KTM 990 Adventure

Mojave954 · 08-20-2008, 07:49 AM

Anyone have any experience with these bikes?

Looking for something I/we can go exploring with. Not going the BMW route, too expensive. Grant it, shaft drive is nice but, something goes wrong with it you are screwed where as a chain, if you have the spares/tools you can get out of there. Anyways... Way too many Nat'l parks out here with accessible Fire roads that need explorin.

What I am looking for with the adventure is, long range comfort for two. Reliability, maintenance, etc.

sfarson · 08-20-2008, 02:35 PM

It is a great bike. I rented one in Chile following business last year to see what it was all about (I ride an R1200GS ADV). Took me through cities, down highways, far off road, high in the Andes and down to lonely beaches without skipping a beat. Enjoyed its character and its rockin' engine.

Came home and bought one, but sold it earlier this year while working through MBS (Multiple Bike Syndrome). Just as reviews note, the GS is a finer road ride, but the KTM a finer off road ride, but to be sure, both bikes do both very very well. Decided to keep the GS because I do spend more time on the road, and my wife adores the GS as a passenger.

I found the KTM comfy and I know many go far on the thing, including with passengers. There's numerous aftermarket options for the bike. You will find it a breezy bike. Little can be done about that. Maintenance costs are on the high side, and KTM parts availability is an "opportunity area". The KTM kinda reminds me as the Ducati of the off road/dual sport business. Ask away with any specific questions.

From high in the Andes just before the pavement ended where I continued to Paso Del Negro on the Chile/Argentina border...
http://www.farson.com/chile/andes2.jpg

MotoVegas · 08-20-2008, 04:28 PM

Huh, I've been kicking around a similar idea. GS1200GSA? KTM 990A? Kawi KLR650? Suzuki DL1000? Honda Varadero (oddly, none in the US, Canada only)? Buell Ulysses XB12XT?

I realize the use will decide which is best, but frankly I can't decide the use either! But the "adventure" angle (long hauls with some off-road and/or gravel road ability) is a concept that has been burning in my brain for a month or so...

I just can't decide. Blah.

G-ForceJunkie · 08-21-2008, 12:34 AM

With an adventure bike, it is always a trade off. I have a GS1150 and am very happy with it, but know its limitations. I also have a DRZ400S for the more dirty work. But even between those two bikes, I am really thinking about something inbetween. The GS is just too heavy for loose, sandy conditions. The DRZ is a dirt bike with a plate and unsuitable for the highway. I have been thinking about a KLR to fill in the gap in the middle. Better dirt ability (could have used that in the sandy areas of Baja) and decent enough highway manners to make a 3-4 hr slab ride not torture.

08-20-2008, 07:49 AM	#1
Mojave954 GONE PLAID! Join Date: 12-18-2006 Bike(s): 08 FJR, 08 R 1200 GS Posts: 902	KTM 990 Adventure Anyone have any experience with these bikes? Looking for something I/we can go exploring with. Not going the BMW route, too expensive. Grant it, shaft drive is nice but, something goes wrong with it you are screwed where as a chain, if you have the spares/tools you can get out of there. Anyways... Way too many Nat'l parks out here with accessible Fire roads that need explorin. What I am looking for with the adventure is, long range comfort for two. Reliability, maintenance, etc.

08-20-2008, 04:28 PM	#3
MotoVegas Join Date: 01-03-2007 Location: Las Vegas Age: 38 Bike(s): ZX-10R & HD Ultra Classic Posts: 894	Huh, I've been kicking around a similar idea. GS1200GSA? KTM 990A? Kawi KLR650? Suzuki DL1000? Honda Varadero (oddly, none in the US, Canada only)? Buell Ulysses XB12XT? I realize the use will decide which is best, but frankly I can't decide the use either! But the "adventure" angle (long hauls with some off-road and/or gravel road ability) is a concept that has been burning in my brain for a month or so... I just can't decide. Blah. __________________ Enjoy my pics Enjoy my crash Enjoy riding with Whip and I at SMMR

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08-20-2008, 02:35 PM	#2
sfarson Bike Agnostic Join Date: 04-29-2008 Location: Central Colorado Bike(s): USA, Italy, Germany Posts: 18	It is a great bike. I rented one in Chile following business last year to see what it was all about (I ride an R1200GS ADV). Took me through cities, down highways, far off road, high in the Andes and down to lonely beaches without skipping a beat. Enjoyed its character and its rockin' engine. Came home and bought one, but sold it earlier this year while working through MBS (Multiple Bike Syndrome). Just as reviews note, the GS is a finer road ride, but the KTM a finer off road ride, but to be sure, both bikes do both very very well. Decided to keep the GS because I do spend more time on the road, and my wife adores the GS as a passenger. I found the KTM comfy and I know many go far on the thing, including with passengers. There's numerous aftermarket options for the bike. You will find it a breezy bike. Little can be done about that. Maintenance costs are on the high side, and KTM parts availability is an "opportunity area". The KTM kinda reminds me as the Ducati of the off road/dual sport business. Ask away with any specific questions. From high in the Andes just before the pavement ended where I continued to Paso Del Negro on the Chile/Argentina border... http://www.farson.com/chile/andes2.jpg

08-21-2008, 12:34 AM	#4
G-ForceJunkie Who's driving? Join Date: 12-15-2006 Location: Valencia, CA Bike(s): BMW GS1150 ADV, DRZ400 Posts: 625	With an adventure bike, it is always a trade off. I have a GS1150 and am very happy with it, but know its limitations. I also have a DRZ400S for the more dirty work. But even between those two bikes, I am really thinking about something inbetween. The GS is just too heavy for loose, sandy conditions. The DRZ is a dirt bike with a plate and unsuitable for the highway. I have been thinking about a KLR to fill in the gap in the middle. Better dirt ability (could have used that in the sandy areas of Baja) and decent enough highway manners to make a 3-4 hr slab ride not torture.