2009 KTM 990 Adventure

Make Model	KTM 990 Adventure
Year	2009
Engine	Four stroke, 75°V-twin cylinder, DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder
Capacity	999.8 cc / 60.9 cu-in
Bore x Stroke	101 x 62.4mm
Cooling System	Liquid cooling
Compression Ratio	11.5;1
Induction	Keihin Electronic Fuel Injection EMS
Engine Oil	Motorex, SAE 10W-50
Exhaust	Twin stainless steel silencer with regulated catalytic converter
Ignition	Contactless, controlled, fully electronic ignition system with digital ignition timing adjustment
Battery	12 V/11.2 Ah
Starting	Electric
Max Power	104.6 hp / 78 kW @ 8250 rpm
Max Torque	100 Nm / 73.8 lb-ft @ 6500 rpm
Clutch	Wet Multi-disc hydraulically operated,
Transmission	6 Speed
Final Drive	Chain, X-Ring 5/8 x 5/16"
Primary Drive	35:67
Final Drive Ratio	16:42
Frame	Tubular cromoly spaced frame. powered coated
Frame	Tubular cromoly spaced frame. powered coated
Handlebar	Aluminium, tapered, Ø 28/22 mm
Front Suspension	48mm WP USD forks
Front Wheel Travel	190 mm / 7.5 in
Rear Suspension	WP-PDS rear shock, hydraulic spring preload
Rear Wheel Travel	190 mm / 7.5 in
Front Brakes	2x 300mm discs 2 piston calipers
Rear Brakes	Single 240mm disc 1 piston caliper
Front Tyre	90/90 -21
Rear Tyre	150/70 -R18
Seat Height	860 mm / 33.8 in
Ground Clearance	261 mm / 9.0 in
Dry Weight	209 kg / 460.7 lbs
Fuel Capacity	19.5 Litres / 5.1 gal
Consumption Average	15.2 km/lit
Standing ¼ Mile	11.7 sec
Top Speed	211.0 km/h

The LC8-two cylinder travel Enduros come with more power and improved equipment in 2009.

The sporting and optical highlights are unmistakable in the KTM-typical R optics of the specially kitted out Adventure R. Around 20 percent more powerful that its successful pioneer, the 990 Adventure S, the “R” from 2009, and only available without ABS, gives sports-oriented two-wheel adventurers 115 hp at their disposal while the 990 Adventure with power increased to 106 hp also underscores the undisputed sporting competence of the KTM company.

KTM, the Austrian company renowned for its championship wins in the Dakar Rally and international off-road events, is releasing the 990 Adventure "Travel Enduro" motorcycle.

The 990 Adventure is a revised version of the relatively successful 950 Adventure. The 990 has greater displacement, electronic fuel injection, a regulated catalytic converter and an ABS System. The motorcycle will meet the EURO III emission standards.

The 990 Adventure is fitted with the KTM's light weighted LC8 engine, now with an increased displacement of 999 cc. KTM says that the "new motor management guarantees a powerful and dynamic unfolding of power and significantly improved torque while maintaining the same level of top performance".

The KTM 990 Adventure comes in two varieties: the KTM 990 Adventure S, a highly focused model with longer suspension travel and new “Dakar-Design” blue and orange paint reflecting its origins in rally sport.

The KTM 990 Adventure is a touch lower than the companion S model and features improved safety factors with its ABS. The 990 Adventure comes in two variations of the new two-colour design: orange-gray and black-gray.

Bike magazine in the UK recently tested the revised 950 Adventure and the staff was very enthusiastic about the way it rides and handles. We assume the new 990 will be even better and will also be released in the U.S.A. in 2006, but we're not sure when. The UK version apparently comes with large, square hard bags, which the Bike magazine staff praised for their ability to resist water and their ease of use.

Here's what KTM had to say about the 990 Adventure during their recent press introduction: "More displacement, any amount of performance and still massive torque coupled with minimal weight. The new motor management with electronic fuel injection (EFI) is convincing with its excellent rideablity while the regulated catalyzer ensures minimal emissions. And the newly developed ABS has taken the fear out of braking hard. All in all the KTM 990 Adventure, with its ultra modern technology and exclusive design, delivers unlimited riding pleasure."

990 ADVENTURE S
"The 990 Adventure S is impressive proof of just how sporty a street enduro can be. The chassis is even more extreme than the sister bike, the 990 Adventure, while the new engine has more displacement and electronic fuel injection. The “Dakar” design is a clear signal that the 990 Adventure S comes directly from rally sport."

ENGINE
"Our talented technicians hate sitting around doing nothing. That’s why they have optimized the potential of the LC8 engine through ingenious finishing touches. This year KTM ignites the first stage in the evolution of the already legendary two-cylinder. More displacement, the electronically controlled fuel injection system and numerous finishing touches now deliver even more power and sensitive controllability to the rear wheel that is now practically begging for mercy.

Modified series Enduros have made the world’s deserts unsafe with their racing tempo, so our engineers and technicians have more than once ground a little fine sand between their teeth. To counteract the loss of tooth enamel, we’ve now been regularly winning the hardest rallies in the world since 2001 and we’ve been doing it with our tried, true and very hot LC4’s as well as with the whole new LC8 two-cylinder models. That’s what we mean by “Ready to Race”. We test our bikes under the toughest racing conditions so that we can guarantee that you get safely to every destination that your heart leads (or rides) you to!"

Cyril Despres: "At 190 through knee-deep sand you have to feel confident on your bike. After more than 10,000 kilometers the 990 Adventure is practically a part of you."

Giant adventure tourer showdown

With the release of the 2010 Yamaha Super Tenere and the Ducati Multistrada 1200, there's now five serious adventure tourers competing for your round-the-world budget. We've broken them down by their performance figures to help you decide which one's best.

All these numbers come straight from the manufacturers. We've chosen to use dry instead of wet weights since the relatively large difference in tank sizes would artificially skew the comparisons. While these aren't the weights you'll experience as you try to navigate across a sandy slope, they do lead to the fairest comparison possible. We've italicized what we feel is the winner in each category; in the case of rider aids, this is a bit subjective, feel free to decide which setup works best for you. We've thrown the originator of the current adventure tourer archetype, the 1980 BMW R80G/S into the mix just to give you an idea how far things have come.

Power
BMW R1200GS: 110bhp @ 7,750rpm
Ducati Multistrada 1200 150bhp @ 9,250rpm
Yamaha Super Tenere 110bhp @ 7,250rpm
KTM 990 Adventure 105bhp @ 8,250rpm
Suzuki V-Strom 1000 98bhp @ 7,400rpm
'80 BMW R80G/S: 50bhp @ 6,500rpm

Torque
BMW R1200GS: 88lb-ft @ 6,000rpm
Ducati Multistrada: 88lb-ft @ 7,500rpm
Super Tenere: 85lb-ft @ 6,000rpm
KTM Adventure: 74lb-ft @ 6,250rpm
V-Strom 1000: 74lb-ft@ 6,400 rpm
'80 R80G/S 41lb-ft @ 5,000 rpm

Tank Size
BMW R1200GS: 5.3 gallons
Ducati Multistrada: 5.3 gallons
Super Tenere: 6.1 gallons
KTM Adventure: 5.2 gallons US
V-Strom 1000: 5.8 gallons
'80 R80G/S: 5.2 gallons

Front Wheel
BMW R1200GS: 19"
Ducati Multistrada: 17"
Super Tenere: 19"
KTM Adventure: 21"
V-Strom 1000: 19"
'80 R80G/S: 21"

Dry Weight
BMW R1200GS: 203kg (448 lbs)
Ducati Multistrada: 189kg (417lbs)
Super Tenere: 244kg (538lbs)
KTM Adventure: 209kg (461lbs)
V-Strom 1000: 207kg (456lbs)
'80 R80G/S: 186kg (410lbs)

Power to weight (bhp:kg)
BMW R1200GS: .54:1
Ducati Multistrada: .79:1
Super Tenere: .45:1
KTM Adventure: .50:1
V-Strom 1000: .47:1
'80 R80G/S: .27:1

Torque to weight (lb-ft:kg)
BMW R1200GS: .43:1
Ducati Multistrada: .47:1
Super Tenere: .35:1
KTM Adventure: .35:1
V-Strom 1000: .36:1
'80 R80G/S: .22:1

Rider Aids
BMW R1200GS: optional and fully-defeatable ABS
Ducati Multistrada: push-button adjustment of suspension height, power delivery and traction control, fully-defeatable ABS
Super Tenere: combined brakes, non-defeatable ABS, three-mode traction control, two-mode power delivery
KTM Adventure: fully-defeatable ABS
V-Strom 1000: none
'80 R80G/S: balls

As you can see, the new Multistrada comes out on top in terms of performance, but its 17" front wheel, street-biased tires and lack of engine or frame protection means its off-road capability is extremely limited. This comparison is very unflattering for Super Tenere; it's the heaviest bike here by 77lbs and, thanks to the strong Yen, it'll likely be the most expensive too. That weight, combined with the 19" front wheel and non-defeatable ABS is also going to limit its ability off-road.

All that means the BMW R1200GS and KTM 990 Adventure are, in our minds at least, still the leaders in this category. Both are genuinely capable off-road, fast on it and comfortable over long distances. If the high prices put you off, the Suzuki V-Strom looks like a bargain. Sure it'd need a couple grand in modifications before it could hit the dirt, but even with the add-ons, it'd still be the cheapest of this group.