Just by its sheer design alone, the KTM 990 Adventure->ke3022 is already a winner in our book. Add that to the fact that it's one of the few bikes that can run on different kinds of roads and you really do have a bike that's as fun and versatile as it is beautiful.

Thanks to its authentic rallying heritage, the 990 Adventure is just as likely to go on extended trips into the desert as surfing through the curves. With a stable chassis, a disconnectible ABS, and plenty of touring goodies, the 990 Adventure is the most offroad-capable travel enduro in the world.

The 990 Adventure has been designed to fit the needs of riders everywhere. The perfectly padded twin-level seat ensures firm contact with the ground for all riders and long-distance comfort for both rider and pillion, while also providing crystal-clear feedback for a sportier pace. Even the fairing on the Adventure provides effective protection from the wind and weather while also accommodating the clearly structured multi-function cockpit that supplies the rider with all essential information. For all of the details KTM went through to build a bike that's exceptionally built as this one, one of the most underrated features of the 990 Adventure is the orange powder-coated, extra-stable tubular crash bars so that the bodywork is not so quickly damaged in the event of any spills or crashes.

To compliment the 990 Adventure's world-class styling, the bike also carries a powerful, water-cooled V-engine that produces 114 horsepower – precisely the power you need on fast motorways or in deep sand, making for an impressive combination of powerful acceleration, superb performance, and spontaneous throttle response.

Find out more about the KTM 990 Adventure after the jump.

2012 KTM 990 Adventure

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2012 KTM 990 Adventure
  • Engine/Motor: 2-cylinder, 4-stroke, V 75°
  • Transmission: 6-speed, claw shifted
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array

Engine

The 990 Adventure's water-cooled V-engine produces 85 kW (114 hp) – precisely the power you need on fast motorways or in deep sand. The engine impresses with powerful acceleration, superb performance and spontaneous throttle response.

Aside from optimum combustion chamber design, the major factors behind the outstanding performance of the 990 Adventure's V-twin with 75° cylinder angle are the state-of-the-art four-valve cylinder heads, each with flow-optimized ducts and two overhead camshafts.

Particularly lightweight pistons and connecting rods bestow the 990 Adventure's V2 engine with reduced reciprocating weight and hence a decidedly spontaneous responsiveness, underlining its extremely sporty engine characteristics.

Frame and Suspension

The 990 Adventure's tubular space frame made from thin-walled chrome-molybdenum steel tubing with a bolted-on, light alloy subframe only weighs 10.5 kg, yet it impresses with exemplary torsional stiffness. The long swingarm with conical profiles contributes plenty of mechanical grip.

Thanks to multiple setting options, the upside-down telescopic fork and the directly connected shock absorber from WP Suspension allow optimum adjustment of the chassis to suit the individual operational use of the versatile Adventure.

Brakes and Wheels

More than adequate deceleration is ensured on the Adventure by Brembo brakes featuring the very finest components, such as two floating 300 mm front brake discs. Stable wire-spoked wheels with all-round tires guarantee perfect suitability for touring with full offroad potential.

ABS

The disconnectible dual-circuit ABS system developed in cooperation with Bosch offers total protection against over-braking in all sports and touring situations, while maintaining the full effect and perfect feedback of a genuine sports brake thanks to very fine sensors.

Features

In addition to the standard engine guard, should the worst come to the worst, the Adventure is also equipped with orange powder-coated, extra-stable tubular crash bars, so that the bodywork is not so quickly damaged.

The fairing on the Adventure provides effective protection from the wind and weather and accommodates the clearly structured multi-function cockpit that supplies the rider with all essential information. The fuel tanks with a combined capacity of 19.5 l ensure a long useful working range.

Along with rally styling, the Adventure's perfectly padded twin-level seat ensures firm contact with the ground for all riders and long-distance comfort for both rider and pillion, while also providing crystal-clear feedback for a sportier pace. The large fuel tank surfaces ensure perfect leg contact for riding standing up.

There is no shortage of details on the Adventure that distinguish it as a genuine travel enduro: from the practical, easily operated center stand, the lockable stowage compartment between the tanks and the on-board electrical socket, to the robust engine guard, stable crash bars and hand guards.

Specifications

Design

2-cylinder, 4-stroke, spark-ignition engine, 75° V arrangement, liquid-cooled

Displacement

999 cm³

Bore

101 mm

Stroke

62.4 mm

Performance

84.5 kW (113.3 hp)

Starting aid

Electric starter

Transmission

6-speed, claw shifted

Engine lubrication

Dry-sump lubrication with 2 rotor pumps

Primary gear ratio

35:67

Secondary gear ratio

16:42

Cooling system

Liquid cooling system, continuous circulation of cooling liquid with water pump

Clutch

Wet multi-disc clutch / hydraulically operated

Ignition system

Contactless, controlled, fully electronic ignition system with digital ignition timing adjustment

Frame

Tubular space frame made from chrome molybdenum steel, powder-coated

Forks

WP Suspension Up Side Down 4860 MXMA PA

Shock absorber

WP Suspension PDS 5018 DCC PA

Suspension travel front

210 mm

Suspension travel rear

210 mm

Brake system front

Twin-disc brake with floating brake calipers and brake discs

Brake system rear

Single-disc brake with floating brake caliper and brake disc

Brake system

Two independent brake circuits with ABS (antilock brake system) - Brembo/Bosch

Brake discs - diameter front

300 mm

Brake discs - diameter rear

240 mm

Chain

5/8 x 5/16” X‑Ring

Steering head angle

63.4°

Wheel base

1,570 mm

Ground clearance (unloaded)

261 mm

Seat height (unloaded)

880 mm

Total fuel tank capacity approx.

20 l

Unleaded premium fuel (95 RON)

Weight without fuel approx.

209.5 kg


Quotes

Total Motorcycle----"Ambitious off-road riders also welcome the option of disengaging it as needed. At 115 hp and 100 Nm of torque, the dynamic, 75° V-twin now has even more power to eat up the miles, also with a pillion. The powerful engine, the low weight and the fantastic

agility make the Adventure a truly great ride."

Rider Magazine----"KTM’s 999cc LC8 V-twin powers three models, the 990 SMT ABS, 990 Adventure ABS and 990 Adventure R. The 990 SMT ABS gets a new tool-operated rear preload adjuster, radial-mount Brembo front calipers with radial front master cylinder and a two-channel Bosch ABS system. The 2012 990 Adventure ABS is based on the 2011 990 Adventure Dakar, with orange powdercoated frame and engine guards, new wrap-around hand guards, easier-lifting center stand and new colors/graphics. The 990 Adventure R gets revised suspension settings and an inch-lower seat height (35.2 inches). The Super Duke and Supermoto R have been dropped."