Talk to me about your 9 fiddy

[DNA]

I am very seriously thinking of getting a 2006 950 ADV - I will go test ride and possibly buy one on Sat - so your input is appreciated.  I am also scanning OC for info - but that is drinking from a fire hose and a bit hard to find just what I need.  Thought I start withthe nice folks here before I venture there for more basic questions.

1) Any specific service issues I should know about the 2006?  I think the 2005.5+ bikes have all been updated, but is there anything specific I should look for?  Water pump, head bolts, clutch - anything?

2) What is with the over heating issue - real or overblown?

3) How bad do the stock lights suck?  Can i use the H4 silverstar's I have in the garage for a quick improvement? What is the cost of the euro light or HID's?  I ride at night about 35% of the time as every trip home from work is after dark.  

4) Service intervals/costs = Honda  or BMW.  Point of reference - I have a triumph and the service is quite a bit not that I am over 40K mi - hence the need for a new steed.  My KTM 250 dirt bike needs some loving, but it is not that convenient to do, hence the maintenance intensive rap.  950 is better worse or similar?

5) Anyone use this for LD rides - I have not seen one at a rally - but I do 2 or 3 LD rallies per year on the Sprint.  BMW's, FJR's and Wings are the favored steeds - coudl I enjoy a 1400 mile ride in 30 hours on a 950?

6) Any and all other 9relevant) thought welcomed as the baby is due in 3 weeks as this fool and his money will quickly have other issues for a while - then the prices will be back up again in the spring.


As always - muchas gracias.

[garry]

The LC8 issues/tweaks are well-known and documented. Go to the Hall of Wisdom (http://www.ktm950.info/)for the short answer on what people do to their bikes.

It appears the starter clacking issue was fixed for 2007 models, so ask if the 2006 has had it done yet. It was covered under warranty, but if the bike is out of warranty I don't know if KTM is still fixing them under "good faith" or not.

I'm pretty sure the 2006 still has the older water pump impeller seal, so expect to replace that circa 10-12K miles. Watch the oil filter to get puffy/wavy for signs that it's leaking. The new seal is supposed to be good for 20K  miles.

The fuel pump on my 2007 SMR went tits up a couple months ago. Replaced under warranty. Seems fine, but haven't ridden it much since then.

Service costs are the same as my Sprint was. Same shop, similar amount of labor to check valves, etc. Well, with one less cylinder there are four less valves to check/adjust so I guess that helps.

[XLR8]

Garry covered the other stuff. And as you mentioned there's a ton of info in OC on Advrider.

I ride my 990 all over the Northwest and it's a wonderful, able handling (unless you get really aggressive) long distance sport tourer if you don't want to cruise triple digits. It feels nice around 75Mph - 80Mph. The bike will easily cruise faster, it's just not as pleasant.
 
Of course it's great on smooth roads but where it really shines is broken pavement, crappy roads and gravel pathways, dual tracks, etc. It's a wonderful machine. I can't imagine never owning one now. If you don't do your own work you'll need a good LC8 mechanic and they can be hard to find.

[DNA]

If you don't do your own work you'll need a good LC8 mechanic and they can be hard to find.

Why - please elaborate about the need for a mechanic.
I can change the oil and do the basics - what else is necessary?

[R.Markus]

Why - please elaborate about the need for a mechanic.
I can change the oil and do the basics - what else is necessary?

It isn't that you'll necessarily need a mechanic, it's that most KTM dealerships deal mostly with the 65-530cc machines. The mechanics are usually pretty knowledgeable about those. Most KTM mechanics aren't used to working on the LC4 or LC8 bikes.

[kurtw]

It isn't that you'll necessarily need a mechanic, it's that most KTM dealerships deal mostly with the 65-530cc machines. The mechanics are usually pretty knowledgeable about those. Most KTM mechanics aren't used to working on the LC4 or LC8 bikes.

That was certainly true when true when the 950s first came out. But is that still the case? Or just history perpetuated on the Internet? (honest question, I don't know...dealers I know sell them and have factory certified wrenchers)

[garry]

I believe you are required to have an LC8 certified mechanic on staff in order to sell the KTM street line. Not all KTM dealers carry the street line though. I'd guess it's less than half, but that's just speculation based on the local shops. I don't think they are any harder to work on than any other modern motorcycle. You would still do the same stuff you've always done.

[XLR8]

Why - please elaborate about the need for a mechanic.
I can change the oil and do the basics - what else is necessary?

Well there's the valves. I guess the valves aren't that difficult they are just time consuming and I don't have the time, patience, space or tools to do it myself right now.

If you do your own stuff, and you know about engines then there's no issues unless you bork something up. There's plenty of info online to help. If you have a KTM dealer do it, many of them don't know anything about the LC8 and I've read story after story about how the clueless KTM dealer messed up someone's KTM twin because they didn't know what they were doing.

We had a great LC8 mechanic here in Boise but he crashed in November and is now paralyzed from the chest down. It's a terrible tragedy. I hope he can get well and make a full recovery but it's not looking good. I really feel for him. It's horrible.

[R.Markus]

That was certainly true when true when the 950s first came out. But is that still the case? Or just history perpetuated on the Internet? (honest question, I don't know...dealers I know sell them and have factory certified wrenchers)

I believe you are required to have an LC8 certified mechanic on staff in order to sell the KTM street line.

In my experience with local area dealers I would not let them touch my 950 if I had one.

I think that's slowly changing with the larger number of 950 / 990 models available, though.

[sagerat]

Lalalalalalala not reading this thread lalalalalalalala continue to lust for 990 Adv lalalalalalalalala  

Just based on looking a various motojournal reviews, the 990 has a shorter service interval than other street bikes.  I think KTM service interval is about every 4,500 miles whereas streetbikes are 6,000 miles.

Buddy had an '04 950 that had issues with water pump, clutch basket, and one other problem area (starter?) I cannot remember.  Dealer fixed 'em for reduced cost as bike was out of warranty.  He rode the bike from Orygun to Fla and back, so it will tour.

[XLR8]

Lalalalalalala not reading this thread lalalalalalalala continue to lust for 990 Adv lalalalalalalalala  

Just based on looking a various motojournal reviews, the 990 has a shorter service interval than other street bikes.  I think KTM service interval is about every 4,500 miles whereas streetbikes are 6,000 miles.

Buddy had an '04 950 that had issues with water pump, clutch basket, and one other problem area (starter?) I cannot remember.  Dealer fixed 'em for reduced cost as bike was out of warranty.  He rode the bike from Orygun to Fla and back, so it will tour.

Most of the problems are $40 fixes. The intervals are shorter and changing the oil is a major pain in the ass. On top of that it's a dirt going bike and dirt means more maintenance.

The bike is fun though so it's worth it but one of the reasons I decided to pick up a VFR is so I could save the long pavement only miles on my 990 for multi-surface day and weekend trips. I think it's a good strategy.

[garry]

Just based on looking a various motojournal reviews, the 990 has a shorter service interval than other street bikes.  I think KTM service interval is about every 4,500 miles whereas streetbikes are 6,000 miles.

The service manual has valve check/adjust every 10K miles. Other than that, it's just oil changes. Previous bikes I've owned were 12K (Triumph Sprint) and 15K (Wee Strom), so the KTM interval isn't as onerous as say a Ducati.

[XLR8]

I'm little spoiled after owning the FJR 1300. The first valve check was at 26,000 miles. But hey, even the famous KLR needs a check at 8000 I believe.

[sagerat]

Oh, yes, the KLR valve check and resulting shim over bucket funfest.  I did mine at a KLR Tech Day and had to reshim the exhaust valve.

I had never appreciated the Ural's Beemer style locknut approach until that moment.  

[DangerMoney]

5) Anyone use this for LD rides - I have not seen one at a rally - but I do 2 or 3 LD rallies per year on the Sprint.  BMW's, FJR's and Wings are the favored steeds - coudl I enjoy a 1400 mile ride in 30 hours on a 950?

I would suggest reading the 9X0 wind screen thread on ADVrider. In the general case, many people are experiencing windscreen-induced tubulence with the bike. 30 hours of that will drain you.

The best description I've heard of the 9X0 Adventure was in comparison to the 12GS:

GS: touring bike pretending to be a dirt bike
990: dirt bike pretending to be a touring bike

[burnergold2B]

I am very seriously thinking of getting a 2006 950 ADV - I will go test ride and possibly buy one on Sat - so your input is appreciated.  I am also scanning OC for info - but that is drinking from a fire hose and a bit hard to find just what I need.  As always - muchas gracias.

I'll make it simple for ya-buy it you'lll like it!  

[FizDog74]

I'll make it simple for ya-buy it you'lll like it!  

Wow, I thought you would have talked a lot of shit about with the KTM too since it's not Japanese and has had a few reported problems. Go figure.

[burnergold2B]

Wow, I thought you would have talked a lot of shit about with the KTM too since it's not Japanese and has had a few reported problems. Go figure.

  The TSBs must've already been sorted with both of my KTM 950s? I don't know, I don't believe I just got lucky-the KTM factory was built on dependability in dirt bikes. Specifically. Shame on them for putting that into their products.      BMW is outsourcing their engine and guage and body work to the Kymco scooter plants. I'll take a KTM anytime or an ATK anytime, thanks!  

[Rincewind]

I was going to start a thread about whether the LC8's "expensive maintenance" is an urban myth, or a reality.  But it seems like that was answered in this thread - that it is an urban myth compared to typical maintenance costs.

Anyone care to mention their costs on a typical major service including 10k valve check, as done at a dealer?  Just curious, thanks.

[XLR8]

which LC8 enclosure?  

[Rincewind]

which LC8 enclosure?  

The 950 or 990 Adventures specifically.

[XLR8]

I have not made it to the 10,000 mile service yet however I believe it's known to be expensive. I think a valve check is 8 hours of labor and they replace either the water pump, fuel pump or both. I can't remember.

I'm guessing it's around $800.00 at the 10K mile mark.

Changing the oil on the 990 is a PITA because you have to take off the left tank. An oil change at the shop here runs $255.00

The good news is that a lot of people do it themselves.

http://www.ktm950.info/


IMO, the 990 is an expensive bike to own. It's a bike that was designed to be torn down in the bivouac every night by mechanics and not so much a bike to be owned by general consumers. It's so much fun though that it's worth it.

[Rincewind]

Holy fuck that's an expensive oil change!  Pardon my french.  Eight hours for valve checks is a lot!  Thanks for the info, XLR8.

[XLR8]

Most guys can change the oil in their 990 in 2 hours with some practice.

The reason the oil change at the shop is so much is because they use Motorex which costs as much as gold. My bill says that labor was $180 which is still a lot but they charge time to take off the tank and check each of the screens in addition to changing the filter.

I'm going to do everything but the valves from here on out. And if I had more time I'd attempt the valves too.

[Rincewind]

2hrs to self-perform an oil change?  Ok. thanks.  I can appreciate that it is a top-dog bike in terms of performance, but I am not a top-dog myself and 2-hours to do what otherwise takes 15-minutes means it is not for me.

KTM Adventure

[XLR8]

Rincewind,

Yes definitely not a change the oil and go bike. But not many machines that venture off road are. Machines in this class can take you places other bikes can't but you have to pay for the fun.

[DNA]

I ended up buying the 625 with duel 17" & 21' tire set ups, but I am still thinking 950 as I am seeing a lot of nice used bikes for great deals in the fal (as always).

950 = carbs - I can do carbs, but they have their limitations.  Good news it is easier to add an additional fuel cell.

990 - EFI - I cannot do much, but not much is needed (except a trailer is there is an issue.

So is there a preference form those that know both models?  The mags like the 990 - but they always like new over old for whatever reason.

I tend to ride a bit   aggressively, so I'm a bit worried about range also.  

As I now have a 250 and a 625 - I just cannot see the GS in the garage for a 50% premium - though it also seems like a good candidate.  I will try to ride 'em both before I buy - but that is not always that easy.