New bike day. 690SMC-R.

[weeksy]

As you know, I've been in a pondering state of mind with the MT07 and sitting with it as a meh, hmmm, maybe.

As a bike to ride it's great. But there's a few things it's lacking.
1. Slipper clutch
2. Character/pride of ownership.

I walk into the garage and I don't know it's there, it's just something in the corner taking up space. I don't love it, cherish it or feel even happy it's there.

So on my drive/cycle with @crust and @Couchy I mentioned it and both commented with "well, you've debated one loads of times before and always wanted one, so why not"

A quick message with @Welsh Muffin gave me "it makes no difference what I think, you'll buy it anyway" and I rang Darren at @@PremierBikes and the rest was just a quick "what do you want for yours" followed by "have a word Daz, I want more than that" and a deal was struck.

So I'll be taking in the MT07 on Weds next week and in the not too distant future I'll be taking away this..

2022-05-07_06-04-25 by Steve Weeks, on Flickr

Which as you can see, is a KTM 690smcr with 460 miles on it. Supplied by Premier to Daz's mate who traded it for a 22 690smcr for the plastics and paint.

It comes with all the electronic gubbins like a QS, blipper and traction control. Along with a slipper clutch and more leg/knee room which will also help me. Despite my best desires the mt07 wasn't quite a happy place on the knee.

I know 690s, love 690s and as crust mentioned "you'll either keep it for a week or many years" and j absolutely agree with him on that.

So, on we go, let the games begin and bring on pembrey

[Bigjawa]

Oh fuck, that's nice!

Be good for the wheel then!

[Couchy]

Will it have anti wheelie ?

[weeksy]

Will it have anti wheelie ?

That's a given. They all do

[Asian Boss]

That looks sweet as. And don't worry about all that slipper clutch bollocks, just gan it up on t'back wheel.

[Tricky]

That also just has "Lydden" written all over it- was one (well the white and lime coloured brother) there today.

Love it, albeit I honestly will be surprised if it's still around come Pembrey...

[Le_Fromage_Grande]

You'll either love it or hate, there's no meh with supermotos.

And Tricky is right, it'd be perfect for Lydden.

[Couchy]

They’re a great bike for the rider who likes to wheelie stoppy and generally ride like a tool

[weeksy]

They’re a great bike for the rider who likes to wheelie stoppy and generally ride like a tool

Perfect. I'll wrap it in a bow and send it up

[Skub]

Your good health to enjoy,sir.

Based on exhaustive research,my money's on the ownership period being closer to a week than many years.

[Yorick]

Your good health to enjoy,sir.

Based on exhaustive research,my money's on the ownership period being closer to a week than many years.

If he lived here, he'd be skint. Hefty tax on used bike sales.

[singlesman]

I can see why Darren thinks your such a nice bloke, you single-handedly keep his sales targets where he wants them.

[weeksy]

I can see why Darren thinks your such a nice bloke, you single-handedly keep his sales targets where he wants them.

Weirdly I've only bought 3 bikes from them in 15 years

[Numnut]

That looks awesome, it’ll be loads of fun

[Supermofo]

Well it's no GSXS but it's alright I suppose

Should be a good laugh and as you only do shorter rides I doubt the reduced comfort over the Duke will make much odds. Hopefully get to see it at somepoint

[Jody]

Nice choice, I'd love one but for me they are a bit spendy and it would be a PITA to get in my campervan !

[Taipan]

Surprised it took this long tbh. Congrats on finally getting one!

[weeksy]

Better get it soon, it's on track in 3 weeks.

This tells me a little about the MT07 as I never considered booking one on it

[Skub]

Better get it soon, it's on track in 3 weeks.

This tells me a little about the MT07 as I never considered booking one on it

Is there much difference in the engine performance between the Yam and the KTM,or is it the different power delivery/handling that make the idea of a trackday more attractive?

[weeksy]

Better get it soon, it's on track in 3 weeks.

This tells me a little about the MT07 as I never considered booking one on it

Is there much difference in the engine performance between the Yam and the KTM,or is it the different power delivery/handling that make the idea of a trackday more attractive?

Power very little between them

It's more the slipper/braking really. The other 690s I could make up masses of time on the brakes into corners, despite losing out masses on the straight bits of course. But the MT07 without the slipper I really couldn't even on the road always come into corners hard, slam it down 2-3 gears without any thought. So I suspect on track that would have been more so.
With underpowered bikes you need to take advantage of anything they have.

The 690 being 147kg wet means it's proper light in bike terms, throw in TC and cornering abs also helps
https://www.motorcyclenews.com/bike-rev ... mc-r/2019/