Rumor: KTM 800 to compete with BMW/Triumph?

[JO EBRMC]

But it would be nice if they could find a way to lose about 100 pounds compared to the 990 Adventure. I would be glad to lose 20 horsepower to lose the extra weight.

And I don't want a big single, I want a V-twin. My XR650L works well enough in the big single category and already weighs less than 400 pounds.

I agree completely. I want light and capable of some real mileage. I don't want to run a thumper for 8 hours a day and the ADV is just plain huge.

Horsepower doesn't weigh much.

No, but building the frame and components to handle the additional hp does get heavy fast.

 

[slackmeyer]

But it would be nice if they could find a way to lose about 100 pounds compared to the 990 Adventure. I would be glad to lose 20 horsepower to lose the extra weight.

And I don't want a big single, I want a V-twin. My XR650L works well enough in the big single category and already weighs less than 400 pounds.

I guess I've gotten used to the big bike- though I'll never be able to toss my 950 around off road like a dirt bike- even if it weighed 100 lbs less. It would be great if it was lighter, but right now, I think it's amazing how well it does at being a touring bike, hooligan bike, and psuedo-dual sport. The longer I have it, the more I think that I'll never get rid of it. I'd really like something kind of like my 640-E, but better suited to riding from the bay area to Mendocino NF or Carizzo plain or Death Valley on the pavement. I don't necessarily expect anybody to build it though, it's not that big a market. And I'll welcome it if the whole class of "big trailies" starts getting a lot lighter.

BTW, I'm a pretty average 5'9 1/2", and I don't have any trouble riding my 950 adventure S. But it's an almighty pain to back it up while on the bike, with only my tip-toes touching. I'm used to jumping off to move the bike around now.

 

[ScottRNelson]

I guess I've gotten used to the big bike- though I'll never be able to toss my 950 around off road like a dirt bike- even if it weighed 100 lbs less. It would be great if it was lighter, but right now, I think it's amazing how well it does at being a touring bike, hooligan bike, and psuedo-dual sport.

I'm totally happy with the 990 Adventure on pavement, including it's weight. Okay, totally happy except for the poor fuel mileage and wind buffeting, but otherwise it does it all well. I would like to see the weight loss for off road.

If someone could make a bike that was as good on the street as the 990, but also as good off road as the XR650L (which is pathetic compared to a real dirt bike, but still good enough), then I would be rushing out to buy it.

 

[I'm OaklandLion]

^^^Scott - the 990adv sure is thirsty!

Yesterday I ordered the 2-1, Remus ti, and aux tank. I need the range.

With stock, I had to get gas 3x on a trip back from Orange County. With the new tank, I should be at about 220 when I hit reserve. Maybe total range of 260 or so.


Backing the bike up - - I've given up tiptoeing it back. Usually I just hop off and push it back.

 

[fast4d]

I have no problem with it on pavement. parking and backing up in dirt/uneven surfaces and using the center stand is a PITA.

 

[/dev/null]

However Nieuwsmotor does go on to say that the smaller displacement Adventure bike will be very off-road capable, more so than the Triumph Tiger 800 XC, and we imagine that the bike will draw on its Dakar roots in design and performance.

If they're drawing on their Dakar roots why don't they make 450's? They're faster at Dakar. Twenty-eight of the top 30 bikes we're 450's in 2011 with 690's placing in 7th and 17th position overall.

 

[BluesCruiser]

Interesting thread. I'm looking to maybe upgrade to a more road-worthy steed next winter, not that I don't love my DR. I like the fairly light weight and can live with the windage, but I don't much like going on reserve at 120 miles or so and that buzzzz gets to me after 4-5 hours. I'd like something more roadworthy but still capable of the occasional dirt road. This sounds like it might do the trick.

 

[augustiron]

no love for the super enduro from this crowd????

 

[slackmeyer]

no love for the super enduro from this crowd????

Every time I look at one, I think that I would buy one and then have to spend a fair bit of money making it more like an adventure- more fuel capacity, luggage capacity, and better lights, for starters.

Less disassembly for maintenance sounds nice though, and I'd actually rather have no windshield at all than the turbulence-creating hail mary pass attempt at a fairing that most adventure bikes have.

 

[slackmeyer]

If they're drawing on their Dakar roots why don't they make 450's? They're faster at Dakar. Twenty-eight of the top 30 bikes we're 450's in 2011 with 690's placing in 7th and 17th position overall.

The 450s are faster primarily because it is regulated that all top riders are limited to 450cc bikes. Before that, 690s were fastest, because riders were limited to 700cc (or somewhere around there), and before that, 950s were fastest, because they're just badass.

Kind of silly really, because most adventure bikes don't get a teardown every night- and they're not pushed to the limits all day through hot sand dunes, either.

 

[ScottRNelson]

I have no problem with it on pavement. parking and backing up in dirt/uneven surfaces and using the center stand is a PITA.

Oh wait! Did I forget to mention the center stand?

It's kind of a bother to use a center stand that gets the rear wheel two full inches off of the ground. The one on my Ducati ST2 got the rear wheel up about half an inch and was totally easy to use by comparison. That must be why my KTM has only been on the center stand maybe three times since I got it.

 

[Z3n]

690 SMC, add adventure fairing, maybe a tank on the front if you're feeling sassy. Blammo, ultimate touring single, sub 350 pounds, 60hp, high spec suspension, etc.

2 weeks until I pick my mostly stock 690SMC up in seattle and ride it home.

 

[ScorpioVI]

But it would be nice if they could find a way to lose about 100 pounds compared to the 990 Adventure. I would be glad to lose 20 horsepower to lose the extra weight.

I was just thinking that today. My 990 has way more power than I'm ever gonna use. But damn I love that bike.

I need a motor somewhere between the KLR's putt-puttiness, and the brute power of the 990. And a chassis that's about 100lbs lighter than the 990, with a seat that's about 2" lower.

 

[slackmeyer]

I was just thinking that today. My 990 has way more power than I'm ever gonna use. But damn I love that bike.

I need a motor somewhere between the KLR's putt-puttiness, and the brute power of the 990. And a chassis that's about 100lbs lighter than the 990, with a seat that's about 2" lower.

I keep going on these street rides with folks like Flying Hun and Banjoboy, and on rides with a riding buddy who's either on his ST4S or his Tuono, and I find myself using all the power my 950 can muster. Still, I'd trade a bit of that for better fuel range and lighter weight.





Only a bit though. . . . .

 

[ScorpioVI]

Yea I've ridden with the Hun before, he's fast for an old fart. twofinger) My solution is not to ride with such folks, to maintain the illusion that I'm an awesome rider.

 

[slackmeyer]

Yea I've ridden with the Hun before, he's fast for an old fart. twofinger) My solution is not to ride with such folks, to maintain the illusion that I'm an awesome rider.

Old farts are dangerous. Beware. Most of the fast guys that I ride with have 20+ years on me.

 

[fast4d]

690 SMC, add adventure fairing, maybe a tank on the front if you're feeling sassy. Blammo, ultimate touring single, sub 350 pounds, 60hp, high spec suspension, etc.

2 weeks until I pick my mostly stock 690SMC up in seattle and ride it home.

you forgot a new seat. because the stock on will make your ass bleed. it did to mine.

 

[Z3n]

you forgot a new seat. because the stock on will make your ass bleed. it did to mine.

Eh I did the same trip on a DRZ before. I'll be alright.

 

[Brown81]

you forgot a new seat. because the stock on will make your ass bleed. it did to mine.

I was going to say: "By the time you get to Portland, start looking for a new ass".

 

[hyperdookie]

how would this thing do if Yamaha imported it?

I haven't read much about it.

Needs better forks at least...the whole thing looks kinda cheap. Other than that, looks nice! That is what's so nice about the KTM's. Quality components.There's a reason they are more expensive.