KTM990 throttle snatch?

[Waihou Thumper]

I put a one tooth smaller front sprocket on mine and it improved its low speed manners measurably.

BTW I'm putting my 990 up for sale soon if you know anyone thats interested... almost exactly one year old, 14.5k kms Black, a few farkles such as carbon fork protectors, orange master cylinder covers etc. I've got my eye on a supermoto.

what price will you have in mind James?

[jcsh]

what price will you have in mind James?

Well I've been advised by Thunderbike's (my local KTM servicing dealer) owner John Fitzwater, yesterday, that $18.5k would be the right price, but I'm happy to take $500 less for a quick sale as the SM might have gone by the time I wait for the higher dollars. Are you interested or know someone that is? Its still got a whole years warranty left BTW ...

[Triwi]

Have had my 990 a year now and am dissatisfied that an otherwise nice machine is let down by its fueling and fuel consumption. The low speed jerkiness, only apparent when in 1st or 2nd, standing on the pegs and desparately trying to negotiate a rocky switchback without accidently applying 100 horsepower as the body whips back and forth in opposite reaction to the wrist attempting to modulate the throttle, is unacceptable. Certainly, plenty of clutch action allows progress but its tiring and hard on the bike and body. (NB 400 throttle cam fitted)
KTM seem unwilling or unable to sort the issue.
My 650 Dakar does not compare in any way to the 990 but its a relief to get on sometimes and ride with ease over a track where low speed control was required and where the 990 was a pig in comparison.
Actual fuel consumption also remains a mystery. At the completion of the recent Southern Cross Safari around NZ the total fuel consumption averaged 18.56k per litre - an outstanding result I thought. However the lowspeed running was diabolical to the point where a normal stoplight take off had me covering the clutch to avoid any missing until revs were gathered. As well backfiring commenced on the overrun at 5000 and persisted down to idle.(All this from new I might add). On return Superior (ChCh) completed the 15000 service and found 5 valves required shimming (gap too wide), throttle bodies out of synch and installed the Akropovic tune as plug colour showed lean condition. (Bike has 2 into 1 pipe with open muffler fitted prior to Sth Cross). Its a totally new machine (apart from herky jerky) and a delight to ride for the first time since new.
BUT
The first tankful (some town, some main road, some easy gravel) returned 13.3 k per litre. Accordingly in some desparation I have refitted the original gearing - 17/42. (I had been running 17/45 - roughly equivalent to using a 16t front). Acheived 15.2 k p l this time but this gearing really is a bit high I feel although the motor is running so smoothly now its coping better with the long legged 6th gear. Will persist with this for a while to get a bigger set of averages and to think about things for a bit.
So after a year of ownership I continue to be frustrated with the 'flawed genius' that is the KTM990. It comes so close to being the best bike I have ever owned but until the injection is sorted its an also ran.
Just my thoughts
Triwi

[jcsh]

Have you tried the 91 octane map setting? under the seat brown wire disconnection.. made a big difference for me
cheers
james

Have had my 990 a year now and am dissatisfied that an otherwise nice machine is let down by its fueling and fuel consumption. The low speed jerkiness, only apparent when in 1st or 2nd, standing on the pegs and desparately trying to negotiate a rocky switchback without accidently applying 100 horsepower as the body whips back and forth in opposite reaction to the wrist attempting to modulate the throttle, is unacceptable. Certainly, plenty of clutch action allows progress but its tiring and hard on the bike and body. (NB 400 throttle cam fitted)
KTM seem unwilling or unable to sort the issue.
My 650 Dakar does not compare in any way to the 990 but its a relief to get on sometimes and ride with ease over a track where low speed control was required and where the 990 was a pig in comparison.
Actual fuel consumption also remains a mystery. At the completion of the recent Southern Cross Safari around NZ the total fuel consumption averaged 18.56k per litre - an outstanding result I thought. However the lowspeed running was diabolical to the point where a normal stoplight take off had me covering the clutch to avoid any missing until revs were gathered. As well backfiring commenced on the overrun at 5000 and persisted down to idle.(All this from new I might add). On return Superior (ChCh) completed the 15000 service and found 5 valves required shimming (gap too wide), throttle bodies out of synch and installed the Akropovic tune as plug colour showed lean condition. (Bike has 2 into 1 pipe with open muffler fitted prior to Sth Cross). Its a totally new machine (apart from herky jerky) and a delight to ride for the first time since new.
BUT
The first tankful (some town, some main road, some easy gravel) returned 13.3 k per litre. Accordingly in some desparation I have refitted the original gearing - 17/42. (I had been running 17/45 - roughly equivalent to using a 16t front). Acheived 15.2 k p l this time but this gearing really is a bit high I feel although the motor is running so smoothly now its coping better with the long legged 6th gear. Will persist with this for a while to get a bigger set of averages and to think about things for a bit.
So after a year of ownership I continue to be frustrated with the 'flawed genius' that is the KTM990. It comes so close to being the best bike I have ever owned but until the injection is sorted its an also ran.
Just my thoughts
Triwi

[Triwi]

Yep tried it some time back but no discernable difference.
Although thinking about that I havnt tried with the Akra tune recently installed. Will have a play.
cheers
Triwi

[ducatijim]

Spent most of yesterday up to my axles in sand...the first 'real' adventure my 990s done....and the snatch ruined my day( amoung other things!) REALLY hard to modulate/moderate the revs in tight/loose/bumpy conditions.
Mine now gets relegated to V-strom status....all roads tourer.

As you say Triwi, piss poor from such an otherwise fine machine from a reputable company.

And before you all start, fuck braceing thumbs/ learning how to ride a '70s 2 stroke ( done that) or any other obtuse remedy>>> its a crap throttle response, plain and simple.

[Waihou Thumper]

Spent most of yesterday up to my axles in sand...the first 'real' adventure my 990s done....and the snatch ruined my day( amoung other things!) REALLY hard to modulate/moderate the revs in tight/loose/bumpy conditions.
Mine now gets relegated to V-strom status....all roads tourer.

As you say Triwi, piss poor from such an otherwise fine machine from a reputable company.

And before you all start, fuck braceing thumbs/ learning how to ride a '70s 2 stroke ( done that) or any other obtuse remedy>>> its a crap throttle response, plain and simple.

I kept the 640A and got rid of the beast....
Knew it wouldnt perform for me, going over the ski fields in Ruapehu, it wan't much fun in tighter, slower terrain, but it is a wilderbeast on the road....BUT, it is meant to be an adventure bike?.....hmmm

[ducatijim]

, it wan't much fun in tighter, slower terrain, but it is a wilderbeast on the road....BUT, it is meant to be an adventure bike?.....hmmm

Well said Mark....it is a truely GREAT bike on any road or track....but too hard for me on unformed surfaces.

I think you sum it up for me with that statement.

(...I guess, a little man needs a little bike eh? stick with my dr650 I think!)

[Crisis management]

A brief update, as I have finally got around to removing the secondary throttle butterflies and the final package seems to be improved.
To date we have:
16 tooth front sprocket.
400 throttle cam.
Akra's and Akra mapping
Secondary throttle butterflies removed.
I can now idle along in first @ 5km/h smoothly and (with care) get good low speed throttle control, this needs testing on some off road terrain to be sure it is effective. Removing the butterflies seems to have made the final improvement but I will reserve my opinion until I have run a few tanks through it as these things seem to change......

Only downside, a bit more induction noise.

[dmc]

There's still plenty of 950's around, changing to one isn't a bad idea if you can't live with the 990 throttle.

[BeachN]

Hey Buzzard, can you PM me and let me know where you took it. Mine is due for a service and I've heard some rumors about one of the dealers...

[Oscar]

Hey Buzzard, can you PM me and let me know where you took it. Mine is due for a service and I've heard some rumors about one of the dealers...

Having dealt with two Auckland dealers, I can highly recommend Boyds in Hamilton.

[Gremlin]

Having dealt with two Auckland dealers, I can highly recommend Boyds in Hamilton.

Did you go to Triple X? There used to be three, now there are only two dealers...

Triple X have been great for me, and they know the Adventure well, as they maintain a hire fleet.

[Oscar]

Did you go to Triple X? There used to be three, now there are only two dealers...

Triple X have been great for me, and they know the Adventure well, as they maintain a hire fleet.

Having dealt with the two Auckland dealers, I can highly recommend Boyds.

[Crisis management]

Having dealt with the two Auckland dealers, I can highly recommend Boyds.

Succinct? Burnt?

My experience has been....the previous owner used a dealer in Khyber pass religously, when I checked for all the updates that should have been done they were all ticked off but a couple of things I have subsequently fixed lead me to believe that only the paperwork was done, not the actual upgrade.
XXX I deal with for parts and they are great, but I do my own servicing so can't comment on that.