Let's Talk About The 990 Adventure

[XLR8]

I think I want one.

I thought I wanted a GS but for the type of riding I want to do I think the 990 would be better. It also appears to be an awesome machine. They still have a black 950 left from last year too. The only thing I wasn't too crazy about is the dealer said valve adjustments were every 10K. Ouch. Are they easy to do yourself? I also liked the super enduro.

So anyone here have a 950 or 990? What do you think? Do you tour on it?


Yep after only one year of ownership I think I am going to sell my GSX-R 1000 and go dual sport. I'll still have my FJR for a touring machine.

[R.Markus]

I don't think the 990 will be released in the US until at least 2008. We will keep getting 950 leftovers until KTM is out of them. Like all motorcycle manufacturers, the US market is not that important to them.

I have read a lot of complaints about the FI on the 990. I don't know if that was people just being picky or if it is really that bad.  Personally, I wouldn't buy a first year FI model, wait to hear what people say about the Duke (the only EFI 990 model available in the US).

10k valve adjustments sounds pretty good. The Hondas were only 16k and my 640 is every 3K. The 950 is DOHC with bucket/shim, it looks like it would be an easy job, although I'm not sure what access to the heads is like. or how much has to be removed to get down to gettting the access you would need.

I did take a long test ride on a 950 Adventure in 2005, I loved it. It would be very easy to tour on. It's main draw back is it's MPG...only around 33-35. With as big of a tank as it has, it still doesn't have a very extended range. The fun factor would more than make up for it though.

[kurtw]

Uh oh...  

[XLR8]

Uh oh...  

Yea I know.  

The dealer said no 650s but he will be getting many 990s over the next year. I've also read complaints about the FI. I'd get the carbs on the 950 but I do like ABS on the 990.

[Squiggy]

I know that you already bought your Husky from reading your posts in "Dirt Lovers", but I'll continue the conversation.

Touratech has a new 12 Gallon gas tank option for the 950 & 990.

[XLR8]

I know that you already bought your Husky from reading your posts in "Dirt Lovers", but I'll continue the conversation.

Touratech has a new 12 Gallon gas tank option for the 950 & 990.

It's all good because the 990 is a candidate for when I wear out my FJR.

[Squiggy]

If the 990 Adventure had the looks of the Aprilia Caponord then I'd be all over that.

If the Caponord had the weight of the 990 Adventure, I'd be all over that.

[DangerMoney]

Asked rhetorically: What is the specific problem with the 990's FI?

I test rode a zero-mile 990 about a month ago. Took if for a 1/2 hour ride in everything from city traffic to freeway. The bike never showed any signs of FI issues.  

[black hills]

There is a 990 at my local dealer. It seems very comfortable and light. I haven't ridden it yet, but hope too. I'm thinking I need to have one for some reason?

[XLR8]

This isn't my bike but probably one of the best shots I have see of the 950 evar! I need one too.

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showpost.php?p=3141953&postcount=1153

[R.Markus]

This isn't my bike but probably one of the best shots I have see of the 950 evar! I need one too.

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showpost.php?p=3141953&postcount=1153

Thanks, that's my new background.

[dgunther]

There is a 990 at my local dealer. It seems very comfortable and light. I haven't ridden it yet, but hope too. I'm thinking I need to have one for some reason?

I was at the local KTM pusher yesterday and they had some leftover 950s and a few 990s.  Gorgeous bikes.  I looked at the 950 last year very seriously when I was torn between the GS, KTM, and the Ulysses.  I figured that bike would realistically be 95% street, 5% gravel and dirt roads and some  inconsequential amount of light "off road" riding.

Frankly, the maintenance on the 950 scared the crap out of me.  I read the oil change procedure and valve adjustment procedure and pretty much gave up.  Everything is *very* tight and requires a lot of component removal.  A pain if you plan to DIY and expensive if you plan to take it to the dealership.  To flog a bike like that on the street as a commuter/daily ride would get very expensive in a hurry.  Then I talked to a few local Adventure 950 owners who had parts availability nightmares - the dealers were helpful and sympathetic, but that didn't get the parts in from Austria any quicker!  

I opted for the Buell for the street and a much simpler (and cheaper!) used 640 Adventure for playing on the forest roads. I hope the LC8 has gotten more mature and the parts situation is better now - I really like the looks of the 950 Super Enduro, despite the fact that it'd probably kill me!

[R.Markus]

I really like the looks of the 950 Super Enduro, despite the fact that it'd probably kill me!

Just wait until the 690 Baja is released.  

[XLR8]

I was at the local KTM pusher yesterday and they had some leftover 950s and a few 990s.  Gorgeous bikes.  I looked at the 950 last year very seriously when I was torn between the GS, KTM, and the Ulysses.  I figured that bike would realistically be 95% street, 5% gravel and dirt roads and some  inconsequential amount of light "off road" riding.

Frankly, the maintenance on the 950 scared the crap out of me.  I read the oil change procedure and valve adjustment procedure and pretty much gave up.  Everything is *very* tight and requires a lot of component removal.  A pain if you plan to DIY and expensive if you plan to take it to the dealership.  To flog a bike like that on the street as a commuter/daily ride would get very expensive in a hurry.  Then I talked to a few local Adventure 950 owners who had parts availability nightmares - the dealers were helpful and sympathetic, but that didn't get the parts in from Austria any quicker!  

I opted for the Buell for the street and a much simpler (and cheaper!) used 640 Adventure for playing on the forest roads. I hope the LC8 has gotten more mature and the parts situation is better now - I really like the looks of the 950 Super Enduro, despite the fact that it'd probably kill me!

I don't know, anything from Europe is probably a bit more work. I think the LC8 has some quirks but from what I've read but they are things you can take care of quickly and the owners who do seem pretty happy. However some seem in denial about obvious and serious issues.

Here's a little known fact. Did you know the mightly KLR 650 has valve check intervals which are shorter than the 990? Someone correct if I'm wrong.

I have a Husqvarna TE 610. Absolutely rock solid reliable except guess what. I need a new clutch cable and they are back ordered in the U.S. Luckily Barnett makes a replacement which is on the way.

[dgunther]

I don't know, anything from Europe is probably a bit more work. I think the LC8 has some quirks but from what I've read but they are things you can take care of quickly and the owners who do seem pretty happy. However some seem in denial about obvious and serious issues.

Here's a little known fact. Did you know the mightly KLR 650 has valve check intervals which are shorter than the 990? Someone correct if I'm wrong.

I have a Husqvarna TE 610. Absolutely rock solid reliable except guess what. I need a new clutch cable and they are back ordered in the U.S. Luckily Barnett makes a replacement which is on the way.

Shorter valve adjustment intervals on the KLR, yeah, but they're *easy*.  Not quite screw and locknut easy, but not a big deal unlike the LC8.  

The common issues on the LC8 are water pump failures and starter issues.  Are they rocket science? No, they're not - so long as you can get your hands on the part and they don't leave you stranded.  Maybe the dealers here suck (or sucked at the time), but one 950 rider here was without a bike for 7 weeks because of a water pump.

Don't get me wrong - I love my KTM.  I love the LC8 from a performance standpoint.  I just did a lot of homework last fall and decided it wasn't the right bike for me.  Maintenance and reliability were the strong considerations - my bike is my primary vehicle.  I ride year round an average of 1300 miles a month and the LC8 was not a good fit due to the lengthy and frequent maintenance procedures.  If I didn't commute by bike, or had room in the garage for two "big" bikes, I would probably have kept the big Adventure in the running.

[dgunther]

Just wait until the 690 Baja is released.  

Yeah, I've seen pictures it looks truly drool-worthy.
But, the real question is - will we actually get it? Obviously, someone felt we didn't buy enough LC4Es to bother importing them any more, and the Baja 690 is like a super LC4E hopped up on steroids, no?

Or worse - they could import it as an off-road only model.  I'd cry.

[sfarson]

After the 990 experience reported here: http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=240376 and finding the color below, sold a Munich thing and brought the 990 home.  The bike totally overdelivered on the trip and accepted everything thrown at it with glee.

[BlueRidgeKat]

I was at the local KTM pusher yesterday and they had some leftover 950s and a few 990s.  Gorgeous bikes.

950's and 990's  

Where in GA is your local KTM dealer and whats the name of it ?  No 990's around here. I'll drive to GA (5 hours away) to check one out if thats what its going to take.