1190sx vs.

[arikam]

I watched a YouTube video. 1190sx vs ktm 1290 super duke. The super duke is great. The ebr is great. But they say the ktm is better. Has anyone had the fantastic opportunity to ride these 2? They say the ebr is not commuter friendly. Is that true? I might buy something else this summer and I'd love to support ebr. But I need a comfy commuter. Assuming those exist. Any thoughts?

 

[GregoXB]

Test ride them both, buy the one you like.

 

[pur pony]

Ive test rode the SX a couple of times, i think it would be a fantastic commuter. I love the 1290 super duke s well, but id buy the EBR

 

[heagachongoose]

The 1190 is a race bike for the street. The 1290 is a street bike for the track.

The ebr is feral and wild. The ktm is refined and sophisticated.

 

[arikam]

These dealers around me in south al are stingy with test drives. Harley is the only company that let's you test drive everything. And they don't have either bike.

 

[GregoXB]

I've encountered the test ride block before. If you set up an appointment for a test ride 2-3 weeks in advance, they can usually accommodate you.

 

[arikam]

I also love the ducati 899 panigale. But I assume it's super uncomfortable.

 

[go cytocis]

They say the ebr is not commuter friendly. Is that true?...I need a comfy commuter.

I can't see the SX being an ideal bike to commute on. Perhaps better than an RX, but unless at least part of your commute involves a race track, it'd be geared too tall, be more cramped, & simply be too much of a heavy weight for commuting.

If you're like me, you want something tall, upright, narrow, light, with low gearing & a big seat to shift around on, for navigating rush hour traffic. A dual-sport or Supermoto works really well.

 

[arikam]

What's the best commuter anyone has ever had? I've never had a comfy bike. My harley street 750 isn't too bad.

 

[Bullettooth023]

It really comes down to preference. If I had the choice between the two, I'd go with the KTM. It looks better IMO.

 

[heagachongoose]

My xb was definitely the best commuter bike I have had. By far. I have had a lot of bikes. I don't like tame comfortable or friendly. To me a commuter bike is an extremely dependable machine that I can take out any time of the year and have a blast on my way to whatever it is I'm going to, no matter how far or how long.

I like to use a simple equation when evaluating bikes. Where x = the amount of yes.

Mileage /fun + (practicality x 0)= x

 

[mrlogix]

^^[up]

 

[go cytocis]

My xb was definitely the best commuter bike I have had

I can see an S model 9 (something like a City-X) being a pretty decent commuter.

I didn't care for taking my XB12Ss into work if I could avoid it. It was just geared too tall & pumped out too much heat when stuck in traffic. The longer wheelbase made it less flickable at low speeds too. Of course, I also had mine set-up more for back-road carving with raised R footpegs, lower handlebars, & just a single little bar-end mirror, so none of that helped with rush hour traffic either.

 

[GregoXB]

It depends on your size and proportions IMO. I prefer the Ss as a daily commuter for us taller guys. If the bike is too small for you, fatigue will become an issue.

 

[arikam]

I understand the heat. I'm in far south al and in the summer the xb12r was throwing some serious heat off of it.

 

[2004xb12s]

Nothing cuts through and around traffic better than a Supermoto. It's also easier to go through pot holes and over curbs if need be

 

[generalcuz]

Never rode an SX but I have an 1125cr with high bars and ride with a friend who has a super duke. They are both great bikes and we both have ours setup respectfully to our preferences. Only shortfall I have ever yearned for on the 1125cr is his fuel efficiency. Rumor has it that the new SX fixed that issue. Ride both. I do feel like my bike is more nimble but that may be in part to the level of comfort from miles logged.

 

[gbalias]

x2 on a supermoto.

 

[wolfo68]

The seat on the KTM is going to feel much better after anything more than 10 minutes of riding.

I notice the seat on the SX, but I don't mind it being as stiff as it is.

 

[cjanderson_90]

I really like my CityX as a commuter. Its small and very nimble, good torque and pretty decent mileage. A buddy of mine has a Z1000 and mines much more comfortable and easier to get around town on. Raise the bars an inch, throw on some traxion pegs and a windscreen and you have a little mini sport tourer. XB9 is a great bike