ktm exhaust

[thedutchguy]

Hey Dallas, I remembered reading something about you searching for a new exhaust?
Check this out:


Perfect fitting and this damper does really give more power!
Akrapovic is truly awesome!
I saw it the other day at the local MX-shop!

[Dallas4u]

Oh... yes, I know the Akros are VERY nice and VERY expensive.

I can't see the pic you attached, but I am assuming you are showing the slip-ons? In the US they run around $1000. Pretty pricey, but a nice (probably THE nicest) exhaust made for the Duke. Some Duke owners are modifying the stock exhaust and getting a decent improvement as well. Depending on what tools you have and experience with welding, you can do it yourself for around $100. You can send your stock exhaust to someone to do it for you for around $300... not too bad, but it doesn't have the look of the pretty Akros either!

[MrCrowley]

All little of topic from your thread, but I have been considering a BMW F650 Dakar. Will probably customize it. As a 30 year old street bike novice, would you guys recommend the R 1150 GS over it? There is a big price difference, and it will be for true dual purpose, so I am kind of sitting on the line to decide. There is a Triumph dealer in Huntsville as in the Triumph Tiger, but I have read it isnt as good onroad as the Bimmer but a little better offroad vs the 1150. I kind of think the F650 Dakar would be setup better offroad, but they are in different classes and therefore not compared. The Tiger is probably too big for me anyways as it is pretty tall. I dont know anyone who knows about anything but Harleys here in and I will have to travel to Birmingham or Nashville just to see the the Bimmers. Thanks for any input you bikers have. When you so much as mentioned KTM, I knew you would be able to offer an opinion!

Have you ever watched these videos?
www.sandrpro.com
wild, wild, wild!

[Dallas4u]

Well, I actually just started riding. I mean, REALLY just started riding. I've only been riding for about 3 months and 600 miles... but I've been reading and participating on a few KTM, moto, and dual-sport boards, so here's my take on the F650.

Before I got the Duke I was actually looking everywhere for either an F650 GS or CS. The Dakar is more suited for off-road riding than the GS (of course). Compared to the R1150 GS, I don't think there is going to be a huge difference... possibly the Dakar may even be better suited for off-road than the R1150 because of it's height and weight. I think the R1150 would be better on road, and is a better compromise between the two... but an F650 GS may be something to consider as well.

Either way, they are both nice bikes. I really like the BMW R1150's. You may also want to look at a KTM Adventure 950?

[SlowPro48]

Originally posted by MrCrowley
All little of topic from your thread, but I have been considering a BMW F650 Dakar. Will probably customize it. As a 30 year old street bike novice, would you guys recommend the R 1150 GS over it? There is a big price difference, and it will be for true dual purpose, so I am kind of sitting on the line to decide.

Both of those bikes are too big for true dual sport riding. A KLR650, XR650 or LC4 would be the biggest you would want to take on a DS ride and even those bike are a little out of their element on our side of the Mississippi. Plus BMWs and Triumphs are expensive to drop. If you venture off the pavement very often you WILL drop the bike.

The DRZ400 is a fantastic DS bike for a novice rider and can be modded easily if you want a little more off-road capability later. Converted WR450s and KTM EXCs are very popular too. It's not hard to get them titled and tagged if you know the trick. If you want to get into the sport, my DS riding partner lives in Hunstville and I can put you in touch with him. A very, very interesting man. He started riding when he was 45 and is now 73 and still going strong. I followed him for two solid days of riding up in Northern Virginia last month and was amazed at his balance, his reflexes and his ability to pick lines. He attributes his fitness and mental sharpness to off-road riding.

Try it - you'll like it!

[MrCrowley]

The only down side is I will probably ride back and forth to work alot on it. I live 50 miles out of town, and there are alot of seconday roads, and/or stream crossings, etc if I go certain ways. That puts a road rocket waaay out of its league. I have an old dirt bike and will replace it one day with a "real enduro", but right now I have to say I lean to more of the "touring enduro". That KTM does look sweet, though! I looked at all the manufacturers and the Euro ones are more touring. The jap bikes look to be mostly "street legal dirt bike" types. I may go down to see the Suzuki enduro this weekend.

[SlowPro48]

OK I thought you were talking about doing some organized DS rides where you would be getting into some single-track but with 100 miles of commuting to work and back with just the occasional stream crossing it sounds more like you'll need one of the bigger bikes. If you make it to the Suzuki place, check out the DR650. The KLR650 is a good one too as long as you do a few reliability mods. Once those are done they're bulletproof. Greg Frazier completed his 4th circumnavigation of the globe on one...

Happy trails!


(Sorry DutchGuy for hijacking this thread. Carry on!)

[thedutchguy]

Thnx slopro!

Ever see a motorcycle strip?
http://www.monomaniacs.nl/mm/visuals/unwrap/

[MrCrowley]

Thats pretty fascinating. I laughed at the picture of the lady sitting in front of all those wire looms. It would probably drive me BONKERS trying to fool with so many wires. Oh wait- I already do that sometimes LOL

[Dallas4u]

Check out these cornering abilities!!

Masterful Cornering

[Dallas4u]

Some of you may have seen this before. Take it for what it's worth... entertainment!

Porsche 911 vs. Yamaha R1

[Dallas4u]

Not sure if any of you care much about this, but here are some good pics of the new KTM 950 SM (supermoto) due out soon...

http://home.clara.net/wsymonds/ktm950sm.htm

[thedutchguy]

I'll have the superduke!
Out now in The Netherlands!

[Dallas4u]

Yeah... lot's of talk about the Super Duke here. Looks like we might not see it until 2006.

[thedutchguy]

seen the site yet?
http://www.990superduke.at/