950 SE vs 950 Adv

[Aussie Steve]

I know this has been asked before and I have searched, but I dont think the specific question has been asked.

I am looking to upgrade from an 1150gs to a bike which will handle the abuse of offroad riding better.

I was looking to the 950SE for this but after speaking to a KTM salesman he has told me to go the Adventure route. According to him the SE will outperform the ADV hands down offroad but will not be liveable for any distance on road, after coming off a very comfortable bike this worries me a little. I have noticed that a few inmates have both the ADV and the SE or have owned each at different times.

I would like to ask these people what their thoughts are on living with the SE on road, compared to living with the ADV offroad.

My main purpose for the bike is offroad, but I want to be able to ride 700-800 kms on road when the need arises without killing myself. Also most places I go to require at least 100kms of road riding to get there.

[Manny Fagnet]

Originally Posted by Aussie Steve

I know this has been asked before and I have searched, but I dont think the specific question has been asked.

I am looking to upgrade from an 1150gs to a bike which will handle the abuse of offroad riding better.

I was looking to the 950SE for this but after speaking to a KTM salesman he has told me to go the Adventure route. According to him the SE will outperform the ADV hands down offroad but will not be liveable for any distance on road, after coming off a very comfortable bike this worries me a little. I have noticed that a few inmates have both the ADV and the SE or have owned each at different times.

I would like to ask these people what their thoughts are on living with the SE on road, compared to living with the ADV offroad.

My main purpose for the bike is offroad, but I want to be able to ride 700-800 kms on road when the need arises without killing myself. Also most places I go to require at least 100kms of road riding to get there.

I did 340 (540 ish km) miles in one day recently and it was just fine on the SE.Could have easily done more.

The seat is firm but is actually very supportive over long distances.

[Aussie Steve]

Thanks Manny,

So realistically all I'm in for is a slightly harder seat, being windblown, and harder riding suspension.

I presume also that the front end might be a bit more active due to the different rake.

[Big Lusk]

I have just been in exactly the same situation. Sold my 04 R1150GS Adv and decided to go the KTM route. Considered the 990Adv and the 950 SE, after much deliberation, many hours on this forum and several conflicting pieces of advice and went with my heart and put down a deposit on a 950 SE at the dealer today. I'm collecting my new baby tomorrow and will post further comments after that.

[KonradKTM]

rode 3300 Km during 4 days mainly gravel with the SE recently - no prob! did the same thing last year when I had the adv - and yes adv is a better long distance travler (better seat for many hours in the sadle) but its definetly doable on a SE - Both really makes you long for another ride though :-)

I love my SE - but can easily see myself going back to the adv one day.... but not in the near future

[wpbarlow]

I just did an 850 mile weekend pavement ride (a buy, fly, and ride) on the SE and it was ok. Not as enjoyable as it would have been on an A (I had one until recently), but ok.

I think the key to your question lies in how much of an upgrade you want in your "upgrade to a bike which will handle the abuse of offroad riding better". The 950A is certainly an upgrade and capable enough offroad, as evidenced by thousands of pictures and hundreds of ride reports on this site will attest to; and a better choice if you use luggage and need range (absent a fuel mod for the SE).

[BLUE(UK)]

There isn't THAT much in it between the adv and the SE although i must say i'd prefer an SE since i dont do many miles these days.
If you do a lot of higher speed cruising then i would get the adv,if not,i'd get the SE.The SE should be fine for 200miles a day.

[JanB]

be honest to yourself. If you do more pavement than dirt -> Adv... other way around -> SE

Both do both very well. The difference isnt too big. Both are big, heavy and have more hp than you need most of the time. If you dont believe me - ride both and then decide!

I am glad that I got the adv everytime it rains and everytime I hit the 160km mark (thats when the SE-riders are gonna search for the next gas-station).

One thing I forgot: The SE is probably better crash-able than the adv.

[Possu]

I bought a low mileage used SE in April & rode it down to Spain & back in late May for a weeks offroading. Total mileage was 2,104, most in one day was 450miles from Limoges to Le Havre & then Portsmouth to Oxford.

Stock seat is not that comfortable, easily remedied with an Airhawk. Need to fill up every 100-110 miles on the stock 13 litre tank, larger aftermarket options now available.

Have no regrets in buying it. I still have my 68,000 mile '01 R1150GS, just that I wanted a large bike with better offroad ability & suspension as there comes a point where you reach the limits of the GS.

As SE's are no longer in production & there's no sign of a replacement, I consider them a sound investment if you buy one at the right price (£6-£6,500 in the UK).

[firebolter]

You can make the seat better. Most ADV guys change their seats too, so that's a wash in my book. ADV is a nice bike, bit the only REAL advantage is range/fuel capacity. The stock windscreen on the ADV isn't that great over not having one. The nice thing about the SE, you are up high and in clean air. Up to 85mph or so, no issues.

I like the lighter weight and more dirt capable suspension. I can live with the range.

[codys]

Agreed on the SE being more dirt than the ADV but wouldn't either bike be a huge upgrade off road vs. the 1150gs?? Just sayin.

[charlie264]

Sorry guys but this annoys me. If you want to cruise the motorways buy a gold wing. If you want to experience the great outdoors then the SE and ADV, take your place. I’m more than happy on my SE at 65 observing the county side, 90 is uncomfortable, over the law and on any bike the speed distracts. Buy yourself a landrover , its more practical than the GS.

[imgonnasnap]

The SE's only limitation is its fuel range. I've done several 500 mile days on mine and no issues. for anything longer than 100 miles I put on my air hawk and call it good. I ran out of fuel going up the coast last time due to my uncontrolable throttle hand and long distance between fuel stations, but that was my fault, mostly.

Recently rode a Harley for 500+ miles and every mile I was wishing I was back on my SE.

[azkiwi]

Why do you think KTM built two different bikes? Sometimes it's just easier to ride a horse in the direction its going.


Sure, you CAN ride 700 k's without a windshield and with a peanut tank - but do really you want to? I know manly men who have ridden from one side of this country to the other on rigid Harley's who will swear that shocks are for sissies if you want to extend your goldwing highway argument.


I found the ADV more tiring in the wind after getting off a VStrom which has comparable protection to the GS. I've done 600 miles days on it and its adequate. No windshield - no thanks.

[Aussie Steve]

Thankyou all for your opinions.

Big Lusk Look forward to hearing your thoughts on the new bike.

I hear what your saying with being honest with myself, am trying to be. Whilst I rarely go for a ride that doesnt have dirt, they all have a road ride to get to the dirt, I wanted to make sure by the time I got there I wasnt over the bike and wouldnt enjoy it anyway.

Yes the seat upgrade is a given as is fuel tank upgrade, I know I am turning a purpose trail blaster into a watered down version, but sometimes a watered down weapon is more fun than an upgraded tourer.

As for the GS thing, the only reason I mentioned it is to give an idea of where I'm coming from.