KTM 990 Adventure - Should I?

[r100/7]

my dad has a 06 ktm 990adv and he loves it its been to timbukto and back (spelling my be off) i have been on the back and found the seat find.
my dad is 5.7-5.8 so he went for the ktm as the seat hight / weight was better.

 

[Dellis]

Had LC8's since 04,(you might possibly remember fixing a puncture in the very early hours one morning )1150 and 1150 adv before that. Sorted the range with an adventure tank and a 2 into 1 exhaust. Tony Archer sorted the seat for £60.00. Self service . Only possible problem would be that you might be getting a bit old for one . Not for the pipe and slippers .

LOL !

I remember the evening well

 

[Dellis]

OK so today was the day for the test ride and after calling the first dealer I dealt with, who shall remain nameless, it almost didn't happen due the initial very attractive deal they offered suddenly suffering from a bout of inflation A call was made to another dealer and after getting an idea of what was on offer I arranged for a test ride and duly turned up together with Sandra this morning.

After a chat and a look over my bike I got the key to a 990 Adventure and off we set. A bit of dual carriageway first then on to some A roads, I was a bit non plussed at first and things didn't click for the first 15 miles or so then all of a sudden everything fell into place. We rode a mixture of roads with conditions ranging from dry to to icy covering about 50 miles.

So what did I think? Plus points are that engine the light weight, low centre of gravity, quicker turning, more responsive handling and it was a lot of fun. The negatives were the brakes don't have the same initial bite as the GSA but are deceptive and pull you up just as well, the seat is a bit shorter so Sandra sits a bit closer to me. When it comes to comfort from a riders point of view for me it was better than the GSA for a couple of reasons firstly the slightly firmer seat suited me well and secondly the narrower profile of the bike allows you knees to be closer together which I found more relaxing. From the pillion Sandra said although she was closer to me there was no difference in comfort It's worth mentioning here that my GSA has standard GS seats because the standard GSA pillion seat leant forward too much and Sandra found it a lot less comfortable than our previous bike a 1200 GS. In a nutshell I loved it and after a lot of miles on various GS's it's just the job. It took a while but a deal was done and I've ordered a 2012 990 Adventure in Blue with a load of accessories The next question is do I wait until 1st March or do I have it straight away - one for me to ponder....

Thanks for all the input.

Dave

 

[Allan Davies]

AV IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!GO ON!GO ON!

 

[cherokee]

The futures bright the futures ORANGE,good choice,you're gonna love that bike and be laughing everytime you ride it........

 

[Deleted account 231002001]

If your not using it offroad then

buy an RT.

 

[Timolgra]

AV IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!GO ON!GO ON!

Enjoy, you lucky barsteward

 

[johnnyboy]

A good decision sir. Now start looking for the trails in the Alps for summer hols, even two up the bike will be great on them (as long as your missus doesn't mind your arse in her face ovder the tricky bits)

 

[paddy]

990

Get yourself an ergo gel seat. Makes a difference.

 

[Dellis]

Get yourself an ergo gel seat. Makes a difference.

To be honest I liked the seat but a few more miles may see me forming a revised view - we'll see.

Dave

 

[Timolgra]

When I finally get even more bored of the GS scene, I'll change for the 990R

Looking at the seat though, it dips just like on my 640ADV which I find uncomfortable and forces you to sit in one place.

I now use a Renazco seat, which is much more comfortable but more importantly has a flat profile so I can move around the bike more easily although raises the seat height a couple of inches.

 

[Timolgra]

The 640 Enduro's seat was also terrible in having a 'dip' to sit in

Same with my ADV

Whereas the Renazco is flatter, taller, much more comfortable.

Oh, and expensive!!

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

When I finally get even more bored of the GS scene

Not long now..................that's twice in a week

Go drink some more Orange Kool-Aid

 

[Dellis]

I've gone for the 'S' in blue. 2012 bikes now have the same spec 115bhp motor as the 'R', dual seat, ABS and is 40mm lower then the R

Dave

 

[DavidJames]

When I finally get even more bored of the GS scene, I'll change for the 990R

Looking at the seat though, it dips just like on my 640ADV which I find uncomfortable and forces you to sit in one place.

I now use a Renazco seat, which is much more comfortable but more importantly has a flat profile so I can move around the bike more easily although raises the seat height a couple of inches.

That is the only bike that would tempt me away from my 950 Super Enduro (unless they made the 990R with ABS) - it would look even better with a high front mudguard

I have to agree on the seat too, the 950SE has a really high seat which I find much more comfortable for my legs (not so much for my arse!!) and when I tried a standard adventure it felt really cramped. The 990R might be a bit better because it is higher, but that seat looks very restrictive on movement.

 

[Stonker]

what's the fuel consumption like on the 990?

 

[Dellis]

what's the fuel consumption like on the 990?

Depends who you speak to but less than a GS for sure at 35 - 45 mpg by all accounts, I'll let you know in a few weeks time

Dave

 

[Timolgra]

I've gone for the 'S' in blue. 2012 bikes now have the same spec 115bhp motor as the 'R', dual seat, ABS and is 40mm lower then the R

Dave

Nice, let's have some pics of yours

 

[john_aero]

Thats good review fo your test ride.

been lookign saving and maybe buying new in year or 2.

Big thing for me was 2 up as well. have a cb1000 for 2 up now as i found africa twin with dual seat bit squashed and lot helmet bashing.

had 1150gs but wife never went for run with me on it.

how was the ktm over all 2up, would you rate the bmw as more comfortable for 2 people or are the seats of equal lenght?

 

[cherokee]

My 990 is great 2up,not quite as comfy as beemer but so close not to notice,had 1150gsa and 1200gsa so qualified to comment 990 though much more of a hoot to ride,truth is nobody makes a bad bike anymore,its all about what floats your boat imho......