KTM 1290 Adventure

[offworlder]

 

[unsightedlight]

No doubt a killer motorcycle on the cutting edge of technology. But not really a trail bike and thats coming from a guy who rides a 950 KTM. Took my old mans 1190r for a rip the other day and you can feel the difference right away. on the road the 950 is a cassette tape and the 1190 as a CD. its night and day. offroad, the 1190r is heavier the old 9XX KTM's and less armored. this new 1290 is now even bigger and lower with a 19" front. Dirt riders best stick to the 1190R for now. That said, If I wanted to ride around the world on pavement no doubt this would be the bike. Hopefully the new big KTM twin prove to be a lot more reliable then the old LC8 motor.

 

[offworlder]

Hopefully the new big KTM twins prove to be a lot more reliable then the old LC8 motor.

Huh ??? LC8 not reliable ? That sure aint my experience, or anyone else I know with an LC8 - stand forward and state your case !

 

[unsightedlight]

Maybe its just my bad luck. I like to think I am very meticulous with maintenance. Keeping to every service increment and trying to do every single "fix" as a preventative measure. Never the less the bike has left me stranded a few times. some of them little issues like the contact points wearing in the ignition switch causing the bike to stall every 4 mins. Just recently, on the way to alaska last August, the bike lost oil pressure in Fraser lake BC. Suspecting the multitude of somehow acceptable usual fixed (waterpump seal, pressure pump housing, oil tank check valve.) I did all these jobs but much to my dismay the bike still had the oil pressure light and horrible noise. Breaking down, I took the bike to a local KTM dealer last November where it sat for 2 months out in the rain before I was finally told the dealership was unwilling to buy the adapter/gauge needed to get mechanical oil pressure reading KTM northamerica needed to diagnose the problem with my bike. I then took the bike down to Skagit powersports after a good experience in the past and within two days I was informed that my bike had about 1/3 normal oil pressure at all RPMs with KTM north america suspecting main bearing. I went a head an gave them the go ahead on a rebuild and the next week I got a call and a picture sent from the mechanic at skagit. One of the oil jets that cooled the front piston had backed itself out on the cylinder wall and dropped down to the bottom of the crank case where it chewed up a bunch of stuff. Even though I shut the bike off as soon as I head the sound the lack of lubrication to the front piston burned it up ($530 for each piston in Canada from KTM btw!). Very disappointing for a motor with only 39,000KM. The issue with the jet can only mean someone at the factory didnt take the time to stake or properly locktight/torque the jet when the bike was being built.

 

[offworlder]

Granted the early generations of any bike can have issues, but that really does suck. Have you since gotten her sorted ?

I'm just over 40K on my 2011, and I've a friend with over 150,000Kms with no major issues - and he rides HARD ! In fact all my KTM bikes have been FAR more reliable than any of my other bikes, BMW, Husky, Beta, etc... so I'm very impressed with KTM reliability.

 

[unsightedlight]

2005.5 was supposed to be the year the engine got a lot of the upgrades and improvements found on the later engines. Mine seems to have some, but not all of the ones from the factory. ordered about $1500 USD worth of parts last week and the bike will live again. The pistons are apparently on back order until March 15th . But even at $400USD a piece I still come out a little ahead over Canadian prices. Don't get me wrong, I love my 950. thats why I am spending the money to rebuild it as there isn't another bike made that will do the same things I want it too. Its just going to take a little while before I can regain I little confidence in the motor. Being stranded a thousand KM from home sucks. In the meantime I will be adding an oil pressure gauge to the dash so I can at least have a better idea whats going on inside the motor in the future. planing to do exactly what this inmate did. http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=980350

I ride the bike hard and its been through a lot, so I guess I shouldn't be TOOOOO hard on it.

 

[North]

You have to love that 1290 Adventure. :tup:

 

[joker650]

I Have about 48,000 on my LC8 and haven't had any 'engine' problems , hopefully it stays that way :tup:

I think KTM built the 1290 as more of a touring road bike that will feel at home on gravel roads. A step up from the Adventurer but with less dirt manners, a Sport Touring bike.
Would be a sweet bike to ride, but not sure about having all those electronic control systems on a bike.
Traction control.....abs....stability control system.... hp adjustments.... too much electronics for me:hr: (Im not a big fan of new vehicles either due to all the electronics that I CAN't work on)
What ever happened to learning how to ride your motorcycle in all weather conditions and being able to control your power and braking?:stupid:

...yeah I know. Those are selling points for many people and that's ok..that's why there are so many makes and models of motorcycles to choose from. Everyone has different desires in a bike.

My SE is about as Technology advanced as I want to get!
There's a lot of touring guys that don't like cruzers or Beamers and I think the 1290 will fill the hole....I think their going to sell a tonne of em!










.................................and I would REALLY like to try one out!:dude:

 

[Ti welder]

K
Got to add here
The 990 has one little wiring issue and I hope it ends there.They are more than dependable if serviced properly and will go anywhere!!
My 2010 just might be up for grabs with less than 7k as I recall
Fw it's W
The 1200r is spot on, if only you could shut off the ABS to the front wheel!!!!! Got me in deep SHIT on the church lookout loop
Yes, electronic crap sucks!!

 

[kenf]

I'm a big believer in simpler is better, but I have to say, the EFI on my husky makes it soooo much easier to kick start than my old RMZ ever was. I used to be more scared of stalling than falling -- that's one bit of technology in which I'm now a true believer.

But yeah, I can live without all rest of the electronics on a bike. In fact, I took a rock to my husky and carefully removed the entire instrument console first chance I got

 

[unsightedlight]

For those interested in the LC8...

I've got my 950 back after the rebuild. Longest wait was for KTM NA to deliver the pistons that were on a two month back order. I can honestly say I've never heard this thing run this quiet before.... It almost sounds dare I say, Japanese. Got a big box of parts for those interested!


Here is the little $2 brass oil jet that was the cause of all my woes. It dislodged it self in the front cylinder bore for no apparent reason and proceeded to bounce around for about 100KM give or take...

Here are the pistons at 40,000KM (one of the left is the one with the jet bouncing around underneath it) Canadian 94 octane its whole life





Couple of nicks and dings on the underside of the piston that smashed up the jet...

Old bearing shells showing surprisingly little wear.

Big box of old parts.

... and my favorite addition, the ability to see my oil pressure at all times.

So happy to have my bike back. Skagit powersports did an top notch job and their mechanic Shaun knows his stuff... having gone to the KTM LC8 school and all.


Bike as it sits today

 

[zeddy]

The new 1190/1290 LC8 have longer valve adjustment intervals as well. I'm only a few rides into my 1190 but so far I'm loving it. I'd love to take a 1290 for a rip when they come out but I'm sure they will all be pre sold.

 

[Shuswap]

Thanks for the follow-up unsightedlight. That really is a beautiful bike you have there, the flag is very cool. She looks ready and willing to take you anywhere!