Will it do what it say's on the can?

[SKIPSTER]

Mid life crisis looming and wondering if my newly acquired 15k 990 will be the tool to disappear on? Always hankered after a smaller capacity, more manageable KTM, but with big millage due, thinking the 990 might be more appropriate.

Is there (no taking the piss) a formula/instruction page for novices, or is it really just get on, ride and work it out as you go?.

Larger tank would be ideal, usual prep of bike, tools etc....can't help thinking a GSA might work better, but I'm more concerned about reliability.............

.....Wisdom or point me in the right direction....(and I can manage to the nearest ferry port cheers) would be great, thanks

 

[Wreford Miles]

....or is it really just get on, ride and work it out as you

I'm not the expert but the best adventure travels I've read start out this way

I suppose it's driven by are you doing a trip to a time 'I've got 4 weeks I want to reach Dakar, then get my bike ready to ship and be home for work on the Monday' or is it a I'm off for a while with a rough plan.

 

[SKIPSTER]

Defo the latter.................keep exploring with a view to relocating permanently should the location suit my qualifications/expertise/lack of it etc!.........

...........always got that little barstuard that pops up on my shoulder and screams in my ear, every one is doing the same old sh1t, just with different scenery....

...............still, new scenery makes a change and I'd like to see a bit more of the world...

 

[Nutty]

Blimey, Matt, you've finally had enough then?

We'd better make sure we meet up before you go.

 

[SKIPSTER]

....work has almost finished me off, someone ushered we had just had Christmas................perhaps now is the time..................

 

[John RTW]

If you're going RTW and you know about the certain problems the bike has then you can be prepared, if not, get the knowledge before you set off. I'm on my third and final bike, Bullet 500 to R1150 GSA to XT660r. I loved all the bikes, the Bullet had reliability problems, the BMW weight,(picking it up 3 times going up a volcanoes muddy track put me out for a week) and the XT is a great little number but very different, sacrifices power and comfort compared to the BMW but easier (for me) to handle off road and mainly to pick up.

I put a little list of all the RTW bikes I've met on the road on before,

R1150 GSA 2, XT660r 5, XT660z 1, XT250 1, DR650 1, R1200 GSA 2, R1200 GS 2, F800 1, BMW 650 5, KTM 690 1, KTM 950 3, Africa Twin 5, Transalp 5, Honda Falcon NX400s 2, DRZ400 1.

Here in South America there is a lot of big BMW's and a lot more KTM's being used, most of the locals have KTM's, I'm sure they get plenty of abuse on the gravel roads of Patagonia.

All bikes can do it, you just have to be a Cub Scout (Be Prepared).

 

[Magwa]

A larger fuel tank from touratech will cost you over £1500 ( I considered it)
But you can remove one rear silencer and have an extra (plummed in) tank situated there.
Costs about £600 fitted ( from memory)

Rocky Burns on this site did it to his.
Gave a range of 250 plus to "light on "

That's comparable to my old 1150GSA
TBH the KTM is a better all round bike
I can't recall who does the extra tank but I'm sure "Rocky Burns" can let you have the details

Ive had BMW's GS/ GSA
Honda Africa twins ( x3)
Yamaha single Trail bikes ( XT500/ XT600)
Various Honda trail bikes
all in the last 40yrs but the best IMHO was the 990 KTM

Alas I ride no more and stick to classic cars so have no axe to grind concerning any make/ model of bike

Good Luck



If you want to keep it simple buy a 500 Enfield
and fix it with a big hammer
But
Its hardly a looker

 

[SKIPSTER]

Cheers Magwa, sounds like you pays your money and takes ya chances !....

...I'm loving the 990 as it's like a moto x bike on steroids and so much fun on the back roads in the damp and muck. I'm hoping it will really improve my riding skills unless I disappear through a hedge!...

....if push comes to shove i'll probably go down the exhaust route for the extra fuel, or I'll just carry a can!...

Catch up anon.............
.......p.s. surely the 500 Enfield can't cope with your Mrs on the back?.......................there's always room on my Katoom!!!!!

HNY.

 

[Robbo1200ADV]

Met a Guy in Cambodia riding a KTM 990 . We were on the death Highway on XR400's , he was finding it hard work as it was very very off road ! Water crossings sand gravel etc . He Made it from Bangkok to Germany on it though .Quite a few mechanical issues and fell off a lot !! Do your research and practice procedures on the bike that you will need to do on the road .For the most part though there is always someone out there to help

Here is his Blog !! we were the Rowdies !!

http://www.fuellbier.com/2012/02/15/der-grose-irrtum/

 

[Magwa]

Cheers Magwa, sounds like you pays your money and takes ya chances !....

...I'm loving the 990 as it's like a moto x bike on steroids and so much fun on the back roads in the damp and muck. I'm hoping it will really improve my riding skills unless I disappear through a hedge!...

....if push comes to shove i'll probably go down the exhaust route for the extra fuel, or I'll just carry a can!...




Catch up anon.............
.......p.s. surely the 500 Enfield can't cope with your Mrs on the back?.......................there's always room on my Katoom!!!!!

HNY.

Lol Yes "Suzi" prefers the Morgan to a bike these days.
I think she'd find it a little "Slow" on the Enfield
The "Throb" of a Vee Twin is better than a big single ehh ! Oh Err Missus. lol

As for going on a RTW it matters not what you do it on ( Think Jupiters Travels)
Just DO IT as we pass this way just the once

Good luck with the Journey and make it Orange

 

[bowser]

Posted this once but my post seemed to disappear.
I have a spare side tank that replaces the left can, was going to use it but went with an under seat tank by Rade (about 9ltr) , and binned the ABS, however you can now fit them with a Rottweiler air cleaner and one of their dog house boxes, by relocating the abs to the dog house. I also picked up a very cheap set of safari tanks so all in have about 54lt if I dont cane it then it over 500m, I didnt 780km non stop earlier in the year, god bless renzaco seats ;-)
either way I have the tank spare give me a bell if interested.

....if push comes to shove i'll probably go down the exhaust route for the extra fuel, or I'll just carry a can!...

.

 

[STUBBS]

if it gets you over the horizon then it will be ok