Quick test ride on a KTM 990 Adventure

[sagerat]

Four of us, all on KLR's, rode over to Cascade Motor Sports this wknd as they were offering free hot dogs, sodas, and demo rides.

Ray, having just bought a Ural Gear Up, decided to pass as his discretionary income is now spoken for.  John had already owned a 990, so that left Bill and I.  Sure, why not.

Type of demo ride I dislike where you play follow the leader, but I understand that tactic from the dealer's viewpoint.  Heck, I'm happy somebody still offers demo rides.

990 was the "S" model which is indeed a tall sonuvagun, even for me.  Could get the balls of my feet down, but not flat foot it.  Great sounding bike, even with stock pipes.  The seat on my KLR is better.  Very comfy ergos in terms of reach to bars, leg position, feet.

Amazing torque and the 990 has wonderful handling.  Just a very light feeling bike and is more flickable than my R1150GS was.  Shifting was a bit iffy, although bike had less than 60 miles so a little arguing with the brand new tranny could be expected and excused.

Even though it was a breezy day and at one point we were in the open, the bike held firmly to its line.  No bags might be the reason.  Satisfactory wind protection.

I was glad to ride the 990, but didn't suddenly feel the urge of "I must buy one NOW or live an unfulfilled life."  Both the orange and the white versions are sexy beasts, though.  Still at $14 or $15K, I'll pass for now.  

[XLR8]

Yeah the S is up there. It's cool you got to take a ride.

When I test rode my 990, the guys said you'll be back in a week. It took me a month. I'll always own one now. When I wear this one out I'll get another one.  

[DangerMoney]

 ...and the 990 has wonderful handling.  Just a very light feeling bike...

One of my local KTM dealers had a 990 Adv demo bike right after the 990 came out and they let me take it for a 1/2 hour solo test ride. I came to the same conclusion. You should buy one for your upcoming trip to AZ.

[sagerat]

Hmm, I don't think the Finance Minister will allow me to implement your recommendation.  

The KTM 990 and the Stelvio are on my list of bikes of bikes to buy when I win the lottery.  I'd probably buy the Austrian over the Italian just because of off-road prowess, weight, and range.

[atadaskew]

The KTM 990 and the Stelvio are on my list of bikes of bikes to buy when I win the lottery.  I'd probably bike the Austrian over the Italian just because of off-road prowess, weight, and range.

That's a toughie.  I think we need to hear some more reports on the Stelvio re range. i.e. from a broken in, non-journo abusing bike.
As an Austrian, I'm all about KTM, but my test ride left me non plussed.  It did ride remarkably small i.e very nimble and so that would be great on dirt roads.  But the Stelvio has pi$$ easy maintenance, and a non exploding shaft drive.
I think I need to rent a KTM, but the local shop only has the 950 model to rent.  i.e. the one with carbs.

[FizDog74]

I test rode a used 950 last year. I'm still hoping it's my next bike purchase (as a second or third bike). I liked it a lot, but not as an only bike.

[sagerat]

On the Guzzi boards the Stelvio pilots seem to be getting in the mid-40s at best and down into the 30s at worst.  While mid-40s is similar in mpg to the KTM, the Big Pumpkin has a larger tank by two gallons as I recall.  Also you can coax upper 40s to almost 50 on the 990.

Pales to the 62 mpg I got out of the KLR on the last tank, but both bikes can cruise at 20 mph faster.