Head to Head GSX 8s Vs KTM 790 Duke

[Mick_J]

Comparing the Suzuki GSX 8s directly to the KTM 790 duke is fairly straight forward for me, they both have good and bad stuff to write about but just briefly here are my thoughts on them.
The Suzuki is more comfortable, it's also slightly larger and you feel better integrated into the machine whereas the KTM has a rock hard seat and you seem to sit on top of the bike.  The dash is colour on the Suzuki and has more information immediately to hand whereas the KTM is more minimalist but offers more menus to control the electronics (if you pay for them).  The Suzuki engine is a real diamond with a lovely gearbox with a well matched quick shifter, the KTM feels a little less sophisticated in the engine and gearbox, the quick shifter is an expensive option that works better higher up the rev range.  Roll on power is better on the Suzuki and it's more flexable.  I would say that the Suzuki suspension and brakes are not quite as good as the KTM but offers a very good compromise, the KTM is slightly sharper in both departments but not necessarily better for everyday use.  There are more after market goodies for the KTM (at the moment) so changing things around to make it better suit you is going to be easier but I'm sure the Suzuki will soon catch up.  Overall The Suzuki is a better bike for what I want a bike to be, it's more user friendly on a day to day basis, is more comfortable and is slightly bigger.  The KTM is a more focussed bike that would probably suit a track day refugee better.   

[GSXKING]

Suzuki makes the best gearboxes of all the mass produced bike manufacturers 🥇🥇🏆🏆

Is there a big discrepancy in the retail ride away price Mick ?

[Mick_J]

No mate, as standard they are both £8k but if you want the extra electro-trickery on the KTM it will probably cost another £1k, the quick shifter option is £250 (I think).  The Suzuki is made in Japan and has a 3 year warranty, the ktm is made in China and has a 1 year warranty.

[GSXKING]

I test rode two bikes today at Morgan & Wackers 100th anniversary celebration of BMW MOTORRAD 🥳🥳
F900 XR lots of fun but the seat nearly crippled me 😫😫☠️
GSA1250 one word "INCREDIBLE"
So much fun it should be illegal🙀

[grog]

The price is illegal. Ridiculous.

[VladTepes]

FX900R looks terrible.
GSA1250 is not exactly attractive either and price is insane.

Me I'd happily have an older Guzzi Stelvio NTX.

[grog]

Stelvio no stunner either. All as bad as each other.

[VladTepes]

Bimmer 1250 GSA(2023)

Power: 136 HP and 105 lb-ft torque.
Weight: 591 lbs
Tech: High
Price: Expensive
Repair and service costs: High
Ridden: No I haven't.  But I have ridden a GS of the era and it was very... BMW.  Capable but to me not exciting.


Stelvio NTX (2009 - 2011)


Power:    105 bhp and 83 lb-ft torque.
Weight:  (553 lbs / 251 kg)
Tech: Low (for today)
Price: Affordable (2nd hand obviously)
Repair and service costs: Less than you might think, certainly much less than the Bimmer (due to tech).
Ridden: Yep. On road - not bad at all, but obviously not it's forte. On the dirty - felt great, best first gear ration I've come across for low speed work, not to low not too high - just right   I do have a special affinity for that transverse V-twin engine. BUT in hot weather (like where I generally ride) the heat coming off those heads would be... shall we say... sub-optimal.
Specs/Reviews:  https://www.motorcyclenews.com/bike-reviews/moto-guzzi/stelvio/2009/


Having said that are they really comparable? Not really - they are >10 years apart in tech etc.

Point of this whole post? None really, in hindsight.

But I do think the Stelvio NTX is a better looking beast.


Interestingly a new Stelvio (V100) is on it's way.
https://motorcyclesports.net/moto-guzzi-v100-stelvio-the-first-definitive-photos/
Will certainly be interesting to compare with the BMW once the full specs details are available.

SO far all I know is that power is 115 hp at 8,700 rpm, with the limiter cut at 9,500: that's 110 hp/liter. (and less tahn the BMW)

Maximum torque is declared at 10.7 kgm at 6,750 rpm and routine maintenance is scheduled for every 12,000 km (Mandello data).

My predictions:
It will be slightly more expensive than the BMW.
Service costs will be broadly equivalent.
It will be great to ride (as no doubt the BMW is also).

I think it definitely looks better than the BMW.

Which would I buy if I had the $ (I don't and never will)
The Guzzi, without hesitation.
But then again I am a bit special... 

[Hooli]

The only time I've ever seen a Stelvio, it was up in the Alps & busy trying to drag the cylinder heads across the road from the cornering speed it was carrying.


I realise that's no use at all to anyone.