Motorcycle Enthusiasts

Is the 990 a sportbike or is it an adventure bike? Or both?
 
It's an adventure bike, it has cybernetic legs, harf organic, can also run, climb and jump over cars
 
There are several KTM 990's just to make matters confusing

The 990 SuperDuke, as ridden by yours truly in the pics above round Donington Park, is basically a race bike with the fairing removed. A Super Naked as some magazines term them It is only for road use.
Here is the SuperDuke website.

The 990 Adventure is, well, an Adventure bike. Can be used on/off road. Has been raced in the Paris Dakar Rally for example. A Giant Trailie effectively. Here is the adventure website.

The big news for Katoom fans is the forthcoming 1190 RC8. I'm looking into selling a kidney

Do yourself a favour and look out the videos on all three sites, especially the SuperDuke one. Nobody does marketing videos like KTM, stunt riding through Osaka's rush hour just to annoy the Japanese manufacturers!

Mitch
 
Cheers Mitch, George

I'm looking into the 990s adventure sport. I'm not sure what exactly the difference between the 990 and the 990s are, but I do groove on that blue and orange coloring. Anyone got a spot on it?

Out in my home state of Washington we have some really groovy back roads and the most beautiful mountains in the world. The Cascade Mtn range is one of the best places for adventure riding I could ever imagine...

Okay enough pimping.

We do have some great places to ride in the PNW and I see the KTM out in the Cascades all the time.

Might have to drag the KTM behind the HD when I visit VA in 2010 eh George?


http://www.ktmusa.com/990-Adventure-S.197.20.html
 
There must be miles and miles of great fire break roads and just great unpaved back roads out there Nordic! That whole area is great for motorcycles of any kind.

Pulling the KTM behind the HD sounds like the perfect combo!
 
The "S" model is the more serious off roader. It has longer travel suspension, hence more ground clearance. Don't know how tall you are Nordic but even the basic model's a fairly tall bike... There may be some other differences, gearing etc, but I'm not sure. I don't think you'd need the "S" for the kind of riding you're thinking of in all honesty.



Sounds like ideal territory for the Adventure. All the reviews I've seen reckon it's surprisingly good on the road, where most of them spend most of their time, but also really capable off road, especially on the kind of roads you're talking about.

When I had an Adventure as a courtesy bike whilst the SuperDuke got serviced I liked it a lot. It has a ton of road presence, you don't see many, it's really well put together and a hoot to ride.

The 950 version, the first one, was carbed and smooth as anything. The 990 is fuel injected and suffers somewhat from sudden throttle response from a closed throttle, just as the SD can. My advice would be to ride the 990 and see if it'll be a problem, especially as you're thinking of taking it off road and therefore using smaller throttle openings. The good news is that KTM dealers in the UK at least are very good about test rides



Bet you don't want to ride the Harley after you try the Katoom

If you want more off road potential there's also a 950 Enduro, if you want more luncay potential there's the 950 Super Motard.

And if you want accessories KTM do everything from extra lights through dash mounted road books to KTM flip flops. Oh yes!

So many bikes, so little time

Mitch
 
I'm all about the flip-flops.

I'll keep in mind the 990 vs 990s differances and most likely go with the 990. I've seen them about and I'll have to go one-legged at a stop but the bikes light enough it shouldn't be an issue.

Yes I'll have to do a test ride and the throttle response might be a problem, but it's nothing a little money shouldn't be able to fix.

I'm not a big back roader, but some of the off road "roads" would be fun as hell to kick along.

I don't know about giving up my Hog, but I might want to do more outtings in the mountains after I get one.

And yes, so many bikes so little money.
 
Hey Nordic have you checked out the new Buell 1125R. It seams like Buell might have finely gotton it together with handling and power. 146 HP on the Buell wheelbase might be a great ride.
Check it out here.

http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/Article_Page.aspx?ArticleID=4960&Page=1
and]
http://thekneeslider.com/archives/2007/07/07/2008-buell-1125r-liquid-cooled-rotax-v-twin/

Keep you head down and take care over there.
 
I loved the look of the Buell 1125R when it was on show at the end of last year at the NEC motorcycle show, very nice.

But I think I will stick with my Triumph:
 
Unfortunately the reviews on the Buell have been almost universally critical. The reliability of the test bikes has been terrible. At one press day the front disc got so hot that the poor quality brake pads fitted were actually melting onto the disc.

This is just one of many problems that have come to light. It seems that Buell have released the thing before it's fully developed which is a crying shame because I really wanted them to produce somehting special with it.

Mitch
 
That's aweful to hear about the Buelly. I'll have to get some time to poke about on the reviews.
 
I love riding! I'm unfortunately not allowed (legally.. age thing) to ride my own yet, but it'll be running and waiting for me when I'm legal.
Here's a list of our rides.
Mine- 1983 Honda CB650 Nighthawk
Mom's- V-star 1100 CC
Dad's- 2005 Harley Electraglide, retired police bike.
 
Just slightly off topic –

My motorcycle leathers literally saved my ass the other weekend.

I was wearing my leather trousers whilst running around dark and muddy woods at a Dark Age event/role play game.
I was running with a Saxon war band trying to escape down a muddy and pitch-dark path littered with dead wood pursued by a band of Britons. I was at the tail end of the war band and suddenly slipped in the mud, landed on a sharp tree stump and still not managing to get footing slid down it’s jagged edges onto the floor where I was then set upon and stabbed by several Britons (with foam spears).

Not only did I not get impaled or cut by the tree stump but my trousers didn’t get ruined either! Got a real nice bruise thought
They cost 4 pounds from a second hand shop and their pockets where full of sand, but dam those things saved my ass.
 
It was more like the top and back of my thy really :grin:

Strangely enough I ended up in A and E the next day for an allergic reaction and the doctor was very impressed with my bruise although probably a little worried by my leather trousers, which got mud everywhere
 
Gettin my license after takin the course this summer and depending on financing might pick up a SV650s around August. I have a place to keep it over the winter so thinkin of goin for the end of the season cheaper buy.

I've been interested in riding for around 6 years but not in seriousness til my friend Devon took me out on her 98 yzf600 and then had me toolin around on her dirt bike. Got me completely hooked and it's funny... I sorta backburnered this until the temp got back above 60 lol


That said anyone with a significant personal experience worthy of starter bike suggestion I'm all ears. I've bounced around between a yamaha or suzuki and as I'm a pretty big guy (6'4", 200) I figure I'd be better off with a 600 non racing model type. Course I still haven't decided so... impression me! lol
 
Man I was really hopping they would get their act together with this one! Maybe they will make the corrections and have something when they are done.
 
First let me say welcome to the Wonderful World of Motorcycle Nutters.

For a starting bike look for something that has the power you want but doesn't freak you out, that fits you correctly in the saddle and the grips and lastly has the style you like. As for manufactures I'd recommend I say Harley (biased opinion) , Yahama and BMW are not too bad, I'm really liking the KTM's, and Kawasaki. As for the others I'm sure several fellow nutters will chime in shortly.

I do want to make a point that spend money on top gear first before you buy the bike. Your gear is what will keep you alive when the inevitable happens and a cager cuts you off and you go down. Just something to think about.
 
600 cc is plenty of power for a starter bike. What brand you chose will be personal preference. Shop around; look at new and used bikes. Don’t spend too much on your first bike remember it’s your first bike not your only bike.

I won’t say what bike to get as I take it you are looking for a sport bike and I’m sure some here are more familiar with the newer sport bikes then me, but as a long time rider I start with a couple of tips.

The course you take will just give you enough information to keep the bike in a up right position and some very general things for the street.

The biggest tip is watch the tips you get from “new old timers” that is guys that have been ridding for 2 or 3 years and now they are experts on all things motorcycles. They will get you hurt or killed.

It’s great to ride with more experienced riders as you can learn from them but ride your own ride. That is ride just below your skill level not above it. Skill comes with time in the saddle and practice.

All cagers are out to kill you even if they don’t know they are. Keep this in mind and you will live longer. (cage=four or more wheels cager=drivers of four or more wheels)

The two times a cager will most likely get you is if they are making a left hand turn (that’s here in the USA for our friends across the pond) and when you are stopped at a light or stop sign.

When you stop in a line of cars try to get near the line on the right side of the lane with your bike positioned so if you are hit from behind it will drive you between the cars not flatting between the car in front of you and the one behind you.

There are many more things to learn that will not be taught in the course and I’m sure some here have their own favorites so I hope they give them. The big think is just time in the saddle. So welcome to the 2 wheel world and get out there and ride as soon as you can!
 
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