worm~hole
Needs a life
Miles to go before I sleep....
Posts: 10623
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posted April 13, 2004 09:02 PM
 Edited By: worm~hole on 13 Apr 2004 22:07
KTM 950 Adventure: Part II
I was JATO's VStrom 1000 today on my way to test ride the KTM 950...the VStrom is a good bike and I imagine will do just about anything the more 'exotic' ones will do on-road. Off-road might be a different story, especially compared to the 950. I rode the VStrom approximately 200 miles today mostly through some pavement twisties and about 30 miles of freeway. The engine is a torquer, powerful, and smooth. The seat and general ergos adequate for my 6'1"/32"inseam/230lb butt. The handlebar bend felt uncomfortable to my wrists, though.
The 950?....it was like riding my KLR650 if it had a massive injection of moto-steroids...WHAT A FREEKIN' BLAST! I felt more 'involved' with the KTM, as if I had to do some work to ride it...work I absolutely didn't mind, of course. It felt 'edgey', but in a good way. Not so with the VStrom. The VStrom, while still a great bike and a great value, felt almost benign to me, almost lulled me to sleep until I whacked the throttle open! A great engine, but very sensitive to throttle inputs, almost too sensitive...especially bad with all that driveline slop.
The KTM's engine and throttle were easier for me to use and modulate. Not as torquey as the Suzuki's twin lump, but fun nonetheless...waaaaaay more fun! The KTM's suspension is far more superior than the Suzuki. Could the $3000 you save in buying a VStrom buy some suspension work make it feel as good as the 950? But its more than that...its the whole dynamics of the KTM...how it comes together with the sum of it parts. I felt 'as one' riding on the KTM...a perfect synergy between me and the bike.
Let me put it this way: the VStrom is like a Jeep Cherokee...the KTM is like a Jeep Rubicon...both will get you there, and depending on your prefered style of riding, one will be more 'fun' than the other....can't wait to own one! 
____________
“We sleep safe in our beds because rough men
stand ready in the night to visit violence on those
who would do us harm.”
-George Orwell
  
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