I Test Rode A 990 Adventure Yesterday

[XLR8]

My test ride was up a road here known as Bogus Basin Rd. It's 16 miles of twisty pavement to the top where there's a ski area. I didn't take it on dirt as I was unsure about the stock scorpion tires and all the close dirt roads here are REALLY dry with deep sand. I didn't want to crash their bike.

I was impressed! I didn't expect the motor to be so smooth and the bike to handle so well. It felt confident in the corners and I passed a few land barges hauling Mt. Bikes mid corner with ease. I currently own a FJR 1300 and I used to own a GSX-R1000 and FZ1 and I have to say the 990 does a really great job on pavement. Also the EFI issues I've read about didn't seem too bad. Hey I own a Yamaha with EFI and it can't get much worse.  

This was the first twin I've ever tried and I like it. It's fun! I did not like the front brake though. It felt artificial; No feel at all.

Will this be my Sport-Touring mount in the future? It's very possible. It's not as fast as a FJR or some of the others but it's fast enough for me. I just need to get myself over the reliability thing. From my readings, they don't have a great rep, which is interesting considering the type of bike they are. A lot of it seems to be little quirks which are easily fixed or modified but there have been a few things to leave 950/990 owners on the side of the road.  

[greench440]

Interesting...  I've been considering the 990 for my next addition.  Hadn't heard of any reliablity problems though.  At least the FJR has never left anyone stranded.

[XLR8]

Interesting...  I've been considering the 990 for my next addition.  Hadn't heard of any reliablity problems though.  At least the FJR has never left anyone stranded.

Well I tell ya, the thing is a blast. So if you got one would you keep your FJR or at least always have something like a FJR?

The main issues seem to be:
http://www.advrider.com/forums/showpost.php?p=5091867&postcount=6

[greench440]

Hard to say.  If you could tour on the KTM, I'd probably unload the FJR, the ZX-11 is a keeper.  What I really have is other bike-itis.  Too many interesting bikes, too little $$$.  Another option I've been exploring is adding a used 640 LC4.  I see the 990 as a FJR/640 combo/compromise.

[R.Markus]

I was just at one of our local KTM dealers and they had a 640 Adventure and two 990's. The 990's looked vey nice and the salesman was doing a good job of trying to get me to trade up to one. I like that they moved the front brake line crossover to above the triple clamp, now you can just toss the fender for a dirt one without replacing the brake line like you used to have to do (but there are still no fork guards available unless you buy the kit from TT).

If money wasn't an issue (and when is that?) a 990 / 525 or 450 EXC combo would be awesome.

[XLR8]

I was just at one of our local KTM dealers and they had a 640 Adventure and two 990's. The 990's looked vey nice and the salesman was doing a good job of trying to get me to trade up to one. I like that they moved the front brake line crossover to above the triple clamp, now you can just toss the fender for a dirt one without replacing the brake line like you used to have to do (but there are still no fork guards available unless you buy the kit from TT).

If money wasn't an issue (and when is that?) a 990 / 525 or 450 EXC combo would be awesome.

That is my evil plan. Although for a while it may be 990 / TE 610.  

[XLR8]

Hard to say.  If you could tour on the KTM, I'd probably unload the FJR, the ZX-11 is a keeper.  What I really have is other bike-itis.  Too many interesting bikes, too little $$$.  Another option I've been exploring is adding a used 640 LC4.  I see the 990 as a FJR/640 combo/compromise.

I took it on the interstate and I was pleased with the way it performed. The wind protection is pretty good and it felt stable. It will never feel like it eats the miles like the FJR but for trips to California and around the west I think it will work for me.

So I'll think on it over the fall and maybe give one a try. The flat black one please.

[BlueRidgeKat]

That looks like a centerstand on the bike in the picture ?  That sure would be nice for chain maintenance if it is indeed one.

[XLR8]

That looks like a centerstand on the bike in the picture ?  That sure would be nice for chain maintenance if it is indeed one.

It absolutely is a centerstand. It has two gas caps too.  

[R.Markus]

That looks like a centerstand on the bike in the picture ?  That sure would be nice for chain maintenance if it is indeed one.

Does it have a side stand? I didn't think I'd like a sidestand on the 640, but ended up getting one so I could use it on odd angles that the centerstand would work with.

[XLR8]

sidestand = yes

[MisterSmooth]

I dunno, Ron...it's got sort of an evil purposeful look about it...

but the Super Duke has even more of an evil purposeful look about it.  

[XLR8]

I dunno, Ron...it's got sort of an evil purposeful look about it...

but the Super Duke has even more of an evil purposeful look about it.  

That's a nice way of saying it's ugly; And it is, very, but in a cool way. Someone once told me, "Ugly is the new pretty."  

I've sat on a the Duke and it feels wonderful. Tell Thatman to shut it because if I had that bike I could keep up for sure.  

[MisterSmooth]

That's a nice way of saying it's ugly; And it is, very, but in a cool way. Someone once told me, "Ugly is the new pretty."  

I've sat on a the Duke and it feels wonderful. Tell Thatman to shut it because if I had that bike I could keep up for sure.  

The black's definitely the way to go for either of those bikes.  In the flat black, the Adventure has that "I'm a supremely useful tool" look about it.


But the Duke, now...that appeals in all sorts of antisocial ways.  Black 'stich, black Super Duke would have you spreadeagled against one of those National Park Service trucks before you can say "I'm not carrying a weapon."  

[greench440]

Are you going to decide or just keep fantasizing?  

[R Doug]

I really like the Adventures.  And with all the big GSs on the road, it's cool to have something that not everyone is getting.  I sat on the big 990 Adventure today.  Unfortunately, due to my darn Barney Rubble legs, there's no way I could own one.  



I'll have to take a look at the new 690 Adventure to see if it fits me better.  I doubt it will.  

[R.Markus]

I really like the Adventures.  And with all the big GSs on the road, it's cool to have something that not everyone is getting.  I sat on the big 990 Adventure today.  Unfortunately, due to my darn Barney Rubble legs, there's no way I could own one.  



I'll have to take a look at the new 690 Adventure to see if it fits me better.  I doubt it will.  

The seats on the singles are higher than the 990's by 3.5 inches (2 inches higher than the 990 S model). That's the 640, the 690 may be different when it comes out.

[XLR8]

Well here's a   to reliability and fun. I'm a little tense about it but I think most of the things are small and easy to remedy.

[motordog1]

I absoulty loved my 06 950 Adventure. The only reason I sold it was because I was making it into a sport touring bike and I already had a Futura. I have to say that of all of the bikes I have had with the possible exception of my 03 dl1000 the KTM was the most fun. I often wonder if I made the wrong decison when I sold it to by my ZX14, that is until I go for a ride on my ZX 14.

[XLR8]

I absoulty loved my 06 950 Adventure. The only reason I sold it was because I was making it into a sport touring bike and I already had a Futura. I have to say that of all of the bikes I have had with the possible exception of my 03 dl1000 the KTM was the most fun. I often wonder if I made the wrong decison when I sold it to by my ZX14, that is until I go for a ride on my ZX 14.

Nice looking ZX-14 there. Good choice. I'd like to put one in the garage.