with the KTM—it's just too damn
harsh on everything except
when you're really going for it
off-road.
Everything about the 890
is, like Jesse said, too "wound
up." I'm three inches taller than
Jesse at 6'1", and the compact
rider triangle, combined with
the stiff suspension in standard
form, makes the KTM not that
enjoyable over a long distance.
Running over potholes on
the tarmac will send shocks
to the rider that I feel should
have been damped out. It's odd
because the ergonomics, plus
the behavior of the suspension,
make the KTM feel like a street
bike for the dirt, not a dirt bike
for the street, as the BMW does.
The KTM's electronics are
superb—easier to use than the
BMW and more effective when
deployed. Perhaps it's because
I've had so much experience
with the KTM that I find their
user interface so intuitive, but
I have yet to meet anyone who
has a bad word to say about the
KTM's electronics.
VOLUME ISSUE JULY , P97
Here the ergos are
easy to see. 5'10"
Jesse is nearly fully
standing tall on the
rangy BMW, whereas
6'1" Rennie is a bit
more cramped on
the KTM.
