KTM 990 SUPERMOTO (2005 - 2013) Review

Year: 2007

Best features, easy to ride, responsive throttle for when you need it, comfy over long rides. Worst, can't think of anything I don't like (except parts costs)

Buying experience: Bought it off a family member who barely rode anymore, so scored it for only $7000 New Zealand dollars at low-ish kms

Year: 2010

Annual servicing cost: £250

Best features are the Great Brembo Brakes and the White Power suspension. Worst feature, Throttle response at low rev's, very Snatchy! Stearing head bearings always go at around 10000 to 12000 miles, rectifiers about the same time to (I have had the 950 to and its exactly the same, same problems like clockwork).

Buying experience: Bought from KTM Birmingham October 2015, pleasant enough people, would buy off them again. Salesman told me not to come back if i had problems, I think he was joking?

Version: R

Year: 2012

Annual servicing cost: £70

Replacement for a Honda VFR800F-2000, after a arthrodesis operation in the neck. After this I needed an "upright" bike, as the lean-forward ergonmics of the VFR didn't work for me anymore. Best at most everything I throw at it. Commuting or the race track, it's a walk in park. Worst is the fuel economy when commuting in-town.

Buying experience: Privately bought, after having searched for and SMR with ABS for more than a year. SMR's with ABS are hard to find at affordable prices. When I found mine, I sprung at it like maniac. I had to have it.

Version: SM 950

Year: 2006

Annual servicing cost: £400

A most exciting bike to ride.

Version: SM

Year: 2010

Annual servicing cost: £600

I have had a 950 SM and loved it, had lots of little things going wrong all the time so sold it after 18 months and bought the 990, its the same as the 950 but with more power and better fuel consumption, looks like it has the same niggly problems to lol. But still love it. It does everything very well, I have a Ducati Diavel but prefer the KTM

Buying experience: Bought 2nd hand from Birmingham KTM, So ok

Version: SM

Year: 2008

Every time i jump on this bike, it never fails to put a ear to ear grin on my face. It's one of the only bikes ive been pissing myself laughing when im not in deep concentration through the corners. Has given me confidence I never knew I could have. Wheelies up to third if you cain it at around 5krpm. Haven't had top end, but dont really care, been having so much fun lower end in the twisties

So glad I tried this bike! When I 1st got the bike a year ago it came with the standard front sprocket & I have to say I was underwhelmed given the reviews. However...dropped a tooth & bingo, what a transformation,it's now as eager to please as a big daft puppy & will chase around all day no matter what you throw at it. Having had a Fazer Thou beforehand I had some concerns about its ability to tour with any level of comfort so I hung onto the Fazer for a few months as I was off to Spain in the summer & the Fazer was a proven weapon for the job. Well one long weekend touring from SW Scotland down through Wales & back on the KTM saw the Fazer sold. Apart from the reduced fuel range 120-130 miles before the light came on as opposed to the Fazers 160 miles+ the Katoom was better in every way & I am a total KTM convert. I have now done around 5k on her with no issues at all. The only way this bike could possibly be bettered is with a bigger fuel tank & perhaps a bit of wind protection...enter the SMT but that's going to cost you another couple of thou & tbh my mate has one & it really is only down to the fuel range. The braking is obscene & stick on some JCE cans at a reasonable price (or get a 2nd hand one with Akro's already on & you have all the soundtrack you'll ever need. This machine will flatter your riding skills & you will find yourself pushing lean angles & corner speeds with ease. If you have the chance buy one, it's that simple.

what a bike, wasn't sure coming from a K5 GSXR1000 but this is better, it just gives you confidence. I had a Buell SS last year and its like riding that on steroids. I added a screen which made a huge difference to plus 70 riding. off to france on it this august... If you're not sure, buy one, you won't be disappointed.

This bike is mad mad mad. I ride it all over the UK and it is ok for about 150miles before you need to get off and walk. Mind you you will have re-fuelled by then. Took a 1200GS out for a test ride and only smiled when I got back on this mad machine. This bike makes you truely belive you are a biking god. Took me one day to get my elbow down and it stayed upright...with a push!

Hi,thinking of getting one,would they handle 2 up touring ok? and what mileage are the engines good for? if anyone knows....cheers...thanks...

Not had this bike long. Only had it on dry roads twice, instead of icy wet ones, but no matter what the road conditions, you can have plenty of fun with this. There's drive everywhere, all the time. It's comfy. It's so easy to ride. Gives you so much confidence. I came to this from an BMW F800S, so power increase is decent, though delivery is very different. Overall speeds the same, but how you get there is aworld apart!! I'm doing things on cold roads that I would never have dreamed of on the ex. Awesome bike. Love it. Want to make love to it!!! :)

Outrides sports bikes on the track and road, huge fun, confidence boosting, comfortable, mental, easy, perfect. Everyone should try one.

All the good riding manners you could want and the engine is brill, comfy too. Lack of wind protection & the instrumentation could be better, (I'm being picky here) let the side down.

After years of sportsbikes and crunched up bones and wrists I found the most mental bike of them all, it encourages you to ride it like you stole it! The handling is brilliantly entertaining, brakes are awesome, even I can wheelie it. Easy to ride through town, watch the clutch though. Light controls make it a doddle. The best thing though is its not the same as any other bike on the road and surprises with every move and look. Downsides no rev counter and pricey servicing but service is excellent, warranty stipulates work MUST be done by KTM. Otherwise Love IT

Sublime.