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2007 KTM 990 adventure: ECU needs tuning- recs?

jetboy

jetboy

eikooR
Joined
Apr 26, 2008
Location
emeryville
Moto(s)
morini 3.5, r75/6
HI: New owner of an older bike, I like the ride but its got some issues that I am hoping can be cleaned up - some of which are endemic to the older FI.

Wondering if anyone had a go-to to really get it dialed in properly in the bay area.

cheers,

josh
 
I just lived with the stumbles at small throttle openings on my 2008 990 Adv. In fact, I got in the habit of slipping the clutch below 20 mph in first gear to smooth things out. I had read about ways to reprogram the ECU, but never got to the point of actually doing anything. The newer KTM adventure bikes (2018, 2020) have great fueling everywhere and get better fuel economy in the process.

I found that after I had the bike serviced the issues went away for a thousand or two miles. I was told after the last service that if I always used gasoline from Chevron, it would keep things cleaner for much longer. I sold it before I could prove that, but I still put Chevron gasoline in my bikes to this day.

I would check with Tri-Valley Moto/CalMoto in Livermore to see what they can do for you.
 
Regarding CalMoto, I asked them since I have some problems with my BMW misfiring or stalling. They told me that this was on purpose to meet emissions and they couldn't do anything (it only stall at a certain outside temperature after starting it in the morning).
 
Not sure if a CA shop will do fueler tuning to a street legal bike anymore. For some time places still did it if you told them it was to not be used on the street. Some places do track bikes but those are kind of obviously not used on the street any more.

If you are interesting in doing it yourself ... you need TuneECU and some cables and either an android device or windows laptop.

The actually reading/writing a map is super easy. Figuring out which map is good/great might take a lot of reading. advrider has a thread on it that go on for days and days, all in one monster thread, good comments all mixed in with unless comments. :)

And one challenge you have, in 2007 when they were brand new they didn't run so great due to emissions and fuel mapping. Now with a 14 year old one, you may have some age/wear/broken items along with the original tuning challenges.

Another option is a Power Commander with Auto Tune. A bit of a pain to install, and it doesn't work as easily as the sales literature makes it sound like. And oh, they will not ship to a CA address!

So unfortunately, I think it is a "do it yourself" project or a "find a place in Nevada" project. Or maybe Oregon.
 
I helped someone buy a 990 that solved this problem by putting the 950s carbs on it.
Ran great but what a wiring nightmare.
 
yeah. I probably don't want carbs as I don't ride it often enough--- and don't want to have to rebuild and fiddle with them every time I DO want to go ride. Thus the FI in the first place.

It is, btw, not terrible. I think the real issue is how unpredictable it is- sometimes it seems just fine, then sometimes it acts up... if it ALWAYS acted up I'd probably get used to it but its fine fine.. then catches me off guard. of course only in certain circumstances.. when riding it like a beast its just fine! but I can only keep that up so long and would enjoy some just cruise time.

I'll see on that rec above but you may be right. may be time for me to learn to do it myself. I have android and a PC....
 
downloaded the app and ordered the cables. cables are not super cheap! but better than hunting all over the west coast for someone to tune it if I can get it done myself. heck, if it goes well I'll put a note here that I can do it for those in the area
 
I have a 2007 990 Adventure too. I used Tuneecu to load the Zuber 3 map. It is running Twin FMF slip ons. It does not stumble. It is getting 30-32 MPG with 16/42 gearing and is still a bit rich.
 
Thanks Tom: I just got the cables.. Rottweiler was very fast and they look top quality. even came with the adapter for my android which I was wondering if it had.

just checked and my license for the software also went through. So this weekend (or maybe friday if I can swing it) will be the time to test her out.

PS: @anytwowilldo did you leave the O2 Sensors alone or bypass?

I'll keep you all posted.
 
loading a map now. Tune ECU also has a great ton of diagnostics on various systems and such- and let me read and clear codes etc. for 10 euro its a bargain!

I am just loading an Akron map to start as a test. Where did you get the Zuber maps? my google search is failing me. Everyone keeps talking about it but I am like.. where is the link to the actual maps?
 
Zuber #3 and its a completely different bike.

Smoothed it out and made it a real pleasure! anyone out there with a ktm 990 from this era- get this done!

total cost was about ~70$ for cables and software.
 
For O2 sensors, you can physically leave them in the pipes, but I'm pretty sure the Zuber maps turn them off. Don't know many guys that actually pull them out and replace with a bung bolt.

And with them physically in or out, doesn't change the way the bike runs. Meaning, maps turn them off, so the ECU doesn't not pay attention to them, and no noticeable benefit if you pull them from the pipes.
 
usedtobefast said:
For O2 sensors, you can physically leave them in the pipes, but I'm pretty sure the Zuber maps turn them off. Don't know many guys that actually pull them out and replace with a bung bolt.

And with them physically in or out, doesn't change the way the bike runs. Meaning, maps turn them off, so the ECU doesn't not pay attention to them, and no noticeable benefit if you pull them from the pipes.
Click to expand...

The Zuber maps do turn them off- no need to remove them. Turning them back on only leads to more snatchyness.
 
jetboy said:
Zuber #3 and its a completely different bike.

Smoothed it out and made it a real pleasure! anyone out there with a ktm 990 from this era- get this done!

total cost was about ~70$ for cables and software.
Click to expand...

I'm glad you like it -it is a huge improvement!
I still dream of tweaking the map a bit to lean it out a bit more. My friend's 950 can get in the high thirties even with lower gearing. As I mentioned before I'm getting 30-32. What are you getting and what is your gearing?
 
I never got much better than 35 mpg on my 990 Adv.

For reference, my stock 2020 790R has averaged over 57 mpg in 8000 miles. I saw this a few days ago while headed across town and killing the engine at each light (74.5 mpg):
 

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ScottRNelson said:
I never got much better than 35 mpg on my 990 Adv.

For reference, my stock 2020 790R has averaged over 57 mpg in 8000 miles. I saw this a few days ago while headed across town and killing the engine at each light (74.5 mpg):
Click to expand...

What year was your 990 Scott?

It was riding with a 790, 890 and 950 that makes me want to tweak my map. The 790/890 run on air I think -and haul ass.:thumbup
 
anytwowilldo said:
What year was your 990 Scott?
Click to expand...
2008.

This one:
Bp2NeEw.jpg
 
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