Harley guy going to adventure bike?

[CoastalDefender]

Well done!

There's a few individuals on here and there who I pay attention to when it comes to bikes and their attributes, GoodTimes happens to be one of them, he is a wealth of accurate, unbiased, first hand information.

 

[NeverEnough]

Is there any way you can test ride a GS12 and a KTM 990?

How you react to test rides is always a function of your current riding style and ability. One way to get a better feel for a long-term buying commitment is to do a trip with an outfitter or rent one for a trip- assuming you don't have a riding buddy willing to loan you a bike for several days. I also recommend getting some lessons on how to best use big dualies. I did the Jimmy Lewis course and not only was it a blast, but it did great things for my overall riding skills. You might be surprised what you can learn to do with big GS with the proper instruction (just strip all your farkles off the bike before the class!)

I just think it's a good idea to spend some serious time in the saddle before buying bikes that both expensive to buy and to own. They're worth it, and the BMW and KTM are both great machines; however, they are very different riding experiences. And the BMW 800GS is also worth looking at.

 

[Frank]

The reality is, I'll use the bike more commuting to work than dirt roads.

Based on what I have read, a BMW is your ticket

 

[camit34]

I did just this...

I went from a Honda Nighthawk to a Ninja to a HD...it was too big of a move from the Ninja to the HD but I did enjoy the HD. Last summer I stumbled on a '97 BMW R1100GS with only 52k on it for a steal from a co-worker and jumped on it...very nice bike, can't believe how much fun I have on this thing! SO after 7 years of the HD, it is going buy buy this spring.

From this...


To this...

 

[Hondarider]

The BMW and the KTM are both great bikes with the best possible riding positions. I own a GSA, but I spent some time on the KTM 990 Adventure before I made the purchase. The GS has better wind protection, shaft drive, and tubeless tires that can be plugged on the side of the trail in 10 minutes. Those were really the deciding factors for me. Other than that, the KTM makes better noise, feels lighter and more nimble, and I LOVE orange. You really can't go wrong with either. I still own my Harley, but it doesn't get out of the garage much now that I have the GS.

 

[Bondster]

I had a Victory Vegas and didn't ride it enough to justify keeping it. I bought a KLR650 and road the heck out of it. I recently traded it towards a Yamaha Super Tenere and I couldn't be happier. I'd suggest you take a look at one before you pull the trigger on a BMW or KTM. The link below compares the 3 bikes.

http://www.dalbymoto.com.au/images/stories/The_Yamaha_XT_1200_Super_Tenere.pdf

 

[Clutch]

You can "ADV" a Harley...

http://www.motosapiens.org/forum/index.php

 

[BillTex]

I've had 'em all; road rockets (GS1150E), Harley's (last one was Heritage Classic), dirt bikes (several RM250's), and the last bike I owned; KLR650. The KLR was probably the most fun and versatile bike of all of them. I could cruise down the highway in relative comfort with decent economy, and I never feared taking that bike off-road. I road that thing the same trails I would with the RM's.
When I get another bike, it is likely to be another KLR.

FWIW; when I was riding Harley's, I put on more miles every year than any of the road rocket guys I hung with previously. I routinely did 10k mi/year. And was never stranded. Harley riders (not pretenders) are the most dedicated riders I have ever known/hung with. Ride 'em hard...put 'em away wet.

Bill

 

[Butch1979]

Great info! Looks like my Road King is gone tomorrow.... I will still have a stripped down sportster.

I am really leaning towards the KTM, mainly because of price. I have a new little one we have just been blessed with, so I need to have less Money tied up in bikes and more in family adventures.

Really sad to see the King go.

 

[Butch1979]

King is gone

Well, turning the page on my riding style. Road King sold today. I still have a pretty trick little sportster.

Looked at the Triumph tiger xc today. Cool bike. Still thinking a used KTM Adventure is the choice I will make.

Butch

 

[Frank]

I think that will be a great choice!

 

[Butch1979]

I'm in full shopping mode! If anybody finds a good deal on a KTM 2007-2009 range, let me know.

 

[Butch1979]

Pulled the trigger!

I'm now the proud owner of a KTM 990.

 

[Mechanical]

:wings: Congratz! You're going to love it!

 

[sandalscout]

Nice, good looking bike. I love the white models, but the graphics and grey on your is really sweet looking.