KTM's insistence on ripping buyers off by giving them software features, then deactivating those features after the "demo" period is over, and forcing you to pay another $1k to get features back that the bike already has means I will never buy a KTM.
I own a Tracer 900GT and a KTM 890 Duke R. I'm a lover of both brands and have owned several. I was really hoping the SMT would have been more and I think KTM missed the magic with this 1. The SMT should have been slightly more touring focused which included either panniers (not an after thought ugly boxes) or cruise control and quickshifter as standard not this "try it out and pay for it later" package. The SMT should have also had the Duke R engine tune not the Adventure set up. The SMT should have been touring and the upcoming SMTR could have been the more SM focused bike. I will however be test riding one to see as with extras added the SMT could be a great bike but at a substantial cost over the GT+.
Great post and I agree! I currently own an 890 Duke R and an 1190 Adv R. Previously had a Super Tenere. And what a let down it would be going from the awesome 890 Duke tune…..to this…..Funny how the promo shows the rider doing wheelies out of a turn (latest fad in promos) and some canyon carving. Owning an 890 Duke R will make one laugh at this! The 890 Duke R tuning and cornering is nothing short of incredible! It will ruin one for future bikes! One thing I didn’t hear was the weight difference? But props to Yamaha keeping what seems to be the MT-09 and XSR900 tuning. Also to Yamaha for not charging extra for as many features as a Ducati!!! Not liking the KTM blood-sucking pay extra for lines of computer code…Hopefully not too many will be sucked in to the KTM thinking it’s a lower price only to be more expensive after dumb software. Another beef on the KTM is the exhaust location and size taking up space for Panniers and limiting options unless one spends more on aftermarket exhaust and some rerouting. One thing I’ll concede on the SMT will be some light off road ability. Guessing some suspension and tire choice can give the Tracer some off road as well.
Let us know how the test ride goes! I'd be curious to see how the re-tuned 890 engine behaves. Apparently the peak torque is moved down but peak horsepower is down 16. Also, I wonder where the extra 22 kg is coming from. 2 L extra fuel, fairings and windscreen? The rear sub-frame has to be more beefed up than the duke. Looks like a good all-around, fun, practical bike.
@@justmyself1000 Im looking at both, providing the SMT gets to Canada. Tracer is a great fit for me but feels like a grandpa bike. I already know which of the two will be more fun to ride having previously owned a 2010 SMT and SD1290R... Motorcycles are silly absurd vehicles and are bought for an extra in life. Buy what makes you smile, not whats most practical. (unless practicality makes you smile but then I think you've missed the point!)
I would absolutely love the hooligan DNA from KTM but to be honest who can really ride it the way it's meant to be on +400km/day without either losing their lives or driving license? Yeah... I'd have to pick the Tracer.
Having not ridden either bike, but just from sitting on them side by side, the KTM has a nicer riding position and seems more comfortable. The yamaha has more tech, but mostly stuff you dont really need (or want in some cases) At my local store the ktm is 17100 euro ( with the upgrade package thrown in for free ) and the tracer is 18499 euro... ( expensive over here in the netherlands.... ) I think I will go for the ktm though, because I just like the feel of it. and it looks like it is more fun.
Bikes are not really that comparable... It really depends on the rider (duh) and what you are looking for in a motorcycle... Personally, I'd take the KTM over the Yamaha.
The Tracer GT 9 would be the ideal bike for me and i really wanted to like it, but a bike that has so many reports from owners about stability problems at high speeds... it's out of question.
I think they are. The SMT is a touring type SM. The Tracer ride like a big over weight SM with add ons. I own a Tracer GT and a 890R Duke. I was hoping the SMT would be a better mix of the 2 but they missed the goal with this 1 its to SM and not enough T. The upcoming SMT'R should have been the more SM focused bike. I'm hoping I'm wrong when i get to test ride one.
KTM supermoto performance OR Yamaha's practical touring? Choose your pick 😎🤙
I just did and despite considering the Tracer, I opted for the SMT, its bonkers and for touring I have a Triumph Explorer
KTM's insistence on ripping buyers off by giving them software features, then deactivating those features after the "demo" period is over, and forcing you to pay another $1k to get features back that the bike already has means I will never buy a KTM.
Just like Tesla.
Damn cause my bro is about to go get a 24 KTM 890 I’m thinking about the cam issues
Yamaha Tracer 9 GT+! For comfort touring all days in the mountins! 🤩
I own a Tracer 900GT and a KTM 890 Duke R. I'm a lover of both brands and have owned several. I was really hoping the SMT would have been more and I think KTM missed the magic with this 1. The SMT should have been slightly more touring focused which included either panniers (not an after thought ugly boxes) or cruise control and quickshifter as standard not this "try it out and pay for it later" package. The SMT should have also had the Duke R engine tune not the Adventure set up. The SMT should have been touring and the upcoming SMTR could have been the more SM focused bike. I will however be test riding one to see as with extras added the SMT could be a great bike but at a substantial cost over the GT+.
Great post and I agree! I currently own an 890 Duke R and an 1190 Adv R. Previously had a Super Tenere. And what a let down it would be going from the awesome 890 Duke tune…..to this…..Funny how the promo shows the rider doing wheelies out of a turn (latest fad in promos) and some canyon carving. Owning an 890 Duke R will make one laugh at this! The 890 Duke R tuning and cornering is nothing short of incredible! It will ruin one for future bikes! One thing I didn’t hear was the weight difference? But props to Yamaha keeping what seems to be the MT-09 and XSR900 tuning. Also to Yamaha for not charging extra for as many features as a Ducati!!! Not liking the KTM blood-sucking pay extra for lines of computer code…Hopefully not too many will be sucked in to the KTM thinking it’s a lower price only to be more expensive after dumb software. Another beef on the KTM is the exhaust location and size taking up space for Panniers and limiting options unless one spends more on aftermarket exhaust and some rerouting. One thing I’ll concede on the SMT will be some light off road ability. Guessing some suspension and tire choice can give the Tracer some off road as well.
Let us know how the test ride goes! I'd be curious to see how the re-tuned 890 engine behaves. Apparently the peak torque is moved down but peak horsepower is down 16. Also, I wonder where the extra 22 kg is coming from. 2 L extra fuel, fairings and windscreen? The rear sub-frame has to be more beefed up than the duke. Looks like a good all-around, fun, practical bike.
@@justmyself1000 Im looking at both, providing the SMT gets to Canada. Tracer is a great fit for me but feels like a grandpa bike. I already know which of the two will be more fun to ride having previously owned a 2010 SMT and SD1290R... Motorcycles are silly absurd vehicles and are bought for an extra in life. Buy what makes you smile, not whats most practical. (unless practicality makes you smile but then I think you've missed the point!)
Tracer 9 GT+ all day and I'm a KTM Fanboy. I can't really see the SMT anything more than a weekend ripper.
I would absolutely love the hooligan DNA from KTM but to be honest who can really ride it the way it's meant to be on +400km/day without either losing their lives or driving license? Yeah... I'd have to pick the Tracer.
Having not ridden either bike, but just from sitting on them side by side, the KTM has a nicer riding position and seems more comfortable. The yamaha has more tech, but mostly stuff you dont really need (or want in some cases) At my local store the ktm is 17100 euro ( with the upgrade package thrown in for free ) and the tracer is 18499 euro... ( expensive over here in the netherlands.... ) I think I will go for the ktm though, because I just like the feel of it. and it looks like it is more fun.
Yamaha ALWAYS (XS1-650, XJ750 SECA,XJ900 1.,Fazer 1000) 7:53 All very good bikes
I’ll take the ktm
I´d go for Yamaha, i doubt the KTM is good for a longer trip and i love triple`s.
Would love to see how the new Suzuki GSXS1000GX compares to these two.
Nice video. I'd go for the Yamaha, KTM is too much of a hooligan dna
Not an accurate comparison. Should be Tracer v 890 Adventure .
Bikes are not really that comparable... It really depends on the rider (duh) and what you are looking for in a motorcycle... Personally, I'd take the KTM over the Yamaha.
Yamaha all the way
Should have built a 990SMT
Yamaha 100%, better in almost every way and very reliable. Will go for many years.
The Tracer GT 9 would be the ideal bike for me and i really wanted to like it, but a bike that has so many reports from owners about stability problems at high speeds... it's out of question.
2 FJ09 and now on second Tracer 900 (GT) and never experienced stability issue. And specially on Tracer with 6 cm longer control arm.
Not even same category 🙄
I think they are. The SMT is a touring type SM. The Tracer ride like a big over weight SM with add ons. I own a Tracer GT and a 890R Duke. I was hoping the SMT would be a better mix of the 2 but they missed the goal with this 1 its to SM and not enough T. The upcoming SMT'R should have been the more SM focused bike. I'm hoping I'm wrong when i get to test ride one.