Curiosity has been piqued - KTM 390 Adventure

spklbuk

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Jon, i hear a rumor that Cogent Dynamics can transform your DR into a machine that will make you think orange if you close your eyes. I can tell you it is a great relief when you open them!
 

Dirt_Dad

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Hello Jim, nice to hear from you. Been too long since we've taken a ride.

Do you still have your DR? I'm pretty sure you've tried to educate me before on mods to the DR...and lord knows you know a thing or two about a modded DR650. I seem to remember you mentioning wheels that would lighten the load on the front as well.

I have a very bad history with trying this fix or that fix and having those things amount to what I had hoped. You are certainly one person I do trust, but overcoming my repeated history is probably too much for me to overcome.

Are you going to be doing any group rides this year? I'd do my best to make that a priority if you do. I still keep trying to get my wife down to Pipe Stem. It's just always booked, or insanely overpriced when it is available.
 

Jagermeister

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What is the "hate" part of your relationship with the 1290?
The Super Duke is definitely the fastest bike I've ever ridden. That Engine is phenomenal - power everywhere, and with MIVV exhaust, it sounds like a MotoGp machine having angry sex.
However, I'm 6'2" and just cannot get comfortable with it, in spite of the handlebar risers, lower pegs, and comfort seat. Probably should've gotten the Super Adventure instead.
 
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spklbuk

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Hello Jim, nice to hear from you. Been too long since we've taken a ride.

Do you still have your DR? I'm pretty sure you've tried to educate me before on mods to the DR...and lord knows you know a thing or two about a modded DR650. I seem to remember you mentioning wheels that would lighten the load on the front as well.

I have a very bad history with trying this fix or that fix and having those things amount to what I had hoped. You are certainly one person I do trust, but overcoming my repeated history is probably too much for me to overcome.

Are you going to be doing any group rides this year? I'd do my best to make that a priority if you do. I still keep trying to get my wife down to Pipe Stem. It's just always booked, or insanely overpriced when it is available.
Jon my place is always open to DM and you. Pipestem area within day ride.

Have a newer Snowflake DR 2.0 nicely kitted including Cogent magic that you are more than welcome to give a thorough workout. I bet you'd be double checking to see if it's really a DR, though the suspenders are set up for me & full camping kit.
Maybe we can meet somewhere along the MABDR for a lookabout when the storm subsides.

Haven't done a group ride since my mom and dad began to need much more help. Corresponds to my forum disappearance. Still on call so stick close to home.
 
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RonH

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It's one of the few new motorcycles I possibly would be interested in. The 700 Tenere for some reason I have zero interest since the first hints at it. However as mentioned by others, if it even reminds me of a WR250R in the least that would kill the interest instantly, and being KTM that could be the case. If you have to rev to 6,000rpm to get 10hp like the WR250R that is not any good for me.
 
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ballisticexchris

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Can do...or will do are two very different things. I know me, and the likelihood I'd do that more than 2 or 3 times a year on a 350 are about zero. I suspect that's why it's been sitting at CW's for so long. You get to an age (and CW is a hell of a lot older than me ;) ) that it just doesn't sound appealing.
I understand completely. That's why I put a limit to my riding a few years back. The last 850+ mile to Death Valley and back on my Beta is when I got serious about saving as quickly as possible for my Super Tenere. I was in my mid 50's and doing 500+ mile day rides on a plated dirt bike. It was taxing on my body.
 

Dirt_Dad

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Maybe we can meet somewhere along the MABDR for a lookabout when the storm subsides.
Sound great. I've only done the MABDR from the PA line down to Rt33. Good opportunity for me to keep heading south.

Hope the storm ends soon.
 

fredz43

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FWIW, my slightly modded 2014 DR650 will wheelie easily. The TM40 flat slide carb had a big influence on that. It is Cogent front and rear, larger tank, Sargent seat, etc and I love it. Having said that, I will have the first T700 that my dealer gets, and if it is what I expect it to be, the DR will be for sale. My 14 ES, of course will still be my long distance adv touring bike.

I share your love of wheelies and have done that on every bike I have owned in over 50 years of riding, except my GL1800. Some took a bit of effort and the ones I loved are the ones that did them easily. You would think a 76 year old would know better, but I don't, hah, hah.
 

Dirt_Dad

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You would think a 76 year old would know better, but I don't, hah, hah.
Good!...glad to hear I have another 20 years ahead of not having to change what makes me happy.


You inspired me to look up the TM40 carb mod. Lot's of good reviews, specifically about waking up the bike and the ability to wheelie after completed. Certainly gets my attention.

Not clear if you get the same benefits from just changing the carb and having the stock exhaust, or if I need to keep spending for the performance increase, with carb, then exhaust, then .., ..., .... I can see where the increased performance justifies the suspension upgrade. But how much really needs to be done to get the desired power increase?

I've always liked my DR, it's just pretty uninspired when hitting the throttle. If it could be upgraded to be (a lot) more lively for less than the cost of a good used, 690r, then maybe I could continue to follow in the shadow of spklbuk.
 
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ballisticexchris

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If you want to have even a better carb get the Kehin FCR instead of the Mikuni TM. Easier to jet and less popping on decel. I have found that the muffler packing last twice as long with a Kehin carb.
 

Dirt_Dad

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I need dead-nuts simple on whatever carb I consider (if I do). Set it and forget it. No interest in fiddling around with any more than needed.
 
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ballisticexchris

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Then the FCR carb is the best. Jet it once, get an adjustable leak jet or Power Bowl and forget about it. If you want bolt on ease made for your bike then the TM40 is hard to beat. They are ready right out of the box.
 

fredz43

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The main advantage of the TM40 or FCR is that they are not vacuum operated like the OEM carb is. With the OEM carb, you twist the grip, it opens the butterfly, which creates a vacuum, which lifts the slide. With a flat slide, it is strictly mechanical, you twist the grip and the slide opens. I have no experience with the FCR, but have heard it is a very good carb. My TM 40 came pre jetted from Pro Cycle, came with the proper throttle cables. I installed it about 3,000 miles ago and haven't touched it. I have a Leo Vince can with their quiet insert and it runs beautifully.
 

spklbuk

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;)

Pumper carbs when purchased by phone from Procycle have a reputation of arriving ready to roll.

Cool your jets long enough to ride mine before going headlong down the farkle rabbit hole.
 

Dirt_Dad

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Good advice. Looking forward to a time when we can get together and you can educate me.
 

Dirt_Dad

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How deep do you wish to leap?
That's a pretty deep leap. Basically for double the price of what I paid for the DR a few years ago, and I could have a really great bike. Of course after spending all that money, the bike may or may not be fractionally more valuable than stock. So if I committed to spending the money, I'd be committing to keeping the bike for a very long time to get value out of it.

That could make an argument for buying one someone else put the big money into, and is now willing to take a loss on all those upgrades. Isn't that how Snowflake happened for you?

Not sure what will happen. I'd like to get together and take your current DR for a ride. Also was talking to Larry (former Romney GM) yesterday. He spent years as GM of the #1 Suzuki dealer in the country, and has sold a lot of DRs...including mine. He has no experience with any modified DR. Said one of his Romney employees tried to talk him into modifying one to make it great, but he just couldn't justify it. I asked Larry to give me a call if a used 690 comes in. Again, have no idea of what I'll do...if anything at all.

I rode DM's XT250 down to Larry's shop yesterday to get it inspected. Took the long way home over many dirt roads. It was nice to be riding anything, but I'm confident, the XT250 is not the answer for me. :cool:
 

spklbuk

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I didn't say you wouldn't end up spending "orange" money :D. A 690 would be fun. Street bike frame and all.

Larry sold my current DR. Snowflake was farkled up a bit. Many parts migrated to the newer one but the full Cogent treatment is new. It's predecessor had only stiffer springs. Still on stock carb. Waiting to upgrade suspenders is my only regret.

We will figure out a way to ride even if it just meet in the middle and swap a while for a long day. Well that and the end of gobbler and monsoon season.

We could meet for an overnighter at Brandywine real easy...if a certain rider was not so averse to camping. ~pokestick~
 

Dirt_Dad

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We could meet for an overnighter at Brandywine real easy...if a certain rider was not so averse to camping. ~pokestick~
Outside of Romney 2012/2013, you're the only one who has gotten me to camp at all.
 

spklbuk

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Jon have you perused the new KLX250?

Tight little machine. Cogent offers some help too.

I want one...I think...today anyway :D


But then again I already have one of these. ;)
 
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