Turning Orange - A Question or Two

[Happyhenry]

I'm very close to turning orange. Had a test ride on a 990Adv and thought it was an absolute hoot - a real motorbike. I think that having GSs/GSAs over the last few years has softened me up with all the BMW toys, technical / engineering bits and posh workshops. The GSA felt more like a Goldwing on the way home.

Couple of questions though:

1. Which panniers are the best/most popular choice - I like the idea of the H&Bs, they lock on and off easily but they look far too wide to be of any use other than on an empty road. On the other hand the 35ltr KTM/TT Zega aluminium boxes have the Heath-Robinson fixing system, crap locks (supply your own padlocks ) and are more expensive. The 41ltr boxes look as wide as the H&Bs.
The GSA is only about 1m wide with its pannier on - the H&Bs look about 1400mm wide .
Choice of topbox?
I don't expect to use the panniers on a daily basis but for long weekend/week long trips away, including camping, combined with a big Ortlieb across the back. Topbox is for town use only.

2. What sort of range can I expect from a tankful in average usage? The guy says low-mid 40s in mpg terms - but he looked pretty sheepish when he said it - that would mean 180-200 miles per tankful - is that realistic?

3. Do the Ackropovics and mapping make £900-worth of difference and do you need to tell your insurers, or are they just a KTM accessory?

4. Other worthwhile changes or accessories - throttle cam, down a tooth on the front sprocket etc?

Views appreciated.
HH

 

[Happyhenry]

Turned Orange - But Questions Still Open

Done the deal - so now committed (or I soon will be!), goodbye GSA hello 990Adv.

Anyone got views on the luggage etc?

 

[Rushy]

Maybe real KTM owners dont do posh stuff like luggage

Enjoy the new bike

 

[timeandtide]

Done the deal - so now committed (or I soon will be!), goodbye GSA hello 990Adv.

Anyone got views on the luggage etc?

Try Fuel exhausts . . . they were recently doing a deal on cans £260 for the pair best I could find for Akras was £638 (Gear4). Guess which I went for?

 

[Happyhenry]

Maybe real KTM owners dont do posh stuff like luggage

Enjoy the new bike

I'm tryin to let myself down gently - not total cold turkey.

Thanks - I'll try. Life's too short not to have a go at most things that take your fancy. You never know, in 18 months time I may fancy an 1150.

 

[GedJack]

Have a look on the UK KTM forum, and the Adve rider site, you wil find the answers to most of your questions their.

I did the swap over to the orange side nearly two years ago now and don't regret it one bit

 

[Pipster]

Done the deal - so now committed (or I soon will be!), goodbye GSA hello 990Adv.

Anyone got views on the luggage etc?

Enjoy the new bike

As for luggage I think you'll find theres as much choice out there as with the bmw's ...I've just had my subframe beefed up at Verns workshop and if I was in the market for some alloy panniers then it would defo have to be a set off Verns World beaters http://www.projectvnd.com/

PM him he can pretty much make them to any size colour ect you like

 

[Jonny_L]

Re: Exhausts... Well it's all personal preference but the akras really make the bike (superduke) for me, sounds awesome and has a bit more oomph. Also seems to help smooth the throttle out at low speed, though not by much. I didn't realise they're so expensive on the adventure. Best to keep an eye out on ebay and the KTM forums like I did, then pop into your local dealer for the remap, I assume adv's need that too.

As for insurance, well I don't really see why you wouldn't tell them, a lot of insurers don't charge extra for exhausts on bikes. I'd tell them to avoid any complications should the worst happen.

Don't expect too much out of the MPG as they are a bit more thirsty, though you can always get a bigger tank.

EDIT: Sorry just realised you've already got it now. Good work

 

[chad]

I'm tryin to let myself down gently - not total cold turkey.

Thanks - I'll try. Life's too short not to have a go at most things that take your fancy. You never know, in 18 months time I may fancy an 1150.

funny that ive just had a year on a 990 cracking fun absolute power corrupts absolutely it will make you missbehave fuel range and service costs did it for me in the end enjoy it though they are a monster of a bike
......and where am i now yup back on an 1150GSA

the hepco becker boxs are ok but you would be better off going down the ali box route as the HBs are to feckin wide.

as has been mentioned check out the fuel zorsts they are good value for money

 

[Davel]

I can climb onto a GS but not a GSA and I think that most KTMs have high seats.

Do quite fancy the Supermoto 990 T though.

 

[Tarmac Teaser]

Get the Ktm racks and then get redcap to make you a set to your own size.

Better and cheaper in my opinion.

Mpg will solely be dependant on your right wrist. Some get 120-130 before the reserve light and others get 160+.

The akras as great but costly and make the bike more thirsty.

 

[Happyhenry]

I can climb onto a GS but not a GSA and I think that most KTMs have high seats.

I'm not lofty myself. The 1200GSA with a low seat from a GS was perfectly managable for me. The 990 Adv is slightly lower if anything but the biggest difference is the seat and body width (the bike's not mine ). The KTM is/feels narrower and it is easier to get a foot flat down. KTM also do a lower seat (-20mm claimed) with a gel insert.

 

[Davel]

Quite tempted now, especially as Colwyn Bay Motorcycles are opening a shop at Queensferry shortly.

Oh dear GS v Supermoto T?

 

[Rushy]

I can climb onto a GS but not a GSA and I think that most KTMs have high seats.

Do quite fancy the Supermoto 990 T though.

Me too

( Maybe I'll wait until yours comes up for sale Dave )

 

[Davel]

Ha!

You got me.....