KTM 990 Adventure test: Ready to Travel !

If the KTM road bikes are more oriented Ready to Race in accordance with the slogan of the Austrian manufacturer, the Adventure 990 invites more to travel. MNC verified this in the South between sea and lavender, among cyclists and motorhomes. Test.

In town: caution is in order

Traditionally, trails are welcoming motorcycles that are easy to handle. If this is the case with all small mid-size trails, some large road trails of 1000 cc and more can be intimidating. Our 990 Adventure is almost as accessible as a Transalp !

You immediately feel at home riding the KTM, in part thanks to the smooth and precise controls. Contact, engine: the V-twin open at 75 ° snorts in a pleasant sound without being intrusive. Head south to leave Lyon – headquarters of KTM France – as quickly as possible and join the pretty roads of Provence !

The city yes, but without the suitcases !

First observation: it’s not easy to escape the Lyon metropolitan area with an Adventure harnessed with its big suitcases! Caution is required because if the handlebars go between cars with its 82 cm wide, this is not necessarily the case for suitcases, 102 cm wide (i.e. 7.5 cm more than a Honda Goldwing): a take away some car mirrors in a concert of horns !

For the rest, the Austrian is doing well in traffic on condition, however, to play a little with the gearbox – fortunately very pleasant – in order to stay on the right gear. The twin doesn’t like to go below 2500 rpm and will let you know by clicking and hiccupping a bit.

Thanks to its thin tires (90 mm at the front and 150 at the rear), the Adventure is light and particularly manoeuvrable. In addition, the high seat provides an optimal field of vision on traffic.

Hot in front !

With a thermometer well above 30 ° C, the Adventure fan hardly stops spinning in town. Besides its annoying noise, it sends a big blast of hot air through the pilot’s legs, making the ride taxing..

To check if the phenomenon calms down with "normal" temperatures. Come on, a small motorway stopover to check the comfort, protection and range of the beast: heading south on the A7.

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