KTM990 throttle snatch?

[ducatijim]

Only if they were slimebags, which they aren't. They are pretty straight talkers and quite happy to call a spade a spade. It wasn't in response to a 'request to fix' from me, it just came up in conversation. Just throwing the idea in to the mix, keep an open mind.Well, I guess thats 1 up to me.....phoned the useless twats this morning....'oh no...never heard of it, bring it in (300km) and we will have a look'!!!!

The G2 cam merely reduces the leverage of the twistgrip on the throttle cable, particularly at small throttle openings. This fix is frequently recommended for the hard hit of my 200 2-stroke when it comes 'on the pipe' in the midrange. It requires more twistgrip travel to get the same pull on the throttle cable, thereby smoothing out coarser inputs.

Cheers Wolfie, I am conversant with how it works, and I TOO ride a modern 200 2 tanger! Anything you can add concerning a fix to the snatchy throttle response on my Ktm990 that I didn't cover in my opening thread? Oh, and anyone who was questioning my throttle hand ability....no I do NOT use/need a G2 on my 2tanger!

Seems that a re-boot of the '08 ecm program combined with the G2 may be the only real hope? Or go back to the twats and trade it back on the '08 orange bike I turned down............hahahaha....doesn't that piss me now!!!

Big thanks for the imput guys.

[NordieBoy]

Cheers Wolfie, I am conversant with how it works, and I TOO ride a modern 200 2 tanger!

I thought it was a KDX200?

[Digitdion]

My 990 is a 07 but had a re map. I never rode it with the old mapping. Yes it is a tad snatchy but I do not find it as bad as you descride there Ducatijim. I have had to modify my riding technique a tad. Using the clutch a bit more. No drama's really. A bit trickyer when standing up.

My experience so far with this beast is that if you ride it how it wants to ridden(thats with a fistful ) it shouldn't be that much of a problem. If you are not into that use the clutch a bit more. And if that fails probably get a g2 cam or go buy a smaller Trail bike. From what I understand the G2 cam will be best for you.

I want to finish by saying that the KTM 990 is one awesome piece of engineering. Not totally perfect, wtf is?. I am continually amazed at what a finely balanced grunty bike it is in all sorts of situations. One up ,two up, on road off road. I enjoy this bike so much. It is a wonderful tool to explore new horizons in every which way.

Cheers Dion

[young1]

One more thought, that at the same time AFC fixed the throttle up I also had it geared down one on the front sprocket. It is now one awesome awesome bike, I just wish that I was a good enough rider to ride it to its true potential!

[Triwi]

My 08 990 displays the same efi 'snatch' which is unacceptable for a 'quality' bike. There is certainly an element of adapting to a new machine and learning to ride thru the issue, so you will learn to live with it. Must say that all the otherwise, fine qualities of the 990 tend to be overlooked (to put it mildly) when in a rocky, technical situation, standing on the pegs and trying to maintain a constant throttle without the body lurching back and forward thus further adding to wrist movement. Sudden spurts of horsepower are unwelcome when out the back and on your own. I have added the G2 cam (400) then shimmed the new alloy throttle tube to eliminate all play (engineers copper shim sheet). Greasing this has added a dampening effect so that the throttle now closes slowly, rather than snapping back, under return spring tension. Not a cure all for correct mapping in the first place but certainly much more rideable. Also fitted a 45 t rear sprocket which is reasonably equivalent to a 16 front which moves revs a little up for a given speed in a technical situation.
cheers
Triwi

[marks]

Also fitted a 45 t rear sprocket which is reasonably equivalent to a 16 front which moves revs a little up for a given speed in a technical situation.
cheers
Triwi

I may be completely off track here - but I thought that changing the gearing so that the engine revs higher would worsen the problem due to multiplying the torque - unless the fuel injection is better behaved at higher revs??

[NordieBoy]

I may be completely off track here - but I thought that changing the gearing so that the engine revs higher would worsen the problem due to multiplying the torque - unless the fuel injection is better behaved at higher revs??

With the lower gearing the snatching will be happening sooner, below the revs you're pulling for the technical bits now.

It's a compromise. No comparison to getting the EFI sorted properly.

[warewolf]

Anything you can add concerning a fix to the snatchy throttle response on my Ktm990 that I didn't cover in my opening thread?

Make a small model of the bike and stick pins into it.

Exorcise those throttle-snatch demons!!!

[ducatijim]

Cheers Dion, I already have 2 smaller trailbikes in the stable; DR650 & KDX200 so am not sure a smaller 1 will be any use thanks. I agree that most of the bike is quite well done but for KTM to fuckup such big time in such a critical area of just what this bike is aimed at is a little hard to take, when you consider that it seems to be fixed with the 08 model( I say as opposed to 08 MAP)?

Mike, the 16t c/s went on 2 days into ownership...sure fucks the economy on the road but= 16km/L on road at 105kph( 4000rpm).

Triwi mate, I will not learn to 'live with it' it is truely that severe that slow gravel road riding is tortureous!....not only is the 'outburst' of power hard to work with, the flipside, sudden wheel locking decelleration is also no fun!What you say makes me think that the 08 map( in the 08 bike) is also not a full fix?

This is what I have gleaned from my scouring of the sister sites; that any 1 of these fixes may suit some people(bike) and not others...so far there does not seem to be certain fix, however the G2 does get most votes along with best results ....so far.

Good to hear from some actual 990 owners, thanks for that guys.

[young1]

Mike, the 16t c/s went on 2 days into ownership...sure fucks the economy on the road but= 16km/L on road at 105kph( 4000rpm).

It would be interesting to compare how much effect the smaller gearing has on the fuel economy.

[spsduc]

Cheers Dion, I already have 2 smaller trailbikes in the stable; DR650 & KDX200 so am not sure a smaller 1 will be any use thanks. I agree that most of the bike is quite well done but for KTM to fuckup such big time in such a critical area of just what this bike is aimed at is a little hard to take, when you consider that it seems to be fixed with the 08 model( I say as opposed to 08 MAP)?

Mike, the 16t c/s went on 2 days into ownership...sure fucks the economy on the road but= 16km/L on road at 105kph( 4000rpm).

Triwi mate, I will not learn to 'live with it' it is truely that severe that slow gravel road riding is tortureous!....not only is the 'outburst' of power hard to work with, the flipside, sudden wheel locking decelleration is also no fun!What you say makes me think that the 08 map( in the 08 bike) is also not a full fix?

This is what I have gleaned from my scouring of the sister sites; that any 1 of these fixes may suit some people(bike) and not others...so far there does not seem to be certain fix, however the G2 does get most votes along with best results ....so far.

Good to hear from some actual 990 owners, thanks for that guys.

Hi Jamie, I have an 06 990s (The first of the injected models) and it was diabolical when I got it. I wondered what I had bought.
The best fix is a G2 throttle cam. It works a treat by effectively "gearing down" the first part of the throttle.
I have since had a different map installed by my dealer (Akropovic) which has smoothed things out a bit more, but buggered up the fuel range.
I have two mates with 07 990 whose fueling is better (less snatchy). They have the same map as me and haven't needed the G2, so KTM did make some improvements.

I am not new to injected bikes as I had a 916 SPS Ducati before that. This brings me to my other point...part of the reason for the "snatchy" throttle is the light flywheel and internals. The bike is super responsive. If you compare it to BMWs they have a big ol heavy flywheel which smooths things out. I experienced excactly the same thing with my Duke which had a light weight flywheel & titanium conrods from the factory and then hopped on a mates 996with a std flywheel and the difference was like night and day. The heavier flywheel was so smooth.

Blip your throttle at a standstill and see how fast the thing responds and then try the same on a BMW GS or HP2. Youll see what I mean.

It is part of the price to owning a 990. These things are built to perform.
I have no doubt KTM have not got it quite right and have been a bit slack in rectifying the problem, but I love my 990 to bits.

After 14000km it still puts a grin on my face everytime I ride it and that's why I ride.

If it's any consolation you will adapt to it.

Cheers.

[ducatijim]

10 outa 10 for that reply, give that man a hand!

Very insightful explaniation thanks, I do understand that the 990 is just a little more performance focused than say my DR, so 1 would expect it to be more like a 'coiled spring' so to speak!
As I had mentioned, my K12r had as bad an issue from new; was ready to sell her when along came a new version for the ECM and presto.....like majic, the snatch was bannished: with NO detriment to the performance whatsoever.

So the manufacturers can fix these issues if there is enough pressure on them, I am feeling that however, most 990 riders, from what I read both here and in other sites, just love to punt them like an overgrown CR500 everywhere they go? Am I right? I don't read of anyone attacking technical stuff like a 'trials' bike?....it seems to be just give her a handfull and 'sheelbwright?( I am way too small and underskilled for this approach!)

As I was wanting an 'all roads' capable, comfortable 2up, long range tourer, I am now feeling that maybe the GS was the option for me, who will not always be giving her 'a handfull'? I had hoped to do away with both my DR ( adventure) and my K12r( road/tourer) and replace them with just 1 bike to cover the spectrum of my riding( Me of all people should know that 1 bike will never do the job of 2 'focused' bikes!), and as I had always admired the capabilities and specifications of the KTM, was sure it would be very close to what I wanted. The '08 demo I rode had no issues with fuelling and I would have noticed after my issues with my K12.
Thanks again, Jamie.

[spsduc]

10 outa 10 for that reply, give that man a hand!

Very insightful explaniation thanks, I do understand that the 990 is just a little more performance focused than say my DR, so 1 would expect it to be more like a 'coiled spring' so to speak!
As I had mentioned, my K12r had as bad an issue from new; was ready to sell her when along came a new version for the ECM and presto.....like majic, the snatch was bannished: with NO detriment to the performance whatsoever.

So the manufacturers can fix these issues if there is enough pressure on them, I am feeling that however, most 990 riders, from what I read both here and in other sites, just love to punt them like an overgrown CR500 everywhere they go? Am I right? I don't read of anyone attacking technical stuff like a 'trials' bike?....it seems to be just give her a handfull and 'sheelbwright?( I am way too small and underskilled for this approach!)

As I was wanting an 'all roads' capable, comfortable 2up, long range tourer, I am now feeling that maybe the GS was the option for me, who will not always be giving her 'a handfull'? I had hoped to do away with both my DR ( adventure) and my K12r( road/tourer) and replace them with just 1 bike to cover the spectrum of my riding( Me of all people should know that 1 bike will never do the job of 2 'focused' bikes!), and as I had always admired the capabilities and specifications of the KTM, was sure it would be very close to what I wanted. The '08 demo I rode had no issues with fuelling and I would have noticed after my issues with my K12.
Thanks again, Jamie.

Hi there me again. In regards your technical riding I have done two South Island Safaris on my 990 and there was some real technical snotty riding on the trail options which I completed no troubles, so don't be put off by that.
These things will go most places with the right tyres, a bit of competence and a positive attitude
One of the Aussie Journos on the WR250 launch at this years Safari couldn't believe my mate and I had made it to the top of one hill. He was blown away.

[Gremlin]

Just be aware that standard maps they put on from the shop may not be correct for the bike either. Most maps available are from Europe/USA, and our fuel is not the same, giving different results when chucking in one of their maps.

SM 08 is diabolical in 1st, less so in the subsequent gears, but I'm thinking a new map, filter and pipes will sort it out, plus being run in. We'll see.

[Dazza]

Not that I Adventure ride on my 07SD but compared to my 05 it's heaps better fuelling wise.