All Test Drives – Test KTM 990 Adventure: Ready to Travel! – The age of Reason

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KTM 990 Adventure test: Ready to Travel !

All Test Drives - Test KTM 990 Adventure: Ready to Travel! - The age of Reason

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.

The age of Reason

For seven years, the KTM Adventure has crisscrossed the roads and tracks around the world. The Austrian traveler came out in 2004, when KTM stacked Dakar successes with the regularity of a metronome, thanks in particular to its famous LC8 twin..

It is precisely this widely proven engine that will form the basis of the all new – and much anticipated! – road range from the manufacturer of Mattighofen. And so the 950 Adventure was born, marking Katoche’s foray off the beaten track..

7 years of progress

If certain motorcycles take serious blows of old with the years, the KTM Adventure on the other hand rather improved with time. Unveiled with a 950 cc V-twin powered by carburettors, it is now powered by the injected 999 cc, a unit that is both more pleasant and less fuel-intensive..

Another notable improvement: the Adventure is now equipped with a disconnectable ABS manufactured by Bosch as standard. Finally, the test bike entrusted to us by KTM was fully equipped for the trip..

In total, almost € 1,400 of equipment makes it a great road: a high windshield, two 37-liter aluminum suitcases and their supports, a tank bag and an impressive orange "bull bar" !

A face of her own

The KTM Adventure has hardly changed aesthetically since its release and retains its look cut to the billhook which gives it the air of a large insect. The lines are not the most fluid, but the adventurous and functional look is there.

The white and black color of our test bike is quite successful, but fans can rest assured: the Adventure remains available in orange, the emblematic color of the Austrian brand..

The quality of the materials and the precision of the assemblies are of good quality. We can just criticize the finish of certain KTM stamped accessories: a rivet of the luggage locking system was thus lost on the way, while the plastic clips of the straps of the saddlebag carpet were already showing signs of weakness..

In 2004, KTM arrived late on the market for large road trails: the Tiger and other Varadero were already firmly established while the newly unveiled R 1200 GS hit the headlines. But the Austrians could capitalize on their off-road experience to design this 1,000 cc trail. A road trail, of course, but light and capable of taking small paths.

The Austrian trail

Despite its imposing size, its weight remains contained since it flirts with the 230 kg all full. Its vocation of road / off-road versatility is further affirmed by its large and thin wheels (21 inches at the front, 18 at the rear), its mixed pneumatic mounting and its substantial suspension travel (210 mm).

On the equipment side, KTM has not cut corners. The accessories are not bloated, but the quality is there: Brembo braking, large 48 mm White Power fork adjustable in all directions, hydraulic clutch, 12 V socket, aluminum engine guard and luggage rack, hand guards, warnings, center stand…

On the other hand, it will be necessary to do without a fuel gauge and to be satisfied with a warning light of passage in reserve (with the two communicating tanks, the installation of a level is not facilitated). In addition to the odometer and the two trips, the dashboard indicates the outside and engine temperatures: well done !

Top position

The driving position offered by the Adventure is very pleasant without being too trail-type. We observe, for example, that the handlebars – with variable section – fall well under the hand without excessively spreading the arms as is the case on a BMW R 1200 GS.

The saddle height of 860 mm will not necessarily reassure those under 1.80 m who will have to pay attention to slopes when setting foot on land. Fortunately, even if the center of gravity is quite high – especially with the suitcases and the tank full – the general balance of the bike remains very healthy. The saddle offers a good compromise between comfort and finesse so as not to spread the legs too far when stationary.

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