Aparently a KTM SMT is sportier than a VFR800

Discussion in 'General VFR Discussions' started by jay956, Apr 20, 2009.

  1. jay956

    jay956 New Member

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  2. John451

    John451 Member

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    The only thing can see counting against the KTM SMT as a great choice in Sports tourer is its engines thirst and 19L tank. Tank range is more important to me than actual track times in an all rounder but suspect in Great Britain a non issue.
     
  3. soundmaster31

    soundmaster31 New Member

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    What a bunch of garbage! That has to be the widest spread and of "all rounders" I've ever seen! There could be a few more contenders for that matter.

    And since when is track time SO important for an ALL ROUNDER? Where is the grocery trip? Where is the harsh weather riding? Where is the two up long distance segment at? What about comfort? Since when does that NOT matter?



    So the KTM has a bigger motor= a wee bit more hp than the VFR and ooodles more torque than the VFR.

    The GSXR is a full 100lbs lighter with more hp.

    The BMW actually has similar hp to VFR but a slight torque advantage (despite it's huge displacement) But what is a long travel suspension doing here?!?!?!?

    I suppose it all starts with your intended purpose...and if you don't have one..the KTM fits the bill because it doesn't excel in any one area. Where as the BMW can go anywhere, the GSXR is track oriented, and the VFR can make the long haul.


    Absolute Rubbish.
     
  4. rodmac

    rodmac New Member

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    With all due respect soundmaster, I have ridden both the VFR 750 and 800 many times and they are a wonderful all-round motorcycle BUT... they are a much heavier piece of kit than the KTM 990SMT, are less powerul, less flickable, far less grin factor, fall short in the handling department (the SMT has brembo brakes, marchesini wheels, WP suspension) and, with shorter suspension than its 950 and 990 cousins, makes for a better road-handling bike than both, yet softer than the more sport-based RC8 and RC8R for faster real road riding. Add to this a comfy seat, screen and hand guards and it tours as well as it scratches. I picked up mine last Saturday morning and did 1050km in comfort that same day. This is my first ever post on any site BUT, I just couldn't let your 'ABSOLUTE RUBBISH' comment go unanswered. I guess horses for courses, there is no wrong bike if it's what you want, but as a VFR rider the SMT should tick the same boxes for you as a bike that does everything well. Only the SMT does it much much better! Ride one! Shocked the hell out of me!
     
  5. John451

    John451 Member

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    I'm sure it can but under close scrutiny the KTM doesn't have the same " honed from a single billet " feel about it I love about my VFR.

    1050kms ? nice to know it can but then have also done 1300 km single day rides on my VFR without complaint either. :wink:
     
  6. rodmac

    rodmac New Member

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    Too right John 451! Wink back at ya. The SMT certainly doesn't have the same solid feel. Even my '02GSXR1000 (last bike) felt more solid and much heavier (but it was 14kg lighter). So, it's not to say the SMT is not solid (I admit it does look somewhat more plastic), it's just that it carries it's weight differently. I've read elsewhere in its reviews and it's spot on, it really feels as light and as flickable as a pushbike. This could be unnerving for some but the suspension, braking and balance makes it so damn easy to ride at any speed. Putting my feet down at traffic lights is an afterthought it is so stable. The VFR does indeed feel solid, (I may yet miss that feeling), and not too different from say the Triumph Sprint or BMW R1200R, both great, solid bikes I considered purchasing that do everything well like the VFR but without the same sweet V4 song (BTW, have you heard the new Aprilia RSV4)?

    Regarding long distance comfort, I did almost 1600km in a day several years ago on the Gixxer, comfy seat but I paid for it with a sore back and shoulders for a week. It can be done on anything of course but getting back to the thread, we are talking 'all-rounders' here, and it is cynical to the extreme without riding the SMT to claim (sorry but true) as 'soundmaster31' does, "the ktm fits the bill (as the best all rounder in this particular test) because it doesn't excel in any one area". In fact, it is the best only because it excells in all of those areas tested, touring, two-up, scratching on real roads and the occasional ride day, without being noticeably handicapped in any one. That is the point Michael Neeves is making of course and I can assure you he rides them all. Excelling in each area doesn't require it to be the best in that area, each type of riding and bike to suit requires deferring to a different set-up, suspension, ride position, aerodynamics and so on. That is what made the first VFR750 so special when it first was released. It wasn't the fastest or comfiest, it just did both so well by comparison that it was perfect for someone who wanted the best of both worlds.
    Anyway, I'm only a guest here and don't wish to push my luck, (for f..k's sake I nearly bought the red/white/blue limited edition VFR only 6 months ago, love 'em,) but all I say is ride an SMT before you put them down, then tell me I'm full of s..t. Me thinks you'll be very quiet. I don't claim it to be the world's best all rounder, I'd have to ride many more bikes before I could make such a claim (you know, like Michael Neeves does and has claimed), but in IMHO, (other than that very true comment "honed from a single billet, feel about it") of the VFR, the SMT is as comfy but is a much faster, lighter and better handling bike than any VFR, (FACT). With the full Akropovic system (no baffles) and high flow BMC air filter just fitted, it sounds better too and is much more exciting, (SUBJECTIVE).
     
  7. jaimev34

    jaimev34 New Member

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    Wish I could ride one; we don't get it in the US.
     
  8. reg71

    reg71 Poser Staff Member

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    I don't know about the other bikes in the test, but here's what I did notice... Everyone but the GSXR looked to be in slow motion on the track. The VFR barely moved from the saddle so of course he scraped everywhere. I'd have to try that test myself on all the bikes before I believed it. Also, did they ever swap to the different bikes or did the same riders stay on the same bikes all day. And one more important aspect to a bike that you really can't test in a day or two is the longevity and dependability. I like the KTM, but I just don't know enough about them, and our only local dealer went out of business so I'm not sure how far I'd have to go to get work done. At least on the VFR, I know it's dependable. And them stating the VFR is heavy is kind of a DUH moment to all of us. No surprise there. We have all been bitching about that for 10 yrs or so... Oh well. I won't be changing bikes anytime soon anyway. I'm still shooting for 100,000 miles. Let me know if any of you guys see a KTM with those kind of miles.
     
  9. bitterpil

    bitterpil New Member

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    Strange Since Gas is easily 4 times the cost per liter in GB than in the US that range didn't count against it.
     
  10. jasonsmith

    jasonsmith Member

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    "All rounders in there class" ... as soon I saw the GSXR there the test lost all its cred with me.
     
  11. crustyrider

    crustyrider New Member

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    like bikes in an "allrounder" not a few of this and a couple of those and the bike we want to win wins.....
     
  12. bitterpil

    bitterpil New Member

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    Not to be a blind homer and think the VFR is all that... But.. it is a great all rounder. Much more so than the GSXR. The 6th gen is heavy but If you actually ride it it will be up with the other bikes. Watching the video the rider of the VFR didn't seem to actually ride it on the track.

    Take into account

    Range:
    Touring Comfort:
    Track Days:
    Commuting:
    Maintenance:
    $$ to own:
    $$to maintain:

    I think it belongs better than last place in that group of bikes.
     
  13. rodmac

    rodmac New Member

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    Wish I could ride one; we don't get it in the US.]
    They're on their way jaimev34 .......all confirmed but soon?

    And one more important aspect to a bike that you really can't test in a day or two is the longevity and dependability. I like the KTM, but I just don't know enough about them
    I must agree here, the VFR is tried and true. I'm enjoying my ride on the SMT, purchased it for that whole 'visceral' and do it all thing, but when and how long it lasts waits to be seen. Still nothing beats Honda build quality, my '98 Blade and '00 SP1 (RC51) are testimony to that.The new VFR1200 looks interesting, maybe for when my SMT dies......LOL or not?

    like bikes in an "allrounder" not a few of this and a couple of those and the bike we want to win wins
    There should have been at least another 6 contenders I can think of!

    I think it belongs better than last place in that group of bikes
    Agreed.
     
  14. John451

    John451 Member

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    Not yet, was talking to an ex VFR owner current Crossplain R1 owner with Carbon "Race only" Akrapovics who had a chance to ride one recently, he said most there thought his '09 R1 sounded better which supprised him but then again the RSV4 had the standard cans still on.

    Had my VFR serviced today, the mechanic ex Honda Austraila ex VFR Gen 5 owner now services mainly Husqvarnas and KTMs but while he generally prefers the quality of the Husqvarnas over the KTMs recons he always looks forward to working on my VFR and always grins like mad when he asks permission for a post tune ride sometimes picking up his missus on the way back for road test purposes only you understand. :smile:
     
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