both be obsolete. If I was only going to have one bike, that one would be at the very top of my list.
Infallible, Just buy one, it will be the most fun bike you've ever had! I bought one in July last year ( UK ) and have done 6,600 hard miles on it and not has a single problem, it averages just under 40 mpg but you won't care about that as its such a hoot to ride! Some more reading for you :- http://www.ktmsmt.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=3164 http://www.visordown.com/reviews/mo...--present/reader-reviews/4126.html#review2362 http://www.ashonbikes.com/content/ktm-990-sm-t Go on,... just release a few "prisoners" ( dollars from your bank account ) and get one bought. Cheers, Poucher
Had mine since April last year, done just under 6000 miles so far, mostly at weekends as I am working away from home during the week, no problems either. By all accounts an awesome machine :) My plus points for the bike: Rev pickup is grin creating, never gets old! Brakes are fantastic as is the ABS which you will have a hard job getting to engage Ride height is excellent, loads of suspension travel and a great view of things too Pannier kit is great, but watch out as the bike is then very wide.....beware wing mirrors on filtering! Tuneable with TuneECU (free software) and a cable (DIY) My minus points: MPG, MPG, MPG....I am averaging about 35mpg (UK) but would get to 40 if I let off the throttle :) No fuel gauge, just a reserve indicator, it does take 19litres though Can eat oil, just get the bike warm before riding it like you stole it Fairly light on the frontend, headon winds and three figure speed = wobble The bike was expensive, more than I really wanted to spend but after a test ride I just had to get it and I do not regret it at all! Go test ride one for a few hours and make your own mind up...I guarantee a grin or 3 and that you'll become a hooligan :)
I am going to sell the beastly pig (1150GSA) and going between the SMT or the bigger Dorso from Aprilia... I ride about 10K miles a year on my bike and I am kind of sketch on the KTM 990 mechanically- The Aprilia has options for (lite) touring as well, and I really like that motor- Any thoughts?
I think you need to test ride both and then make a decision on that along with the practicalities of touring on each as you see it. I am not sure what the tank range is on a Dorso 1200? Are the luggage options anywhere near as good as the SMT? Bottom line for me would be whatever gives me the bigger grin......get out and ride each, 3 hrs on one then 3 hrs on the other
It will take you 600 miles in a day w/o any problem It will carve corners with the best of them It will stop like few others It has more character then most It will put a grin on your face under your helmet It may take you a while to find one unless your lucky It's an absolute hoot to ride It may get you a ticket or two It may make you feel like a kid again
Both are nice, but I think the Ape would get old for touring due to the lack of wind protection. I doubt the Dorso handling matches the KTM's either...the Ducati Hyper and MTS1200 handling doesn't (although those are nice bikes). The SMT is honestly the best street bike I've ever owned.
Amen!! every time I ride mine I get as excited as the first time. It is torquey, light, nimble and FUN! It does eat rear tires though.....
Thank you for the info and the links. I really never paid much attention to the KTMs as I usually stay on the tarmac but this machine was pretty damned neat. I would like to use this as a daily commuter and if MPGs is high 30's low 40's that would be fine as I've had bikes more thirsty than that before. I will have to continue reading a bit more as it is quite an expensive machine but so far its hitting all the right buttons. -GUV- sorry I put a space in between 990 and SMT and returned back with nothing but thanks.
If i didn't buy a ulysses before the orange demo, the SMT would've been in the stable instead. That smt is one fine machine
SMT is on my short list for this spring also. Test rode one a month ago and really liked the comfort. It seemed to lack a killer power output. I think I had incorrect expectations though, since I rode a buddies Superduke R and prolly thought it would be the same. It does move fast for sure. Just sold my FJR, so a light fun bike like SMT will be a nice change of pace. Will have to try out the Multistrada also. Tough to beat that bikes "holy shit!" factor.
