Author Topic: Has anyone changed from a 1200GS to a 990 and regretted it? (Read 4308 times)

Frog · « **on:** January 21, 2009, 05:31:19 pm »

Has anyone sold their 1200GS/1200GSA and bought a KTM 990 and regretted doing so?
I'm not sure if anyone will be honest enough to answer this in public but I'm trying anyway.
The reason I am asking is that I am considering changing to "the dark side" but am worried that I might regret doing so as I am not really unhappy with the 1200GSA but just want a change.
Anyone honest enough??

Crop Sprang · « **Reply #1 on:** January 21, 2009, 05:33:30 pm »

Yip
Thought about it and regretted the thought
Why the change ?

KT-emmer707 · « **Reply #2 on:** January 21, 2009, 05:34:54 pm »

KT-emmer707 · « **Reply #3 on:** January 21, 2009, 05:39:31 pm »

Take a 990 for a decent test drive on both road and dirt(take a full day).
You should be able to tell what you want to do then. My 2c.

Frog · « **Reply #4 on:** January 21, 2009, 05:41:21 pm »

Quote from: Crop Sprang on January 21, 2009, 05:33:30 pm

Yip
Thought about it and regretted the thought
Why the change ?

As I said - just for something new

Adventurer · « **Reply #5 on:** January 21, 2009, 05:54:06 pm »

Does a 1150 GSA to a 990 count? If so, I miss certain aspects of the GSA, but I have never regretted my decision.

Ratel · « **Reply #6 on:** January 21, 2009, 05:54:33 pm »

Goose · « **Reply #7 on:** January 21, 2009, 06:21:57 pm »

No - unless you need the "willy-extension"

>Herman< · « **Reply #8 on:** January 21, 2009, 06:34:22 pm »

Parra,

I had a '05 1200 GS, rode it two years and put 45 000km on the clock. Great bike! Loved to ride it, even took the bike to Daytona to play.

Then I sold the bike April 07 and bought a 2nd hand '05 950 Adv S.

My reason for the change - I prefer the more off-road capabilities of the KTM, plus the look draw me. But then again, I never reached the 1200GS's limits off-road. I knew the bikes limits and rode around it. With the 950 I don't worry as much about ground clearance, final drive taking strain, etc.

I do however worry about dinging the front rim (which can be sorted with an after market rim).

For me the two bikes are in many ways similar, but in other ways so different you cannot compare them.

Do I regret my decision? NO! The KTM is more suited to my riding preference, and I still enjoy getting on it, even after two years and 34 000km.

For me, the KTM can do anything the 1200GS can, somethings way better, some on par and some below par. The BM cannot do everything the KTM can.

And reliability.... just check all the 2007 BMW 1200 GS/A recalls... you get "duds" in all brands. A good brand will sort the problems out and deliver a good quality product.

Lastly, both brands have a 2 year warranty (KTM - no "On Call" facility); the std 990 Adv comes with ABS.

So, to summarise. It is all about personal preference.

Frog · « **Reply #9 on:** January 21, 2009, 06:49:44 pm »

Quote from: KT-emmer707 on January 21, 2009, 05:39:31 pm

Take a 990 for a decent test drive on both road and dirt(take a full day).
You should be able to tell what you want to do then. My 2c.

I will take one on a long test ride and compare. The problem is that new toys are always great. It's after a few months that that the novelty wears off and reality sets in!

Smithey · « **Reply #10 on:** January 21, 2009, 06:52:27 pm »

I went from a KLR650 to the ninefiddy.......... ooohhh hang on, that dosnt count

If you want a change, go for it, i seriously doubt you will regret it.

dieterf · « **Reply #11 on:** January 21, 2009, 07:41:39 pm »

i might not answer your question in its entirety.
i changed from a Dakar to a 640. to this day i will sing the praises of a dakar, HOWEVER if you want a change, you shall not be disapointed.
personally i saw it as an "evolution" in my biking enjoyment!

i restress, beemers are great.............................katoomers are "better"

bud500 · « **Reply #12 on:** January 21, 2009, 08:06:29 pm »

Quote from: Adventurer on January 21, 2009, 05:54:06 pm

Does a 1150 GSA to a 990 count? If so, I miss certain aspects of the GSA, but I have never regretted my decision.

Care to elaborate?

1150 to 990 is an even bigger change than 1200 to 990. I would appreciate some more detail as this topic is exactly where I am now too. I loved the GS12 and the GSA12 always tugged the strings.
I am also just looking for a change probably to the more technical side so the 950SE is in play for me as well.

peter stuyvesant · « **Reply #13 on:** January 21, 2009, 08:25:04 pm »

Jeez, here we go again. Has'nt this been argued to death about 1000 times.
If you want a great dirt bike, keep the GS. If you want a great tar tourer get the KTM...........................or get a Loncin 200 that can do it all

GG · « **Reply #14 on:** January 21, 2009, 09:40:21 pm »

Boys boys boys get a 640 (or690Eish) KTM for a serious fun factor on dirt and a 1200GSA for everything else. For sand mud and rock (not dirt) day rides a 990 is just as limiting as a 1200! Never ever get brand befok its about size not brand, usage not brand, practical elements not brand! I ride my 640 adv and get a hard on, I ride my 1200 GSA and get a hard on!

To clarify - there is no bike with a 33l tank, huge screen, soft seat etc like a GSA. There is no bike with a kick start, 28 l tank, light and powerful like a 640adv! Nothing beats a kdx 200 on serious techinical stuff!

QUESTION! has anyone bought more than one bike and regretted it?
ANSWER: NO!

RedWolf · « **Reply #15 on:** January 21, 2009, 09:51:45 pm »

Quote from: peter stuyvesant on January 21, 2009, 08:25:04 pm

Jeez, here we go again. Has'nt this been argued to death about 1000 times.
If you want a great dirt bike, keep the GS. If you want a great tar tourer get the KTM...........................or get a Loncin 200 that can do it all

I think this is a little bit off track..

Adventurer · « **Reply #16 on:** January 21, 2009, 10:05:42 pm »

Quote from: bud500 on January 21, 2009, 08:06:29 pm

Quote from: Adventurer on January 21, 2009, 05:54:06 pm
Does a 1150 GSA to a 990 count? If so, I miss certain aspects of the GSA, but I have never regretted my decision.
Care to elaborate?

1150 to 990 is an even bigger change than 1200 to 990. I would appreciate some more detail as this topic is exactly where I am now too. I loved the GS12 and the GSA12 always tugged the strings.
I am also just looking for a change probably to the more technical side so the 950SE is in play for me as well.

Things I miss on the 1150GSA that the 990 doesn't have:

Big tank.
Comfort on a really long haul, 800km + in a day.
Fuel guage.
10 000km service intervals.
there are more, can't think of them now...
The 990 lacks a few items, but for overall grin factor, performance, weight and offroad ability, those items are worth sacrificing.

Gravel_Seeker · « **Reply #17 on:** January 21, 2009, 10:33:54 pm »

Just done it, 2 weeks ago, no regrets, just the wrinkles from the constant smile I have on my face each time I get on the 990

michnus · « **Reply #18 on:** January 21, 2009, 10:44:19 pm »

Quote from: GG on January 21, 2009, 09:40:21 pm

Boys boys boys get a 640 (or690Eish) KTM for a serious fun factor on dirt and a 1200GSA for everything else. For sand mud and rock (not dirt) day rides a 990 is just as limiting as a 1200! Never ever get brand befok its about size not brand, usage not brand, practical elements not brand! I ride my 640 adv and get a hard on, I ride my 1200 GSA and get a hard on!

To clarify - there is no bike with a 33l tank, huge screen, soft seat etc like a GSA. There is no bike with a kick start, 28 l tank, light and powerful like a 640adv! Nothing beats a kdx 200 on serious techinical stuff!

QUESTION! has anyone bought more than one bike and regretted it?
ANSWER: NO!

+100

Now if only people can get this into their heads.

Shotgun · « **Reply #19 on:** January 21, 2009, 10:53:11 pm »

A better question will be if anybody has EVER changed from a 990 to a 1200?