Hello all, after visiting the ktm stand at the london bike show today my mate and i have decided to use the ktm990 adventure for our 50000-60000 mile round the world trip, however i keep reading reports about reliability issues, can anyone tell me of problems with there 990 adventure on a long distance trip. also will it carry all the luggage spares and equipment required, Any info greatly appreciated.
Thanks again Daz660

Daz best go to Orange crush on the adv riders website you will see the worst problem areas outlined there (But its very problem focused and paints a bit of a bad picture which I have not found to be the case). I must admit having owned and ridden the 950 adventure since there release in 03 and done many big trips it is a superb bike - but I tend to travel two up and therefore carry a larger amount of gear than i would like, If your going to be riding solo to be honest I think your looking at the wrong bike. It does have some reliability issues and servicing is a chore and overly complicated if your going to be crossing continents. The size and weight of this type of bike (and I include gs 1200 /1150 etc) will work against you in many situations. Before parting with cash get along to a hu meet and talk to people who have done what you are hoping to do - i think then you will revise your choice. That said I love the 950 but for me a smaller 600cc (single) bike would be far better for your intended trip. Pm me if you want more info and maybe I can ring you and give you a run down on the KTM as a travel bike.

As Jake says the OC section on the ADV Rider site is a great resource, however take what you read on there with a large pinch of salt. There are a lot of 'experts' on there who are too quick to point out 'faults', and their so called 'improvements'.
There were a few problems reported with early bikes (water pumps and so on), but if you're getting a new 990 then they're now a well sorted very reliable bike. I'm up to 25000 miles on my 04 950 with no problems and it's rare to hear of problems when you speak to people in the real world.
If it's the right bike for your trip depends on where you're going and how much off-tarmac riding you intend to do. The big KTM's a capable bike off-road, but it is a handful and hard work (as with any heavy bike).

Take a look here:

OC Hall of Wisdom

and here:

Orange Crush - ADVrider

I have just put down a deposit on a 990 adventure s, and want to do a similar trip so I am interested in what people have to say about this bike on long distances. I tested one the other day and it was a complete blast left me with a grin on my face! That is one of the reasons I am getting rid of my 1200 adv.

__________________
“Not all those who wander are lost.” - J. R. R. Tolkien

Like I said above the bike is superb but for solo travel around the world its more than is needed - try picking one up when its fully loaded after a fall on sand or gravel or loading a bike this size on or off a ferry or lorry/ train if you need to at some point (where there is no ramp) getting spares or even an able mechanic if your in usolje-siberskoje, kirensk or chilok and they are places on main routes when you are really in the backwaters if something goes wrong with the bike getting parts or are carrying out a repair is so much more difficult. Have you tried even simple thing like a tyre change in the peeing rain at the side of a road in a Russia its a killer the tyres are hellish to remove - for a travel bike this is a repair you will be faced with on this bike its harder than hard. Clutches need replaced between 20/30000 miles my clutch basket is worn badly and the clutch just went at 45000 thats two clutches from new. The rear shock failed at less than 30000 and a front fork jammed and needed re built at a similar mileage, off road I had endless faults of rear brake failure. I AM NOT TRYING TO BE NEGATIVE JUST REALISTIC OVERALL MY BIKE HAS BEEN PUT THROUGH A LOT OF HARD RIDING ON MANY ROADS WHILE HEAVILY LOADED; AND NEVER LEFT ME STRANDED - BUT DONT THINK THESE BIKES WONT BREAK THEY WILL LIKE ANY OTHER. They are however harder to service and need more regular care than many other options, they are pretty heavy on fuel for a solo travel bike and spares can be a nightmare to get in many places. For two up riding I still think its a good choice -thats why i ride one (along with the fact it is a superb motorbike) but dont get taken in by the salesman and the glossy mags those people are are not by thereself in a backwater in Africa, Russia or South America, If your in the showroom ask the salesman to pop the tanks off and show you the basic layout of the bike i bet he wont because just getting into it is a pain. Even better ask them to pop the rear tyre off using a set of levers to simulate a rear puncture - you will be there all day - believe me. Just while I am on my soap box - tyres try getting a rear tyre for the 950/990 bad enough at peak times in the uk but as its a very odd rim size they are just not available in most of the world so you will have to carry one or get it fed ex to places your going.

Thanks for that guys, the only thing that puts me of a single cylinder is the road miles in north america, canada and australia amongst others, also the single will require an engine rebuild or 2 on a round the world trip, how often do you have to check the valves on yours jake? and how often do they actually require shims. Where in n/land or you from i'm from allenheads near hexham?.
Thanks again guys
cheers darren

My rear shock has just gone on my KTM 990 Adventure R in Egypt at 23,000 kilometers. Will ship to Turkey in next few days and wonder if anyone knows anything about the rear shocks and how to repair? Should still be under warranty.

Any ideas?

Rupert
www.bigbiketrip.net

Read www.bigbiketrip.net

Not a problem... great bikes

We have just done a trip across the middle east, me on a BMW single and my travel companion on a 990 adventure. His broke down several times, mine didn't. His used twice as much fuel, his carnet cost twice as much, I had to help him push and pull the bike around while parking and even onto the stand, it died completely in India, it needed a lot of work midway through the trip to stay running, new clutch, new brake cylinder, chain, sprockets and full service. Next time he won't use a KTM again. He's going to buy an older tech bike and get rid of the issues. He used a KTM before on a trip in south america, that one blew the rear shock.