Test: KTM 990 Adventure Dakar Edition
Test Drive MOTO

Test: KTM 990 Adventure Dakar Edition

26.05.2022 /

The path to a known destination was completely unknown. Familiar story? Of course, the Dakar Rally!

Participants in this legendary race, whether African or South American, do not know the exact route to the finish line at the start. They have a guide, an odometer, a GPS transmitter that notifies them when they are close to their daily milestone goal, and intuition.

I will not disclose the coordinates of an afternoon trip with a business backpack and a laptop on my back, because, firstly, I don’t want to call a crowd of fools with open exhaust systems, and secondly, because off-road driving is prohibited. our country. But in fact, I did not turn off the road perfectly. I searched the passage from point A to point B and found a worse road that went down somewhere to the left into the forest.

This road turned into a narrow path full of wet stones, descents, along which I would rather go down with a test than with a 990 cc cow, but ... After half an hour of torture (more myself than a technician) I found the rubble path really sweaty, and See also point B. No falls. Ugh!

Despite constant updates (volume increase, engine revision, seats, suspension, brakes ...), the Adventure has been one of the enduro touring bikes for several years now. The design era has two sides to the coin: the 990 Adventure is still in its class, as is the original 950 Adventure, the only true SUV.

If the head can forget that it is actually a 200kg traveler, it is capable of drifting, jumping (with this slightly stronger front fork not protecting itself), moving up and down to flip its belly. In short, if you're looking for a chubby off-road enthusiast, he is unmatched, and at the same time, on-road comfort is more than reliable. Tested and validated from the back seat!

The problem for KTM is customers who don't need these off-road features and therefore don't know how to value them. There is too much vibration for everyone, the engine breaks (though not quite), the wind protection is not adjustable, and there is no anti-skid regulator in the list of accessories. Hello, yes, how would you float on rubble at a speed of 80 or more kilometers per hour?!

The Dakar version comes standard with three plastic boxes carrying water in the walls, side pipe protection, GPS case, improved seat, and a flashy blue-orange color. Like Fabrizio Meoni, who donated his blood to develop this very motorcycle in the Dakar. With the Dakar package, the Adventure's life was artificially extended earlier (in 2013?). It has been replaced by (we assume) a softer successor with God help us, a propeller shaft and an electrically adjustable windshield.

(Note: The test was written before KTM introduced the 1190 Adventure.)

 Text and photo: Matevzh Hribar

  • Basic data

    Sales: Motocentre Laba (www.motocenterlaba.com), Axle (www.axle.si)

    Test model cost: 13.990 €

  • Technical information

    engine: four-stroke, two-cylinder, V 75 °, liquid-cooled, 999 cm3, fuel injection

    Power: 84,5 kW (113,3) pri np

    Torque: np

    Energy transfer: 6-speed gearbox, chain

    Frame: steel pipe

    brakes: front two discs Ø 300 mm, rear disc Ø 240 mm, Brembo jaws, ABS Bosch

    Suspension: front adjustable inverted telescopic fork WP Ø 48 mm, 210 mm travel, rear adjustable WP single damper, 210 mm travel

    Tires: np

    Growth: 880 mm

    Fuel tank: 20

    Wheelbase: 1.570 mm

    Weight: 209 kg (without fuel)

We praise and reproach

appearance

driving performance in the field

engine power

quality suitcases

durable wind protection

comfort in terms of off-road performance

brakes

vibrations

seat cover absorbs water

width with side housings (double wall!)

less precise gearbox

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