The big KTM 990 SMT thread -- riders check in w/ photo!

[omnivore]

Awesome pics....funny how european "epic roads" are littered with sport touring sensible bikes. Here in North America they are littered with sport bikes and chrome tractors.

[dougn]

Originally Posted by 666

I test rode 990 smt today and it was great. Has more power than my 950 adventure. Brakes are super strong. FI was flawless.

I am looking for commuter (100 miles per day with lots of lane splitting) bike, and narrowed it down to SMT or Tiger 800. Didnt have a chance to ride tiger, but it feels top heavy and bulky.

My 950 is great, I just dont want to wear it down on commute miles.

What kind of mps people are you getting?
Do you have to relocate sidestand? On 950 it's mounted to the engine case and it can crack.

great commuter. i commute (los gatos to menlo park) on mine every day. 160 miles before the lite comes on ...about 38 mpg. it's light, great torque, great brakes, great handling with different tires than the contis, and it makes a great tourer. it really is about perfect. i had a 950. there's no comparison motorwise....the 990 FI is so much better.

[dirtydeeds]

Just ordered some SW pegs. My first bling for the SMT!

[MIghty]

Originally Posted by dougn

great commuter. i commute (los gatos to menlo park) on mine every day. 160 miles before the lite comes on ...about 38 mpg. it's light, great torque, great brakes, great handling with different tires than the contis, and it makes a great tourer. it really is about perfect. i had a 950. there's no comparison motorwise....the 990 FI is so much better.

I get about 30-35 mpg. Depending on how I'm riding. Love how it zips through traffic. So light and nimble

[DirtDad]

Great Thread, Great Bike!! I will be in the market for my first ever street bike, after 40 yrs of enduros, and dirt bikes.

This bike has my attention, and a few others. However, I will be required to take the wife on a few trips, to justify pruchasing a bike. Can this bike be set up to do some two-up riding for say 200 to 300 mile days. Or should I say
has anyone had experience riding extended trips two-up on this bike? I am trying to narrow it down to a few bikes.
I think I want to stick with a 17" front wheeled bike to give me the more street oriented ride.

[dirtydeeds]

Originally Posted by DirtDad

Great Thread, Great Bike!! I will be in the market for my first ever street bike, after 40 yrs of enduros, and dirt bikes.

Thats what drew me to this bike. After 30 years in the dirt, getting on a street bike doesn't feel right. I've had some and sold them pretty quickly. SM bikes are different. And a 115HP dirt bike with sport bike wheels on it is just damn fun.

What convinced me to bite the bullet on the SMT was the "100 000 mile club" in the orange crush forum. These engines seem to last. (I was also considering a Triumph 955 Tiger)

As far as 2 up, I cant tell you. 2-300 miles/day... thats 3 - 4 1/2 hours per day riding? I think very doable on this bike.

[ChrisK7]

I traded a 10 MTS 1200S in for the 12 SMT. I love it. Does better two up, way easier maintenance, nicer to ride, and no elec, or mechanical problems at all.
My wife and I have ridden two up a few times and did typical 300 to 450 mile days with no issues at all.

[tpulls]

Are instrument clusters still problematic with the 990 SMT's?
Something about moisture getting inside and causing digits to fade out. I'm more concerned because i'm thinking about buy used and it probably wouldn't be under warranty.

[Desmofan]

Originally Posted by tpulls

Are instrument clusters still problematic with the 990 SMT's?
Something about moisture getting inside and causing digits to fade out. I'm more concerned because i'm thinking about buy used and it probably wouldn't be under warranty.

It can be. My 2010 became flaky and lost numbers at 8000 miles, replaced under warranty no sweat

BUT, they don't reset the ODO. I now have a new bike again

If you buy used, remove the speedo cluster, unscrew the housing, and seal edges with silicone. It's easy.

[DirtDad]

Originally Posted by ChrisK7

I traded a 10 MTS 1200S in for the 12 SMT. I love it. Does better two up, way easier maintenance, nicer to ride, and no elec, or mechanical problems at all.
My wife and I have ridden two up a few times and did typical 300 to 450 mile days with no issues at all.

I am thinking a different seat would have to be added for the pillion. This bike seems like it would be alot of fun!
I am still not sure yet. The 990 Adventure is tuggin at my strings too. I think this bike would complement the
stable well. And I am sure you could have fun with it on some forest roads.

[DirtDad]

Originally Posted by dirtydeeds

Thats what drew me to this bike. After 30 years in the dirt, getting on a street bike doesn't feel right. I've had some and sold them pretty quickly. SM bikes are different. And a 115HP dirt bike with sport bike wheels on it is just damn fun.

What convinced me to bite the bullet on the SMT was the "100 000 mile club" in the orange crush forum. These engines seem to last. (I was also considering a Triumph 955 Tiger)

As far as 2 up, I cant tell you. 2-300 miles/day... thats 3 - 4 1/2 hours per day riding? I think very doable on this bike.

My dirt ridding blood is pretty thick! It is hard to pass by a forest road, and not take it!
It all started when I was about 10 yrs old on my DT125.

This bike would be alot different from any motorcycle I have ever owned. Could be really interesting.

[burgerking]

From the OC

"Well Gentlemen - I just recently had a chat to the head of KTM Switzerland and I am sorry to inform you, that the days of our beloved 950/990 are numbered. KTM already stopped manufacturing the 950/990 Adventure. The same goes for the SM-T. Both bikes will be available as long they have them stocked in their warehouse. After that?"

Now I am even happier that I decided to trade in my 09 for a 2012 SMT, looks like that one will stay with me for quite a while.

The SMT is supposed to be to close to the new 1190 ADV (according to KTM) so no more SMT for 2013.

Ah well may be the new (to be introduced) 1190 Superduke will be a nice touring bike

[CaptainFresca]

Originally Posted by burgerking

From the OC

"Well Gentlemen - I just recently had a chat to the head of KTM Switzerland and I am sorry to inform you, that the days of our beloved 950/990 are numbered. KTM already stopped manufacturing the 950/990 Adventure. The same goes for the SM-T. Both bikes will be available as long they have them stocked in their warehouse. After that?"

Now I am even happier that I decided to trade in my 09 for a 2012 SMT, looks like that one will stay with me for quite a while.

The SMT is supposed to be to close to the new 1190 ADV (according to KTM) so no more SMT for 2013.

Ah well may be the new (to be introduced) 1190 Superduke will be a nice touring bike

.I guess that makes sense. The new Adventure looks good and has some more road oriented features now.

I can't imagine needing more power. But I guess the Adventure will weigh more.

[AndyJB]

Can we get back to some pics please? I'm getting withdrawl symptoms!

[ultrachrome]

Originally Posted by burgerking

From the OC

"Well Gentlemen - I just recently had a chat to the head of KTM Switzerland and I am sorry to inform you, that the days of our beloved 950/990 are numbered. KTM already stopped manufacturing the 950/990 Adventure. The same goes for the SM-T. Both bikes will be available as long they have them stocked in their warehouse. After that?"

Now I am even happier that I decided to trade in my 09 for a 2012 SMT, looks like that one will stay with me for quite a while.

The SMT is supposed to be to close to the new 1190 ADV (according to KTM) so no more SMT for 2013.

Ah well may be the new (to be introduced) 1190 Superduke will be a nice touring bike

I can imagine skipping a year of the SMT during the transition. I'm assuming the same is true for the SMR. But that would be surprising to see KTM go from two big SM models to none.