Opinions on KTM Adventurer?

Anyone have a KTM Adventurer? What is the performance, range, handling,
comfort, and reliability like?

 

This is a purely hypothetical inquiry, right, Larry?

Tim ;-)

 

Absolutely. As you know, I've given up motorcycles. I even gave my GSXR
1000 K3 buyer my leathers and old helmet. I'm down to my SIDI armour,
Triumph boots, and a few pairs of gloves, and a Widder heated vest. If I
buy another bike, I'll have to move to a state that doesn't require helmets.

But still.... I'd like to know.

 

You could use all of those items if you fly an ultralight!

(If you visit the D.C. area, you can borrow one of my bikes and wear one of my
helmets.)

 

True enough for the EXC/SX and stroker engines, but the LC4 engines have a
bit of a reputation for going pop. I had a 660 SMC which cracked a head
(between the exhaust port and the waterway) and know of at least 3 othewr
that have done this as well as quite a few main bearing failures. The
standard LC4 (640) also has a similar reputation, but this is more own the
the user oil changes being done incorrectly.

That said I love KTM's and now have a 525EXC which is currently in dirt
trim, but I have all the bits (full akropovic Ti System, Talon/Excel wheels,
Beringer M/C Brembo Goldline brakes) to convert to Supermoto in spring.
The EXC/SX is a far better supermoto as its lighter and tuneable up to 660
power.

Given the above, I'd wait and see how two lc4 engines glued together hold
out. Personally I'd love an Adventurer and Brackens in the UK even do a
Motarded version of one - great fun - if a bit heavy.

 

Try www.ktmtalk.com - there are enough owners there that will give you some
info.

I do not have experience with this specific model, but if it is as nice as
my old Duke - they are a real treat.

Ron.

 

Hi, Hank:

Embedded comments below:

Understood. I still haven't run into anyone who has ridden one, despite
the magazines saying that they've been available since last May.

This I don't like. My 95 Tiger didn't have very good brakes, and after the
race replica experience of the past several years, I've grown accustomed to
excellent brakes.

.. Probably not a threat to your

I think the R-1, two 929s, and the GSXR 1000 K3 have convinced me that
neither my skills, nor my interests are on the track, or even on
particularly fast street riding. On the GSXR, at 53, I was embarrassed to
pull into the bar on Mines Road about a mile behind Andy on his ST1100.
I've concluded that there is only a certain amount of "fast" that I'm
capable of with the safety margin I want. And that's slower than I used to
be. My "need for speed" is satisfied at lower speeds than it used to be.

That's "o.k." but not great for a twin.

Actually, when I was taking the 95 Tiger on some dirt roads (e.g. J-8
connector off of Highway 25 at New Idria Mines) I found it awfully tall to
"paddle" sand spots, and too spooky to stand on the pegs at high angles of
descent or ascent. I ended up having CalBMW/Triumph take 2 inches out of
the seat, but that was only a partial fix, since that effectively tightened
up the seat/footpeg relationship, and raised the bars. But I had already
put the spacers into the front forks to reduce dive under braking, and I
didn't want to do much more to the chassis/suspension relationship. I
think your Tiger upgraded a lot of this stuff straight from the factory.

This is exactly my question. I'm figuring 85% street, 15% fire trails... no
tough dirt.

If BMW would lighten their bike by about 100 lbs, it would be terrific.
The parelever/telelever concept works for me, but the lazy engine, early
redline, and helmet buffeting at any windshield setting of the new model is
unacceptable combined with the porky weight. The Tiger is a bit better,
but stock suspension doesn't do it for me, yet. I suppose one answer is to
find a used Tiger, and spend some money on chassis, suspension, and
breathing.

I do have pretty fond memories of the 13,000 miles I put on my 95 Tiger,
including one "lunch trip" to Yosemite in the rain. Great bike for that
type of travel.

Well, since I'm officially "off" motorcycles, I have plenty of time to
watch for developments. Thanks for the input.

 

Thanks for the info. Does Brackens have a website that you already have
bookmarked?

 

Thanks, I'll use the link. I've ridden the 640 Duke, which appears to be
what you own. That bike seemed to have an ADVANTAGE over supersport bikes
on technical asphalt roads IMHO.

 

Thanks again, Ron. I've joined and posted a request to www.ktmtalk.com as
well. I'll look forward to seeing responses, although my first glance at
the site makes it appear to be almost exclusively dirt guys on smaller
bikes. Saw a few 640s for sale with guys moving down to 520s. Kind of a
different approach from street riders, who usually move up the cc range
: - )

 

I actually have the 625 (the 640 appeared in '99 IIRC) - but for all
practical purposes it's the same bike. I like it a lot - it works better
than supersports ergonomically for my body.

Ron.

 

you might check out www.advrider.com (yet another message forum)...
advrider is all about Adventure Riding/Touring... lotsa former BMW GS
owners have gotten the KTM Adventure 950 after exceeding the bigpig's dirt
capabilities (with $$$$ broken parts to show for it).

new section on said forum specifically for KTM Adventure bikes (640 and
950). http://www.advrider.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=5

 

http://www.bracken.co.uk

HTH

 

I read the other replies. Ive never ridden a KTM...good bike though.
Heavy. Thats an issue if you want to haul ass on the back roads. You have
lower HP yet heavy... for that kind of bike, not an adrenalin rush to ride.
Workable, but not a fraction as spectacular as a bike 70 to 100 lbs lighter
(thats exponentially better handling...perhaps 300% better handling than
with the extra 100 lbs).....when I looked at some KTMs a year ago, they were
heavy as compared to very lightest 600's on the market. Under 300 lbs dry
would be tolerable..much over and I myself would pass.


If you wanted something ultra trick, and super light and I believe
registerable on the street since they are under the 50 units sold limits Id
look at www.rotax.com
they have a lighting kit etc.

talk to them. They sell kit bikes in the 600 to 700cc range, singles, good
for 70 hp or so. As a kit, you assemble it, cost is about $15,000.. they
will assy it for another $2,500 or so. This time of year maybe less. Now
that is a scooter under 250# that will eat the KTM alive on back roads...and
be a lot more fun. Its not a cruizer though. It would be for toasting the
boys over the hill from mill valley to the ocean and up highway 9 and over
to Alices.. and it would be a show stopper. It would be a one of a kind
deal no matter where you took it.

here is a pic.
http://www.rotax.net/Photos/monoshock.jpg

That seat height is 32" I believe. Notice the cushy pad on it.


Phil Scott

 

If you ever ride an under 300# bike with over 35 hp, especially under 250#
with street rubber on it and over 50 hp, on back roads you will be spoiled
for life..not only are they faster, but they are vastly more fun...and
agil...a lot safer as well...you can feel really confident on one of those
with the cuff of your leather almost dragging. You can stab a boot down
in ultra tight going and kick them back up you have to.

The yamaha YZ 450cc water cooled single would be a killer ride over the
hill but Yamaha made too many of them to be street legal with that motor.
but they do come with lights, and you can register them for off road. You
might be able to ride one for years and never get a ticket for running it on
the street. I dont know what the fine is...but it might well be worth the
risk...the YZ is down to 225 lbs dry now, and with about 45 hp... put fat
18" rims on it and run wide class C flat track rubber and it will change
your life forever. Those are about $6,000.

The heavier options will still be fun...but not like something under 250
lbs.


Phil Scott

 

its a new AMA classification rule driving that change. You have a hard
time putting 60 hp to the dirt ...so the downsize isnt costing them
anything.

Phil Scott

 

If you wanted something ultra trick, and super light and I believe

oh yeah, I can see slapping 80 lbs of luggage and gear on that thing and
setting out on a cross country tour... *NOT*

The KTM Adventure 950 is aimed at the same market as the Triumph Tiger and
BMW R1150GS... adventure touring, long distance self contained travel
thats not confined entirely to paved roads.

http://dirtdog.smugmug.com/photos/1744799-O.jpg
http://dirtdog.smugmug.com/photos/1744807-O.jpg
http://jbsmultimedia.net/rides/saddleback121203/107_0707-6.jpg

 

Hubba Hubba!!

Luxurious seat.

Who needs a headlight?
They don't work when you are going faster than the speed of light!

Just needs a front brake for that return to "normal space"

RickB

 

Absolutely love these pictures. Yes, I'm looking at a lighter version of
my vernerable former Triumph Tiger, or much lighter R1150 GS.

 

John R Pierce wrote

Bollox.

It/they are aimed at wannabes. Ffs, in the real world who actually does
that sort of riding?