Menus
- GO TO ORANGE !!
- Discovery
- In the saddle
- Contact
- In the city
- Highway
- Departmental
- Braking
- Tires
- Comfort
- Convenient
- Consumption
- Conclusion
GO TO ORANGE !!
From 950 cm3 to 990 cm3 in 2006, the KTM 990 Adventure is an atypical motorcycle, both big road trail and capable of going off-road. Its specific aesthetic cannot be ignored. Is it due to the color, to the design or quite simply to this je ne sais quoi that emerges from the machine ? We are necessarily obliged to look at it with a certain curiosity. The quiet force which breathes of the flagship of the firm of Mattighofen contrasts terribly with the smoothness of the front wheel and it is a real invitation to travel which emanates from the machine … There is no need to say, the Dakar, it leaves traces !! Test on 3,000 km of road and off-road…
Discovery
The saddle is narrow and extends far into the tank section. The bubble is high. The massive fairing blends in perfectly with the line of the machine. We note the two tanks – original KTM – with between the two, a small storage compartment closing with a quarter-turn screw. A large protective shoe provides good protection for the crankcase and electrical equipment. The touring equipment is complemented – as an option – by two very sturdy suitcases. The two exhausts come out under the saddle. There are apparently no protruding parts on the motorcycle. In fact everything seems to have been designed for an off-road escape and its possible inconveniences.
In the saddle
The feet touch flat on the ground for a 1.80 m pilot. Even if the saddle has been lowered by nearly 50mm compared to the previous version (860 mm against 895 mm), it remains a trail, high. On the other hand, thanks to the machine’s very low center of gravity, you no longer wonder, unlike other big trails, on which side you will be able to fall when stopped !!
The wide Renthal handlebars are placed relatively low which allows a good position, rather vertical and facilitates the control. It is easy to operate the machine without being permanently resting on the forearms. So at no time during this test, even in the longest stages, did we feel any stiffness due to the position.
On the dashboard, there is a digital tachometer, 2 partial trips, a partial fuel reserve totalizer that takes over when you reach the end of capacity, the time and the total mileage. A digital gauge integrated into the meter indicates the temperature of the coolant. The tachometer is completed by a battery of warning lights: changeover to reserve (to be reset after refueling), high beam warning lights, insufficient oil pressure and indicators. It is completed by a classic needle tachometer. You will also find an external European type socket.
The large mirrors have the merit of reflecting everything that happens behind the machine. And whatever the engine speed, they absolutely do not vibrate.
Contact
As soon as the key is turned, the 75 ° V-twin snorts. It is a pity that pollution and environmental standards made the noise emanating from the exhausts initially seem somewhat sanitized, but you only need to climb up the towers a little for the pots to rumble generously.
The first surprise comes from the delicacy of the levers and above all by the smallness of the brake lever which favors – unusual on this type of machine – the two-finger grip typical of sportswomen but requires a little adaptation time. The ABS can be disengaged by simply pressing the control on the dashboard in the event of off-road use.
Each control has a wheel adjustment, but it is not easy to use for the uninformed.
The clutch errs a little because of its non-progressive but the control is smooth and does not require any effort.
The selector is certainly, by its size and the moving part of its control, relatively well protected in the event of a fall, but a small centimeter in addition to this same part would give more comfort to its operation. RAS regarding the rear brake pedal which, although tiny, falls perfectly under the foot. The large footrests equipped with removable rubbers vibrate only slightly at 4500 rpm, twin requires.
In the city
The center of gravity, aided by the distribution of fuel in the two tanks located on either side of the frame, is ideally located and at no time does one feel in a rough position even when maneuvering at idle. The relatively small turning radius allows the imposing machine to slide into the smallest spaces and as long as you don’t forget the suitcases whose width is around 1m10, it is easy to squeeze through traffic jams. The nearly cubic-displacement twin is packed with torque, and it’s easy to pick up to 1,500 rpm without the engine banging or cursing. The cooling fan is activated very early but is very effective and very brief in its interventions. You can move into 2 or 3 without risking stalling. In short, we escape on a trickle of gas in the city, which is not the preferred terrain for the machine to go to the great outdoors.
Highway
It’s when you start to turn the handle that the sporty character inherent in the brand and the 98 horsepower of the trail is revealed. The injection has certainly erased the side kick to the buttocks a little after a certain speed but the acceleration continues and the impression that the limit is only a very distant goal tend to give this machine a small next to Dr Jekill and Mr Hyde !! It is easy to hold 140 on the large ribbon. The wide handlebars make it easier to grip the bike and the screen, which at first glance seems to give the machine a Norman cabinet CX, allows the helmet to be climbed between-open up to speeds that could lead directly to the box hated from Monopoly. The thinness of the saddle allows the rider to fit into a fairing which proved to be very effective even in the stormy rain that greeted us from our departure. The large suitcases generate no sway and the machine seems built for long distances.
Departmental
Once the big ribbon left on a rather flattering test, it was the small bumpy roads that followed one another. Well here too we do not at any time sense the slightest impression of insecurity that often emanates from this type of bike as soon as the terrain turns out to be rough. Braking on the angle in a bend that closes, recovery on bumps at the exits of a curve, surprise change of coating, the damping assembly yet adjusted stock (origin in WP directly derived from the brand’s enduro range and adjustable in many positions) perfectly fulfills its function and gives the machine the appearance of a flying carpet !!
We were aware during the entire test to have the slightest unpredictable reaction whatever the situation and we were amazed by the remarkable stability of the machine under all circumstances. The big trail is agile, safe, comfortable, you do not tire when driving and its possibilities seem far superior to the driving capacity of the "motardus vulgaris", what more could you ask for from a machine designed to take you to the end of the world ?
Braking
The ABS-assisted braking is impeccable in feeling and efficiency. The bike, helped in this by its WP fork, hardly dives and it is very easy to adapt your effort to the circumstances. ABS allows you to forget all the stories of dosing and precipitation, whatever the conditions, weather or coating, crush the levers and the electronics will do the rest !!
Tires
The bike is fitted as standard with Pirelli Scorpion mixed tires which will prove to be excellent throughout the test in all circumstances. One complaint that one can find with regard to this equipment is the certain lack of availability with regard to the tires and especially the 21-wheel at the front. You will in fact have no other possibility than to fit mixed tires (only one equipment manufacturer (Metzeler) indeed offers a 21 tire in road profile and this is not readily available) …. to know if a 19 ’assembly would not interfere too much with the machine’s capabilities ?
On the other hand, the lower cost of the original tires is not negligible with regard to the general maintenance cost of the motorcycle compared to the competition..
Comfort
The saddle is narrow and extends widely over the tank section, allowing its position to be adapted to the driving condition. Gel-padded, it is extremely comfortable for both rider and passenger, and long journeys on the handlebars of this machine are not a heralded torture for the last 100 kilometers. We just regret the absence of real passenger handles supplemented it is true by the attachments of the possible top case.
Convenient
Under the saddle hides a small storage compartment and the tool kit. Without going so far as to put a U in it, you can use it for the tire sealant and small rain pants.
Between the two tanks, KTM has a very practical storage compartment that can be closed with a quarter-turn screw. This compartment, which also houses the fuse box, allows you to store small items such as cell phone, wallet, pen, notebook, credit cards, etc. !!
The suitcases have a good capacity and above all are extremely strong. However, we regret not being able to accommodate any small jet helmet. They just deserve to have a more eye-catching design.
The Adventure has two crutches, one lateral and one central. The side which folds down very well by integrating well along the bike would deserve to be a bit less straight, which would prevent the rider from looking for a favorable location to park: slope prohibited. The center stand does not interfere with the ground clearance at all. On the other hand, to gain access to its use, it is essential to find some help to hoist the 220 kilos of the machine. A slight change in the design of the lug and a small handle below the saddle would remedy this.
Consumption
The tank displays 22 liters (divided into 2 times in 11 liters) including 4 liters of reserve. This gives 270 km before going into reserve and the possibility of doing 70 km on it. It’s very reasonable in the category. Over the entire test, the average consumption was 6.2 liters per 100; which gives a relative range of just over 350 km. RAS !
Conclusion
This relatively unknown machine turns out to be very endearing in use. In the range of road trails that can adapt to a few small off-road episodes, the Adventure 990 will be of interest to those who are looking for a machine not only capable of taking it on the long haul but capable of getting off the road if necessary. The possibility of taking a few tracks with passengers and luggage, as long as there are not too many trialising portions is a real plus, which the competition has abandoned in favor of almost 100% road trails. In short, the KTM 990 Adventure is able to hold its own against the competition, especially as the brand’s primary technology is all-terrain oriented. The reliability is also at the rendezvous: there was not a single small problem during the 3000 kilometers on the handlebars of the Adventure, however not sparing neither our efforts nor that of the machine. At 12,750 euros, the KTM 990 Adventure therefore offers real versatility.
Strong points
- Handling
- Amortization
- Engine box
- Comfort
- All-terrain skills
- Consumption
Weak points
- crutches to review
- Equipment to be completed (fuel gauge, report indicator)
Competitors: Aprilia Caponord, BMW HP2 1200, BMW R 1200 GS, Honda Varadero 1000, Moto Guzzi Stelvio 1200, Suzuki DL 100 VStrom
The KTM 990 Adventure technical sheet
The KTM 990 Adventure biker test
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