Thread: 950sm -> 990sm

Hi,

I was tentatively thinking about chopping in my 950sm and getting the new 990sm. Reasons being:
(1) it will be a new thing and therefore fun
(2) I tend to get rid of bikes after 2ish years - I ride all year round in all weathers which tends to knacker the bikes after too long.

Are they 'that' different? Seat heights, etc the same??

Has anyone gone from the 950 to 990 - do you like the newer bike?

Personally I think the 950 is one of the best bikes I've ever owned and I've had shed loads. For me and commuting its the dogs nads.

Had a quick search but couldn't see if anyone had gone from 950 -> 990.

Cheers,

c.

If you'd only had the 950 a year I'd say don't bother, but if you've been hooning around on it for a cople of years and given it some stick then why not.

The 990 isn't quite as pretty as the 950 IMO, but the 990 FI engine is a significant upgrade (I now have a Superduke), the riding position is supposed to be better, and the geomtery is a little sharper, so overall it's a "better" bike, and with the added feel-good factor of getting a new bike, it's probably worth it - if you have the dosh.

G'wan.

(You might wanna try and Superduke or SDR first tho)

Originally Posted by Dutch

If you'd only had the 950 a year I'd say don't bother, but if you've been hooning around on it for a cople of years and given it some stick then why not.

The 990 isn't quite as pretty as the 950 IMO, but the 990 FI engine is a significant upgrade (I now have a Superduke), the riding position is supposed to be better, and the geomtery is a little sharper, so overall it's a "better" bike, and with the added feel-good factor of getting a new bike, it's probably worth it - if you have the dosh.

G'wan.

(You might wanna try and Superduke or SDR first tho)

Heh heh - have you been following me... Hoon indeed...

As you can probably tell from my tone of the message, I'm trying to justify it to myself and then i'll be equipped to sell it to the missues

Yeh its 2 years old in a month or so. The finish is still pretty top. Paint is looking a bit 'worn' and down pipes are a bit rusty but otherwise looks pretty mint (nothing that a bit of wax wouldn't get rid of anyway).

I like the sound of the 990 - and to be honest throughout the two winters I've had it (plus I had the 950 adventure before this) - seem to suffer from Carb Icing a lot. I know the 950sm had carb heaters but seemed to do feck all most of the time. If it was cold and wet stutter to a halt unless I kept the revs really high. Not great when commuting through tight traffic.

Plus I like the sound of taking off my hand guards, front carbon fender and a few other bits to put on the new bike.

I know what you mean about the design - I don't like the exhaust placement on the SM at all (new or old) either. But hey the price you pay for a quality bike.

Better to commute on that than an R1200GS which the whole of Dublin seem to have!

Cheers Dutch,

c.

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... "

drop over to Paul Kileen(KTM dublin) and take the 990sm out for a spin .... my mate took it around mondello for kileen 3 weeks ago and said its awesome ... the 950 looks dated when put beside it , and women are repacable , they just need reminding

Originally Posted by oggo69

drop over to Paul Kileen(KTM dublin) and take the 990sm out for a spin .... my mate took it around mondello for kileen 3 weeks ago and said its awesome ... the 950 looks dated when put beside it , and women are repacable , they just need reminding

Cool... I use NMC for my bikes before... But I'm open to the best deal!

Originally Posted by maigrait

Cool... I use NMC for my bikes before... But I'm open to the best deal!

NMC only do the off road stuff new .. Kileen do the road stuff , tell Paul i sent ya over , he is sound and will look after ya

Originally Posted by oggo69

NMC only do the off road stuff new .. Kileen do the road stuff , tell Paul i sent ya over , he is sound and will look after ya

Well actually NMC will do the whole lot if you ask him. I think Philip there is the importer for KTM stuff in ireland full stop (or used to be anyway).

But yep I'll give Kileen a go, especially if they have a demostrator...

Thanks for the tip!

Slightly OT, but did you try super unleaded to stop the carb icing problem? I have been advised by my dealer that this works.

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!!