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KTM 990 SMT Review |
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KTM 990 SMT Review |
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-- KTM 990 SMT Review / Page 1 /
Page 2 /
Images -- By, Trevor Hedge  When
I first rode
KTM’s 950 Supermoto model early last year I was most impressed,
and judged it as the most practical all round roadbike yet to come
from the Austrian manufacturer. An excellent fuel range and
ergonomics that proved friendly enough to see me cover 2000
kilometres in a little over 24 hours made a mockery of the
‘Supermoto’ model tag that suggested the bike would be uncomfortable
and impractical.KTM eventually realised just how practical the 950 Supermoto was. With the introduction of the larger and much more powerful fuel injected 999cc engine for 2009, the 950 Supermoto became the 990 Supermoto, and was then split into two different models. The 990 Supermoto R, and the 990 Supermoto T. Predictably enough the R model is slightly more spartan, boasts sexier rims and livelier war paint. It is also seven kilograms lighter than the T thanks to forged, rather than cast, Marchesini’s and less bodywork. The T still gets the same 115 horsepower v-twin, fully adjustable WP suspension and radial mounted Brembo brakes. So there has been no serious detuning of the engine or the running gear but the same full monty KTM 990 experience as the R. The T does gain the extra benefits of better wind and weather protection thanks to a frame mounted front cowling and screen, handguards, a better seat that includes reasonable pillion accommodations, mounts for saddlebags integrated into the muffler heatshields, a luggage rack with passenger grab handles, a slightly lower seat height and four more litres of fuel in the tank. Effectively, the 990 Supermoto T has improved what was already KTM’s best real world roadbike, the 950 Supermoto, into a more powerful, more comfortable and more highly equipped mount than before. Now, that’s what I call progress! My run home from KTM’s Sydney office to Melbourne’s northern outskirts took in some of Australia’s best roads. After the boring highway drone down to Canberra to make myself at home on the KTM I then covered the fantastic ribbons of blacktop (and a little dirt) between Tharwa, Adaminaby, Kiandra, Tintaldra, Walwa, Granya, Mt. Beauty, Bright, Whitfield, through to Mansfield and then a bit of dirt between Bonnie Doon and Eildon before the final very wet run home to Melbourne. All up, around 1000 kilometres of fantastic roads, in all manner of challenging conditions, to appreciate what is a very fine motorcycle. The KTM 990 SMT performed flawlessly throughout the journey and was a more than willing partner for any of my more adventurous shenanigans. With a generous 180mm of rear suspension stroke matched to 160mm of fork travel the WP gear shrugged off any bump. The ride is always comfortable and the KTM simply floats along any manner of road with no hint of a kidney punch to the rider, no matter what’s thrown at it. Even reasonable sojourns off road are well within the 990 SMT’s capabilities.... Continued on Page 2... |
