2012 KTM 990 Adventure
November 20, 2011 – Not a lot to report here actually, just a few quick photos and a video of a nice-looking KTM 990 Adventure with Touratech luggage.
The bike was on display in the KTM booth but the lighting, the black shiny floors and bright orange colors with white background conspired against getting better photos.
Same thing happened last year…
The 990 Adventure is a serious-looking but big dual-sport motorcycle.
A Dakar Rally display at the show had Fabrizio Meoni’s Dakar-winning KTM 950 Adventure from 2004 on display, along with a race-prepped Cagiva Elefant and other professional-grade off-road bikes, so I got a couple of photos there also.
Actually, the big news at KTM was the 690 Duke, introduced at the EICMA show. Unfortunately, I didn’t get photos of it; there’s only so much one can do at a show this big!
There aren’t many changes to the 990 Adventure for 2012 and I’m not sure how many of these are sold in comparison to the BMW R1200GS, which is one of the most popular motorcycles in Italy and the UK. I’m not sure why KTM doesn’t make a dual-sport version with the 690 engine; although it would probably cost about as much to make but the profit margins would be slim.
Perhaps the 990 Adventure will be updated or replaced soon, but knowing KTM, the bike will probably stay true to its hard-core roots. In any case, it’s one of the best-looking big adventure-tourers out there and the Touratech luggage is a perfect match.
KTM 990 Adventure with Touratech luggage.
Fabrizio Meoni’s KTM 950 Adventure from the 2004 Dakar Rally.
Publication Date: November 20, 2011
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