Archive for the ‘Motorbike reviews’ Category
Honda XL700V Transalp ABS
June 24th, 2010 | 
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Honda XL700V Transalp ABS
£6,685.00 - Price includes road taxes and 1st registration
Engine
Transmission
Dimensions and Weight
Wheels, Suspension and Brakes
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Honda XRV750 Africa Twin (1989-2003)
Honda XRV750 Africa Twin (1989-2003)
Parker’s used price range £735-2,850
Engine size 742cc
Power 61bhp
Top speed 110mph
Insurance group 12
Honda XL1000 Varadero (2001-current)
Honda XL1000 Varadero (2001-current)
Engine size 996cc
Power 93bhp
Top speed 125mph
Insurance group 13
Honda XL125 Varadero (2001-current)
Honda XL125 Varadero (2001-current)
New price £3,299
Power 15bhp
Top speed 72mph
Insurance group 6
KTM RC8R (2009-current)
KTM RC8R (2009-current)
New price £14,995
Engine size 1195cc
Power 159.34bhp
Top speed 169.55mph
Insurance group 17
MCN overall verdict
Unashamedly a circuit-based blaster that will need a road-rider to be fully aware of what he is about to buy if it’s to be used on the road. From the competition-biased WP suspension to the 170bhp engine and the lightweight Marchesini wheels in between, the KTM RC8R cries out for corners to be taken at speed. Although it doesn’t need to be ridden hard to appreciate it. But when it is given its head the rewards are, possibly, the same as narcotics. KTM RC8-R in a sentence: styled to be different; made to please.
Engine
The same LC8 engine as used on the current crop of large capacity KTM machines (990SM, RC8 etc) but with capacity increase to 1195cc and additional tuning work (new cams and timing, compression hike and so on). It’s a bloody gutsy lump down below and matched with an impressive amount of top end drive. What is the driving force is the linear torque output that makes riding the KTM RC8R as easy as opening the throttle. Sticky gearbox problems aren’t, thankfully, inherited from the RC8, thanks to new gear selector mechanism and revised gear cluster dogs. Comes with road or track throttle tubes: road version has a chamfered cam to smoothe out low rpm throttle delivery by reducing amount of throttle cable pull for a given amount of turn.
Ride and Handling
Increased trail figure (97mm total figure) over the RC8 makes the KTM RC8R a stable bike through long sweepers but still a quick steering, nimble tool through the twists. Front and rear suspension is race quality and has suitable adjustment (high and low speed compression adjustment at the rear) to dial in the bike to suit anyone and all road/track conditions – settings found under the seat.
Equipment
WP suspension as a product doesn’t have the brand name and desirability of Ohlins when really it should have – the suspension on the RC8R is belting. Marchesini forged wheels are par for the course on a grade-A superbike as are the Brembo Monobloc race-spec brakes. But its other areas that will tickle your fancy: adjustable footrests, levers, handlebars, subframe position and rear ride height are all there and easy to achieve. Compare and buy products for the KTM RC8R in the MCN Shop.
Quality and Reliability
No complaints whatsoever on the way the bike is built and finished. As said, the gearbox issues that affected early RC8 models has been resolved, and on our test bike no major fuelling problems (still a slight flutter around 3500-4000rpm for noise emissions). There is a lot of forum traffic on the subject of engine reliability but KTM reckons it is now on top of past issues.
Value
Blimey: £14,995 – a lot of wedge in anyone’s book. For the performance and components that adorn the bike then maybe the price is justified when comparing to Ducati’s Ohlins shod 1198S at £16,495 – which the KTM RC8R has the edge over.
Insurance
Insurance group: 17
Model History
2008: All-new KTM RC8 sportsbike introduced
2009: UK introduction of RC8R – a tuned, race-ready machine
Other Versions
At present the RC8R is a stand alone model
Specifications
Top speed 169.55mph
1/4-mile acceleration 10.77 secs
Power 159.34bhp
Torque 88.42ftlb
Weight 182kg
Seat height 805mm
Fuel capacity 16.5 litres
Average fuel consumption mpg
Tank range miles
Insurance group 17
Engine size 1195cc
Engine specification Liquid-cooled, 75° V-twin four-stroke. Six gears
Frame Tubular steel trellis
Front suspension adjustment Fully-adjustable
Rear suspension adjustment Fully-adjustable
Front brakes 2 x 320 disc with 4-piston calipers
Rear brake 220mm disc with two-piston caliper
Front tyre size 120/70 x 17
Rear tyre size 190/55 x 17
KTM 990 SMT (2009-current)
KTM 990 SMT (2009-current)
New price £9,595
Engine size 999cc
Power 115bhp
Top speed 140mph
Insurance group 17
MCN overall verdict
The KTM 990 SMT is a new take on the adventure bike theme that manages to combine all the mental fun of a supermoto with the comfort, practicality and ability to cover miles of an adventure bike. It’s being hailed as the current all-rounder King offering all things to all riders. Of more interest to more people is the fact that it’s bloody good fun and way faster than you’d think for a 115bhp V-twin.
Engine
This is far from the most powerful V-twin on the planet but it does have more than enough grunt to turn the KTM SMT into a rapid bit of kit. It can get a little bit lumpy down low but there’s a nicely judged throttle response that makes low speed work easy. Turn up the speed and the big 999cc lump keeps on revving. Enough power for a 140mph top speed.
Ride and Handling
KTM has taken the 990 Supermoto WP suspension but modified the internals of the forks to take out some travel so the SMT is a bit more composed on the road. The quality of the suspension is first rate but it does get a bit light at the front when the speeds increase. The light steering never gets alarming and the payback is the way the SMT soaks up scabby British roads like it was fine-tuned here rather than Austria. The only slight issue is with the feedback from the standard-fit Continental tyres which isn’t a patch on some rival tyres.
Equipment
Comprehensive instruments (only missing a fuel gauge), handguards, luggage rack, tall screen, race-spec Brembo brakes, top-line WP suspension, Marcheshini wheels…the list goes on. The panniers are an accessory and aren’t massive or waterproof (but do come with waterproof liners) and there is also a top rack and small bag as well as other accessories like a tankbag. The only thing missing are heated grips, which for nigh-on £10,000 new, the SMT really should have as standard. Compare and buy parts for the KTM SMT in the MCN Shop.
Quality and Reliability
KTM reliability is pretty good but the V-twins are known to like a drop of oil and need some fairly close attention to make sure the level doesn’t drop too low. Fit and finish isn’t up to BMW standards but it’s still very good. Quality of the components means a high overall standard.
Value
Whichever way you look at it, the asking price of £9595 for the KTM is a lot of money. Sadly, the exchange rate between the Pound and the Euro means there have been some hefty price rises. When you compare the KTM against something like a £9750 BMW R1200GS with ABS then it doesn’t look so bad.
Insurance
Insurance group: 17
Model History
2009 – 990 SMT launched as new model
Other Versions
None
Specifications
Top speed 140mph
1/4-mile acceleration 11.03 secs
Power 115bhp
Torque 71ftlb
Weight 196kg
Seat height 855mm
Fuel capacity 19 litres
Average fuel consumption 48mpg
Tank range 150 miles
Insurance group 17
Engine size 999cc
Engine specification 8 valve, 75 degree V-twin
Frame Steel trellis
Front suspension adjustment Fully adjustable
Rear suspension adjustment Fully adjustable
Front brakes 2 x 305mm discs
Rear brake
Front tyre size 120/70 17in
Rear tyre size 180/55 17in
KTM 990 Adventure (2009-current)
KTM 990 Adventure (2009-current)
New price £9,999
Engine size 999cc
Power 106bhp
Top speed 130mph
Insurance group 13
MCN overall verdict
The KTM 990 Adventure is already a brilliant adventure trail bike, but the 2009 adds a little bit more refinement and power. A new crank has smoothed vibes, and touch extra power is not instantly noticeable but welcome all the same.
Engine
KTM’S LC8 engine was a impressive first effort for a road engine, but earlier 950 and the previous KTM 990 Adventure had a touch of vibey crudeness that betrayed KTM’s off-road past. A new crank has taken the edge off, leaving the punchy motor with a typical v-twin lumpy but involving delivery. The strong torque is perfect for back-road playing and luggage/pillion carrying alike.
Ride and Handling
The off-road sized rims and heavily-treaded tyres should spell vague handling, but largely they don’t. The quality WP suspension is plush and only gets a bit wobbly if you start throwing it around at high-speed. Feedback is enough to inspire confidence, and it rarely gets flustered. The KTM 990 Adventure has sports-bike kicking pace on less than perfect roads, or will lollop along enjoying the scenery too.
Equipment
A digital dash, decent rider/pillion seat comfort and a protective fairing make for a happy riding experience. The twin fuel tanks require filling individually, which is a minor inconvenience but helps keep the bike slim-line by tucking fuel storage into nooks and crannies.
Quality and Reliability
The build is largely the same as the old model, so it shouldn’t provide too many issues. New black-coated chassis parts look resilient. A handful of owners report engine issues, but by and large they last well. Like most European bikes, more regular checks should keep it happy. Learn how to check oil level in the dry sump correctly.
Value
At £9695 the KTM 990 Adventure isn’t a cheap bike, but for your hefty outlay you get a versatile bike that will tour, long-distance commute and hammer along back roads at an indecent pace. It’ll even deal with gentle off-roading in novice hands, and a set of full knobbly tyres add enough traction to keep more experienced mud-pluggers happy. Consider the rest of the adventure trailie opposition too – BMW’s R1200GS, Triumph’s Tiger and Ducati’s Multistrada offer serious options.
Insurance
Insurance group: 13
Model History
2003-2006: KTM 950 Adventure – 942cc carburetted v-twin, tubular steel chassis. New model.
2006-2008: KTM 990 Adventure – Larger 999cc v-twin with new fuel-injection system, new seat and graphics, detail improvements.
Other Versions
KTM 990 Adventure R (2009-current) – Fitted with 116bhp Superduke-spec engine and 55mm taller suspension front and rear. ABS removed. Extra power over standard bike makes for a lot of fun, but is also more flexible and requires less gear changes. The suspension is firmer as well as taller, so is more composed without loss of ride comfort. Seat is less comfortable – £105 gel seat solves this as well as bringing seat height down to more manageable level.
Specifications
Top speed 130mph
1/4-mile acceleration 13.23 secs
Power 106bhp
Torque 73.8ftlb
Weight 209kg
Seat height 860mm
Fuel capacity 19.5 litres
Average fuel consumption mpg
Tank range 203 miles
Insurance group 13
Engine size 999cc
Engine specification 6v 75° liquid-cooled v-twin, six gears
Frame Tubular steel
Front suspension adjustment Preload, compression and rebound damping
Rear suspension adjustment Preload, compression and rebound damping
Front brakes Twin 300mm discs, Brembo two-piston sliding calipers.
Rear brake 240mm disc, Brembo two-piston sliding caliper.
Front tyre size 90/90-21
Rear tyre size 150/70-R18
KTM 690 Duke R (2010 model)
KTM 690 Duke R (2010 model)
New price £7,695
Engine size 690cc
Power 71.4bhp
Top speed 112mph
Insurance group 11
MCN overall verdict
Even though the bike tested was a pre-production unit – virtually finished bar the paintwork and decals – this bigger capacity 690 Duke is altogether a different machine than non-R model 690 Duke (654cc). The extra 36cc (KTM won’t confirm this figure until after official model launch, mid Nov ’09) of the new R-model with carbonfibre front mudguard and revised suspension makes the new Duke-R a sharp-looking back road scratcher.
Engine
The extra 36mm (tbc) capacity comes via a longer piston stroke. This also increases midrange torque and ups horsepower by 7bhp to a claimed 71.4bhp. The result is a punchy little number with the ability to cruise at 80mph without fuss, fuss in the sense the vibes are minimal. A three-way power (soft, standard, sport) switch is fitted, where ‘soft’ eases power delivery in the lower gears, which is particularly useful in the wet, and ‘sport’ to give a greater direct feel between throttle and injection of the ride-by-wire system.
Ride and Handling
An agile package that really loves to be ridden hard on twist-laden roads. Grab the wide and high bars and make use of new suspension – softer front springs and friction-reducing coating on the tubes, with revised damping front and rear – to get it on. A blast is guaranteed. It also makes for a traffic buster around town especially with the views ahead from the tall seat height (865mm) and a front brake that stops 148kg (no fuel) of bike instantly.
Equipment
Superb Brembo front brake set up, all-singing WP suspension, natty QD fasteners for bar clamps, carbonfibre front fender, Marchesini wheels, slipper clutch. Compare and but parts for the 690 Duke in the MCN Shop.
Quality and Reliability
Main complaint about the previous 654cc Duke was the instrument cluster letting in water to knacker the LCD readout (warranty item). The new model has a revised waterproof (hopefully) assembly.
Value
A projected price figure of £7695 is a bit hard to swallow for a single-cylinder machine regardless of its quality and fun to be had from it. Especially so when you consider Aprilia’s V-twin Dorsoduro is as funky and functional for £1000 less at £6599. Find a KTM 690 Duke for sale.
Insurance
Insurance group: 11
Model History
2008: 690 Duke introduced
2010: 690 Duke R introduced
Other Versions
690 Duke
Specifications
Top speed 112mph
1/4-mile acceleration secs
Power 71.4bhp
Torque ftlb
Weight 148kg
Seat height 865mm
Fuel capacity 13.5 litres
Average fuel consumption mpg
Tank range miles
Insurance group 11
Engine size 690cc
Engine specification Liquid-cooled, single-cylinder four-stroke. Six gears
Frame Tubular steel, twin spine
Front suspension adjustment Non-adjustable
Rear suspension adjustment Spring preload
Front brakes 2 x 320mm disc with 4-piston calipers
Rear brake 316mm disc, 2-piston caliper
Front tyre size 150/80 x 17
Rear tyre size 240/50 x 16
KTM 690 Duke (2008-current)
KTM 690 Duke (2008-current)
New price £6,195
Engine size 654cc
Power 65bhp
Top speed 122mph
Insurance group 11
MCN overall verdict
The KTM 690 Duke’s new LC4 single cylinder engine is the most impressive part of the new Duke. It’s hard to believe it’s a single, so much better than the lumpy single cylinder engines of old. The styling is very aggressive, it’s laden in quality parts like WP suspension and Brembo brakes, and on the right road, hairpin after hairpin its almost untouchable, shame we do not have those kinds of roads in the UK.
Engine
The KTM 690 Duke’s liquid cooled 654cc, single cylinder engine is a huge step forward compared to the previous single engines. Its not lumpy, loves to rev and makes really good power. Where most singles start running out of power around 80-90mph the all new Duke keeps on going. In many ways it shares many characteristics with a small V-Twin rather than a single, which is a huge accomplishment for KTM.
Ride and Handling
The KTM 690 Duke is very toy like, the new LC4 Duke only tops the scales at 148kg, combine that with quality fully adjustable WP suspension and wide Renthal bars, means it turns quicker than an angry dog. It’s ideal for carving in mountain roads or making mince meat of city traffic. The quality Brembo four piston radial calipers are shockingly good, as the bike weighs so little you can almost outbreak anything, or rescue you from blind bus and taxi drivers when you’re in a rush for work.
Equipment
At this point I would like to refer you back to the KTM 690 Duke’s price at only £6195, you get a hell of a lot of quality names for the budget price. The fully adjustable WP suspension which has both high and low speed compression on the rear are normally associated with race bikes. But it’s not all just fancy labels and trick parts it’s practical too, like the three way ‘power mode’ switch position under the seat which allows you to select from three different fuel mappings. There’s also some nice detail touches like the under slung exhaust, very Buell like.
Quality and Reliability
As the KTM 690 Duke’s a brand new bike it’s very difficult to question and comment on the reliability, however it is worth noting KTM have a long tradition in building quality single cylinder engines both for the road and competition use. Up close the standard of finish is very high, everything fits well, even with a critical eye its hard to find fault, the list of quality components is as long as my arm, impressive considering the price.
Value
Considering the KTM 690 Duke’s price and the end product you have to say its exceptional value for money, However, you have to remember you are buying a £6,000 road based Supermoto. There are much cheaper alternatives, obviously they have a lower spec and are not as quick but if you just want a fun, single cylinder, good looking town bike then there are cheaper alternatives.
Insurance
Insurance group: 11
Model History
2008: KTM 690 Duke launched.
Specifications
Top speed 122mph
1/4-mile acceleration 13.3 secs
Power 65bhp
Torque 50ftlb
Weight 148.5kg
Seat height 865mm
Fuel capacity 13.5 litres
Average fuel consumption 48mpg
Tank range 100 miles
Insurance group 11
Engine size 654cc
Engine specification Liquid cooled 4 valve single
Frame Tubular steel trellis
Front suspension adjustment WP 48mm fully adjustable
Rear suspension adjustment WP single shock fully adjustable
Front brakes 320mm
Rear brake 240mm disc
Front tyre size 120/70 x 17
Rear tyre size 160/60 x 17
KTM 450 EXC (2010-current)
KTM 450 EXC (2010-current)
New price £6,785
Engine size 449cc
Power 50bhp
Top speed 93mph
MCN overall verdict
Unless you’re enduro god David Knight who prefers the extra grunt of the 530, the 450 EXC is everything you could want in an enduro bike. Light, more power than most of us know what to do with and it’s fitted with some of the best quality suspension fitted to any motorcycle.
Engine
Stick it in third gear, ride the torque and the 450 will give you a relatively easy time off road, but use the power and it’s a lightning quick off road weapon that will delight anyone who enjoys being terrified ever so slightly. Just make sure you’re hanging on!
Ride and Handling
It pushes through mud with a secure feeling that anything will move out of your way yet when the trail gets more nadgery the steep geometry means it will flick round rocks and over obstacles. The 250 is slightly lighter but the 450 is hardly lardy. Suspension can be adjusted to make even the biggest rocks feel like a small inconvenience rather than an obstacle.
Equipment
WP upside down forks, fully-adjustable linkless rear suspension, Brembo brakes and master cylinder, wavy discs, Excel rims, fuel injection, Akrapovic pipe, the list goes on. In fact there’s not much this bike hasn’t got, just bolt-on hand guards and a sump guard and it’s ready to race. Compare and buy parts for the KTM EXC 450 in the MCN Shop.
Quality and Reliability
Build-quality would shame a Bentley, probably. The thing is so well made that every single part of the bike just works both visually and technically. It needs servicing after 15 hours, but make sure you do that and it’s unlikely to ever let you down.
Value
Compared to a £2000 WR250 the KTM is poor value, but add up the price of the kit on the bike, work out that you’re getting one of the purest, most hardcore enduro bikes ever made and the price could almost be considered a bargain for something so racey, so pure and so beautiful to look at. Find a KTM EXC450 for sale.
Insurance
Insurance group: n/a
Model History
n/a
Other Versions
None
Specifications
Top speed 93mph
1/4-mile acceleration secs
Power 50bhp
Torque ftlb
Weight 113kg
Seat height 985mm
Fuel capacity 9.5 litres
Average fuel consumption 38mpg
Tank range 80 miles
Insurance group
Engine size 449cc
Engine specification – 4v, OHC, liquid-cooled, single-cylinder four-stroke, 6 gears
Frame – Steel double cradle, aluminium rear subframe, 48mm WP upside down front forks
Front suspension adjustment – Rebound, compression and preload adjustment
Rear suspension adjustment – Rebound, compression and preload adjustment
Front brakes – Dual-piston Brembo calliper, 335mm wavy disc
Rear brake – Dual-piston Brembo calliper, 335mm wavy disc
Front tyre size – 90/90 x 21
Rear tyre size – 140/80 x 18
