KTM 950/990 Adventure known issues/advice

[ftothfadd]

All, right so here comes the dilemma,

I believe I will be buying a used KTM 990/950 in the not too distant future. I am mechanically challenged, so I will not be able to do too much more than basic maintenance. Could you please tell me what to look for on these bikes before purchase. Any advantages one (950) over the other (990). Any model year which is wise to avaoid?
I am ready to learn, thanks.

[Newbusa]

Go to Orange crush links right above your post for full info on the LC8

[idahoskiguy]

The big KTM has known issues that can not be overlooked........

1. Elevated heart rate.
2. Grinning ear to ear.
3. Rapid rear tire wear.
4. Getting home late because you had to see where that route goes.
5. Taking the ADV when taking the cage makes more sense.

Purchase at your own risk.

Drink the Orange Kool-Aid and welcome to the Crush.

ps: the search is your freind.

[wildehond]

everything you need to know.

http://www.ktm950.info

There is a section on known issues, but check on the differnces between the 950 and 990. The water pump and fuel pump issue is solved on the 990.

[Esteen]

Go for it, you can do it !
I´m semi mechanically challenged dude who has owned a vareity of bikes and tryed out a few like africa twin, xt´s and klr´s and pardon my french but they all sucked ass in comparison to the 990Adv.
I got mine 990 -06 last May with just a few hundred miles on the odo.
Rode it home from the seller (350 miles) trough rain and winds with temperatures around 40-50 deg F.Since then i was hooked.I JUST LOVE THIS BIKE.
All I can say is that the 950(carb) has a smoother trottle responce,
but the 990 (fi) has more grunt and more power in the high end.
I hade a bit of a problem in the beginning with the twitchie (how the hell do you spell twitci, twittchey, twatt. twitcshiye?) trottle, but got used to it.
At the first service the guys at the shop gave me the latest akrapovic program for the fuel injection, and it became less tweetschie, but got even more bottom end grunt...Sweet
I rode it a lot the summer of -09 and it didn´t have a single hickup.
Got a friend with a -04 950 and he has a problem with the clutch draging when standing still in first gear. Ktm Scandinavia has been most helpful, with new parts etc, but they have not quite solved the problem.
But that is all.

[Douf]

The good news is.........you'll soon be an excellent mechanic

Douf

[hooliken]

Forgot a couple:

6. Being the envy off all your friends.
7. Woman throwing themselves at you. (I hate it when this happens )
8. Roosting everyone within a 20' radius of your back tire.

We could go on for quite some time with this.

Originally Posted by idahoskiguy

The big KTM has known issues that can not be overlooked........

1. Elevated heart rate.
2. Grinning ear to ear.
3. Rapid rear tire wear.
4. Getting home late because you had to see where that route goes.
5. Taking the ADV when taking the cage makes more sense.

Purchase at your own risk.

Drink the Orange Kool-Aid and welcome to the Crush.

ps: the search is your freind.

[Esteen]

7. Woman throwing themselves at you. (I hate it when this happens )
I totaly agree,I hate it to. But everything comes with a price