Confessions of an impetuous 41 year old.......

[Ollie]

Well, I went and did it. Yep, couldn't wait, so as of April 1, I'm the proud owner of a new 2010 KTM 990 ADV. I wish I could have waited for the Tenere, but alas, I have nothing to ride during the wait and all of the recent dramas and intrigue were stressing me out and making me grumpy. Ahhh, what can you do? Not saying that the Tenere won't be in my future, but just not my immediate future. When they hit the dealers floors it may be the first bike to lure me off the KTM.

So.....the reason I'm posting is because I've been fairly active on this forum and have come to really appreciate everyone I've met here. Out of a sense of respect I didn't want to just disappear, or lurk from a distance. It really is a great forum and I've learned SO MUCH from all the collective knowledge. Even met a new riding partner/friend from this forum, who shares my taste in beer. I'll still be hanging around the edges and look forward to hearing all of you diehards raving about your awesome new Teneres. In the mean time I'll be trying to keep the KTM from pulling my arms from their sockets, while I brush off the cobwebs that have formed after not riding for 12 years. ;D Cheers and best to all. Hope you have a great riding season.

Todd

 

[MotorcopBBQ]

Nice looking bike.

 

[trinc4me]

Todd,

Wish you the best with your new KTM.......we will still be here and continuing the wait for the s10's to arrive.

 

[sportrider]

I love my KTM's (950 se and sm), you will love your 990!

 

[jajpko]

Todd, thanks for letting us know... Hope you enjoy your new ride and have a super season..

 

[Venture]

Really nice looking bike, I've never ridden a KTM but the brand does seem to have that X factor appeal to it.

Definitely don't be a stranger.

 

[SpeedStar]

Congrats on your new KTM. As a KTM950SM owner, I can tell you you are in for some fun. Enjoy it.

 

[toompine]

You must have legs a lot longer than mine. It is the Super Tenere that will alllow me to play in this sandbox. Enjoy and keep track of us

 

[motocephalic]

wow, congrats that's an awesome bike. I am sure you'll be having a great time on it.

 

[Bugsy]

I actually like the KTM, but I need a little more comfort on the long trips. Not sure why you need to exit the forum....wouldn't hurt to provide your opinion of the KTM for those who are still sitting on the fence. I for one am interested in the reliability and highway comfort. I already own both VStroms, which I have few complaints other than a 2000 mile road trip begins to wear on me after the first few days. I'm hoping the improved comfort, and ergonomics of the S10 will alleviate a bit of that. I think the S10 is a bit more of a touring bike than the KTM, BMW 800, and the VStrom.

Wouldn't mind a few updates....

 

[eemsreno]

Ollie
I have been looking at the KTM 990 with my boy. He has two KTMs and likes the 990. More off roady than the XT1200. I need the long hall comfy of the XT1200 as my wife will be on with me most of the time. Could you give us a ride report on an all day ride with the 990. Good luck.

 

[colorider]

Congrats Todd on the new KTM and as others have said - please don't be a stranger here!

 

[Ollie]

Thanks guys. I'll still be around and I'm sure I'll be posting up in Orange Crush, with my typical noobish antics.

Anyway, I've only had a few 4-5 hour rides so far, so nothing really epic. I'll give a better review after I've had some serious QT with the bike. So far quite a lot of buffeting on my helmet at anything above 40mph and I stand at 5'11". Seat has been comfortable, YMMV. Throttle and fueling is on/off, what some would call snatchy. Riding home from the dealership I had an "out of body" experienced, so to speak. Smoooooth throttle hand wins the day on this beastly thing! I wish I could have done a demo on the Tenere to compare. First oil change....hmmm....interesting. It took me around 4hrs. Mostly because I was moving cautiously and because you have to remove, the left side fairing, left side crash bar, two layers of glove box, (making sure you don't drop any screws into dark, shadowy areas fcck!) then the left fuel cell, two oil screens, two drain plugs, one oil filter, and sundry other hoses and bits. Reverse the process and fill with expensive Swedish Motorex oil. Loved every masochistic minute of it. > So far, it's just been great fun getting waves again!

 

[Mellow]

I saw those yesterday... what a monster and in a completely different class than the S10 IMO... Good luck with it, I'm sure it will be a blast.

 

[switchback]

Best of luck and a nice ride.

 

[markjenn]

Nice post and great bike. There really is nothing that can touch it with respect to bridging the gap between on- and off-road performance. It's a thoroughbred and an incredible machine. Having owned two KTM's, I'd probably be on one too if they offered some kind of GS- or S10-style tubeless wheels/tires on this thing. (Tubeless and ABS are iron-clad, no exceptions, must-haves on any distance touring bike in my book.)

Yes, do stick around. After a year or two fling with that temptress, you may be ready for something a little more frumpy and practical.

- Mark

 

[Swagger]

The KTM is a superb beast ... I owned a Super Duke for a year .... what an animal... loved every moment of the ownership. You really won't regret that purchase. 8)