Fun Bike next - KTM950SM, Street Triple, MT07?
Discussion
Ok, so finally I'm getting myself a bike after 7 years without! (previous bike CBR 929).
I'm looking to spend 4-5k with the only criteria being a fun bike I can use in all occasions and I've shortlisted to the titled.
I was thinking of spending more for something special (KTM 1290 etc) but realised I won't be doing more than 2k/pa due to family commitments so don't want to lock up too much £££. I would like something that I can tear around on the odd trackday or use for a long weekend trip to the coast... also ideally something reliable! Maybe some hooliganism as well.
I've heard a lot about the KTM 950SM being an absolute hoot and seen a few around for sub 4k. Only concern being it's now getting on a bit and reliability/parts being an issue. I loved the silky smooth street triple I rode in 2014 and that's a contender (675). But I'm also thinkin of the MT07, something I won't get precious about and seems to have a load of character (never ridden one though!).
Let me know your thoughts if you've ever had experience of the above or would recommend anything else....Funnily enough I've always ridden IL4s but happy to try anything!
I'm looking to spend 4-5k with the only criteria being a fun bike I can use in all occasions and I've shortlisted to the titled.
I was thinking of spending more for something special (KTM 1290 etc) but realised I won't be doing more than 2k/pa due to family commitments so don't want to lock up too much £££. I would like something that I can tear around on the odd trackday or use for a long weekend trip to the coast... also ideally something reliable! Maybe some hooliganism as well.
I've heard a lot about the KTM 950SM being an absolute hoot and seen a few around for sub 4k. Only concern being it's now getting on a bit and reliability/parts being an issue. I loved the silky smooth street triple I rode in 2014 and that's a contender (675). But I'm also thinkin of the MT07, something I won't get precious about and seems to have a load of character (never ridden one though!).
Let me know your thoughts if you've ever had experience of the above or would recommend anything else....Funnily enough I've always ridden IL4s but happy to try anything!
At £4-5k you've got lots of options!
MT09 for the 3-pot which sounds like a great engine, not superb in the suspension department mind, do depending how quickly you ride one to avoid.
Monster 796 or 1100 are just about in budget as well, I love my 796 for its lightness and torquey twin. The 1100 is more again.
Striple obviously, Daytona too
If you've mostly had IL4s I'd be straying into unconventional engine formats.
MT09 for the 3-pot which sounds like a great engine, not superb in the suspension department mind, do depending how quickly you ride one to avoid.
Monster 796 or 1100 are just about in budget as well, I love my 796 for its lightness and torquey twin. The 1100 is more again.
Striple obviously, Daytona too
If you've mostly had IL4s I'd be straying into unconventional engine formats.
Krikkit said:
At £4-5k you've got lots of options!
MT09 for the 3-pot which sounds like a great engine, not superb in the suspension department mind, do depending how quickly you ride one to avoid.
Monster 796 or 1100 are just about in budget as well, I love my 796 for its lightness and torquey twin. The 1100 is more again.
Striple obviously, Daytona too
If you've mostly had IL4s I'd be straying into unconventional engine formats.
Aprilia Dorsoduro’s are available at that price too.MT09 for the 3-pot which sounds like a great engine, not superb in the suspension department mind, do depending how quickly you ride one to avoid.
Monster 796 or 1100 are just about in budget as well, I love my 796 for its lightness and torquey twin. The 1100 is more again.
Striple obviously, Daytona too
If you've mostly had IL4s I'd be straying into unconventional engine formats.
And you can pick up 2018 KTM 790 Dukes for £5k and just below too.
44 Teeth website said:
At the last count, there were more SV650s frequenting Her majesty’s highways than the combined number of Range Rovers, X Factor contestants and syphilis sufferers in the UK.
https://www.44teeth.com/suzuki-sv650-best-bike-eve...You can get a 2019 SV650 with the better front calipers for £5200 though posts on SV forums suggest earlier SV650s can be improved with an upgraded front master cyclinder.
Thanks for all the suggestions guys!
Re mt-09. I rode one back in 2015 and it was absolutely terrible with its on/off throttle response …. Really wanted to get one before that.
Re ktm 790. Good shout and I’ve seen a good one for 5k, but then I hear the 890 is so much better and then you get into budget creep situation where you might as well get far more bike for your money and go for an early 1290!
Sv650 …. Just doesn’t do it at all for me I’m afraid. If I’m gonna ride a bike infrequently, I want it to be an experience!
Interesting shout of the gsx1000 … ridden a k5 and it’s a sublime motor. Just think I should try something different to an IL4.
Re Dorso I don’t want a potential liability on my hands … heard that they are quite finicky. However a gen 2 tuono is a consideration!
A lot of food for thought !
Re mt-09. I rode one back in 2015 and it was absolutely terrible with its on/off throttle response …. Really wanted to get one before that.
Re ktm 790. Good shout and I’ve seen a good one for 5k, but then I hear the 890 is so much better and then you get into budget creep situation where you might as well get far more bike for your money and go for an early 1290!
Sv650 …. Just doesn’t do it at all for me I’m afraid. If I’m gonna ride a bike infrequently, I want it to be an experience!
Interesting shout of the gsx1000 … ridden a k5 and it’s a sublime motor. Just think I should try something different to an IL4.
Re Dorso I don’t want a potential liability on my hands … heard that they are quite finicky. However a gen 2 tuono is a consideration!
A lot of food for thought !
Krikkit said:
At £4-5k you've got lots of options!
MT09 for the 3-pot which sounds like a great engine, not superb in the suspension department mind, do depending how quickly you ride one to avoid.
Monster 796 or 1100 are just about in budget as well, I love my 796 for its lightness and torquey twin. The 1100 is more again.
Striple obviously, Daytona too
If you've mostly had IL4s I'd be straying into unconventional engine formats.
Ducati monster ! Now that’s something I haven’t thought of …. Thanks for sticking it on my radar !MT09 for the 3-pot which sounds like a great engine, not superb in the suspension department mind, do depending how quickly you ride one to avoid.
Monster 796 or 1100 are just about in budget as well, I love my 796 for its lightness and torquey twin. The 1100 is more again.
Striple obviously, Daytona too
If you've mostly had IL4s I'd be straying into unconventional engine formats.
I rode a 1200 monster years back great engine but a bit fat like a speed triple … but never thought of the air cooled 796 or 1100.
bgunn said:
Try an R nineT (or an R1200R) - you can probably find the latter more easily in your budget.
Those boxers are a lot of fun with a fat torque curve.
Thanks will take a look!Those boxers are a lot of fun with a fat torque curve.
Thought about a GSA 1200 for a bit more and force me into some adventure ! Never considered an R nine T.
You can't really go far wrong with the MT07 you suggested. Plenty around, cheap enough to buy, seems to hold its value pretty well.
My wife has had hers about 3 years now and its always been a hoot to ride. Plenty of torque, sounds properly lairy with the Scorpion exhaust we fitted and has just generally been a reliable fun bike.
My wife has had hers about 3 years now and its always been a hoot to ride. Plenty of torque, sounds properly lairy with the Scorpion exhaust we fitted and has just generally been a reliable fun bike.
ujio said:
Thanks for all the suggestions guys!
Re mt-09. I rode one back in 2015 and it was absolutely terrible with its on/off throttle response …. Really wanted to get one before that.
Re ktm 790. Good shout and I’ve seen a good one for 5k, but then I hear the 890 is so much better and then you get into budget creep situation where you might as well get far more bike for your money and go for an early 1290!
Sv650 …. Just doesn’t do it at all for me I’m afraid. If I’m gonna ride a bike infrequently, I want it to be an experience!
Interesting shout of the gsx1000 … ridden a k5 and it’s a sublime motor. Just think I should try something different to an IL4.
Re Dorso I don’t want a potential liability on my hands … heard that they are quite finicky. However a gen 2 tuono is a consideration!
A lot of food for thought !
I've got one, had it 4 years, I've done 5k miles on it, got 14k on it now. It's needed oil changes and a fork seal.Re mt-09. I rode one back in 2015 and it was absolutely terrible with its on/off throttle response …. Really wanted to get one before that.
Re ktm 790. Good shout and I’ve seen a good one for 5k, but then I hear the 890 is so much better and then you get into budget creep situation where you might as well get far more bike for your money and go for an early 1290!
Sv650 …. Just doesn’t do it at all for me I’m afraid. If I’m gonna ride a bike infrequently, I want it to be an experience!
Interesting shout of the gsx1000 … ridden a k5 and it’s a sublime motor. Just think I should try something different to an IL4.
Re Dorso I don’t want a potential liability on my hands … heard that they are quite finicky. However a gen 2 tuono is a consideration!
A lot of food for thought !
I still think the 950SM is the best/most fun bike I've ever had, but I'd go into one with eyes wide open. All KTMs of that era have a few traits that can be sorted, and once they are they are fantastic, but I'd only get one if you plan to get your fingernails dirty first. Have a look at the 990s & SMTs if not.
Killboy said:
I still think the 950SM is the best/most fun bike I've ever had, but I'd go into one with eyes wide open. All KTMs of that era have a few traits that can be sorted, and once they are they are fantastic, but I'd only get one if you plan to get your fingernails dirty first. Have a look at the 990s & SMTs if not.
Thanks KB. I purposely overlooked the 990 as I distinctly remember that was as god awful as the Mt09 on throttle jerkiness! Felt like I was on my CBT again at slow speed.. again I really wanted to love it.950 on the other hand I heard is sublime. But will probably discount it from what you've said.... I'm not one to be fettling around too much with my machines.
ujio said:
Thanks KB. I purposely overlooked the 990 as I distinctly remember that was as god awful as the Mt09 on throttle jerkiness! Felt like I was on my CBT again at slow speed.. again I really wanted to love it.
950 on the other hand I heard is sublime. But will probably discount it from what you've said.... I'm not one to be fettling around too much with my machines.
Yeah, agree. While the 990 will never have the throttle response of the 950, it can be improved/bettered. Getting rid of the stock cans (cats) and opening up the airbox a bit and loading the Zuber 9 tune and its pretty damn good (e.g. my Adventure).950 on the other hand I heard is sublime. But will probably discount it from what you've said.... I'm not one to be fettling around too much with my machines.
ujio said:
Ducati monster ! Now that’s something I haven’t thought of …. Thanks for sticking it on my radar !
I rode a 1200 monster years back great engine but a bit fat like a speed triple … but never thought of the air cooled 796 or 1100.
If you're anywhere near Chester you're welcome to have a go on mine.I rode a 1200 monster years back great engine but a bit fat like a speed triple … but never thought of the air cooled 796 or 1100.
Krikkit said:
If you're anywhere near Chester you're welcome to have a go on mine.
thanks for the kind offer KK but unfortunately I'm way down in the South.Re Tuono Gen 2. Rode one back in 2007 and loved my first experience of flat bars and Twin engine.. unfortunately the rear brake hardly worked (in London), otherwiise twas good!
Looks like bikes have come on tremendously, I need to get with the times.
ujio said:
Krikkit said:
If you're anywhere near Chester you're welcome to have a go on mine.
thanks for the kind offer KK but unfortunately I'm way down in the South.Re Tuono Gen 2. Rode one back in 2007 and loved my first experience of flat bars and Twin engine.. unfortunately the rear brake hardly worked (in London), otherwiise twas good!
Looks like bikes have come on tremendously, I need to get with the times.
edit: there is a solution to it with a replacement rear cylinder apparently. Different design IIRC
Edited by snagzie on Thursday 12th January 10:02
Forgot to update this!
I picked up an MT07 in the end. Came with a Full Akra (baffles in), Heated grips, Baglux seat, and Nitron Suspension which I am sure makes a difference... but there were 38k miles (touring) on clock.
But the best mods so far are the Givi Top Box (great for lid and gloves when off the bike), Quadlock and heated Grips! If you told me 10 years ago I would be riding such a bike with only 70 bhp I would have cried.
So far I've put on approx 2k miles on it just general weekend rides when the weather allows and am quite impressed by the little package. I find I enjoy the smaller B-roads more and the engine is torquey enough. Really want to do a trackday on it, but looks like next year.
I picked up an MT07 in the end. Came with a Full Akra (baffles in), Heated grips, Baglux seat, and Nitron Suspension which I am sure makes a difference... but there were 38k miles (touring) on clock.
But the best mods so far are the Givi Top Box (great for lid and gloves when off the bike), Quadlock and heated Grips! If you told me 10 years ago I would be riding such a bike with only 70 bhp I would have cried.
So far I've put on approx 2k miles on it just general weekend rides when the weather allows and am quite impressed by the little package. I find I enjoy the smaller B-roads more and the engine is torquey enough. Really want to do a trackday on it, but looks like next year.
Edited by ujio on Tuesday 12th September 17:04
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