990 fuelling - 2008 onwards better?

the_laughing_mole

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Have finally decided to take the plunge and buy a good used 990 Adventure in place for my 1150GS which has served me really well for the past 5 years - but I'm itching for something new. Have test ridden a few 990s and they were great fun - but the fuelling 'has its moments' (ie jerky) as is reported frequently on this site. Tried the 2010 demo at Sideways on Saturday and the fuelling is very good - but not prepared to spent £11k ish for a new one! So looking for a 2-3 year old with luggage. Not sure about Akros - they sound great and help with the fuelling, but also heard they send petrol consumption down south in a big way :eek

What do you guys recommend? My legs ain't long enough for the old 950 - and I'm wondering if the later 990s (2007 onwards) were much better on the fuelling?

Thanks!
 
No

Is the answer to that,the fueling is not great on these bikes and its something you have to learn to live with,my 07 was a pain at low speed,i fitted akros and filter with a power commander and custom map,i kept good fuel economy that way and the bike was improved but if im honest it wasnt cured and was a big buck layout.Although the grin factor is massive,build quality is much better imho than the BM i have now.For me the fuel range is a pain,a 20ltr tank isnt good enough on an adventure bike,and the pasenger comfort wasnt great for my partner.The 950s are a much better prospect being carbed,my other halfs brother has one much nicer bike to ride out of the box,not much taller than the 990,infact with the gel seat you wouldnt notice,only problem is you'd have to search harder to find a minta.If youre going for higher mileage bikes of either,check for FSH and recalls,the three main areas of trouble seem to be clutch slave cylinder,solved with the oberon jobbie,waterpump seals,and faulty fuel pumps,the fuel pumps are usualy changed with a facet one,990s have them in the left hand tank,950s have the externaly inbetween the tanks,which is why the 950 has slightly more fuel onboard.
 
I have a 2007 990, I must have struck lucky because don't seem to have any fuelling or snatchy throttle problems (yet). Fuel economy is poor in comparison with my old 800gs however the grin factor is much bigger.
If I am careful on a commute tank I can get about 140-150 miles to warning light.
On a run, 150-160 till warning light, I have had 200 miles out of a tank when fully luggaged up although I was holding my breath looking for a petrol station.
 
I moved from a 1150 gsa...to a 08, fueling was shite, fitted g2 throttle cam which helped but far from smooth...use to get about 140 ish mile,s to light on, that could drop to 110 though :augie
As has been said build quality seemed better, except for paint work ...it marked if you looked at it......... great fun too ride...did,nt like the scorps tyres though...or the seat..

Would have another but would try n find a good carbed one...(even though I,ve got little legs:mmmm)

Great for hooning about but no tourer...just my opinion mind...
 
Thanks guys - yes from those 990s I've seen, the build quality is better than the 1200GS. I'm doing less touring than I thought I would, so am prepared to trade some long distance comfort and practicality for fun :D What about reliability overall? I've had 5 trouble-free years with my GS (only battery needed changing) - am not expecting it to be quite that good. Fuel pump has been mentioned. What's your experience?
 
Having owned both GS's and the 990 (2009) I would say reliability is not an issue with the KTM but you really had better make sure you can live with the shite fuelling. I had throttle cams, akras and a smaller sprocket set and they made a bad situation a little better, but thats about it.

IMHO the fuelling ruins the bike.

Have you considered the SM-T, I know its not an adventure machine but it does not seem to have the fuelling issues.
 
I have had a 990 since Sept 09 and have covered over 6k on it. The feuling is lively, but the engine needs it to be as it spins up really quick :D.
I have got used to the throttle (took my ear plugs out and dialed out all the play/slack in the throttle cables, then reworked my brain-throttle- wrist) After about 2K ear plugs back in etc and now don't even think about it. Different bike different things to get used too :augie A little clutching on mini r-abouts is all you need to do really then give it a hand full.
 
990/950 Adv

I recently changed from a new 1200GS SE to a 950 Adventure and am delighted I did. I guess I was lucky to find a low mileage 2006 example that was one of the last batch before the 990's came in and which the previous owner had really looked after . There are no probs whatsoever with the fuelling and although it is said that the 990 is smoother and a bit quicker I find the 950 plenty fast enough and the engine is as smooth as the GS ever was. As for seat height, the later 950's came with the gel seat which is not only comfortable but also lower than standard, I'm only 5'8" with 29" inside leg and manage fine. In fact it feels much easier to maneouvre from the saddle than the GS ever did and once moving feels much lighter, better balanced and a hell of a lot more fun (IMHO).
 
The 09 bike and after are much better. They can adjust the fuelling on the 09 bikes.

Mine is a 08 bike and with the G2 400 cam fitted and the 15 minute idle trick its somewhat smooth. Anyway I have used to it, I take off-road all the time as well.

My 2 pence worth.
 
Fueling on all 990 KTM's is no where near as good as a 1200 :augie

Recently tried a 2010 SMT whilst my Superduke was in for a service and fueling is still poor.

On my Superduke fitted the G2 throttle Cam, have Akros with latest mapping, removed SAS system and disconnected the 02 sensors all of which have improved the fueling but still no where near as good as my GSA ;)

Still great fun though :cool:
 
riderbob said:
The 09 bike and after are much better. They can adjust the fuelling on the 09 bikes.

Mine is a 08 bike and with the G2 400 cam fitted and the 15 minute idle trick its somewhat smooth. Anyway I have used to it, I take off-road all the time as well.

My 2 pence worth.
Click to expand...


He also drops it a lot:augie:augie
 
950 carb icing?

I have been considering one of the last of the 950 Advs as better fuelling and a better price! But I have heard stories that these can suffer from carb icing in cold weather :( How bad is this and are there workable solutions (other than hibernating the bike Nov to March... :rolleyes:) - such as carb heaters??
 
Nippy Normans supply Touratech, Wunderlich, Desert Fox and many other makes of accessories.
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