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Fun bike comparison test: KTM versus Triumph

The fun tourers KTM 990 SM T and Triumph Tiger 1050 SE

Anyone who cares for Rabatz this early in the year must have a special reason. The KTM 990 SM T has it: The fun tourer appears with ABS for the first time – and competes against the Triumph Tiger 1050 SE.

Careful, just don’t get too euphoric. Because small rivulets cross the road again and again, and a damp veil covers the asphalt along shady embankments. And yet it’s hard to hold back. Not only because on these few days in mid-February, temperatures are almost two-digit, but also because these two bikes challenge, stimulate, and animate. KTM 990 SM T and the Triumph Tiger 1050 SE – two concepts with high standards. Not a fun bike, not a tourer, no, they want to be everything together – even if they approach this golden mean from very different directions.

B.The English travel enduro already converted in 2007. 17-inch wheels, a more powerful engine and a slimmer exterior pushed their concept more in the direction of fun bikes. That corner from which the Austrian approaches the goal of universal applicability. Since 2009, half-fairing, a larger tank, deeper seat and reduced spring travel have been transforming the 990 Supermoto into the tourist T-model – which is now being upgraded with ABS as standard this season.

Fun bike comparison test: KTM versus Triumph

The fun tourers KTM 990 SM T and Triumph Tiger 1050 SE

Mayer

KTM 990 SM T – The travel supermoto.

The fact that the Tiger ultimately has 23 kilos more on its ribs than the KTM does the rest. However, the reason for the fat belt around the middle of the body puts a lot of things into perspective: the 1050 cm³ three-cylinder engine. The block, pressed together by dozens of housing screws, spreads the cast aluminum frame like an explosive high-pressure container. It’s hard to believe that one of the most fascinating performance characteristics in engine construction arises from this massive treble. How this propellant pushes from a standing start, how it orbits along the speed range almost vibration-free without any performance kink, without the slightest jerk, that is a great experience. How huge this 120 hp demonstration of power, backed by the typical three-cylinder whistle, feels, can only be guessed by a glance at the plateau-like torque curve (see technical data).

The characteristics of the KTM engine differ fundamentally: at 3000 rpm, the speed at which the Triumph driver can already think of upshifting, the Austrian twin only begins to feel comfortable. In the course of the facelift, the technicians of the 75-degree V2 almost completely eliminated the notorious jerking below this limit. Only the somewhat abrupt throttle response still bears witness to the unpleasant nursery – which turns into almost infantile carelessness from the 3000 mark onwards. The 1000 series bites refreshingly with each of its 120 hp, shows itself – quite a fun bike – lively, and nevertheless manages the wide balancing act to the tourist group with strong torque, cultivated engine running and moderate vibrations.

Speaking of tourism: Ultimately, it is precisely the everyday criteria, which often seem so profane, that define the actual range of a concept. Things like wind protection, luggage storage, tank volume, consumption – and of course the price. Wind protection: sufficient for both, but not intoxicating. With a slight advantage for the Triumph. Continuous speeds of over 150 km / h are only fun for both with the higher retrofit discs (see equipment list). Luggage storage: both very good. Valuable but expensive, the aluminum case with Quicklock carrier of the SM T for 1134 euros. Two plastic cases as standard equipment on the Tiger. However, neither of the two systems can hold crash helmets. Tank capacity: fully suitable for touring, again with a slight advantage for the Triumph (KTM: 19 liters, Triumph: 20 liters). Especially since the British with 5.5 liters consumption is more frugal than the KTM (6.5 liters). Price: no bargain. 13,040 euros for the Triumph in the tested SE version (ABS, case, hand guards and main stand as standard), 13,929 euros for the KTM with comparable equipment (only ABS and hand guards as standard).

Mayer

Travel and speed – the Triumph Tiger 1050 SE can do both.

Every minute the sun dries a few more square centimeters of asphalt, finally allowing us to increase the number of strokes. What has been cycling in harmony so far is now pulling apart. The more curvy the route, the more relaxed the KTM driver acts. Right, left, right, the Austrian greedily folds into every curve. Domestication has hardly calmed her dynamic soul. But on the contrary. ABS, the comfortably tuned suspension and the wind protection simply add a portion of common sense to the exorbitant driving pleasure.

The Triumph clearly plays second fiddle on fast stretches. It struggles with its pounds and dimensions when changing lean angles, appears less precise, much more sedate and provides less feedback than the KTM. Even the omnipotent engine can hardly hide the feeling of heaviness. Sports? No thanks, if you can hear the tigers panting at a gallop. The predator looks a bit old.

And yet: With their conceptual approach, both machines hit the nerve of many motorcyclists. Instead of cultivating mediocrity with smooth, often faceless all-rounders, Triumph and KTM are going a much more sensible way.

By expanding the area of ​​application of their concepts, which are clearly geared towards maximum driving fun, with specific additions for everyday use. And for this combination, the supermoto-oriented base of the KTM ultimately has the better genetic makeup than a native touring enduro like the Triumph.

Enduro

Comparison test: travel enduro bikes in Sweden

Test: travel enduros on the way to the North Cape (part 2)

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Conclusion

Mayer

The KTM 990 SM T wins by a narrow margin.

1st place: KTM 990 SM T
Lively engine, great chassis, good manners – and now an ABS. Heart and common sense are seldom so close together as at the KTM.

2nd place: Triumph Tiger 1050 SE
The engine is still enthusiastic. But when it comes to chassis, the Tiger is getting on in years. The lush dimensions make the fight against the pressing offspring difficult.

MOTORCYCLE scoring

Category engine:
The engine is undoubtedly the Triumph’s chocolate side. With an almost vibration-free motor run and an impressive torque plateau, the triplet is clearly one of the best drives in this class. Among other things, the ease of movement of all controls – including clutch and gearshift – as well as the lively engine characteristics give the KTM an extremely sporty driving experience. Only disturb the hard load changes.

Winner engine: triumph

Category chassis:
Razor-sharp turning, agile handling and spring elements that can be adjusted to a wide range of applications – no one can fool the KTM technicians when it comes to setting up the suspension. The Triumph can hardly hold back in this regard. With diffuse feedback, comparatively sluggish handling and a shock absorber that is too soft for pillion riders, the Tiger weakens in this discipline.

Chassis winner: KTM

Category everyday life:
Everyday life is an important criterion for domesticated fun bikes. Nevertheless: luggage storage (suitcases cannot hold helmets) or wind protection remain at an acceptable, but only average, level on both machines. On the other hand, the ergonomics of the KTM and its workmanship are excellent. Just as pleasing: the Tiger’s long range thanks to its moderate consumption (5.5 liters) and 20-liter tank.

Winner everyday: triumph

Category Security:
Finally, KTM has also discovered THE ABS: And – if already, then – has also tuned the anti-lock device excellently. Solid home cooking offers triumph in this regard. The Nissin system works inconspicuously, but sufficiently.

Safety winner: KTM

Category costs:
Two-year warranty plus mobility guarantee – KTM is accommodating. Great: the Tiger’s low consumption and long inspection intervals.

Winner Cost: Triumph

 Max points  KTM  triumph Overall rating  1000  657  643
placement    1.  2.
Price-performance note  Top grade 1.0  2.2  2.5

Price-performance winner: KTM

Close decision: Ultimately, the KTM triumphs here too – despite the higher price.

Technical specifications

archive

The performance diagram of the fun bikes.

Keep your eyes open: a torque curve like that of the Triumph three-cylinder does not occur every day. In contrast, even the lively performance characteristics of the KTM pale.

KTM 990 SM T

Mayer

Good: open knee angle and enough space for the pillion passenger.

engine type design  Two-cylinder four-stroke 75 degree V engine
injection  Ø 48 mm
coupling  Multi-disc oil bath clutch
Boron x stroke  101.0 x 62.4 mm
Displacement  1000 cm3
compression  11.5: 1
power  85.0 kW (116 hp) at 9000 rpm
Torque  97 Nm at 7000 rpm
  landing gear frame  Steel tubular frame
fork  Upside-down fork, Ø 48 mm
Brakes v / h  Ø 305/240 mm
Systems assistance  SECTION
bikes  3.50 x 17; 5.50 x 17
tires  120/70 ZR 17; 180/55 ZR 17
Tires  Continental Sport Attack
 
mass and weight
wheelbase  1505 mm 
Steering head angle  65.6 degrees
trailing  109 mm
Suspension travel v / h  160/180 mm
Seat height  850 mm
Weight with a full tank  218 kg **
Payload  182 kg
Tank capacity / reserve  19/4 liters
Service intervals   7,500 km
price  12,595 euros
price Motorcycle test  13,729 euros ***
Additional costs  200 euros
 
Readings
Top speed*  220 km / h
 
acceleration
0-100 km / h  3.6 sec
0-140 km / h  5.8 sec
0-200 km / h  12.0 sec
 
Draft
60-100 km / h  4.8 sec
100-140 km / h  4.6 sec
140-180 km / h  5.7 sec
 
consumption
Consumption highway  6.5 liters / super
Reach country road  292 km

* Manufacturer information; ** Weight without case; *** Incl. Luggage set: 1134 euros

Triumph Tiger 1050 SE

Mayer

Unusual: significantly increased front passenger seat.

engine type design  Three-cylinder four-stroke in-line engine
injection  Ø 46 mm
coupling  Multi-disc oil bath clutch 
Boron x stroke  79.0 x 71.4 mm
Displacement  1050 cm3
compression  12:01 pm
power  84.6 kW (115 PS) at 9400 rpm
Torque  100 Nm at 6250 rpm
  landing gear frame  Bridge frame made of aluminum
fork  Upside-down fork, Ø 43 mm
Brakes v / h  Ø 320/255 mm
Systems assistance  SECTION
bikes  3.50 x 17; 5.50 x 17
tires  120/70 ZR 17; 180/55 ZR 17
Tires  Michelin Pilot Road "S"
 
mass and weight
wheelbase  1510 mm 
Steering head angle  66.8 degrees
trailing  88 mm
Suspension travel v / h  150/150 mm
Seat height  850 mm
Weight with a full tank  241 kg **
Payload  187 kg
Tank capacity / reserve  20/5 liters
Service intervals   10,000 km
price  12,690 euros
price Motorcycle test  12,919 euros ***
Additional costs  350 Euro
 
Readings
Top speed *  220 km / h
 
acceleration
0-100 km / h  3.4 sec
0-140 km / h  5.5 sec
0-200 km / h  12.1 sec
 
Draft
60-100 km / h  3.5 sec
100-140 km / h  3.9 sec
140-180 km / h  5.6 sec
 
consumption
Consumption highway  5.5 liters / super
Reach country road  364 km

* Manufacturer information; ; ** Weight without case; *** Incl. Socket 32 ​​euros, heated grips 197 euros

Brake measurements

Mayer

Limit values: With the latest control technology from Bosch, KTM shows that excellent deceleration values ​​can also be achieved with long-legged fun bikes.

While anti-lock braking systems have long been on the advance everywhere, KTM of all people held back on this issue. For good reason: After all, long-legged enduros or fun bikes such as the Duke, Supermoto or SM T models from the Austrians are problem cases in ABS technology. A high center of gravity of the vehicle and the abrupt immersion of the front fork make these concepts extremely prone to rollover during heavy braking maneuvers. The only possible countermeasure to date, namely to limit the maximum deceleration to a non-critical level, involves early control and correspondingly long braking distances. In the SM T, the latest control technology from Bosch should now be used, the so-called 9M pressure modulator, which is also used in the 2011 Kawasaki ZX-10R. The experimental setups corresponded exactly to those of the youngest ABS tests (MOTORCYCLE 22/2010).

Mayer

Endurance test: full braking over sand – with amazing results.

First: Full braking on a dry road. Second: Full braking on three, each 1.5 meters wide, three meters apart sand fields. The result: With a braking distance of 49.4 meters, the KTM comes three meters earlier after the sand fields
than the Triumph (52.8 meters) to stand. However, the SM T delivers its masterpiece on continuous asphalt. With 40.6 meters of braking distance, the long-legged Austrian not only brakes well in front of the Tigers (43.3 meters), but also reaches the top region of conceptually clearly advantageous categories such as the BMW GS models with pitch compensation or deep all- rounders. With the latest ABS technology, KTM has actually succeeded in exploring the limits of deceleration in a fun bike. Even experienced drivers should only approach the feeling of braking so close to the rollover limit with fully drawn stoppers in a cordoned-off area.

Braking distance from 100 km / h:

Asphalt dry:

 delay  Braking distance KTM  9.5 m / s²  40.6 m
triumph  8.9 m / s²  43.3 m

Friction jump (braking on sand fields):

 delay
  Braking distance
KTM  7.8 m / s²  49.4 m
triumph  7.3 m / s²  52.8 m

Equipment / prices

 KTM 990 SMT
  Triumph Tiger 1050 SE
 SECTION  x  x
Case system  1134 euros  x
Capacity per case (left / right)  37/37 liters  24/19 liters
Inner pockets case (set)  79 euros  192 euros
Topcase / capacity  297 euros / 38 liters  364 euros / 34 liters
Inner topcase pocket  40 euros  –
Hand protectors   x  x
Luggage rack   217 euros  135 euros
Luggage hook  x  x
Adjustable seat height  – –
Adjustable handlebar position  x  –
Width-adjustable brake / clutch levers  x / x  x / x
Touring screen  118 euros  159 euros
Aluminum engine protection  198 euros –
Engine protection bar  159 euros  –
Hand stand  178 euros  x
Second trip odometer  x  x
Board computer  –  x
Consumption display –  x
Fuel gauge –  x
Gear indicator – –
Oil level indicator  Sight glass  Dipstick
Ambient temperature display  x  –
Heated grips  195 euros  199 euros 
Board socket  x  32 euros
Time clock  x  x
Immobilizer  x  x
Anti-theft alarm system  297 euros  426 euros

x = standard equipment

Price comparison of the two fun bikes

Used KTM 990 SM T and Triumph Tiger 1050 SE in Germany

The KTM 990 SM T and the Triumph Tiger 1050 SE offer fun for thousands of kilometers. On the used motorcycle exchange they face each other in a duel of prices. Both are available in good condition at very reasonable prices: used KTM 990 SM T and Triumph Tiger 1050 SE

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