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KTM 990 Supermoto review

Extrapolation

E.Injection instead of carburettor, 50 cc more displacement and a whopping 18 hp more power: excellent forecasts for the 2008 two-cylinder supermoto from KTM.

The man in front is far enough away? Then do it. Maybe after exiting the roundabout or when turning onto the main road. Leave the second one in? and full throttle. Then the Supermoto is pulled forward as if by the force of a gigantic magnet, lifting its front wheel at a stroke of 6000 revolutions. 20, 40, 60 centimeters high, three, four seconds long, until ?? ratatat ?? at 9500 rpm the limiter carefully balances the front down again. Nothing in the world seems easier than a power wheelie on the 990 KTM.

Granted, there are other qualities that make a good motorcycle. Nevertheless, this sprint characterizes the two-cylinder supermoto: spectacular, fun-oriented and yet with that dash of reason, which turns a fun bike into more than just the burner for the house lap quickie. It is no coincidence that the Supermoto is the best-selling model in the two-cylinder series from KTM to date, ahead of the Super Duke and the Travel Enduro Adventure.

And it will probably remain so in the 2008 season. If only because Euro 3 forced a departure from the previous drive of the Supermoto, the 950 engine still equipped with carburettors. And with measured 20 additional horsepower of the unchanged 1000 injection engine taken from the Super Duke, it is not only convincing in fun bike circles. Especially since some retouching also updated the Austro-Drifter.

Everyday fun bike

Jahn

You can always let it come down to a rear wheel sprint.

And with this increase in displacement and performance, the 990 Supermoto impresses from the very first second. Whether during a brute sprint from the low revs after tight bends or the final sprint on the straight, the 75-degree V2 dozes its predecessor always and everywhere. Subjectively even more impressive than the objective values ​​suggest. He stays in the acceleration from zero to 100 victims of his exuberant temperament. Full throttle means ?? see above ?? not only forced propulsion, but also: high up the front. So be it. After all, the Kraftmax also has a good nursery, only hacks minimally at low speeds and proves to be almost vibration-free even on higher tours.

However: The 1000 series owes the ultra-soft load change transition with which the 950 drive shone. At the apex of the bend, the injector accelerates a little rougher, even though the KTM technicians programmed it to be the most powerful set possible under the legal requirements. This is at least suggested by the 5.9 liter increase in highway consumption. Small consolation: The newly contoured tank, which offers a significantly narrower knee joint, now holds 1.5 liters more.

The development crew also felt their way closer to the limits of the chassis design with the changed steering geometry. In order to improve handling and straight-line stability, the technicians changed the offset of the fork bridges by two millimeters and made the fork tighter. Despite the only marginal change compared to the exemplary neutral 950 Supermoto, the 990 ?? with identical tires? now there is a tendency to wobble in tight turns, which increases when braking. Nothing serious, but noticeable. Especially since the handling improved only slightly through these measures.

However, there wasn’t much to do either. Because it is not only in this respect that the Supermoto remains a gem. Impresses with this precise and easy-to-shift gear or the easy-to-use clutch. And ultimately, with superbly tuned suspension, excellent handling, excellent brakes and successful ergonomics, it even spans the wide range between fun, supermoto and everyday bikers. Especially with this fantastic engine.

Important changes

engine
?? 1000 cm³ displacement (2007: 942 cm³)
?? Injection, Ø 48 mm (2007: carburetor, Ø 43 mm)

landing gear
?? 65.1 degrees steering head angle (2007: 64.6 degrees)
?? Harder fork springs
?? Increased caster due to two millimeters less fork offset
?? Seat height reduced to 875 millimeters (2007: 880 mm)

miscellaneous
?? New cockpit with tachometer (2007: speedometer only)
?? 19 liter tank capacity (2007: 17.5 liters)

Base price
?? 11,595 euros (2007: 10,998 euros)

Data KTM 990 Supermoto

engine
Water-cooled two-cylinder four-stroke 75-degree V-engine, crankshaft lying transversely, two overhead, chain-driven camshafts, four valves per cylinder, bucket tappets, dry sump lubrication, injection, Ø 48 mm, regulated catalytic converter, 450 W alternator, 12 V battery / 11 Ah, hydraulically operated multi-disc oil bath clutch, six-speed gearbox, X-ring chain, secondary ratio 41:17.
Bore x stroke 101.0 x 62.4 mm
Cubic capacity 1000 cm3
Compression ratio 11.5: 1

rated capacity
85.0 kW (116 hp) at 9000 rpm

Max. Torque 97 Nm at 7000 rpm

landing gear
Steel tubular frame, load-bearing motor, upside-down fork, Ø 48 mm, adjustable spring base, rebound and compression damping, two-arm swing arm made of aluminum, central spring strut, directly linked, adjustable spring base, rebound and compression damping, double disc brake at the front, diameter 305 mm, Four-piston fixed calipers, rear disc brake, Ø 240 mm, double-piston floating caliper.
Cast aluminum wheels 3.50 x 17; 5.50 x 17
Tires 120/70 ZR 17; 180/55 ZR 17

mass and weight
Wheelbase 1510 mm, steering head angle 65.1 degrees, caster 110 mm, suspension travel f / r 200/210 mm, seat height 875 mm, dry weight 191 kg, tank capacity / reserve 19.0 / 2.5 liters.
Warranty two years
Colors Black, Orange
Power variant 72 kW (98 PS)
Price 11,595 euros
Additional costs around 200 euros

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