Thread: 950sm -> 990sm

Originally Posted by rorton@ukgateway.net

I swapped out last weekend 950 to 990 - no regrets - riding position a lot better - more planted over front end, more range with bigger tank, noticeably more grunt, easier to start, much better front light plastics (better unit with enlosed wires and better fixings), slimmer tank more comfy...er...its got a temperature guage....and its new and shiny - that should do for the missus!

Oddly, the only thing that looks worse is the the exhaust header pipework, which seems a bit lower grade. I had my 950SM for two years too

As they say, give it a go and you will know what to do!!

I love hearing stuff like that... Right I'm gonna head down to that gaff and give it a test drive just to make sure...

Am I reading the hard parts catalogue right? You can only get it EC approved akra with a catalyst these days? Nightmare...

Originally Posted by Dutch

I'm sure she'll see the sense of it.... er, probably.

"Er, babe, I "need" to get a new bike... a bit like the old one, but with, er, ...another 49cc, and fuel injection... Oh yes, it's fairly cheap, and it'll be much better for commuting. oh - and it's probably a lot safer too... "

Have you been talking to to my misses then Dutch!
Oh, and add in the financial sense it makes to get a new bike, harp on
about avoiding depreciation and all that. It works!

Originally Posted by simmo

Have you been talking to to my misses then Dutch!
Oh, and add in the financial sense it makes to get a new bike, harp on
about avoiding depreciation and all that. It works!

I think your missus needs a little more proveable science than that... But the "avoiding depreciation" bit might make sense to her acute business mind.

Well I've done it... Went for a test ride on Friday - gave the 990 some beans and was impressed. Fueling is a bit naff when you drop off the throttle but as I'm gonna get the akra's from new hopefully it won't be too much of a problem. Even if I didn't get them I can't imagine it being a showstopper.

Defo quicker to pick up the power in the mid-range compared to the 950 but not shockingly faster. Riding position is different, I'm thinking slightly more upright than my 950 but I have got the gel seat which maybe made me sink a bit lower. Brakes seemed better on the front but maybe it was just because it was new. I didn't like the 990 seat too much maybe they'll come up with a better one over time. I liked the clocks and the fact there is a rev counter now (always handy).

Main thing was your man killeen gave me a good price on the 950 which kinda swung it, I commute every day and selling privately is always a pain in the rear as it generally means I'll be without transport. Public transport to where I work normally wastes me 3 hours a day. 25 mins each way on the bike

He didn't have the 690 duke in when I went around someone else had it out for a test ride - oh well I'm sure its a great bike but didn't have chance to try it to compare.

Happy with decision though - he has the bike in but might wait until exhausts turn up before I take it off him.

I was talking to him about the akra's and he reckons you can only get the one with the cat in it (e-marked) - is this right? The code he types in for the one listed only gives him this option. Then again even with the cat it saves 9kg which is pretty impressive...

Job done.

c.

Top marks fella. Enjoy the new toy.

Might be worth getting a second opinion on the Akra. Maybe e-mail them directly or check out their website?

Yeh might just do that... might try another dealer just incase like you say.

cheers.

Had a 990SM for the weekend and what a Hoot!! Fueling is a bit jerky at first but you can ride round it.It needs the 16 tooth front sprocket which will cure the low speed hunting.What power and improved midrange ,sound fantastic and looks great now I am used to it. Better clocks so much easier to start which always pissed me off on the 950 as it takes 2 or 3 starts sometimes especially when cold.Brakes seemed stronger broomstick threw the spokes and theres a screen available to take off the blast. Do the akros help? Not only that but i got 140 miles til the orange low fuel light came on .So will I be trading........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................yep

Yeh the akras are great. Make a difference to the weight and the sound - whether power is much different is probably subjective on the road.

It only took me one test drive and I was convinced too.

As I ride my bike everyday, the starting on the 950 cheesed me off too - so even that has been fixed with the new FI.

Its okay at slow speed - I found my 950 worse...

does anyone know if they will be an " R " version of the 990sm ??

Originally Posted by Bermo 950sm

does anyone know if they will be an " R " version of the 990sm ??

I'd be surprised if there was.

They made the SDR cos punters were already putting moto wheels and brakes on the SuperEnduro, and the SMR is really just a factory version of that bike (well, excpet the gearbox, etc, etc), so almost no cost for them to do this officially, as the parts were already made.

Also, the 990SM has the narrower tank and more forward riding position that was the main selling point of the R over the standard bike, so I'm not sure what benefit a new 990R would give - unless they do the Race-spec internals that the 08 SDRs have... ...but that was done to enhance the race series and I'm not sure a bike with that riding position and engine actually needs to go any faster.

So, I'd bet on a No, but you never can tell...