zolo
Explorer
This thread is about the differences and things I liked about the 06GS and also the 08KTM.
The GS was a 06 and well set up. EFI ABS 17” tubeless alloy wheels
The KTM is an 08 and well set up. EFI ABS 21” front 18” rear spoke tube wheels
Both bikes were bought for less than $10k, well set up.
So after putting many miles on my GS also with a ride to AK from ATL I loved the bike. I thought Id never sell it or consider another bike. But the time came to move on.
After farkling out the GS I knew it would sell. It sold within a week and I never even advertised it.
After a month or so of thinking about a new bike. I considered a KTM 990 ADV. But they are hard to find used. I looked for a few weeks. Of coarse I found new ones but they were
$14k plus. That was for a stripped down bike with no bags or any comforts like heated grips.
After awhile I found a used one. At a BMW dealer of all places in NC. It was already set up. bags, heated grips, nice hand guards. I went for it and so for I've loved it.
2006 GS (non adv)
THESE LISTS ARE KINDA THE SHORTR VERSION.
THINGS THAT CAME TO MIND MORE OFTEN THAN OTHERS.
LIKES
very nice long distance comfort. (for an adv bike)
great torque, pulled hard in every gear.
nice cockpit area, bar width, tank length.
adjustable seat from the factory.
great fuel range.
DISLIKES
It was a tank off-road.
the ABS was a little finicky, (never failed but temperamental)
the stock wind screen was awful.(changed to a Deserto 3 TouraTech)
the stock suspension was ok but not great, two up was not the best with gear. It needed some tuning for weight.
2008 KTM 990
LIKES
It is comfortable from a cockpit standpoint, bar width, tank length.
plenty of power.
GREAT off road!
the parts are all very nice, Brembo brakes, WP suspension, body work is very well made.
Nice digital read out and nice tach.
excellent factory hard cases.
DISLIKES
Seat is very stiff, not great after a few hours.
it has no fuel gauge
has a smaller in relation to the GS tank capacity, EDIT this is very slight. The range is less than the GS however.
has a lot of throttle snatch. on/off
The EFI/engine is not as smooth as the GS
So things I considered and should be considered for both bikes. I was under the impression for a long time the KTM would be taller than the GS. I was wrong about that. The KTM is actually the same if not a touch lower than the GS. Now my KTM is not the “S” model so it has a 33.8 seat height. Similar to my non ADV GS.
The ADV GS and “S” model KTM have more like 36” seat height. This is tall, esp. for me off road, I feel like it would be a handful. But the suspension height gained is also a plus off road so it's a trade off.
The KTM is a traditional chain drive, and traditional suspension fork front end.
What this translates in day to day is under heavy braking the KTM has brake dive. Also there is up keep involved with the chain, both keeping it lubed and clean and keeping the tension right.
The plus side is the gearing can be changed easily.
The BMW has a Para-lever front end. Basically two links and a spring shock that links them. This helps with handling and braking. The BMW had virtually no brake dive and you could controllably apply the brakes in a corner if needed. The BMW also has what's called a final drive more similar to a differential in a car. It uses a single sided swing arm and a drive shaft from the trans to the Final Drive. It needs maintenance despite what BMW said initially. Changing the fluid is needed. On the 06 this meant removing the upper bolt and brake then swinging the FD back and draining the fluid from the filler.
Also you would have to disengage the drive shaft at the slip yoke splins. Kind of a fidle
In these years BMW stated “forever fluid” this is not true. I changed my fluid twice while owning it..
All this is probably very rudimentary for most of us here on the Portal, but worth noting as a big difference between the bikes.
I really like the KTM off road. With its dirt bike size wheels and tires it is a great handling bike in the rough stuff. But for the long haul the smoother BMW motor was nice. Don't get me wrong the KTM is smooth but just not on the same level and the opposing twin.
In the twisties how do the two compare?
The BMW was a much more forgiving bike to ride. It was a bit easier to ride hard in the mtns. It could be thrown around and hard braked with some error and still feel solid and not out of control. The KTM requires much more rider control both with the front and rear brake and the throttle. It would not be as forgiving of an error under hard riding. For me this is true
How tall are you?
Im 5'11"
Compare the wind protection?
The wind screen on the KTM is better, a little buffeting but not terrible.
The GS stock screen was bad and needed to be changed.
Weight comparison as pictured?
The KTM feels way lighter loaded and unloaded and rides like a lighter smaller bike, even if it is similar in weight and size it doesnt feel it.
This is my opinion. If anyone would like to add to this list of likes and dislikes plus differences please do. But do not in any way try and grill me or my thoughts on these two bikes. I'm friendly and am writing this in a friendly manner to try and give some insight to these two bikes to our smaller ADV moto group here on EXPO. I've ridden the hell out of the GS and logged some on/off road miles with the KTM since I recently bought it. I think they both rock as travel bikes if you are looking to leave the pavement for some or all of a trip.
Cheers Daniel
The GS was a 06 and well set up. EFI ABS 17” tubeless alloy wheels
The KTM is an 08 and well set up. EFI ABS 21” front 18” rear spoke tube wheels
Both bikes were bought for less than $10k, well set up.
So after putting many miles on my GS also with a ride to AK from ATL I loved the bike. I thought Id never sell it or consider another bike. But the time came to move on.
After farkling out the GS I knew it would sell. It sold within a week and I never even advertised it.
After a month or so of thinking about a new bike. I considered a KTM 990 ADV. But they are hard to find used. I looked for a few weeks. Of coarse I found new ones but they were
$14k plus. That was for a stripped down bike with no bags or any comforts like heated grips.
After awhile I found a used one. At a BMW dealer of all places in NC. It was already set up. bags, heated grips, nice hand guards. I went for it and so for I've loved it.
2006 GS (non adv)
THESE LISTS ARE KINDA THE SHORTR VERSION.
THINGS THAT CAME TO MIND MORE OFTEN THAN OTHERS.
LIKES
very nice long distance comfort. (for an adv bike)
great torque, pulled hard in every gear.
nice cockpit area, bar width, tank length.
adjustable seat from the factory.
great fuel range.
DISLIKES
It was a tank off-road.
the ABS was a little finicky, (never failed but temperamental)
the stock wind screen was awful.(changed to a Deserto 3 TouraTech)
the stock suspension was ok but not great, two up was not the best with gear. It needed some tuning for weight.
2008 KTM 990
LIKES
It is comfortable from a cockpit standpoint, bar width, tank length.
plenty of power.
GREAT off road!
the parts are all very nice, Brembo brakes, WP suspension, body work is very well made.
Nice digital read out and nice tach.
excellent factory hard cases.
DISLIKES
Seat is very stiff, not great after a few hours.
it has no fuel gauge
has a smaller in relation to the GS tank capacity, EDIT this is very slight. The range is less than the GS however.
has a lot of throttle snatch. on/off
The EFI/engine is not as smooth as the GS
So things I considered and should be considered for both bikes. I was under the impression for a long time the KTM would be taller than the GS. I was wrong about that. The KTM is actually the same if not a touch lower than the GS. Now my KTM is not the “S” model so it has a 33.8 seat height. Similar to my non ADV GS.
The ADV GS and “S” model KTM have more like 36” seat height. This is tall, esp. for me off road, I feel like it would be a handful. But the suspension height gained is also a plus off road so it's a trade off.
The KTM is a traditional chain drive, and traditional suspension fork front end.
What this translates in day to day is under heavy braking the KTM has brake dive. Also there is up keep involved with the chain, both keeping it lubed and clean and keeping the tension right.
The plus side is the gearing can be changed easily.
The BMW has a Para-lever front end. Basically two links and a spring shock that links them. This helps with handling and braking. The BMW had virtually no brake dive and you could controllably apply the brakes in a corner if needed. The BMW also has what's called a final drive more similar to a differential in a car. It uses a single sided swing arm and a drive shaft from the trans to the Final Drive. It needs maintenance despite what BMW said initially. Changing the fluid is needed. On the 06 this meant removing the upper bolt and brake then swinging the FD back and draining the fluid from the filler.
Also you would have to disengage the drive shaft at the slip yoke splins. Kind of a fidle
In these years BMW stated “forever fluid” this is not true. I changed my fluid twice while owning it..
All this is probably very rudimentary for most of us here on the Portal, but worth noting as a big difference between the bikes.
I really like the KTM off road. With its dirt bike size wheels and tires it is a great handling bike in the rough stuff. But for the long haul the smoother BMW motor was nice. Don't get me wrong the KTM is smooth but just not on the same level and the opposing twin.
In the twisties how do the two compare?
The BMW was a much more forgiving bike to ride. It was a bit easier to ride hard in the mtns. It could be thrown around and hard braked with some error and still feel solid and not out of control. The KTM requires much more rider control both with the front and rear brake and the throttle. It would not be as forgiving of an error under hard riding. For me this is true
How tall are you?
Im 5'11"
Compare the wind protection?
The wind screen on the KTM is better, a little buffeting but not terrible.
The GS stock screen was bad and needed to be changed.
Weight comparison as pictured?
The KTM feels way lighter loaded and unloaded and rides like a lighter smaller bike, even if it is similar in weight and size it doesnt feel it.
This is my opinion. If anyone would like to add to this list of likes and dislikes plus differences please do. But do not in any way try and grill me or my thoughts on these two bikes. I'm friendly and am writing this in a friendly manner to try and give some insight to these two bikes to our smaller ADV moto group here on EXPO. I've ridden the hell out of the GS and logged some on/off road miles with the KTM since I recently bought it. I think they both rock as travel bikes if you are looking to leave the pavement for some or all of a trip.
Cheers Daniel
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