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I'm looking at a 990 Adventure or SM-T but really don't know a great deal about owning one and what to look out for. I've mainly had Japanese before without any problems. The only none Jap bikes I've had, a Ducati 900ss and an Husqvarna 610 Supermoto, weren't so trouble free. The Ducati just unreliable and the Husky awkward to get parts for.
I have ridden the 950 Adventure before and was impressed, lack of dealer support and knowledge put me off before, now one of those problems have been solved I'm willing to give them a go. Any ownership experience would be welcome.
get one, if you dont like it I'll give you a tenner for it!
I'm sure I'll like it, it's the with it that is the unknown
Take a look on advrider.com forum. Loads of info on there.
I've always had Japanese race reps but now have a 690SM. Quite like it and bought it with the intention of doing more maintenance. Didn't realise they have two oil filters, two oil "screens" and use expensive Powerex 10W60!
Like Daisy says ADV is good, as is ktmforum.co.uk and you can buy any part you like on the net (I use AMS).
If you like tweaking you can download remaps free from the net using TuneECU and a thirty quid cable.
Crap on fuel (like most twins) and you'll need a 34" inside leg 🙂
says singlespeedstu about his Santa Cruz. Clearly he hasn't experienced a KTM 😆It's Big, It's Plastic And It's Black And Orange
I've looked and would love one but I don't think I can justify the additional maintenance over my 750 Dorsoduro.
Ive got a KTM990 Adventure - ridden all over Europe on it and the UK. Been off roading on it in Corsica and the Italian Alps. (I also race a 525 KTM Enduro)
I used to own a motorcycle shop, so Ive ridden quite a few bikes and owned plenty.
The KTM 990 is the best bike Ive ever ridden/owned. More fun in one day than my Fireblade in a year. More versitle, more rewarding, more capable and has been 100% reliable.
I use the KTM Center in Hemel Hempstead for servicing that I dont want to do at home (valves etc).
Touring 2 up with camping gear - simple. Racing around on 'B' roads - simple.
Its addictive and fun.
So what are the servicing costs like?
I have had a few v-twins and prefer them over 4s. I looked at the Dorosduro but was put off by parts availability and no main dealer support locally which is a shame as they are good bikes
A colleagues husband is doing a "long way down" type ride on KTM's starting in London and finishing in Sydney.
Also posting on Facebook under Continental Drift.
If that doesnt make you want one nothing will.
Crap on fuel (like most twins) and you'll need a 34" inside leg
That,s bollocks for starters. They are low to sit on with a 32" leg that is. Try a 690 smc 08 that,s tallish.
Yammy outpriced themselves and use shite steel nowadays.
Ktm are bloody awesome, just watch the sidestand switch and get Akras on from new remap free and spots .990 adventure is the way forward and lighter than I thought to sit on.
As for fuelling, I get 58mpg with Akra on race setting and that is raggin' it!
Expect to see a tad less on 990.
Just remember they have fitted abs to in the last year or so to the biguns.
If you want a carb version, I challenge you to find a 950 superenduro as they rock!
What are you mainly using it for?
£55 + vat at my local and 25% off parts for a while now.
Where are you based?
Service interval.on my big single every 6000 now for oil/filter changes but will prob get done every 5000 or less depending on a few factors.
Me and weeksy are on UK KTM forum. Much more laid back.as mods don,t regulate in and everyone gets on unlike the typical internet bully on here.
Down to earth forum for actual.riders see.
🙂 buy one and you,ll never look back. Rc8 R in black.if I was an anorexic rossi wannabe.
& dd,s are utter pos. Look ok but quite the opposite of a KTM.
The future is orange once you get passed the whole image persona of going into a dealer.
Dealers are few and far away from many but have a decent amount of clientele.
Just don,t expect it to be cheap but more smiles for miles than ever owning a similar bland ride like a beemer gs as they are all flat to ride and do not excite.
ORANGE POWERRRR! 😉
I'll be looking at the 990. Last bike I had was an Honda Varadero so similar to the Adventure but a lot heavier, clocked around 8000 miles a year on that doing a bit of everything. SM-T appeals for the Supermoto fun without the head shake found on the motocross style front mudguards. Head tells me the Adventure will be the best allrounder and just as much fun.
Erm its got two cylinders not enuff 😯
Just ask rossi
THE SMT just for the record is not a true SM. Not even my 690 single is a true SM.
A 450 smr is a true one fyi.
990 smr the pre 2012 models are the best! Hypermotards as they say.
Nothing touches KTM for thrill factor amongst other pros.
Only con would be that they need cleaning so much as you,ll find yourself getting into dirt and back home tbinking I couldn,t have got that dirty. Hehe!
Ex 950 Adventure owner here. I had a 2005 carb model.
I have to say that the KTM was probably the most complete and capable bike that I ever rode during 30 years of riding; I don't ride any more.
They're plenty quick enough, agile & stable, will reward you in spades if you can maintain a fast & smooth style, great for visibility, are practical, reliable, well made and come with top drawer damping from White Power. They're stylish too, IMO, particularly in orange and black.
My only issue with it was the front brakes (Brembo) weren't the most powerful and seemed to lose alot of power in wet conditions. The 21" front wheel and skinny tyre was never an issue, the Pirelli rubber was very grippy and, as said above, if you can maintain a smooth style they are super quick point to point and will embarrass much more 'capable' road bikes.
Before settling on the Adventure I rode the Super Duke and found that to be too focussed and single purpose. The SM 950 was better than the Super Duke but I thought that front end grip was too easily overwhelmed by the radial Brembo brakes, especially on a wet or bumpy surface. As soon as I'd ridden the Adventure demo to the top of the street I knew I wanted one.
BREMBO kick ass. Not sure what caliper you had fitted but I have 1x monoblock and I,m hefty and thrash it into.corners and stops on a dime!
If brembo made mtb brakes thet would be the best in the world and b) would have you stoppying all over the place.
[url= http://www.advrider.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=34 ]look here, ADV Rider KTM forum[/url]
KTM's hold their value reasonably well so if you don't get on with it you shouldn't have much of an issue selling it on
Before I bought the Dorso I looked at the KTM 990 adventure but was quoted a £230 / £440 small / big service costs. In comparsion the Dorso is variable and as of yet its not requested a service in the 2yrs I've owned it.
On the downside the Dorso handling was pretty poor. On a scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being the best it struggled to make a 3 in standard form. As for being an SM - Forget it. Its more naked bike.
I've put sticky tyres on, dropped the front forks down to 4 rings showing and jacked the back up. Handling wise it might now scrap a 6 out of 10. The bike shakes its head when pushed hard coming out and through corners and on the edge when cranked over. At least it no longer understeers, so that's something.
Power can be best described as "zzzzzzzzzzzzz" and the brakes lack stopping power.
Exhaust routing under the seat is uncomfortable in summer. Screen lacks protection. Tanks is too small and about 40mpg
I only use my bike to commute to work.... when its dry! (Italian electrics)
Now I'm back thinking about the KTM........