New bike day. 690SMC-R.

[weeksy]

2022-05-19_01-37-10 by Steve Weeks, on Flickr

So how's the new bike then? It's ace.

It's uncomfortable! Well, not massively so but it's not spongey that's for sure.

It's nimble, smooth and nice. The power is as we'd expect, I've owned enough of this engine after all.

The lack of gear indicator isn't a problem, due to how it rides and previous ownership I know what I'm in.

The QS is ace, I've not missed a gear! None! The blipper is even better than the QS. Throw in the slipper clutch too and it's a very easy bike to ride.

I'm struggling to pick any faults at this stage

[Le_Fromage_Grande]

Don't worry, you'll have managed to find at least 3 things wrong with it by next week.

BTW, how often do you normally miss gears?

[weeksy]

Don't worry, you'll have managed to find at least 3 things wrong with it by next week.

BTW, how often do you normally miss gears?

On 690s, often lol. On other bikes, never

[Le_Fromage_Grande]

I wonder why that is, on my 610 Husky I used to occasionally miss the change from 5th to 6th.

[weeksy]

I wonder why that is, on my 610 Husky I used to occasionally miss the change from 5th to 6th.

Because it's not Japanese is the answer, it's mostly 5-6 on 690s too. But sometimes 4-5.

Not yet though

[Le_Fromage_Grande]

Were the other KTMs you've had like this?
I think my KTM experience is irrelevant as the only one I've owned was a 1986 two stroke motor cross bike in 1988

[MrLongbeard]

It's uncomfortable! Well, not massively so but it's not spongey that's for sure.

It bloody is, and I only had a sit on one for 10 minutes on Sunday, my testicles did not thank me.

[Le_Fromage_Grande]

It's uncomfortable! Well, not massively so but it's not spongey that's for sure.

It bloody is, and I only had a sit on one for 10 minutes on Sunday, my testicles did not thank me.

I've sat on the Husky equivalent, I thought it was pretty plush for a supermoto.

[weeksy]

Were the other KTMs you've had like this?
I think my KTM experience is irrelevant as the only one I've owned was a 1986 two stroke motor cross bike in 1988

It's a quirky box on 690s, every test you read has missed gears. From the older to the newer I'm not sure they've learned much.

The QS may help though, it's not as smooth as a Japanese version, but works well.

All just a case of getting used to it again really.

[Le_Fromage_Grande]

From memory, with my Husky it was fine changing gear so long as you took your time, made sure the clutch was fully disengaged and the throttle firmly closed, so zero load on the gearbox, the quickshifter is probably better at removing all the load from the gearbox until the gear is engaged.

[Taipan]

Happy New bike day!

You on the M4 next week...

[Skub]

Happy New bike day!

You on the M4 next week...

Reg plate also removed to protect the innocent!

[weeksy]

The usual 'by the neighbours wall' shot from me that all bikes get.

Back home now and yeah we still are very happy. The handling is getting to be a little more natural and the thing turns amazingly.

Where it does lose out at the moment is 100mph.... it's a bit woah and a bit wheey.... But that's the nature of the beast of the Supermoto and the handguards.. big wide bars etc. I can accept that, because it's not a place i spend a lot of time. I'm trying to get used to braking on it.... The braking differences between the MT07 and the SMC-R is quite remarkable, i can basically wait until the last moment before touching them. Not that they're brutal, but with the Blipper and the Slipper, it's just far more effortless.

To answer the first question, yes, i have got a black number plate and yes it will go on later today

The other thing which is the important feel is that i do feel the spark, not just the 'new bike day' spark, but the ownership, the feeling at home and feeling 'right' that has been missing. It probably sounds a bit daft.... in fact, i'm sure it sounds daft... but it's how it is.

2022-05-19_03-04-14 by Steve Weeks, on Flickr

[Yorick]

I can't think of anything worse than sitting on a swing chair on yer porch, in a moment of reflection, thinking I wish I'd own (insert name of choice) bike.

Really? Happens all the time to me, not just with bikes. I see it as a good thing. If I'd not have bought thing A I'd not have that experience and the knowledge to move on to thing B. Change is good and means more new experiences... embrace the regret!

Err, we're saying the same thing aren't we!?

[Le_Fromage_Grande]

If the bike feels right for you it makes a big difference, it makes you want to ride it.

[Skub]

So when is the Zorst and other extras arriving?

[weeksy]

So when is the Zorst and other extras arriving?

I think in honesty the first thing will be a seat... There's 2 ways of going there.

KTM Power Parts or Seat Concepts.

The SC seat seems better, but is wider, double the price and almost impossible to buy as it's in the States and out of stock.

The PP seat is "email KTM wait 3 days".

Exhaust, it's not bad, not terrible.

But at the moment it's a question of whether £300 goes on an exhaust or £300 goes on Silverstone.

I've already got Donington with the lads on the 2nd June, so not long for that, but @Welsh Muffin is on Silverstone on the 12th July and i could do that with her... Although it does bring a logistical complexity of only having a single bike trailer and her being very much against driving with a bike on the back.... or we hire a van but that adds over £110 to the price of the day.. So i dunno at the moment.

[KungFooBob]

Put the Katoom on the car roof

[Yorick]

So when is the Zorst and other extras arriving?

I think in honesty the first thing will be a seat... There's 2 ways of going there.

KTM Power Parts or Seat Concepts.

The SC seat seems better, but is wider, double the price and almost impossible to buy as it's in the States and out of stock.

The PP seat is "email KTM wait 3 days".

Exhaust, it's not bad, not terrible.

But at the moment it's a question of whether £300 goes on an exhaust or £300 goes on Silverstone.

I've already got Donington with the lads on the 2nd June, so not long for that, but @Welsh Muffin is on Silverstone on the 12th July and i could do that with her... Although it does bring a logistical complexity of only having a single bike trailer and her being very much against driving with a bike on the back.... or we hire a van but that adds over £110 to the price of the day.. So i dunno at the moment.

SlipperyStone might be a nightmare on a "slow" bike. Might be a mobile chicane.

[ChrisW]

Put the Katoom on the car roof

Blimey - how heavy is that CRF?!