Test drive KTM990 SMT
In Europe, which, unlike us, is very spoiled by the abundance of technology, the buyer who has decided to choose a new motorcycle for himself has a hard life: after all, in addition to an almost endless selection (everything is in stock!) of models and modifications, a credit card is offered for each of them or a leasing package with fantastic servicing percentage figures for us (from 2 to 5 per year!), or even without them at all - just buy it! Therefore, it is not uncommon for one owner to have not one, but two or three motorcycles of different classes. Unfortunately, we can only dream of such a situation...Nevertheless, thanks to the fact that KTM employs engineers who do not know how to think in a standard way, now those who wish will be able to “embrace the immensity” by buying just one motorcycle model, and get three in it at once , or even four!
We will talk about the KTM 990 SMT, which recently appeared on our market. This is already the second modification of the 950 SM (2004-2008), which at one time caused a lot of noise and caused confusion in the classification. That first “out-of-class hooligan” with a carburetor engine was distinguished by a nervous character, did not have ABS, and in general turned out to be such a “thing in itself” that few buyers understood it, and even fewer accepted it. As soon as they didn’t call him names! And “victim of steroids”, and “overgrown”, even “nightmare”.
The reincarnation was the fuel-injected 990 SMR, with no less bright character than its predecessor, but still somewhat different. And then one of the marketers came up with the idea to dramatically expand the functional scope of the model, creating a product with the recently fashionable “three in one” trend - they probably watched TV often, and that’s what inspired them.
Image perception
The parameter is absolutely changeable and its perception directly depends on the degree of functionality of the motorcycle that you need before the trip. What is meant? Remember, as in that joke: “Take off your cap, put on your cap!” Here it is: attach the panniers - the spitting image of a tourist truck driver, take them off - already a large street with a small windbreaker. At the same time, in terms of saddle height, it is closer to enduro than to road bikes, although, of course, the saddle height is not as high as the KTM Adventure. Who did the Austrians create? Once you get into the saddle, you don’t immediately get a clear answer - you sit high, like on a touring enduro, while your body is noticeably tilted forward, like on a street bike, and your legs stand straight, like on a touring bike. But static is static, and after all, people buy a motorcycle to ride it!
Breakaway - to the fullest!
A “cocktail” of a sharp, citro-like liter V-twin engine, a rigid frame and suspension from the “court” WP can easily “knock down” an inexperienced rider who has overestimated his capabilities. It’s no joke when 70 percent of the thrust that a liter injection engine can develop is available already at 3000 rpm of the crankshaft, and this flow hits the pilot even more forcefully in the range of 4500-5000, reaching a value of almost a hundred Newton meters by 7 -mi thousands. Then you have at your disposal a medium-width “shelf”, and this traction shaft, which has already saturated you to the limit with adrenaline, gradually begins to collapse after the tachometer needle reaches 8500. It is not surprising that its “wheelie factor” is simply off the charts! The first and second “from the gas” and the third - with the clutch, so, with minimal stunt skills, becoming the star of evening rides on this motorcycle is a breeze. And accordingly, the “shooting factor” takes place at a high level.
But! As always, there is a “other side of the coin”. These are nervous convulsions of the engine in a slow, dense traffic jam or the inability to drive as slowly as possible over rough terrain. I specifically conducted an experiment, driving with the throttle fully closed for about a hundred meters on a smooth piece of asphalt and closely watching the large numbers in the speedometer window. 19 km/h is the minimum speed that the engine can maintain during more or less uniform movement. And this is much faster than any tourenduro. So, in case of any need to drive as slowly as possible, you will have only two options: “fire” the clutch, driving with the left lever half-squeezed and playing it like a virtuoso on the saxophone, or stand on the footpegs, unscrew the gas handle and jump on bumps and pits, trying not to lose control of the rear wheel galloping like an unbridled mustang. But if the traffic density is low, or you somehow already find yourself outside the city - on a quiet relief and scenic road, you will be able to come to your senses only when the reserve lamp shines as an orange square “right in your eye”!
In practice this means the following. When you use a motorcycle in a metropolis crowded with vehicles, the desire to quickly get to the office and get off it will dominate - because the density of traffic will not allow you to use even a third of its potential. But on weekends you will be drawn to it like a magnet - the streets and roads are half empty, and if you have the opportunity to get out of town and drive along hilly, winding roads, then it will be simply impossible to resist going to the garage! And such trips or very small and unhurried trips (read why unhurried - read below, editor's note) of several hundred kilometers back and forth will amount to a pleasant 95% of the total amount of use of this motorcycle. So, if you clearly understand before purchasing what you need it for, you won’t be disappointed. And, although the suspensions have decent travel, handling bumps/waves of asphalt quite well, small curbs and speed bumps, I wouldn’t bet on any significant amount of off-road mileage in the life of this K, after all.
But you can easily afford dynamic grips with “rocket” speed increases up to the “100+” level, even in the city, since “if something happens” the Brembo radial calipers will “dig into the asphalt” so effectively (but with a loud hiss!) "under four hundred kilograms of total mass, that your head will not be occupied with calculating the distance remaining to the obstacle, but only with thoughts like “Ah-ah! And why did I take a PASSENGER with me?!!!” By the way, about the last one. Of course, the seat is designed for two and there is even a second pair of footrests under it, but, nevertheless, I would consider the situation with carrying a passenger only as absolutely necessary. Indeed, in addition to the fact that it has practically nothing to hold on to (the mounts for panniers are in the way), it also upsets the balance of weight distribution, which has a very noticeable effect on handling, and the desire to get into a “wheelie” during dynamic acceleration (and so not weak) and completely triples. Thus, having seated a passenger, you must clearly understand that your hooligan and cocky “large supermoto” will turn into a “misunderstood tourist” with strong restrictions in all respects. And do you need this?!
Say a word about comfort!
I won’t keep quiet, don’t persuade me. No, of course, if you follow the principles of the theory of relativity, then comfort, as a dogma, cannot be a parameter at all. For some, a bobber with a hardtail is a completely comfortable motorcycle, while others install in the Gold Wing not only wide-high windshields (although, it would seem, much wider and taller!) with a windshield wiper, plus additional deflectors, stems, backrests , fly swatters and other “nice little things”, but also even very expensive forks paired with electronic shock absorbers. I'm not even talking about music with a subwoofer and other electronic devices.
But in the case of 990 SMT, as they say, “this number will not pass”, even if you have an unlimited budget. After all, this is about the same as buying a pedigree Akhal-Teke dog, and after the purchase, spending money on an expensive veterinarian, who, first of all, qualitatively... castrates him so that everything that dangles between his legs does not prevent him from running faster. And after a radical operation, to make it even more comfortable to ride on it, hang a large embroidered saddle, wide heavy stirrups and a golden harness on it. He will remain a horse (although a “gelding” would be more accurate), but because of everything he has been through and experienced, he will definitely cease to be a breeding horse. So, “installed saddlebags - removed saddlebags” this, perhaps, will be the maximum touring transformation for the KTM 990 SM-T without losing the qualities of supermoto and street... Moreover, in its pure form this class of motorcycles does not imply any comfort, even to its weakest degree...
About the main thing and some little things
It is clear that, in principle, there are no ideal motorcycles. And station wagons, as a rule, are generally made of compromises. In the case of the KTM 990 SMT there are more than them. It is too heavy for a supermoto, although as a liter street it is quite good. For a tourist, it lacks wind protection, tank capacity, some accessories and a softer attitude towards the passenger. He has everything for the street except his looks. Well, for an enduro tourist it lacks so much that I won’t even waste space on the sheet. But for all that, he is unique both in his abilities and in his classlessness. And it is precisely this moment that can attract the attention of those motorcyclists to the 990 SMT for whom adrenaline is not enough, but they cannot and do not want to settle down in the “Procrustean bed” of thoroughbred “sports” and “streets”. For those who seem to take a motorcycle “for every day”, but at the same time want to not only easily trick on motorcycle rallies, but also, having picked up a girl there, take her somewhere to the nearest lake or sea with a tent and things. So that when you arrive there, you won’t be afraid to drive along the dirt road and pebbles straight to the water. It is only important to understand that with this motorcycle the scope of its capabilities is actually limited not by technical characteristics and geometric parameters, but by the experience, skills and abilities of the rider himself. Moreover, if the pilot lacks something, the motorcycle will help him develop. There would be a desire!
Text: Valery Chuikov
Photo: Andrey Shlenchak
Thank you for providing the motorcycle, the exclusive importer of KTM equipment in Ukraine.
Thank you for the equipment provided: Nolan N104 helmet and Spidi JK jacket.
https://equipment.yamaha.ua
Motorcycle KTM 990 SMT Supermoto T 2010 review
Description of the KTM 990 SMT Supermoto T 2010 motorcycle is in the queue for publication of the article. Announcement: Today, for almost every new motorcycle that comes into being, marketers strive to carve out their own niche. This one is a road sport, this one is a recreational enduro. But what class should we include a motorcycle that has a little bit of everything? A good bike should have a reliable engine, comfortable ergonomics and simple controls...
KTM 990 SMT Supermoto T is a motorcycle that is rarely sold in Russia and is equipped with a fairly high-power engine of 116 hp. Despite the fact that good models of motorcycles have a very respectable price, and the season for their use is relatively short, the motorcycle market is developing rapidly. And if you believe the words of dealers, then some models of recently released motorcycles are selling like hot cakes at the beginning of the season, and the models brought to Russia are clearly not enough to fully satisfy consumer demand.
A motorcycle has long ceased to be an alternative to a car, and the times when this equipment was bought only because there was not enough money for a full-fledged car are forgotten. Nowadays, two-wheelers can be called technological marvels in many cases, and their cost can be compared with that of prestigious cars.
Many people have started buying motorcycles for hobby purposes as riding or even collecting them has become a good pastime for many people. Many motorcycles, for example the KTM 990 SMT Supermoto T, whose technical characteristics allow the model to be called a prestigious brand, are in demand among both beginners and experienced motorcyclists.
Motorcycles with an engine capacity of 999 cc. see, appeared as a result of long work of inventors who sought to create a model that was not inferior in characteristics to other versions of the motorcycle. In some cases, these models are not only not inferior, but also ahead of other motorcycles, as they have minimal fuel consumption and other excellent parameters.
Motorcycles with an engine capacity of more than 400 kb. cm, which includes the KTM 990 SMT Supermoto T - this category of motorcycles simply cannot claim the title of “motorcycle for a beginner.” On the contrary, this is already a serious technique that requires certain control of motorcycle equipment with a smaller engine capacity. Yes, she attracts more attention, she is the most beautiful, fast, interesting and there is a huge selection of models. But as power increases, the weight of the motorcycle inevitably increases. In this class you are unlikely to find motorcycles lighter than 180 kg, unless they are the latest motorcycle models.
Go to the entire range of KTM motorcycles, on this page you can find KTM 990 SMT Supermoto T motorcycles from other years of production and information about them
