KTM midsize twins

[backinthesaddle]

which is odd since the ninja 650 is the bike of choice in the IOM TT LW class

Some friends who are there now for the Manx said the kawi crank holds up better at the iom. Just second hand info I have no experience with either bike.

[Chippertheripper]

This engine in an Duke or RC wrapper would be the smack-down on Yamaha and their FZ07 and 09 offerings. Also compete with the Ducati Multi/Hyperstrada twins.



You lost me here bud. What am I interested in?

I've made no secret that I consider the V-twin the most desirable engine config in all the land. I've been trying soooooo hard to convince myself a parallel twin or triple would "do".

Saw a minty, minty, minty, stiffy inducing 990 ADV in a showroom today. Then I noticed the "sold" sticker.

Because it's easier to maintain, one head as opposed to two.
I agree that the v is the best riding motor.

[nhbubba]

Ah. Want to reiterate my disappointment with this rumor. I was expecting KTM to develop a 6-800cc v-twin, per the previous rumor. I was excited about that.
I was also excited about the idea of the Honda Africa Twin being a v-twin.. like the XRV750 before it. Also disappointed.

My question is, how disappointed am I?

[Chippertheripper]

Disappointed enough to buy a 990/1190/1290 instead?

[nhbubba]

Disappointed enough to buy a 990/1190

Maybe.

1290 instead?

No.

[Kurlon]

which is odd since the ninja 650 is the bike of choice in the IOM TT LW class

The IOM TT LW class rules are heavily biased towards the Ninja currently... decent breakdown of that on the WERA forum.

[markbvt]

Ah. Want to reiterate my disappointment with this rumor. I was expecting KTM to develop a 6-800cc v-twin, per the previous rumor. I was excited about that.
I was also excited about the idea of the Honda Africa Twin being a v-twin.. like the XRV750 before it. Also disappointed.

My question is, how disappointed am I?

I'll venture out on a limb here and speculate that the first time you have to do a valve adjustment, you'll no longer be so disappointed.

--mark

[nhbubba]

Did both my V-twins last spring. Still disappointed.

[number9]

I agree that the v4 is the best riding motor.

ftfy

[Chippertheripper]

[SVRACER01]

i have a v twin you can buy.

ill put austrian twin on the side if you want

[Imbeek]

Reviving this thread because it came up in my search for info on the precursor to the KTM 990 adventure, the 950. Folks seem pretty psyched about the 990 in this thread. I think the 950 is carbureted and has no abs, as two major differences from the 990, but besides that, how good is the KTM 950 adventure and how stupid would I be to buy a used one with around 30k on it? It wouldn't be my only bike, I'd still have almost every other base covered including a ktm250xc, speed triple, sv for trackdays, and Road King. Looking to explore some dirt roads and join some friends who seek them out all over the place (On vstroms and the like). Also considering a vstrom but I already have the sv and that might go back to street someday soon.

[Chippertheripper]

I don't think its stupid. if you're ok with carbs and an occasional valve check it's just like every other motorcycle. if I had time to spare, I'd likely still own mine for the occasion I wanted to ride an actual motorcycle. They do have a couple quirks, but I'd say they're pretty minor.
no time=sayonara

[nhbubba]

The 990/950 are capable, well equipped bikes. Moreso than the DL650. Although the DL650 is obviously much, much cheaper. They are barely comparable.
My $0.02 from afar is that the older KTMs are more fidgety and require a bit more maintenance than my (nearly idiot proof) DL. But the delta in upkeep is way, way smaller than the delta in capability. The 9x0's are covered in top-ish shelf legitimately dirt oriented bits while the V-Strom is bargain basement perverted street bits from stem to stern.

If you're just looking to explore dirt roads on the cheap 'n easy I'd consider the 650 class of thumpers too. The more comfortable end of the spectrum would include the fat-seat KLR, which is shocking huckable off-pavement. Then the opposite end of that spectrum is the skinny seat XR650 which is probably more dirt worthy. IIRC KTM has the 640 in both ADV and Enduro flavors. But the newer 690 is only available in Enduro flavor. Many argue it is a solid ADV-ish mount too. I wouldn't tour on any of these.. but you have a RK. So.

I'd think a KLR650 would fit nicely in your garage. It's slow but whogivesafuck.

If you want to be a man's man, seek out a 950 Super Enduro!

[feralchimp]

I would coffee shop the shit out of a KTM 990.

[Paul_E_D]

Did KTM ever do the parallel twin thing?

[ZX-12R]

They supposedly have an 800cc parallel twin in the works that will end up in Duke and Adventure trim but I haven't heard anything since the rumors and announcements from late 2016. KTM is calling the engine the LC8C.

[nhbubba]

Did KTM ever do the parallel twin thing?

Haven't seen it yet. Much talk of it.. vaporware so far.
Just yesterday I was talking to some BMW heads who insist KTM will do this soon "to compete with the BMW F800". But alas that bike's been on the market for nearly a decade now (in GS trim) and still nada.
I don't really get it.

[Imbeek]

I'm not a Kawi fan. XRs cause flaccidity too. KTM midsize would be interesting, but besides that it looks like the polarizing choice between vstrom and the 950, or the smart choice, which would just be to stay the F happy with the ridiculous sum of bikes I already have.

I'm not smart, though.

[nhbubba]

You know, my respect for the F800GS twins is growing. With a few mods those turn into borderline dirt toys in a hurry. I'd scope one of those if I were you.

Last year I was at a camp thing where they set up a little half-ass dirt course around a field. It was intended to challenge old men riding 1200GSes. Ken C rocked it on a Tiger 800, blew their doors off... then a local kid showed up on a very nicely modified F800.

Put that one on your radar too.

[Chippertheripper]

I love the 800. Cue the line of people about to call it boring and soulless and all those other things.
For what I think a bike like that should be, it needs lots of suspension help. But that's me and my intentions. Otherwise, it's a real user friendly platform.

[nhbubba]

Showroom fresh I agree; boring. Throw a pipe and some knobs on it and suddenly it draws my attention a lot harder.

For a long time I was holding out hope for a ~700-800cc V-twin offering. An upsized V-Strom. I'm now resigned to the idea that the world is going for parallel twins. And at least it isn't another damned triple.

I think I agree. Brakes and suspension are two things I think should be better spec'ed for the money they ask new. But used.. maybe. And there are plenty out there now as the thing has been around for 8-9 years now.

I hear all the R1200GS grey hairs are downsizing to these.. or DR650s.

[Chippertheripper]

That supertanker is fucking ridiculous anyways.

I'm over waxing poetic and making glue sticks about some bike we'll never see and I'll probably never own. Chasing that unicorn.

[Paul_E_D]

Haha, the GS 800 I rode in Guatemala did have a Honda Accord vibe to it, but it was pretty easy to ride even in some pretty rough terrain. I had to run it in 10 inch deep talc powder for miles and miles to the beach. knarly tankslappers at 60 mph going in a straight line. But no incidents.

[SVRACER01]

If you want to be a man's man, seek out a 950 Super Enduro!

i had one of those for a summer a couple years ago. it was fun, not what i wanted though.
i relate it to a V8 jeep wrangler
-lots of power for the street. (3rd gear power wheelies)
-doesnt handle because its on knobbies and a 21" tire
-ABSOLUTELY RIPS dirt roads/class 6/fire road/open trail
-WAAAY too much power to finesse through any complicated shit or single track (though im sure it can be done in more capable hands than mine)

great platform for building your own adventure bike.
would love a 950/990 adventure, but then i think i want a 1290 SA. then i think i want a 1090...then i want a super duke gt.

i have issues.