KTM 990 - long term experience wanted

**dmc** · 11th May 2009, 18:50

Originally Posted by ducatijim

Hey....how do you like 13.6km/L ??

Crap eh!! That was my last fill from riding here in WA out on the big sweepers

F800gs will pull 20+ and not break a sweat.

The 'orange rush' fanaticism is purely the average males desire NOT to look like a dick in front of his peers.....yeah....REALLY!!!
( No red blooded male EVER wants to admit that he may have not made the best decision and not have the best girlfriend/wife/car/bach/rideon/motorcycle...sad I know.....but true.)

There are bikes that are better on gas, there are bikes that are more comfortable, there are bikes that are better on slow technical goat tracks.........I know they have some issues but what doesn't, but one thing I'm 100% sure of is I made the right decision.

**Digitdion** · 11th May 2009, 20:47

Originally Posted by dmc

There are bikes that are better on gas, there are bikes that are more comfortable, there are bikes that are better on slow technical goat tracks.........I know they have some issues but what doesn't, but one thing I'm 100% sure of is I made the right decision.

Nice one brother! I hear Ya! I second that
Hah, DUCATIJIM, you seem to know alot about the mental movitation of a KTM rider. So would you agree with the assumption that all BMW 800GS owners are boring gits who are scared to to go the hole hog and get a KTM. Just a theory of course.

**NordieBoy** · 11th May 2009, 21:50

Admit it.
You're all DR lovers who need the safety of an extra cylinder just in case...

**dmc** · 11th May 2009, 22:24

I would take a 690 Adventure (if the ever make the bloody thing) but not a DR

**Oscar** · 11th May 2009, 22:53

Originally Posted by Digitdion

Nice one brother! I hear Ya! I second that
Hah, DUCATIJIM, you seem to know alot about the mental movitation of a KTM rider. So would you agree with the assumption that all BMW 800GS owners are boring gits who are scared to to go the hole hog and get a KTM. Just a theory of course.

Don't be knocking BMW's - gurlies have to ride too

**Crisis management** · 12th May 2009, 07:47

Originally Posted by dmc

I would take a 690 Adventure (if the ever make the bloody thing) but not a DR

Just as a matter of interest, I've had a brief look at the 690E and it's available with luggage and a screen from KTM and a second fuel tank (from Acerbis?) that increases the capacity from 12 to 26 litres.

Is this not a 690 Adventure? If you're buying new thats probably about $20k tho so value for money may be a different debate.

**dmc** · 12th May 2009, 12:47

Nope thats still just an upgraded Enduro, the adventure will come some day and it will replace the old 640 Adventure, there are a few pics around of the factory Rallye and it should be something like that.
I considered getting the Enduro and getting the tanks etc but at the end of the day its going to cost too much and when the Adventure does arrive it would likely be better spec'd out so I went with a 950 until it gets made.

**ducatijim** · 12th May 2009, 15:32

Originally Posted by young1

But I don't want one of them!

So.....who cares?

**ducatijim** · 13th May 2009, 14:50

Originally Posted by Digitdion

you seem to know alot about the mental movitation of a KTM rider.

Owww, ouch....might have cut too close to the bone did I?

Anywayz....did I mention......

the 990 delivers 'wood' when you are out there doin what it does best..........

.........................RIDING................... ................

**Ruralman** · 22nd May 2009, 20:43

Well I walked into McIver and Veitch in Dunedin the other day and here's this big bright new 990 Adventure R - new colour scheme looks fantastic and theres been some techy changes from the previous model as well.

I've sat on it and liked it, I have put my beloved on the back and she likes it (whew) - all that remains is for the horrible freakin weather to improve and I will take it out for a ride. If thats a clincher then the deal making may well begin.
If I do buy it then I reckon the Yamaha SOuth Island 3 day adventure ride might have to be a must do.

One of the owners just got back from touring around Europe on one of these - had his wife on the back most of the time. He reckoned he got 360km from one tank before he filled it (cruising steadily but at around 120 when possible) but that when you wick them up they gobble the juice a LOT faster but they're also performing like nothing else at that point as well!!

**Gremlin** · 22nd May 2009, 23:56

My KTM sips on gas the least in top gear... which needs at least 130kph

**oldrider** · 23rd May 2009, 01:23

Originally Posted by Ruralman

Well I walked into McIver and Veitch in Dunedin the other day and here's this big bright new 990 Adventure R - new colour scheme looks fantastic and theres been some techy changes from the previous model as well.

I've sat on it and liked it, I have put my beloved on the back and she likes it (whew) - all that remains is for the horrible freakin weather to improve and I will take it out for a ride. If thats a clincher then the deal making may well begin.
If I do buy it then I reckon the Yamaha SOuth Island 3 day adventure ride might have to be a must do.

One of the owners just got back from touring around Europe on one of these - had his wife on the back most of the time. He reckoned he got 360km from one tank before he filled it (cruising steadily but at around 120 when possible) but that when you wick them up they gobble the juice a LOT faster but they're also performing like nothing else at that point as well!!

Brucie, did you fall and hurt your head or something!

Are you expecting a windfall wool cheque or something?

What can the KTM do that your Tiger (with a change of tyres) can't do?

All you will be paying for is the tyres, how much will the change to the new KTM actualy cost you?

Then again, theres nothing like that feeling you get when you have a spent up large on a new bike, is there!

Don't forget to allow for the psycholigist's sessions when the after purchase blues kick in when you realise you didn't really nead to change bikes at all!

But who am I to cast doubts on the value of your dally into the Barvarian world of overpriced machinery.

Enjoy yourself, spend your money, the recession is almost over!

Let someone else enjoy the benifits they receive when they buy your traded Tiger for a pittance compared to what the trade up cost you!

Remember Brucie, I am but a phone call away, should you need further words of encouragement to help facilitate the departure of your hard earned "CASH"!

**dmc** · 23rd May 2009, 10:59

Originally Posted by Gremlin

My KTM sips on gas the least in top gear... which needs at least 130kph

The new model runs a 16 front from factory so won't need license losing speed for 6th.

**Ruralman** · 23rd May 2009, 22:01

Originally Posted by oldrider

Brucie, did you fall and hurt your head or something!

Are you expecting a windfall wool cheque or something?

What can the KTM do that your Tiger (with a change of tyres) can't do?

All you will be paying for is the tyres, how much will the change to the new KTM actualy cost you?

Then again, theres nothing like that feeling you get when you have a spent up large on a new bike, is there!

Don't forget to allow for the psycholigist's sessions when the after purchase blues kick in when you realise you didn't really nead to change bikes at all!

But who am I to cast doubts on the value of your dally into the Barvarian world of overpriced machinery.

Enjoy yourself, spend your money, the recession is almost over!

Let someone else enjoy the benifits they receive when they buy your traded Tiger for a pittance compared to what the trade up cost you!

Remember Brucie, I am but a phone call away, should you need further words of encouragement to help facilitate the departure of your hard earned "CASH"!

Oi there John - you trying to piss on my party

lol
I haven't ridden it yet so lets not immediately make judgement but:

1) I don't think the KTM's are necessarily overpriced - they just aren't built with as many compromises and budget bits as go on some others. If you spec up other bikes to the same grade of suspension etc the gap would often disappear (I see the new Transalp is listed at $21700 - I reckon THAT is getting seriously overpriced!!)

2) I do take issue with the Tiger doing all the same stuff with a change of tyres. The Tiger is a great adventure tourer - with more weight on the tourer than the adventure side of it. I want to be able to go a bit more rugged on some backcountry roads and tracks where the tracks can get rough, when riden briskly the bike can get airborne, where some obstacles are best taken with the front leg in the air (like small river/stream crossings).
The Tiger can be nursed around some of these sorts of trips but the 990 can be ridden more like a trail bike in these situations - with superior suspension an 18 inch rear and 21inch front wheels it just has some advantages.

3) You are right that if I do change then someone will end up with a bloody good Tiger. It takes ages getting a bike set up just right and I'm not really looking forward to going back and doing that again - although if I buy a new one then most things will have to be on it before I take it away.

Besides - if your legs were longer then you know you'd want one too