Thoughts on the KTM 990 RC R?

[xrocket21]

Only like 125 HP, but also only $13,949

I bet is a fucking great bike

https://www.ktm.com/en-us/models/sup...-990-rc-r.html

[OneCheekRider]

Zack crashed while testing this: https://www.revzilla.com/common-trea...2E5TZH98qaOJzs

I think he summed it up pretty well: it's an awesome track bike and the tech makes riding fast seem easy.

Not that I'm in the market as I seem to be riding less track lately but I'd probably go with the R9 for slightly better (street) ergos and possibly better reliability.

[Kurlon]

Reliability on the R9 should be through the roof, that motor is already old and very understressed. I don't hear as much about KTM and cam issues on the inline twin these days so hopefully that side is sorted now, research on their dirt side is saying there they're still having wiring harness QA issues but dunno if that translates to the street side too?

[R7]

It’s sharp looking for sure, arguably the best looking KTM super sport yet.
Is it me, or does 125hp seem low for just shy of 1000cc?

[TheIglu]

It's how the power comes on. Midrange for DAYS. Similar to how my 890R rides.

There is only so much power you can turn into acceleration vs just smoking up your rear on corner exit. Sure, an R1 will get small on on straight, but who cares. Those power numbers for the 990/R9 are the sweet spot of enough power to have a fun time lofting the front end in between corners on the track and still being able to WOT rowing through the gearbox.

[jim v]

It looks really nice

Right now my track bike is an Aprilia RS660, like this KTM a parallel twin. But I don't like the feel of parallel twins, probably the engine style I dislike the most (singles run a close second). But the Aprilia crankshaft is designed to operate the engine similar to a V twin so it feels much better, I actually like it.

Has KTM done something similar for this bike? I didn't see anything about that in the review

[Kurlon]

The 'low' power is partially due to emissions standards getting stricter and KTM can only let the bike make so much and be WSS legal.

[TheIglu]

Yes, it's a 270 degree (with a 45 offset IIRC) crank. Fires like a v twin. That's how it is on most parallels these days. My 890R is like that, the new Honda Hornet 750 is like that, etc.

[BMMCBR]

Want

[Kurlon]

Want

It's only a credit check away...

[jim v]

Yes, it's a 270 degree (with a 45 offset IIRC) crank. Fires like a v twin. That's how it is on most parallels these days. My 890R is like that, the new Honda Hornet 750 is like that, etc.

Good to know. You'd think this would be an important fact to mention in a review......

[Kurlon]

Good to know. You'd think this would be an important fact to mention in a review......

If they did something non-standard and not well established since KTM's been making the 790 and on up given it's the same base motor, sure, worth a mention. But pointing out the same crank pattern that's been dominant in this motor format for 15+ years, 99.9% of the population wouldn't know what that means anyways?

[jim v]

If they did something non-standard and not well established since KTM's been making the 790 and on up given it's the same base motor, sure, worth a mention. But pointing out the same crank pattern that's been dominant in this motor format for 15+ years, 99.9% of the population wouldn't know what that means anyways?

I'd like reviews to contain the information rather than leave me guessing. Even if most won't understand or care, a mention would take half a sentence, plenty of space left over for everything else

[RandyO]

Only like 125 HP, but also only $13,949

I bet is a fucking great bike

https://www.ktm.com/en-us/models/sup...-990-rc-r.html

76 ft-lb torque

[Paul_E_D]

The bike put Zack in the hospital giving him the worst crash/highside of his career. If I'm not mistaken, it caught another test rider out.

[SRTie4k]

Yes, it's a 270 degree (with a 45 offset IIRC) crank. Fires like a v twin. That's how it is on most parallels these days. My 890R is like that, the new Honda Hornet 750 is like that, etc.

The LC8c is actually a 285 degree crank, just like the LC8 interestingly enough.

[boosten lebaron]

How is ktm build quality these days. When I went to buy an rc390 last year I was shocked at how poorly it was assembled. Scratches, misaligned stickers etc. and that was sitting in its crate. Wagner had 3 to pick from and they all had glaring build quality defects

[SRTie4k]

How is ktm build quality these days. When I went to buy an rc390 last year I was shocked at how poorly it was assembled. Scratches, misaligned stickers etc. and that was sitting in its crate. Wagner had 3 to pick from and they all had glaring build quality defects

The small bore bikes are Indian (built by Bajaj) and the low cost shows, whereas the 890+ are all Austrian (the exception being the 790 Adventure, which is CFMoto). Fit and finish on my 1290 and my 890 were pretty decent; some fasteners loosened up that needed thread lock, some wires could be routed better.

I sold my 1290 with 60k miles, the worst issue was the radiator sprung a leak and needed replacement. It it still ran perfectly, hell even the semi-active suspension still worked fine.

My 890 currently has 20k miles on it, no major issues to report, only smaller issues here and there (leaking thermostat housing and coolant hoses, magnet loosened up and rubbed a hole in the side stand sensor, intermittent front brake sensor).

I'm not exactly gentle on them FWIW.

[backinthesaddle]

Not a 100% sure about the front cowl or the winglets (or winglets on any bikes), but I think this is an intriguing bike. One thing that caught me by surprise was the mention (on KTM site) that it allows 100% full throttle opening. Now I want to pop off my tank and airbox on my 636 Ninja and see if the throttle opens the butterflies all the way. Then again maybe the ECU overrides the throttle cable??

Wasnt this country founded on give me full throttle or give me death?

[Paul_E_D]

Not a 100% sure about the front cowl or the winglets (or winglets on any bikes), but I think this is an intriguing bike. One thing that caught me by surprise was the mention (on KTM site) that it allows 100% full throttle opening. Now I want to pop off my tank and airbox on my 636 Ninja and see if the throttle opens the butterflies all the way. Then again maybe the ECU overrides the throttle cable??

Wasnt this country founded on give me full throttle or give me death?

Your 636 might be old enough to open all the way. Maybe not though...

[xrocket21]

Not a 100% sure about the front cowl or the winglets (or winglets on any bikes), but I think this is an intriguing bike. One thing that caught me by surprise was the mention (on KTM site) that it allows 100% full throttle opening. Now I want to pop off my tank and airbox on my 636 Ninja and see if the throttle opens the butterflies all the way. Then again maybe the ECU overrides the throttle cable??

Wasnt this country founded on give me full throttle or give me death?

Im a ricer from wayyyy back, I love the winglets!!!

[R7]

Your 636 might be old enough to open all the way. Maybe not though...

European manufacturers have had built in restrictions for quite a while, I don’t recall ever buying a new Euro bike here where de restriction wasn’t part of pre delivery prep.
I haven’t bought a new Japanese bike in a few years now, but other than the R7 (never came to the US as a road legal bike), I’ve never had a full throttle restriction.

I stopped and looked at the KTM 990 at my local dealer and was pleasantly surprised at how it looks in person. Just grabbing the bars and standing the bike up, it did feel top heavy? Overall fit and finish seemed really good. Out the door tax/title/prep is in the $15,500 range, I was told there is no wiggle room in the price.. lol

[Kurlon]

The R9 / MT-09 / XSR900 absolutely have throttle restrictions in play, some gear based, some RPM based, for example. Emissions plus noise.

[Paul_E_D]

The R9 / MT-09 / XSR900 absolutely have throttle restrictions in play, some gear based, some RPM based, for example. Emissions plus noise.

Yes, I believe ALL liter bikes have restrictions. Pretty sure even an R6 had them after 08 or so.

[ducatirdr]

I'm joining this thread to see if anyone will buy one. It does look the part of a perfect track day bike for the small northeast tracks. Not 200bhp fast but fast enough. Maybe tires will last more than a single track day mid summer. Unlike the '16 R1 I had that went through its rear and by the end of the day was only ridable due to the excellent slide control TC.

My thoughts on Zack's crash. I won't be beeping my horn mid apex any time soon. The track gods were not pleased. Talk about a weird one. He didn't even look like he was riding at 8/10ths.