Which one 950 or 990?

Your thoughts please.
I feel confidant that I want a KTM. But which one.
The pros and cons on my end and then yours.
950
Carburators-I can work on these if out in the desert.
Cheaper- Many used ones with low miles to choose from and well farkled.
I believe most parts are interchangable (body wise)

990
Fuel injected-Simplicity
New-I haven't had a new bike since 1998.
I also here of problems with the immobolizer.
Can I run fuel found in Mexico with no problems.


I'm leaning more for the 950 but the thought of a brand new bike is exciting, but then to purchase the farkels is scary.

What are your thoughts, Some of you have owned both, so what do like about them?
Thanks for the help.

Here's a link to help you with your decision:

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?p=11492742#post11492742

A new 990 will be considerably more expensive especially after farkles. Tuning is easier and should need less work. When the fi has issues, it's expensive and can't be done in the field. 990 has more hp.

You might want to get a nice used 950 and see how you like it. Keep it in good shape and you can prolly recoup most of the cost later if you decide to move to the 990. By then you will be an eggsbert on the Beast.

It all depends on the specific 990.

Test ride it and if you like it, then all is good. Do NOT however, assume because you've ridden a 990 that you like, but then buy another, that you will also like that one based on your previous experience.

There seems to be much more consistency from 950 to 950 then with the 990s.

FWIW....

I vote for the 950, mainly because of my preference for carbs over FI. When FI works, it's splendid. When it doesn't, I'm $crewed. No matter what happens with carbs, I can probably fix it. The LC8 in general has a lot of stuff going on inside, but it's all mechanical and that happens to be one of my fields of specialization. I can deal with computers and electronics, but would likely be classed a low amateur at best!

If "something happened" to my 950, I'd replace it with another 950, no hesitation.

I rekon the 950's must be cheaper ofcousre and the power is more aggresive, but i also think of the major difference between year models that i can think of atm is height.

And the s would be my pick as it's as close to the dakar winning machine as possible.

Solution; get a new one and convert to carbs!

Thanks for the help.
How much taller is the S model?

This should give you and idea:

Adventure Suspension Travel:
2003-04: 9.0" (230mm) - "S" 10.4" (265mm)
2005-06: 8.3" (210mm) - "S" 9.65" (245mm)
2007-08: 8.3" (210mm) - "S" 10.4" (265mm)
2009-10: 8.3" (210mm) - "R" 10.4" (265mm)
2011-11: 8.3" (210mm) - "R" 9.76" (248mm)
Adventure Seat Height:
2003-04: 34.6" (880mm) - "S" 36.0" (915mm)
2005-06: 33.8" (860mm) - "S" 35.2" (895mm)
2007-08: 33.8" (860mm) - "S" 36.0" (915mm)
2009-11: 33.8" (860mm) - "R" 36.0" (915mm)
2011-11: 33.8" (860mm) - "R" 35.2" (895mm)

http://www.ktm950.info/how/wotf/wotf.html#SubjectIndex

Buy the newest bike you can afford.
Modern = better.
Without trawling through a million pages, I cant remember ever seeing a member posting about terminal FI issues that left them stranded.
They're out there, but the majority never have an issue.
Yeah, it can be a little jerky - big deal.

Thanks for that link. I'll be doing some reading and watching for a good deal.

The thing that scares me about the FI is bad fuel or possible water drowning, I've had both happen on the XR and was too scared with the FI tiger to get anything but quility fuel.

Keep in mind the Last Year for the Carbed version is the 2006 in the U.S.

Good Luck with your search!

Thanks for all your imput on this subject, now I won't have to wonder if I should've bought one or the other.
Again thanks.

I have a 04 950. I test drove the new 990 and 990 Dakar edition last weekend at KTM rally. Now I feel for people who complain about the sensitive throttle on 990. I didn't like them at all. The 30th anniversary Dakar edition was slightly better perhaps because of different mapping (which is the same as 990 R by the way).

The throttle bothered me particularly during deceleration when you don't want to fully let go of the throttle but just reduce speed a bit. The bike wants to jump slightly at every little bump as my right hand move just a bit which I couldn't control. 950 is smoother.

I loved....loved the new seat on the 30th Dakar edition. I have KTM gel seat but that seat was a way better.

Just to let you know that I was serious when I asked this question.
And thanks for everyone who added there input and comments.
I flew to Sacromnto Friday morning and rode the 840 miles back home near Phoenix, I didn't stop to take many pics but the ride was incredable, I feel the best part of the trip home was having to get off the road to go take a leak and find a atv trail that ran next to the road. As I'm wheeling over the whoops a group of BMW riders happened along from the road and watched as the KTM performed.
Again thanks.





There's actually a huge smile behind the helmet.

Congrats!

That's anice looking one; I also see you've gotten the faster color

Sweet! It does look sharp in black. Through the whoops fully loaded... That must have been interesting! Great opportunity to show off while the Beemers were taking the long way around.

BTW, I've been absolutely loving my 970 (990 with 950 carbs)...so much so I even had SPS redo the suspension. In fact, I think I'll go ride it right now! You've inspired me.

Looking forward to reading about your future adventures on the 950. I expect to read a lot of them by the way!!!
P.S.
Glad to hear I’m not the only one that has a goofy grin his face playing on that bike!!!!
Gary

Awesome bike, keep up the good work my friend.