[girimajiananth]

Originally Posted by shravansp24

Hi,



If the suspension is something that's high on your priority list, comfort if your age is a consideration and your majority of the riding is within city speeds, there are much better motorcycles than these 2.


Service Cost :

KTMs higher initial cost is justified for the more sophisticated engine and other hardware that went into it's making.

KTM service is quite a bit expensive. A basic paid service will set your back to atleast 2500-3000. Any additional servicing will add on to the bill. Also, the service interval is quite short at 4 months per service. Suzuki will be definitely cheaper to maintain especially considering its non-techy parts but the service network of Suzuki is quite poor compared to the KTM is what I heard.

And regarding my suggestion - I'm not sure with your requirements for me to suggest either of the motorcycles. Please state what exactly are you looking for in your next ride.
If city comfort, fuel efficiency and cost of maintenance are on your priority list, the KTM is definitely not the one to get

Do take a test ride of these motorcycles. It'll give you a clear picture of what they have to offer

Thanks for this.

I might not use my next bike for regular office commute. Given that I need to stay in office till late night, I might use my car. For shorter city commute, I have TVS Jupiter at home.

I would be using these bikes for occasional breakfast rides or leisure rides with my better half.

When you say "Ktm has no torque in lower end" what does it mean ? Dumb it down for me please.

I did take a brief TD on both these bikes, I liked the ergonomics on KTM, Suzuki has a slight bend forward posture. I fell in love with the look and feel of KTM for some reason.

[advstreak]

Originally Posted by girimajiananth

I heard the suspension is stiff on both bikes? Which one is better ? I am on wrong side of 30s. I have no off road intentions .

Originally Posted by shravansp24

Suspension :

Regarding the suspension, from what I heard, V-Storm suspension is comparitively softer and shares much of it's components with the gixxer whereas the KTM has the underpinnings of a sports bike. So, it has a very stiff chassis and the suspension has a very harsh rebound. So, under 60kmph, it's very stiff and more or less similar to sporty motorcycles like the Duke/R15. Post that speed and corners is where the suspension shines (both on-road and gravel)

Suspension - Suzuki is softer than KTM

If the suspension is something that's high on your priority list, comfort if your age is a consideration and your majority of the riding is within city speeds, there are much better motorcycles than these 2.

shravansp24 is absolutely spot on here about the suspension. KTM's whole architecture is to push the rider to ride a little faster: from the angled footpegs to the slight forward reach of the handlebar, the engine power delivery as well the suspension setup. The Suzuki is slightly on the softer side compared to the KTM but it is still engaging enough.

On triple-digit plus speeds, I have felt a little wobbliness on the rented V-storm. But as Sebring has pointed out it could be that machine that has the problem which I will confirm in some time after riding a well-maintained V-storm.

Originally Posted by girimajiananth

I read vstorm 250s FE is better than ktm adv , true?

Originally Posted by shravansp24

Fuel Efficiency:

The city fuel efficiency of vstorm should be better as it has much better low-end power. KTM has no torque in the lower end and hence resulting in poorer FE due to the riding style that's needed. In highways though, both of them are more or less similar with the KTM being more spirited and powerful

My KTM gives a mileage of ~30kmpl in city and 34-38kmpl on the highways (riding between 85 and 100kmph)

City FE - Suzuki
Highway FE - similar with KTM having slight edge

Again shravansp24 is bang on. V-storm will be able to squeeze out a little more than the KTM ADV 250. In sections of highways where the KTM was able to give 38kmpl, V-storm has managed to give around 41 kmpl on the Kerela Trip.

One important point is the difference in compression ratios. V-storm has 10.7 while the KTM ADV 250 has 12.5. Although the KTM Indian owners manual says that it can run on 91RON but I have felt an observable difference when using XP95 as mentioned in #31. The higher compression ratio allows KTM to extract more power out of the engine at the cost of it being more susceptible to bad fuel quality in the form of the cold start issue as mentioned in #39 post.

Originally Posted by girimajiananth

How expensive is ktm service and maintenance compared to suzuki?

Originally Posted by shravansp24

KTM service is quite a bit expensive. A basic paid service will set your back to atleast 2500-3000. Any additional servicing will add on to the bill. Also, the service interval is quite short at 4 months per service.

Now, this is where shravansp24 might have made a mistake. The KTM 250 ADV service interval is 6 months/7500km both as per Indian and EU owner manuals.



The relatively high cost of the KTM ADV 250 is because it shares almost all the parts and consumables with KTM ADV 390.

Originally Posted by girimajiananth

I would be using these bikes for occasional breakfast rides or leisure rides with my better half.

When you say "Ktm has no torque in lower end" what does it mean ? Dumb it down for me please.

I did take a brief TD on both these bikes, I liked the ergonomics on KTM, Suzuki has a slight bend forward posture. I fell in love with the look and feel of KTM for some reason.

What we mean when the bike does not have great low-end torque is that bike needs to be revved to get it going. This will be more apparent in case of luggage+pillion. Please check post #37 as it mentions the speed before and after installing Fuelx.
So a better low-end torque gives you the ability to use the bike in higher gears and at lower speeds without lugging the engine. Better low-end torque also reduces the number of gear shifts required as the bike will be able to go through speed breaker in 2/3 gear instead of coming to 1st.
In the case of KTM, the low-end torque can be improved by using fuelx to a certain extent but still lags behind the V-Storm even then.

The V-storm's slight bent can be corrected by using handlebar risers.

As you want to also go on leisure rides with your partner, I would suggest to rent both vehicles for a couple of days and check the pillion comfort. No amount of short test rides can match up to a day's worth of riding.

[shravansp24]

Originally Posted by advstreak

Now, this is where shravansp24 might have made a mistake. The KTM 250 ADV service interval is 6 months/7500km both as per Indian and EU owner manuals.

The relatively high cost of the KTM ADV 250 is because it shares almost all the parts and consumables with KTM ADV 390.

My bad! Thanks for pointing it out. I vaguely remember my svc mechanic telling it's 4 months or 5000kms(He even set the service km left to 5000km on the console) during my first service!

and apart from the spares, my KTM svc mechanic said that the labour costs are different too! for example a general service labour cost for the KTM 125s/200s is around 900-1000 but for the 250s and 390s, it's a bit higher

[advstreak]

Originally Posted by shravansp24

and apart from the spares, my KTM svc mechanic said that the labour costs are different too! for example a general service labour cost for the KTM 125s/200s is around 900-1000 but for the 250s and 390s, it's a bit higher

That makes sense as parts (like spark plugs etc) are harder to reach in the ADV platform.

[Sebring]

I think your questions are answered by Shravan. I found the VSTROM a 'grounds up' ADV, and not just another mod. If you read my ownership review, I've explained it there. Paid service bill was 800 only. Mileage is 2-4 KMPL more that KTM. The engine is good, and on my Chennai trip I held it at 120KMPH constantly for few hours. But the best part is the seating comfort/ergonomics/rider triangle. Sorry, but I don't want to hijack this thread, a test ride should answer your queries

Originally Posted by girimajiananth

Bhpians - Sebring, advstreak, shravansp24 please share your advice, inputs here.

[boniver]

Here’s a video I recorded tonight on an empty road. You can hear the buzz very clearly in this ��

https://youtube.com/watch?v=YPQ8N52u2Jc?feature=share

[shravansp24]

Originally Posted by advstreak

That makes sense as parts (like spark plugs etc) are harder to reach in the ADV platform.

True! I replaced my fuel filter in the last service and they had to remove the side shrouds and lift the entire tank whereas it was much simpler on my 2015 duke

Originally Posted by boniver

Here’s a video I recorded tonight on an empty road. You can hear the buzz very clearly in this ��

Yes, it's the exact buzz that I was hearing. And since holding that boomerang shaped plastic mutes the buzz, it looks like that's the cause(The same plastic was the one troubling me too). See the connection points of the boomerang shaped plastics on the sides are proper and not broken(service center may help you with this). If it's broken, replace them and if it's not, try the Mseal or double side tape solution where I have applied for a quick fix and see if the buzz is gone

Originally Posted by Sebring

If you read my ownership review, I've explained it there. Paid service bill was 800 only. Mileage is 2-4 KMPL more that KTM.

Yes, my opinion of the VStorm was based on your ownership review along with my experience with the Gixxer only as I have personally never ridden a VStorm

[advstreak]

Originally Posted by boniver

Here’s a video I recorded tonight on an empty road. You can hear the buzz very clearly in this ��

https://Youtube.com/watch?v=YPQ8N52u2Jc?feature=share

Originally Posted by shravansp24

Yes, it's the exact buzz that I was hearing.

In my case, the buzz was not this loud. Maybe it was just getting started and I fixed it (if you can call it that) before it got prominent.

[Vignesh_N/A]

Originally Posted by shravansp24

I vaguely remember my svc mechanic telling it's 4 months or 5000kms(He even set the service km left to 5000km on the console) during my first service!

My personal experience and few private garage owners including Mr.Rajini krishnan advised me to stick to 4500±500 kms for my Duke 390.

Beyond 5000 kms, the oil becomes black and thin.

[heinrici]

Originally Posted by advstreak

So here is another mod update.
This purchase was inspired by reading a couple of articles on windshield aerodynamics.

Very interesting reading that aerodynamic link. Thanks for sharing @advstreak
Could you share the buying link for the Angle Adjustable Wind Deflector.

[advstreak]

Originally Posted by heinrici

Could you share the buying link for the Angle Adjustable Wind Deflector.

http://www.motoplanetdelhi.com/unive...pid-2031854563

I got it from here. He has two sizes: 12 inches and 15 inches.
I got the 12-inch one as it fits the KTM ADV and also the 15 inch one will become too heavy and wobble a lot more.

[heinrici]

Originally Posted by advstreak

I got the 12-inch one as it fits the KTM ADV

Did you try orienting it almost horizontal - like the OP shows in the advrider post? Which angles were the most comfortable for you?

[advstreak]

Originally Posted by heinrici

Did you try orienting it almost horizontal - like the OP shows in the advrider post? Which angles were the most comfortable for you?
Attachment 2415887

You can refer to post #56. I am also quoting the related part below:

Originally Posted by advstreak

Stock windshield+ Wind Deflector in low position
The only angle that makes sense with the wind deflector is the almost flat one. Any other angle cause of lot of buffeting everywhere.
But when it is placed in this angle the airflow is clean everywhere. There is some wind pressure over the chest area but I think I prefer that over the turbulent flow.

Attachment 2411871

As the mount is a little flimsy it shakes when go over a rough patch. So next step will be to make sheet metal brackets to hold it rigidly.

[advstreak]

Originally Posted by advstreak

It has been a couple of days and I will keep on using XP95 from the same petrol bunk. If the issue does not come back after a couple of months, I will switch to normal petrol from the same petrol bunk to observe the effects.

So I switched to normal fuel more than a couple of weeks back. I have done approx. 1000 km till now using normal 91 RON from random fuel pumps.

Now the cold start issue is kind of back. In the morning and also in the evenings (after the bike has stood still for more than 8 hours) the RPM fluctuates in the first crank. Right now the bike does not require a second crank and is able to reach stable RPM after warming up a little.

My feeling is that it will get worse if I keep using 91 RON fuel from random pumps and it will require multiple cranks to start.

[boniver]

How hot do your bikes get in traffic? Mine stays constant at 4 bars with the exception of yesterday morning, when I saw the 5th bar for a few seconds before it went away. The fan kicks in whenever I stop at signals.
Interestingly, the coolant had reached the minimum mark last Sunday on a highway ride (odo was at ~200kms then). Got it topped up at the KTM service centre on the way back. The level hasn't gone down since then.