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10 Mar 2011
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Groott
Anyone wants to share his or hers experience on the weak and strong points of the KTM 990 (or 950)?
Deciding whether to take my trusted but rather dated '93 Africa Twin or buying the KTM. Will be doing at least 3 months in either SA or cross Asia (Russia/Mongolia). Will be substantial parts off road.
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Hey Groot,
Despite the under representation of KTM riders on this forum (still a great mystery to me), you do see a lot of them out long distance touring. In particular in Africa where they were the most commonly occuring big bike make that I ran across during the time I was there. I don't own one, but based on all the bikes I saw and riders I met, I wouldn't hesitate to take it for a trip that you describe.
I have an F800 and also wouldn't hesitate to recommend it for your trip.
Your AT is perfectly fine though, not sure how much you would gain by switching to something else. Only reason that would make me think about updating would be if way too many little things were starting to fail due to the overall age of the bike or it having lived a rough life.
Happy riding.
Last edited by MountainMan; 10 Mar 2011 at 19:33.
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14 Mar 2011
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Here are my 2cents.
I'm currently on a 3 years world tour with my 990 Adventure.
Recently I wrote an article about the 100.000kms service I did in Chile on my bike. I listed all the problems I had during these 100.000kms, the pros and cons of the bike in my opinion, etc.
Maybe it could help you making your choice 
100.000kms on an Adventure
And here is the maintenance I did on my bike since I left :
The bike
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14 Mar 2011
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Location: Northumberland, uk
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Aurel - excellent and at last some proof of how good these bikes are to all the doubters.
will read through the rest of your blog soon. Tchus Jake.
Groot bye the way my BMW is not a 800 gs - it an old airhead r80gs.
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23 Mar 2011
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like the KTM990 for 2 up, but maybe not for single.
Have been taking my 990 on several trips into the Baja and copper canyon in Northern Mexico and performs way better than e.g. a GS. Ride 2 up with HB bags and found handling on rough off-road to be really good due to good motor and suspension. Planning South America and indeed worried about parts and maintenance in remote areas and planning to buy something a little smaller and more maintenance friendly. Would love to get my hands on an AT. Good luck.
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20 May 2011
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Nice article Aurel.
I think the big 950/990s suffer due to imagined burden of the heavy maintenance schedules and reliability issues of earlier KTM designed engines ... worth remembering then that the LC8 was designed by a Rotax engineer that KTM pinched specifically to design their V-Twin - which is why is has more durable DOHC instead of the usual KTM rockers that wear out valve guides at a rapid rate of knots.
Personally I love that engine ...
Just a note ... the 990 Adventure never won a Dakar! 
Quote:
Originally Posted by aurel
Here are my 2cents.
I'm currently on a 3 years world tour with my 990 Adventure.
Recently I wrote an article about the 100.000kms service I did in Chile on my bike. I listed all the problems I had during these 100.000kms, the pros and cons of the bike in my opinion, etc.
Maybe it could help you making your choice
100.000kms on an Adventure
And here is the maintenance I did on my bike since I left :
The bike |
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21 May 2011
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Why don't you spend some time test riding the other bikes you are considering. Then make the decision based on which one tuns your crank.
Forget all the rant that seems to be so common when doing the "this bike vs. that bike"
Opinions are like a-holes. Everybody has one!
Enjoy whatever bike you decide to own!!! 
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21 May 2011
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Heres a 950 being ridden - well - hard and hooligan mad but just shows what they can do in the right hands - shame its not me but we can all dream of skill like this !!! YouTube - ‪950 hooligan ride‬‏
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23 Jul 2011
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Quote:
Originally Posted by uk_vette
The way I see the bike of choice needs two main qualities.
Fuel range, and weight.
However the single and most important requirement, far outweighs all others, is "reliability and ease of repair"
All these big bikes are more than powerful enough, so I have discounted power.
From the probably the three most popular bikes mentioned, here they are.
BMW F800GS
KTM 990
Africa Twin 750.
All details taken from MCN.
<<snip>>
BMW F800GS 45mpg
KTM 990 48mpg
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Not sure if I believe that, the OC riders on advrider.com are getting more like:
* KTM 35mpg (US) (200 mile tank range for 22L tank); whilst the,
* BMW 50mpg (US) (200 mile tank range for 16L tank).
The BMW is much more economical for not much less powerful.
Having said that I'm still considering the KTM over the BMW (fuel, maintenance and cost notwithstanding) for everyday duties (including the odd trip). 'Rotax' 990 V2 in a motocross frame - damn that is one sexy bike.
If I was contemplating a RTW - reliability, simplicity, cost become very important factors . . . . and than it is really hard to look past a DR650 et al - just not as much fun to ride.
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25 Jul 2011
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Quote:
Originally Posted by syzygy9
If I was contemplating a RTW - reliability, simplicity, cost become very important factors . . . . and than it is really hard to look past a DR650 et al - just not as much fun to ride.
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Dont sell short the more interesting bikes.
Who said "Fun to ride" should not be part of the equation?
Why cant a bike be lightweight, and fun to ride for a RTW bike?
Whats wrong with thinking "no KLR and no DR ... too boring"?
Whats wrong with spending a little more and building up a modern lightweight, performance big single like a 690, and actually have fun riding it, rather than just using a bike as a deadbeat mule to simply transport you and your gear?
For me, "fun to ride" and "excellent handling" are now essential parts of a RTW bike. And simplicity is overrated.
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25 Jul 2011
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Quote:
Originally Posted by colebatch
"fun to ride" and "excellent handling" are now essential parts of a RTW bike. And simplicity is overrated.
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Well said - for me 'fun to ride' has to be number one, even if it means every other day is spent sitting in the dirt with a spanner in your hand (before I offend any KTM owners I am talking about Cagiva reliability there....)
These 'which bike' threads always seem to get someones back up. I might start a thread on 'who's wife/girlfriend to take RTW'
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25 Jul 2011
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Quote:
Originally Posted by colebatch
Dont sell short the more interesting bikes.
Who said "Fun to ride" should not be part of the equation?
<<snip>>
For me, "fun to ride" and "excellent handling" are now essential parts of a RTW bike. And simplicity is overrated.
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Completely agree, not selling short "interesting bikes" at all - my current choice of poison is the KTM after looking long and hard at the XT660Z which is probably a far more 'sensible' choice . . . but just does not excite me as much. I figure if I am going to ride, I want to really enjoy the riding as well as the trip.
In my case, I am highly unlikely to tackle a RTW any time soon, so my choice of bike only has to be able to handle everyday local duties, the odd bit of dirt bike fun and the occasional trip. For this the heart rules the head and the KTM 990 is perfect.
But, if I was to do a really hard core RTW, fear and pragmatism would prevail and the DR/KLR/XT Suzikawahas start looking really good.
I guess you could do a trip on any bike; I really admire Sjaak Lucassen's (of RTW on an R1 fame) philosophy of going with the heart - choose the bike you love and enjoy the ride.
However, judging by the zillions of posts, the "which bike" dilemma is one that seems to vex us all! So to misquote a 'advrider' "bike opinions are like arseholes, everyone has one".
Apologies to the OP for hijacking his thread.
Last edited by syzygy9; 25 Jul 2011 at 16:54.
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25 Jul 2011
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Quote:
Originally Posted by syzygy9
But, if I was to do a really hard core RTW, fear and pragmatism would prevail
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I'm putting the wheels in motion for a full RTW and pragmatism has gone right out the window for some reason! I wanted a)an old British bike or b)something good off-road so am trying to have mu cake and eat it by building a bike with a Metisse frame and a Triumph TR6 engine.....
Getting a bit off topic so to reply to the original post - Africa Twin!
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28 Jul 2011
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Fun
Quote:
Originally Posted by colebatch
Dont sell short the more interesting bikes.
Who said "Fun to ride" should not be part of the equation?
Why cant a bike be lightweight, and fun to ride for a RTW bike?
Whats wrong with thinking "no KLR and no DR ... too boring"?
Whats wrong with spending a little more and building up a modern lightweight, performance big single like a 690, and actually have fun riding it, rather than just using a bike as a deadbeat mule to simply transport you and your gear?
For me, "fun to ride" and "excellent handling" are now essential parts of a RTW bike. And simplicity is overrated.
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Thanks Walter
we had an AfricaTwin 650 and a KLR 650, both bikes worked well and did the job in North- and Southamerica, but ....
our new KTM 690`s are real fun and their capability offroading incl. luggage ist just amazing. In the evening you stop and have a grin in your face !
The engine almost explodes at 4000rpm and the acceleration is sometimes scary, hahaha   
I love it ....
Thomas
www.miles-to-ride.com
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Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
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helps answer the question - Why Go? Inspirational stories by veteran travellers Greg Frazier (5 times RTW), Peter and Kay Forwood (193 countries), Tiffany Coates (Mongolia Mayhem) and Rene Cormier (University of Gravel Roads).
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like the KTM990 for 2 up, but maybe not for single.
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