KTM 990 SMT (2009 - present)

Rusco
Reviewed: 31 January 2012

Best motorcycle on the road!

Engine n feel at the controls

A little snatchy thro town

Awesome! As good as it gets!

watchman
Reviewed: 29 January 2012

Versitile tourer, sports bike handling, class brakes and suspension, brilliant fun

Engine, brakes, susoension, comfort handling and luggage carrying capacity.

No fuel gauge, even with the touring screen some buffeting, clocks fiddly and should have TPMS.

I returned from a European camping holiday on a Hayabusa and decided after maxing it out I really should grow up as it was a miracle I didn't end up in gaol.
I tested a Triumph 800, a Z1000SX, BMWGS and the KTM came out a clear winner with the Triumph second.
I have previously tried to compromise with a K1200S after having had all the litre race reps but found on B roads with poor surfaces and variable grip that there is nothing quite as sure footed as the KTM. Undoubtably this has to do with the riding position but also the suspension is a class act.
I had a couple of days in October in Snowdonia and could not have enjoyed it more on any other bike. Now with 3K miles on the clock and looking forward to replacing the tyres with MPR3 I would recommend this bike to anyone who like me has done the race reps and wants more from their motorcycling.

Poucher
Reviewed: 24 January 2012

Awesome real world ride, a bullish-nutter-bike that will outperform 90% of sportsbikes!

Fantastic grunty engine that also likes to rev like the clappers!
Power everywhere in the rev range.
Brilliant Brembo radial brakes, with abs, fantastic comfort compared to being squashed up on a sportsbike.
High quality WP suspension that just sucks up the bumps on our crappy roads so you just float over things that would have a sportsbike in a tankslapper!
But one of the best things is the extra vision you get by being sat up higher, it makes you faster because you can see further into bends, and also see the exits quicker, don't under estimate how vitally useful this is!!

A little thirsty, but not too bad - 40 mpg on a mixed run.
A bit breezier than a sportsbike as you are not tucked under a bubble.
Trip meter digits are too small to read at night, and the re-set buttons are fiddly and hard to push.
It will cost you a fortune in petrol and tyres because you won't be able to stop riding it!
All your mates want to have a go on it !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Once my mates have had a ride on its they all use one word to describe it ....."Awesome!!"

When you open the stops it goes like stink, and makes a lovely "bellow" as it revs through to 9,000 rpm, definately not short of go, even compared to the 954 Fireblade I'd just traded in on the SMT.
The instant accelleration combined with the tall riding position ( a novelty being able to see over hedges! ) and lovely bump absorbing suspension made this probably just as quick or even quicker point to point than the Fireblade.
One of my mates confessed one day that he could live with my 954 Blade, but couldn't keep up with the KTM on a particular section of twisty road!

I've done 6,500 miles on the bike so far and have ridden the wheels off it, thinking if anythings going to go wrong on it I want it to happen while its under warranty still, but its never missed a beat.

I guarantee once you hit 6,000 revs on it you will laugh out loud at the shove you get from this bike, its so much fun to ride.

The fantastic KTM build quality shines through, I have 2 friends with 4 yr old KTM adv's that have been abused something rotten, on and off road - both of them come up like new pins after a good wash and have zero rust on them and all the paintwork is like new - far superior to a modern BMW!

Mich Pilot road 3's suit the bike really well, the front in particular has staggering grip on wet roads.

You really owe it to yourself to try one, ...you'll be hooked!!!

katum_smt
Reviewed: 23 January 2012

After 22000km of ownership I still dont tire of riding it

Handling, Torque, Lightweight, Brakes, Riding position,

Gets a bit loose at high speeds, seat needs something more for long rides.

Great bike

shorty42
Reviewed: 02 November 2010

Great Bike, almost a tourer!!

Great handling, plenty of torque / power, top fun, thrasher as well as distance machine

120 miles to reserve (165 tops on a tank)luggage limited in capacity, not a great pillion seat

great if most of your travels are alone & can be a great hoot for the sportsbike rider (like me) who wants some fun every now & then as well as the practicality to take some luggage along!