Let's Tell KTM What we Would Like to See: Next Generation Adventure Bikes

[Chuckracer]

I'd love a light, narrow, flickable 750 v-twin w/ 19 - 17 wheels, high quality suspension, maybe 7.5 to 8" of travel, real brakes, real wind and weather protection, and the same high quality KTM build and components as the current bikes. Don't cheap out to compete, KTM! Lead, don't follow!

(I've had ZERO problems with my Adventure, and I don't mind the maintenance a bit.)

[crashmaster]

Originally Posted by Chuckracer

(I've had ZERO problems with my Adventure, and I don't mind the maintenance a bit.)

50,000 miles through the Americas mostly off pavement. We must be in the minority.

[Chuckracer]

Broke 50k a couple weekends ago. Maybe riding is the key.

[Colorado Uli]

990 se!!!!!

[charlie264]

Longer piston stroke on LC8.
Dual WP seals with bleed gap.
Side stand relocation.
Thermostatic oil cooler.
Stainless exhaust.
Stainless spokes and Dirstars rims on all models.
Better rear axle block and markings.
Better lights on EXC models.
Fork bleeders as standard.
And don’t change KTM’s blood for commercial reasons, no ST or Multi Strada.

[68deluxe]

A few more:

+1 on the high front fender.

Single disk up front with a better set of calipers and master cylinder.

More options for add-on storage.

[ADVJake]

Longer piston stroke on LC8.
Dual WP seals with bleed gap.

current bike, with these, is all i would want.
Oh and a windshield that doesn't cause tinnitus.

[Knackers]

Originally Posted by charlie264

Stainless exhaust.

Headers?? Muffler is stainless, thought the headers were as well.
Ti for me

[Bonsai Elephant]

Originally Posted by Deviant666

7. Finally make ABS an option for all models.

That way we can ask not to have it.

[wpbarlow]

Originally Posted by Bootsy

I would like an 800 cc ADV twin.

Detune a 950/990 for the same effect

While a smaller version may be nice in some respects, I think the real reason many find it interesting is because of weight and/or size. However, I don't think there's a lot of weight to be taken out of the 950/990 in a transition to an 800; without the cost going up a whole lot or the bike becoming relatively fragile. And the new 990 standard height is not that much different than the competition (that is, if you consider the BMW and Triumph as competition .).

I'd be real happy with better serviceability and addressing the fuel pump, water pump, clutch slave "maintenance items". And a tubeless 19/17 option.

And being really greedy-- some optional effective electronics like the Duc MS12 and BMW S1000R have: because I'm not the riding god that all the people who say "don't do it" imply they are when they say it.

[Schannulleke]

I still wonder what the secret of Highland with their 165kg 950 V-twin Outback is.

I really much like the modular concept, maybe this could be an example for KTM.

They just have the engines 750 V-twin, 950 V-twin, 1050 V-twin, 350 single, 450 single and 507 single with which they build their bikes like a supermoto, road bike, enduro/dakar, trail, cross, quad, duke-alike and street tracker while using high quality components like Ohlins suspension and Brembo brakes.

It would be nice if KTM did a similar modular concept based on the 1190, 990, 790 V-twins. With each motor, you could chose between an Adv, SE, SM, SMT, Duke and RC.

[charlie264]

Originally Posted by Schannulleke

I still wonder what the secret of Highland with their 165kg 950 V-twin Outback is.

I really much like the modular concept, maybe this could be an example for KTM.

They just have the engines 750 V-twin, 950 V-twin, 1050 V-twin, 350 single, 450 single and 507 single with which they build their bikes like a supermoto, road bike, enduro/dakar, trail, cross, quad, duke-alike and street tracker while using high quality components like Ohlins suspension and Brembo brakes.

It would be nice if KTM did a similar modular concept based on the 1190, 990, 790 V-twins. With each motor, you could chose between an Adv, SE, SM, SMT, Duke and RC.

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=130990

[MotoTex]

You know, as long as we're dreaming . . .

Wouldn't it be interestingl if Adventure bikes had integrated fuel expansion designed into the main tanks?

Main tanks could be engineered with three or so hard mounting points and upper and lower quick-connects to add a sculpted 1.5 - 2 gallon tank to each side. With a setup like that you could take the long distance tanks off when you don't need the extra capacity.

Merely having integrated mounting points built into the main tanks would allow aftermarket manufacturers to offer more options, even if the factory didn't want to.

By using large enough quick-connects it might even be possible to fill the expansion tanks while filling the main tanks.

These same integrated mounting points could also be utilized to add bolt-on storage, or other accessories.

When building such a versatile bike for nearly a decade, why not add a little flexibility to accommodate some of the more common aftermarket add-ons?

As long as we're talking fuel, how about having the main tanks attach to the bike using pins and sockets and use only one bolt to secure them? That would be pretty sweet! Imagine only having to remove one bolt, the fuel and breather lines, electrical connection, and off it comes! Replacement would bypass all the trouble lining up bent crashbars and the wrestling match that ensues getting the tanks back on.

Factory quick-connects on the fuel hoses would be very generous as well.

Just dreamin'

[TA-Zappa]

Originally Posted by Schannulleke

I still wonder what the secret of Highland with their 165kg 950 V-twin Outback is.

KTM 950 SuperEnduro???? Well almost...

The one time (hmm acctually two times) I have tried the Highland I must say that KTM has a better feeling in the bike then the Highland. But I guess any MX rider will most likely disagree with me. It's a MX bike with a 950cc engine in it, KTM could learn something about FI from highland though. Can't recall that I had any trouble riding it or even thinking about the FI on that bike (well I was hanging on for my dear life). And if anyone think that KTM makes engines that are rough, check out the highland. :)

Back to the question? What should KTM do.
1. Quality, quality, quality
2. see point 1
3. see point 1
4. see point 1
5. A lighter 800 cc bike (twin) with better fuel economy would be great.
6. see point 1
7. see point 1

Anyone who disagree on point 1 is most welcome to chip in on my US$4000 bill caused by a defect timing valve jackshaft which KTM claims is caused by poor maintenace (done every single maintance on the same certified garage from brand new), my bill for overhauling the waterpump twice (which reminds me it probably due for a new one, just passed 20000km on the last one).

On top of that my paint is falling of when washed (no highpressaure washer, just normal gardenhose).

But as of now there is no other bike to choose from soo this one is my first, last and ever KTM but she is a keeper (for a while).

[BigDogAdventures.com]

BigDog would like a bike very similar to the 950 adventure except with a 500--600cc V-twin motor.
Then everything else could be made lighter because it's not having to handle the horsepower of the 950
which I find totally useless offroad.

About the only time I can pull full throttle is passing a line of RV's on the highway---which I rarely even get on.
The rest of the time the horsepower of the 950 is useless for me.

BigDog