KTM 950 Supermotard, and FZ1

levert · 05-08-2006, 06:19 AM

Road both these things on the weekend.

The new FZ1,well,why do they make these so frikken fast.This bike is totally civilized under 5000rpm, good suspension,looks good, ergonomics similiar to an S.This thing is geared lower than an R1???,its Monday and I'm still trying to get my eyeballs into a round shape,their still flat!I can see why yound kids getting these can die so fast.

KTM supermotard
This is the most fun bike I have ridden to date.Again, very fast, waaay quicker than a GS1200, not even close.No vibration great sound and killer brakes. Since I do more dirt biking this was more natural for me,this bike begs you to do silly things!The top gear allows you to lope around and when accelerating it doesn't really care what gear your in.Dan Alexander, don't get one , you'd be in the slammer so fast........
I'm still smiling this morning.
That being said, rode the S in today, for a street bike, it still holds up and being closer to 50yrs old I like the slower steering and the suspension.

RC51DRAG · 05-08-2006, 09:38 AM

A good buddy of mine bought the 2nd year model FZ-1. He was a serial bike owner until that came along. Since then it's been the FZ-1 and the RC51 he had purchased before. He's often thought of getting a BMW but was hard pressed to make the switch because of the love for the RC and FZ. He's now looking @ getting an RT and trading the RC because he can't let the FZ go.

It's truly a top bike and plods along winning awards without much fanfare. It tied with the 12GS last year for streetbike of the year. Pretty impressive on an outgoing carbed design when you consider all the new models that were vying for the title.

950SM...that just spells trouble.

I love it, it's more impressive than I thought and is certainly up there with the new 12S as considerations for the 12GS stablemate.

levert · 05-08-2006, 09:56 AM

Can't go wrong with an RT.I just can't get my head around the price.The only thing holding me back on another KTM is parts and service,I'm 6 weeks waiting for a head gasket for my 300MXC!

SCOTTinNJ · 05-08-2006, 10:53 AM

FZ-1 is a nice bike, but they skimped a little too much on the suspension . . .

JonyRR · 05-08-2006, 11:35 AM

the big KTM's (not the dirt bike side) have a rep for wierd issues and nonexistant dealer service; I can believe it from a 1-line traditional KTM dealer like my local one; those boys have a hard time with the 4-stroke dirt bikes.
add the complexity of another cylinder, EFI and all that other stuff and the typical KTM dealer is in way over thier heads....but they sure are cool.

steve abella · 05-08-2006, 07:47 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by JonyRR
add the complexity of another cylinder, EFI and all that other stuff and the typical KTM dealer is in way over their heads....but they sure are cool.

LC8 motors in the US (950) do not have EFI thats the 990 and from what I read about the 990 it still needs work

The LC8 have been around for a while and have a good rep overall

seriously considering one of these in black with a set of 21's with TK's for the dirt

Dan Alexander · Dan Alexander's Garage

Hey Mark, you implying I like to go fast ..... surely not me

guess I'd better stay way but it does sound like fun. A friend in Montreal built a strange bike with a FZ750 engine and dirt bike style suspension. Tall with wide bars, just like the KTM. I rode it on a really twisty bit of road in the Adirondacks and to this day I say it was the most fun I've had on a bike. KTM must be the same ... I want one!

rocketrobin · 05-09-2006, 08:06 AM

Had the 950sm for a week now...an incredibly fun machine...light ..fast...comfy and in the right hands...unbeatable in the twisties...one downside is the range, reserve comes at about 175 km.

levert · 05-09-2006, 10:38 AM

Yes Dan, you and Jean!

I really don't think any bike would beat this on the #518.Your a lucky guy Rocketrobin,you wouldn't want to further on that typical KTM hemerroid remover they label SEAT.