950 Supermoto Chronicles - Page 2

wpbarlow · 07-22-2006, 05:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FlowBee

Ewe!! That thing looks baaaaad. ... for some reason, I'm reminded of my first girlfriend.

Why not just spring for the KTM gel seat? Its only like $130 or so.

I don't know how well the gel seat works- I've heard various reports from "no" to "world of" difference; so I'm going to wait to test one as well as a couple of other options.

This pad works ok- not great, but ok for a day ride.

wpbarlow · 07-22-2006, 06:47 PM

I met up with some friends today for a break-in ride. Lots of twisties, elevation changes, paved, cratered, dirt, wet and dry. Typical NJ ride

It's the kind of ride that I specifically bought the bike to do. I wasn't disappointed.

The bike is very composed under all conditions. I was especially pleased with the way it worked on the dirt roads we did- a couple of which were pretty bad and rutted. Suspension compliance is superb, and combined with spot on frame geometry numbers makes for a very confidence-inspiring ride- the bike hooks up better than any big bike I've ever ridden (other than the 950A). Imagine that- a KTM that works in the dirt

I was particularly impressed with how it handled a somewhat long uphill stutter-bump section. Trying to go up this section fast on every other bike (and I mean, a lot of other bikes) always resulted in a high lurch juddery ride to the top, that felt like the rear suspension essentially checked out and went into hard tail mode. The SM just smoothly flew up it very calmly. Ditto performance on cratered pavement- very confidence inspiring and easy to make time.

The Scorpion Syncs do thier part- providing exellent traction and feedback wet or dry, paved, gravel, or dirt.

Aboout the only thing that wasn't very impressive was the gas mileage- about 32 mpg for two tankfuls

I'll end with some honorable dirty bike pictures

FlowBee · 07-22-2006, 08:18 PM

Nice chicken strips on the rear.

The bike will lean if you need it to.

+1 on your comments on the SM. I'm 98% street, but I've taken mine down severely corrugated gravel roads and construction site packed dirt at speed. In those situations its better than any street bike I've ridden.

On the street its more fun than any street bike I've ridden.

rw4x4van · 07-23-2006, 06:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wpbarlow

About the only thing that wasn't very impressive was the gas mileage- about 32 mpg for two tankfuls

That bike is definitely you Walter....."Congratulations"

.......
I'm sure you could pick up some gas mileage, if you take off those passenger pegs

BCC · 07-23-2006, 07:56 AM

Nice bike, Walter. Congrats!

Arch · 07-23-2006, 09:35 AM

Yep, very tasty indeed, Walter.

wpbarlow · 07-23-2006, 06:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BCC

Nice bike, Walter. Congrats!

Thanks. I saw your thread on the Tuono; which I was very much considering. In the end I opted for the SM just because it was better on bad twisty pavement and dirt roads. Otoh, I gave the edge to the Tuono as a track day bike, more open twisties, and a bike you could relatively comfortably sport tour on: all of which were less important to me.

wpbarlow · 07-23-2006, 06:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arch

Yep, very tasty indeed, Walter.

Thanks Arch. So, are you opting for the SE or an SM?

I think in Texas and the southwest in general, I'd get the SE.

nitrotain · 07-23-2006, 07:32 PM

I am stationed in EL SALVADOR and man the bike is a blast here cops don't care how fast you go

Here is my post check it out:

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=149817

Keep us updated on your 950 SM

Arch · 07-23-2006, 10:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wpbarlow

Thanks Arch. So, are you opting for the SE or an SM?

I think in Texas and the southwest in general, I'd get the SE.

You know me, mang. I dig all manner of cool scoots.

The SM looks the bomb and makes me swoon, but so does the SE and it'd better serve my moto-desires. It's all good. 'Course I won't be "opting for" anything anytime soon.

NJCapoRider · 07-24-2006, 04:56 AM

Sweet machine! Best of luck with it.

Wayne

wpbarlow · 07-31-2006, 06:13 AM

Did about 160 miles on Saturday and close to 200 on Sunday, so now sitting a little over 600 miles- going in for the service (and the canisterectomy) tomorrow. I haven't decided on pipes yet. I really like the way the stockers sound and would love to find something that sounds exactly the same but runs cooler.

The bike has been running great in the +90 degree weather we've been having here in NJ- no issues whatsoever. Starting to explore the last 25% of the throttle rotation and like what I'm finding there

Gas mileage seems to have improved a bit- up to almost 35 mpg

The bike continues to impress a lot. It's very confidence inspiring under all conditions, lets you be very precise in placing it where you want, and reacts well and with total composure should you need to change lines, get on the gas, or brake after what would normally be a line commitment. Works like this on pavement or dirt roads.

All my suspension settings are as delivered. I've read the CW article and a couple of threads/post on how sensitive the bike is to settings; but I'm real happy with the way mine works. Not saying it couldn't be better, just that it works well for me. About the only complaint I have is slight harshness on small sharp hits.

One minor bit- I noticed yesterday that the bottom of the headlight assembly seemed to be moving around more than previously. It turns out that the bottom of the assembly is held in place by a couple of brackets that fit over posts on the bottom triple (just like my Husaberg). This happened after 2 days of some spirited dirt road riding. Something to keep an eye on in the future.

I'll leave with some pictures, first with Barrys SE on Saturday's ride.

And then with a gaggle of A's on yesterday's ride.

Jolly705 · 07-31-2006, 07:39 AM

Walter
I have the FMF slip ons on my SE and they sound pretty damn close to stock which I like. I have the alum ones which stay a bit cooler and are weigh a lot less. I am happy with my purchase and they are priced right. If you are interested in getting a set let me know. My buddy has a shop and can get you a good deal on them.

tkorpi · 07-31-2006, 08:03 AM

Walter,

I just recently joined the 950 SM club too. Regarding the 600 miles service...I was told by the shop where I purchased the bike that the valve check at 600 miles isn't really necessary. They said that they've had a chance to see quite a few of the 950 engines now and none of them required any valve adjustments. They told me to just change the oil at home and worry about valve checks at 4k miles.

Jolly705 · 07-31-2006, 09:27 AM

That is odd I heard the exact oposite.

Quote:

Originally Posted by tkorpi

Walter,

I just recently joined the 950 SM club too. Regarding the 600 miles service...I was told by the shop where I purchased the bike that the valve check at 600 miles isn't really necessary. They said that they've had a chance to see quite a few of the 950 engines now and none of them required any valve adjustments. They told me to just change the oil at home and worry about valve checks at 4k miles.

07-22-2006, 06:47 PM	#17
wpbarlow ^OP Beastly Adventurer Joined: Jun 2003 Location: Central NJ Oddometer: 7,884	I met up with some friends today for a break-in ride. Lots of twisties, elevation changes, paved, cratered, dirt, wet and dry. Typical NJ ride It's the kind of ride that I specifically bought the bike to do. I wasn't disappointed. The bike is very composed under all conditions. I was especially pleased with the way it worked on the dirt roads we did- a couple of which were pretty bad and rutted. Suspension compliance is superb, and combined with spot on frame geometry numbers makes for a very confidence-inspiring ride- the bike hooks up better than any big bike I've ever ridden (other than the 950A). Imagine that- a KTM that works in the dirt I was particularly impressed with how it handled a somewhat long uphill stutter-bump section. Trying to go up this section fast on every other bike (and I mean, a lot of other bikes) always resulted in a high lurch juddery ride to the top, that felt like the rear suspension essentially checked out and went into hard tail mode. The SM just smoothly flew up it very calmly. Ditto performance on cratered pavement- very confidence inspiring and easy to make time. The Scorpion Syncs do thier part- providing exellent traction and feedback wet or dry, paved, gravel, or dirt. Aboout the only thing that wasn't very impressive was the gas mileage- about 32 mpg for two tankfuls I'll end with some honorable dirty bike pictures __________________ Walter Barlow

07-22-2006, 08:18 PM	#18
FlowBee Just me. Joined: Oct 2004 Location: Stasis. Oddometer: 3,385	Nice chicken strips on the rear. The bike will lean if you need it to. +1 on your comments on the SM. I'm 98% street, but I've taken mine down severely corrugated gravel roads and construction site packed dirt at speed. In those situations its better than any street bike I've ridden. On the street its more fun than any street bike I've ridden. __________________ This space for rent.

07-23-2006, 07:56 AM	#20
BCC I know better Joined: Jul 2004 Location: Southern NJ Oddometer: 6,644	Nice bike, Walter. Congrats! __________________ Everybody is ignorant, only on different subjects - Will Rogers Do not do to others what you would not have them do to you - Hillel If you can't be knowledgeable, be certain

07-23-2006, 09:35 AM	#21
Arch Incurable Gearhead Joined: Dec 2001 Location: Katy, TX Oddometer: 11,689	Yep, very tasty indeed, Walter. __________________ Arch

07-23-2006, 07:32 PM	#24
nitrotain NITROTAIN Joined: Apr 2006 Location: El Salvador Oddometer: 185	I got one also man the thing is awsome HUH. I am stationed in EL SALVADOR and man the bike is a blast here cops don't care how fast you go Here is my post check it out: http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=149817 Keep us updated on your 950 SM Attached Images

07-24-2006, 04:56 AM	#26
NJCapoRider Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Nov 2005 Location: Hamburg, NJ Oddometer: 127	Congratulations Walter!!! Sweet machine! Best of luck with it. Wayne __________________ _________________ The destination is rarely as important as the ride!

07-31-2006, 06:13 AM	#27
wpbarlow ^OP Beastly Adventurer Joined: Jun 2003 Location: Central NJ Oddometer: 7,884	Initial break-in mileage done Did about 160 miles on Saturday and close to 200 on Sunday, so now sitting a little over 600 miles- going in for the service (and the canisterectomy) tomorrow. I haven't decided on pipes yet. I really like the way the stockers sound and would love to find something that sounds exactly the same but runs cooler. The bike has been running great in the +90 degree weather we've been having here in NJ- no issues whatsoever. Starting to explore the last 25% of the throttle rotation and like what I'm finding there Gas mileage seems to have improved a bit- up to almost 35 mpg The bike continues to impress a lot. It's very confidence inspiring under all conditions, lets you be very precise in placing it where you want, and reacts well and with total composure should you need to change lines, get on the gas, or brake after what would normally be a line commitment. Works like this on pavement or dirt roads. All my suspension settings are as delivered. I've read the CW article and a couple of threads/post on how sensitive the bike is to settings; but I'm real happy with the way mine works. Not saying it couldn't be better, just that it works well for me. About the only complaint I have is slight harshness on small sharp hits. One minor bit- I noticed yesterday that the bottom of the headlight assembly seemed to be moving around more than previously. It turns out that the bottom of the assembly is held in place by a couple of brackets that fit over posts on the bottom triple (just like my Husaberg). This happened after 2 days of some spirited dirt road riding. Something to keep an eye on in the future. I'll leave with some pictures, first with Barrys SE on Saturday's ride. And then with a gaggle of A's on yesterday's ride. __________________ Walter Barlow wpbarlow screwed with this post 07-31-2006 at 06:46 AM

07-31-2006, 07:39 AM	#28
Jolly705 Beastly Adventurer Joined: Jun 2005 Location: Tri State Area Oddometer: 2,137	Walter I have the FMF slip ons on my SE and they sound pretty damn close to stock which I like. I have the alum ones which stay a bit cooler and are weigh a lot less. I am happy with my purchase and they are priced right. If you are interested in getting a set let me know. My buddy has a shop and can get you a good deal on them. __________________ http://www.motorcyclecompetitioninc.com/ http://www.fmfracing.com/ http://www.rekluse.com/ http://www.motorexusa.com/ http://jgrmxsupport.com/

07-31-2006, 08:03 AM	#29
tkorpi Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Jul 2006 Oddometer: 130	Walter, I just recently joined the 950 SM club too. Regarding the 600 miles service...I was told by the shop where I purchased the bike that the valve check at 600 miles isn't really necessary. They said that they've had a chance to see quite a few of the 950 engines now and none of them required any valve adjustments. They told me to just change the oil at home and worry about valve checks at 4k miles. __________________ 2006 KTM 950SM

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