Hi Lads,
Just swapped bikes with a mate of mine who has a brand new KTM 690 Supermoto (fuel injected 2008 model). Here is my (biased) comparison to my Berg FS650e:
- General impression
Feels very sturdy. High-quality build. Sits well-posed. Comfy seat, much comfier than on the Berg. Riding position is slightly more civlised, but that can of course be adjusted. What can not be adjusted is the weight...Goodness this thing feels heavy compared to the Berg ! Figures, according to the books, are KTM: 139kg, Berg:112kg, but it feels more like 50kg diference.
- Riding and engine
Increadibly smooth. Not a vibration throughout the revs. The FI mapping is sweet. Absolutely no bogs, surges or dead-spots at any throttle position. Grunt? Sure, but only if you give it some stick. Whereas the Berg engine will take off like the proverbial cat, front-whel off the floor, the KTM has that turbine-like feel to it with no bad-boy manners at all. Couldn't wheelie it, but then again, I am no wheelie-master. In all, when you ride the Berg, you know it is alive with every stroke of the piston, the KTM engine just feels...like a sophisticated middle-age Gentleman. Boring? YES, compared to the Berg that is. The ride of the KTM is predictable, with a slight tendency to self-steer in tighter bends, but that may have been down to wrong tire-presure (too low). If not, then the geometry needs some working. Where the Berg inspires confidence from the first time you go in to a corner, begging you to brake later and to roll it on earlier, the KTM feels big, posed and again - heavy. More like a sports-bike than a (proper) supermoto. On the KTM you get the feeling that you could do your own "long way around", thanks to the lack of vibrations, civilised manners and riding comfort. On the Berg, at least myself constantly listens for any strange engine noises, new vibrations or anything that might spell doom - knowing damn well that what powers the Berg is in handgrenade-territory, the KTM...well, it has that undestructible Honda Cub feel to it.
- Gearbox
To tall (standard) gearing. Reaches 100mph no sweat, but who wants to ride an SM at those speeds? Lacks that ooomph in acceleration you get on the Berg at the slightest twist of the pint-hand. Gerbox shifts well and lightly, but the throw between gears is longer than on the Berg. Berg gearbox is sweter overall.
- Suspension
This one was set up on the soft side - too soft for my 90kg frame, for sure. Hitting dips whilst cranked over produced a swaying motion, requiring rider input.The Berg (on almost standard settings) feels harsher, especially up front, but as we all know, rock-solid through the corners - where you point it, it goes. KTM takes a while to get used to before you start trusting it.
- Conclusion
If I were to want a bike that I could go far with, from China to Europe and back, I would choose the KTM, hands-down. Or, if I wanted a bike that I could ride two-up if needed, well...not an option with our beloved Bergs.
But. I don't want any of those things. I don't want a Honda Cub feel, I don't want that extra weight, and if I had to use my bike to take other people around, I would get a bus instead !
The KTM is like that well-behaved school boy, with his uniform, cap and tie, and the Berg is like that bad kid who was smoking and drinking beer behind the sports-ground at age 13. I guess I was like the latter of the pair and this is why I prefer a Berg - anyday !
Husaberg= fun, fun fun, every ride. Wide-grin riding.
KTM= civilised. sturdy. Heavy. Supermoto, with the "super" taken out of it.
My mate who rode my bike said after the ride:"Now I know why you are so enthusiastic about the Berg down at the pub. This is fun!"
Ask for a test ride of a KTM at your closest dealer and you will se what I am talking about.
Ingemar Lampa
Hong Kong
07 FS650e
Just swapped bikes with a mate of mine who has a brand new KTM 690 Supermoto (fuel injected 2008 model). Here is my (biased) comparison to my Berg FS650e:
- General impression
Feels very sturdy. High-quality build. Sits well-posed. Comfy seat, much comfier than on the Berg. Riding position is slightly more civlised, but that can of course be adjusted. What can not be adjusted is the weight...Goodness this thing feels heavy compared to the Berg ! Figures, according to the books, are KTM: 139kg, Berg:112kg, but it feels more like 50kg diference.
- Riding and engine
Increadibly smooth. Not a vibration throughout the revs. The FI mapping is sweet. Absolutely no bogs, surges or dead-spots at any throttle position. Grunt? Sure, but only if you give it some stick. Whereas the Berg engine will take off like the proverbial cat, front-whel off the floor, the KTM has that turbine-like feel to it with no bad-boy manners at all. Couldn't wheelie it, but then again, I am no wheelie-master. In all, when you ride the Berg, you know it is alive with every stroke of the piston, the KTM engine just feels...like a sophisticated middle-age Gentleman. Boring? YES, compared to the Berg that is. The ride of the KTM is predictable, with a slight tendency to self-steer in tighter bends, but that may have been down to wrong tire-presure (too low). If not, then the geometry needs some working. Where the Berg inspires confidence from the first time you go in to a corner, begging you to brake later and to roll it on earlier, the KTM feels big, posed and again - heavy. More like a sports-bike than a (proper) supermoto. On the KTM you get the feeling that you could do your own "long way around", thanks to the lack of vibrations, civilised manners and riding comfort. On the Berg, at least myself constantly listens for any strange engine noises, new vibrations or anything that might spell doom - knowing damn well that what powers the Berg is in handgrenade-territory, the KTM...well, it has that undestructible Honda Cub feel to it.
- Gearbox
To tall (standard) gearing. Reaches 100mph no sweat, but who wants to ride an SM at those speeds? Lacks that ooomph in acceleration you get on the Berg at the slightest twist of the pint-hand. Gerbox shifts well and lightly, but the throw between gears is longer than on the Berg. Berg gearbox is sweter overall.
- Suspension
This one was set up on the soft side - too soft for my 90kg frame, for sure. Hitting dips whilst cranked over produced a swaying motion, requiring rider input.The Berg (on almost standard settings) feels harsher, especially up front, but as we all know, rock-solid through the corners - where you point it, it goes. KTM takes a while to get used to before you start trusting it.
- Conclusion
If I were to want a bike that I could go far with, from China to Europe and back, I would choose the KTM, hands-down. Or, if I wanted a bike that I could ride two-up if needed, well...not an option with our beloved Bergs.
But. I don't want any of those things. I don't want a Honda Cub feel, I don't want that extra weight, and if I had to use my bike to take other people around, I would get a bus instead !
The KTM is like that well-behaved school boy, with his uniform, cap and tie, and the Berg is like that bad kid who was smoking and drinking beer behind the sports-ground at age 13. I guess I was like the latter of the pair and this is why I prefer a Berg - anyday !
Husaberg= fun, fun fun, every ride. Wide-grin riding.
KTM= civilised. sturdy. Heavy. Supermoto, with the "super" taken out of it.
My mate who rode my bike said after the ride:"Now I know why you are so enthusiastic about the Berg down at the pub. This is fun!"
Ask for a test ride of a KTM at your closest dealer and you will se what I am talking about.
Ingemar Lampa
Hong Kong
07 FS650e
Last time I rode from Stockholm up there was in 07, on a 1980 Bimota KB1. 1250km one way, two up. No problems. But my girfriend was complaining a bit. The KB1 dual-seat is like a tapered wedge, comfy for the rider, but the pillion will suffer. She is a brave woman.
