Some people buy a bike because of tests like this quoted shamelesly from ADVrider.
“The local mag tested the 1200ADV vs 990KTM vs the HP2 vs the 950 SE/R
Guess which won the lot?
The SE! ALthough they didnt rate the 990 very well
They tested the bikes at the BMW training facility in South Africa, and had the following tests:
1) Downhill stopping and up hills (steep grade stop - but the 990 was the worst here because it had scorps on vs knobs for everything else, a stupid oversight when trying to roughly compare apples with sort of apples)
2) Hole jumping/ obstacles at low speed (to simulate cross country tracking and the need to get over a sudden suprise)
3) Acceleration, traction
4) A nice oval track with High speed dirt riding including corrugations
5) Sand riding
6) Road comfort
7) Low speed handling between cones (manouevreability sp!!!)

The big jumps
They did their very best - its evident - in trying to compare the bikes, and the scores were like this (it included things like fun factor, pillion comfort, suspension, handling, rider comfort, balance, stability, engine braking, throttle response, turning circle, brakes, price, value for money, overall efficiency, traction, response, lightness of front end)
ADVGS 164
990 KTM 156
HP2 167
SE/R 176
TopBike, South Africa bike test”
Others buy with their hearts or because of inproper influence by friends and family.
Why the HP2 seems to be more of a collectors item?
Who cares?

I bought and ride my 950SE because…………
KTM 950 Super Enduro R – The Cure for Common Sense