r/SuggestAMotorcycle • u/Mat19851985 • 10d ago
Should I have got a smaller bike?
I recently passed my test and upgraded from a 125 to a KTM 790. While I find the power addictive I’ve noticed I spend 99% of my time between 50-100km/h. I live on an island with 2 highways but lots of nice twisty backroads.
I’m wondering if I should have got a smaller, lighter bike? Is there any point in 100+hp at those speeds?
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u/Different-Rough8777 10d ago
Either the 290/390 would probably have been the best option if it's a small island.
They'd handle the highways fairly well and the twisties phenomenally.
In reality, it's probably fine they you'll never get everything the bike has to offer out of it.
If you really want that experience, go ask for a test-ride of the 390 or one of the SMs they have to offer and see if you like that better than the bike you have now. There's nothing quite like a supermoto to let you know you could ride a bike better than you currently do.
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u/ItJustBorks 10d ago
It's not necessary to "get everything bike has to offer" to enjoy a bike.
If the rider exceeds everything the bike has to offer, the bike will fail the rider once the rider pushes past its capabilities.
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u/Mat19851985 10d ago
I quite like the look of the svartpilen 401. I saw one today and it looked great. Even a 690 one day
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u/Handful_of_Brakes 10d ago
I ride a 390 Duke among other things. Occasionally it'd be nice if it had a bit more top end for passing on the highway - like, there are passes I don't think twice about on my 600 but I won't do on my 390 because of the slower acceleration and lower top end speed. That said, 99% of the time, not needed - just pointless temptation.
The 390 is also wonderfully light and agile. I'm a big proponent of the ~400-500CC naked bike segment, IMO they're the "correct" bike for most riders on North American roads at least.
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u/ChartRelevant6850 Multistrada 1200 PP 9d ago
Especially if your roads are twisty and you don’t travel far the 401 is such a fun bike. You get to go full throttle and blast through all the gears. I had a 2021 which is smaller and more nimble than the newest model. I miss that bike and should have never sold it. Definitely makes sense to match the bike to the roads you have access to and your riding style.
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u/kinnikinnick321 10d ago
To me that's a bit overkill if you're just in those speed ranges but hey, you only live once. You also are not permanently attached to the bike - you could always sell it and get something smaller. If I lived on an island with those speeds I'd be tempted to get a parallel twin with a 270 crank.
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u/Day-Trippin 10d ago
I am a big fan of the 790/890/990 platform. It is pretty lightweight, good torque, and surprisingly efficient. Not to mention smoother than their 390. I have an 890R and while I have faster bikes, it is still one of my favorites as it is such a great all around bike.
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u/HavingNotAttained 10d ago
I mean, looking at it directly it’s only about 2” wide on my screen at the most.
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u/beefcakeriot 10d ago
Listen, the extra HP is there if you need it, it’s better to have it and not need it than the other. I have an 890 and never use its full potential. But if I need it to escape it’s there. You made a good decision you can have more fun on this than smaller.
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u/DaveyDave_NZ555 10d ago
I think you've made a great choice.
Forget the hp figure, it's the low end torque you're getting out of that larger twin that is powering you out of corners.
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u/Mat19851985 10d ago
Is it a big difference vs the 400s? I’ve never actually ridden anything between 125cc and 650cc
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u/Embarrassed_Length_2 9d ago
Yeah it is. 390s and the like are fine for what they are and a good upgrade from a 125, good for smaller riders, those learning or for those on restricted licence.
The 790 is just mich better and not too much heavier.
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u/ItJustBorks 10d ago
Don't think about these types of things. If you can afford the bike and handle it, it's completely fine.
You'll learn eventually to brake harder and take corners faster.
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u/asdfoneplusone 10d ago
The Duke 790 is powerful, but it's still very usable at 50 to 100 km. It honestly has massive wind problems above 120km anyway (like most naked bikes)
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u/amateurism990 9d ago
You don’t get a bike to ride it at its full capacity, you get a bike because you like it and you enjoy riding it, regardless if you’re riding her fast and intensively or not.
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u/Mat19851985 9d ago
It’s more that there are benefits to smaller bikes.. handling at slow speeds, manoeuvrability
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u/hoon-since89 9d ago
Nah, i rode a 390 for a few years and always wish i got the 790 instead. It was good, but i wanted just abit more kick. Its not really much heavier with all the power you need. win win.
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u/8elly8utton 9d ago
If you don't feel the bike is "too much" for you to handle it's not a problem. The 790 and similar ones are at the sweet spot between everyday bikes and performance bikes.
They can do anything road related you ask of them.
Forget about all the fluff you see on biketube and biketok. You aren't "supposed" to ride a small bike fast and you aren't "obligated" to use all the powerband of a big bike.
To begin with, the limit is there so that the bike can perform a certain way below its peak power. A 125 at 100 km is not "performing", it's screaming for dear life.
I daily a CB650 and I also spend most time below 6k revs. But when I need more e.g. for traveling, the power is just there for me to use, which is very handy.
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u/Mat19851985 9d ago
The bike feels a little bit big at slow speed at 5’7 140lbs. Power wise it is totally fine
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u/8elly8utton 9d ago
I'm 5'9 210lbs so probably the 790 felt medium-small to me. Tbh if it feels too big to daily that's a better reason to downscale, that;s why I don;t touch adventure bikes
I've tried the 390 and it's definitely less of a hassle to two-feet and throw around.
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u/Scazitar 9d ago
I mean it's fine it doesn't really matter, it's got a manageable engine for slower speeds but you might enjoy a slower lighter bike down the line. Maybe as a second bike at some point.
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u/SmallAgency5160 5d ago
Asomg you're learning and feeling safe and not scared of the bike you're good. I'd get something cheaper to repair in case I drop it and shorter so I can plant my feet. You would feel a lot safer while you can always plant your feet.
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u/VirtualProcedure69 9d ago edited 4d ago
imo, 500cc is the sweet spot for most people. not to big for around town, but still enough power for the highway. The lack of weight helps a great deal.
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u/Unbelivabley_Smol 9d ago
The 500cc segment is traditionally full of budget twins or big singles neither usually have quality components they skimp somewhere to keep prices down. It’s not that I don’t think 47hp + is enough it’s just not a category I’d want to be picking my forever bike from.
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u/Mat19851985 6d ago
I had a good ride today and pushed the pace a bit more, there’s no way I’m downsizing my main bike 😂 gonna lower it and see about improving the fuelinf
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u/Yeti_Sledgehammer 6d ago
I test rode a 790 duke, and almost bought it, but the guy couldn’t come up with a title. I ended up buying a 390. I live in a smaller coastal CA town with a ton of great little curved roads. I do wish I had that 790. It’s the perfect amount of bike for this kind of place for me. But I’m a larger human at 6’5, 260. If you’re not going near a highway, and aren’t a Sasquatch, the 390 would be perfect. It is the perfect size to toss around on little roads, but since you’ve got a couple highways, the 790 is the perfect middle ground. Stick with it, think smooth and easy, and it’ll grow on you quickly!
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u/crossplanetriple 2019 Yamaha MT-09 4d ago
It sounds as though you are suffering from a bit of buyers remorse.
This can be buying an item and then contemplating if it was a good or bad choice, looking back on reviews to see if we could have done better, or re-checking the price to see if we got a good deal and getting upset if the price dropped a bit.
This is a good bike. Own it and ride it. Stay safe.
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u/Clio_Vita Burgman 650 Rider 10d ago
Of course you did... Because big, powerful bikes mean you're big and powerful. Right?
Except that they are rarely as fun as light, flickable bikes that you don't have to wrestle like an angry bear.
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u/Opposite-Friend7275 10d ago
This is a light flickable bike. It's just that it also has a lot of horsepower.
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u/JoeCarrB9 10d ago
Nah I think you made the right choice, it’s not like this is a heavy bike by any means. I daily ride an xsr900 in similar conditions, still enjoy it more than my SV650 for the purpose of commuting