By creating the KTM 990 Adventure motorcycle , the manufacturer intended to let the driver feel what the rider feels during the grueling Paris-Dakar race. The Austrian company has proven its worth very well, winning rallies for many years in a row, where you have to drive through the streets and the desert, so its goal to get into the garages of motorcycle lovers does not seem really complicated.
History of creation
First introduced in 2003, the KTM 950 Adventure S model (at first the name included the letter S, but then the manufacturer got rid of it, releasing two modifications in parallel) was incredible - it combined the reliability, power and style of racing bikes that inspired designers to create it. The LC8 V-engine, installed from the very beginning, had a volume of 950 cubic meters. see Adventure 950 was a real road and off-road motorcycle, the engine of which developed an impressive 98 liters. from. (71.5 kW) at 8000 rpm with a maximum torque of 95 Nm at a speed of 6000 rpm. KTM color was orange.
The 2004 model was distinguished by the addition of silver and black, which did not survive in subsequent years. Since in 2005, the S modification became an exact copy of the Dakar Rally motorcycle, while the standard version was black.
In 2007, the cylinder volume was increased to 999 cubic meters. see. The V-twin engine has got a fuel injection and an adjustable catalytic converter, which made it possible to meet the requirements of Euro 3. ABS came in a natural way, just like the pleasure comes with a set of kilometers when riding this motorcycle.
In 2011, the Dakar model was added, and in 2013 - the Baja.
Adventure 990 vs Suzuki V-Strom 1000
Certainly, the motorcycle has few competitors, but sometimes one of them is enough for everything to go in the direction opposite to that which the manufacturer expects. Even with great pleasure, an amazing ride and a focus on style and comfort, the Suzuki V-Strom 1000 failed to overthrow the KTM Adventure 990. This would mean a victory in the game, the rules of which KTM himself invented.
Suzy is incredibly versatile and adapts to any driving style, so there will be no problems with a motorcycle while traveling around the city or across the desert. It is simply a matter of taste and ambition. In any case, a four-stroke engine with liquid cooling and fuel injection, a 90-degree V-twin with four valves per cylinder and a volume of 996 cubic meters. cm are perfect for such tasks and do it perfectly.
It surpasses the KTM when it comes to comfort, as its seat seems to have been removed from a tourist bike and the height-adjustable windshield protects you constantly. Suspension and chassis provide easy ride. V-Strom and 990 Adventure off-road motorcycles can often be found side by side both on the highway and in off-road conditions, and this says a lot.
Aggressive appearance
Usually, when introducing a dual-use model, they tend to miss the streamlined exterior design, which in this case is decisive. But the brain seems to refuse to accept the presence of a plastic coating that looks poured specifically to give it an aggressive and fashionable look. This is the only way to explain the presence of sharp design lines found only on the KTM Adventure 990 and Adventure S motorcycles.
The design of the machine is solid geometry and similarities. For example, the combination of the front view of the motorcycle, especially the shape of the fairing when it is moving in the direction of the observer, and the shape of the headlights, despite the difference in size, simply cannot be overlooked. The windshield is perfectly positioned, almost at an angle of 90 degrees, so that it protects well from the wind, even when the driver stands up.
With its fully streamlined and excellent appearance, KTM proves that designers have done their job. Regardless of the color (orange, black or blue), the lower part of the fairing is not painted, but made of durable material that will be difficult to scratch when moving across rivers and tree branches or anything that may require a trip to the paint shop.
Check in the city
Road and off-road performance KTM 990 Adventure customer reviews are impressive because the feel of a motorcycle is truly unique and worth boasting. Those who wanted their iron horse to remain as clean and shiny as when buying, and prefer to ride along paved roads for as long as possible, noticed that it was quite effective even when used in the city. 98 "horses" of the LC8 engine allow you to ride without much effort, while at the same time leaving it balanced even at low speeds. But when it comes to maneuvering, a problem arises here, as it leads to a loss of stability. KTM created a motorcycle for heavy duty use in any conditions, so high growth and excessive requirements will not help. But fortunately, the driver can choose the driving style convenient for him, whether in a residential quarter or in the desert regions of the outskirts.
Highway behavior
Tired of slow maneuvering, you can go on to the tests on the freeway to get a sense of how it acts under sharp acceleration at a relatively high speed. Excellent! Regardless of which gear is engaged, or the number of revolutions per minute at a given time, the engine gives out the necessary power, which allows KTM to easily overtake cars without any difficulties, accelerating to 210 km / h. The fuel injection system provides greater throttle response, and the bike will rush forward, surprising with every turn of the throttle.
Native off-road
But do not stop there. Lack of road is the place where the KTM Adventure 990 feels like a fish in water. With it, motocross becomes children's fun, and riders do not find flaws in the ability of a motorcycle to overcome obstacles. The bike relies on its racing character to save the situation, and it does it every time.
According to drivers, they like to get out of the corners, losing grip, because you can make a good figure. True, you should not try to level the motorcycle with your feet. You just need to get used to it, and the maneuver will turn out easily and naturally.
Those who have always dreamed of cutting the wave in half with the front wheel of a motorcycle simply cannot find a more suitable car. The gearbox works effortlessly and accurately across the full range of six gears, and its smooth grip makes life easier for the adventurer. A big plus is the windshield, which protects the driver reliably.
ABS brakes are standard, and they do their job confidently. When braking, even when the grip is very weak, the motorcycle stops dead in his tracks, so that he can go into battle again.
The transition from street riding to hard off-road has never been as beautiful as the 990's, and other similar off-road motorcycles will appear soon. The arguments are simple and obvious: no other manufacturer has the ability or experience to surpass the performance (in this category) of Adventure, and no one (except V-Strom) even tries to do this. Therefore, do not bother looking for the best. You just need to take the best - the KTM 990 Adventure, which costs $ 14,899.
Design features
Built with the adventure in mind, the KTM 990 is a great ride partner as it can handle any task it requires. Due to its dual nature, the motorcycle feels equally comfortable on asphalt and rough terrain.
The secret of his first-class ride is a reliable tubular frame made of thin chrome-molybdenum steel with a subframe and light alloy weighing 10.5 kg attached to it. A two-cylinder four-stroke engine with positive ignition and a 75-degree V-layout, liquid cooling and a volume of 999 cm 3 is installed on the frame. The motor provides a maximum power of 84.5 kW (113.3 hp), which pacifies a six-speed gearbox.
Other features of the KTM Adventure 990 include a well-structured multi-function cockpit, a 19.5-liter fuel tank, an engine shield, an electrical connector and a storage compartment.
Many tourist enduros are produced. But when the asphalt comes to an end, a motorcycle trip often ends too. On the other hand, thanks to its authentic racing origin, it is unlikely that the KTM 990 will avoid long journeys through the deserts, with the power of a V2, stable protective frames and a sports seat. With a stable chassis that can be switched off by the ABS and with many travel accessories, from the fairing attached to the fairing frame to the lockable luggage compartment, the motorcycle is the most off-road travel enduro in the world.
Frame
In the KTM Adventure 990, the characteristics of the tubular space frame are due to the fact that it is made of thin chrome-molybdenum steel with a screwed subframe of light alloy weighing 10.5 kg, which impresses with its rigidity. A conical profile pendulum improves mechanical traction.
Suspension
Several tuning options, a telescopic fork and a directly connected shock absorber allow you to optimally adjust the chassis, taking into account the individual characteristics of each driver.
Wheels and brake system
More than enough Brembo brake performance is ensured by using the very best components, including 2 floating 300 mm front brake discs. Stable wheels guarantee a great ride and have great off-road potential.
ABS
The dual-circuit ABS system, which can be turned off, was developed jointly with Bosch and fully protects against excessive braking in all sports and tourist situations, while maintaining full efficiency and thanks to its very sensitive sensors, providing perfect feedback to a truly sports brake.
Engine
The V-shaped water-cooled motor produces 114 liters. from. (85 kW) - exactly as much as is needed on fast freeways or in deep sands. Powerful acceleration, excellent engine performance and its instantaneous sensitivity to throttle opening are impressive.
Cylinder heads
In addition to the optimized design of the combustion chamber, the main factors that determine the excellent engine performance of the motorcycle with an angle of 75 ° between the cylinders are the best four-valve heads, each with optimized channels, and two camshafts.
Pistons
Particularly light connecting rods and pistons provide a reduced weight of the motor and, therefore, its quick response, which emphasizes its extraordinary sporting characteristics.
Motor control system
The Keihin electronic engine management system controls the state-of-the-art fuel injection system, focusing on quick response and part-load operation. This allowed the engineers of the manufacturing company to combine brute power with the best riding qualities of the motorcycle.
Windshield and tank
The fairing effectively protects from wind and weather conditions and accommodates a clearly structured multi-function cockpit that provides the driver with all the necessary information. Fuel tanks with a total volume of almost 20 liters guarantee a long useful operating range.
Comfort fit
An excellently arranged two-level rally-style seat guarantees stable contact with the ground and a comfortable long-distance motorcycle ride for both the driver and the passenger in the back seat. At the same time, with fast movement, it provides clear feedback. The large surface of the fuel tank is ideal for contact with the legs while standing.
Attention to detail
The motorcycle has no shortage of details, which distinguishes it as a genuine tourist enduro: from a practical, easily controlled central rack, a lockable luggage compartment between the tanks and an electrical outlet to a reliable engine protector, resistant protective arches and hand protectors.
Protective arcs
In addition to the standard tread of the engine, the motorcycle is also equipped with orange powder coated, extra-stable tubular protective arcs, so the body is not damaged so quickly.
Sores and Challenges of the KTM 990 Adventure
When buying, you must pay attention to the following malfunctions:
- Inadequate shaft seal of the water pump causes engine oil to become contaminated with coolant. Although this was only the case in the early models, KTM recommended replacing the shaft seals of the water pump as part of the scheduled maintenance on releases of all years. Contaminated oil becomes milky white or discolored.
- Cylinder head gaskets are leaking in 2003 and 2004 models. Look for oil stains at the base of the cylinder. The malfunction is eliminated by replacing the head nuts.
- Bubble sticker on the fuel tank at 950.
- Clutch cylinder malfunction on all motorcycles.
- Bolts of fastening of a press disk of coupling in models 2006 and 2007 are poorly tightened. May destroy the clutch cover.
- The fuel pump may not work on carbureted versions from 2003 to 2006.
- Twitching, uneven throttle response in fuel injection models from 2007 to 2009.