Running in 990 R

[Desert Boy]

I'm new to this "Posting" stuff so please bare with me.

I'm lucky to live in "Adventure Riding Paradise" - Namibia; excellent roads, fantastic weather and negligible traffice - what more does one want?

Last week I toook delivery of a 2010 KTM 990R. The new bike has replaced a 2007 990 Adventure which was very close to my heart.

The most obvious differences between the old and new 990s are: 1) The 990R is significantly higher than the 990 Adv; 2) There's no ABS; 3) The new bike performs well at slow speed - no difficult jerky throttle.

As I am still running the bike in, I haven't been able to "experience" the additional power.

The new beauty just arrived. - to be continued when I figure out the technicalities of posting.

 

[Oetie]

Welcome, and congratulations with the new scoot, she surely is a beaut :thumleft:

 

[Desert Boy]

I see that the pictures didn't appear where the should have - hmmm, back to the drawing board.

https://desertboy.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/Solitaire-31-Jan-2010/11102421_tz2KP#777601950_9sak3

https://desertboy.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/Solitaire-31-Jan-2010/11102421_tz2KP#777602016_MoFxG

Let's try this - the brand new bike.        If this works, I'll continue

 

[Desert Boy]

Wow, this is not easy!

New bike getting assembled

 

[Desert Boy]

I'm really struggling to get the pictures to be visible. I opened an account at Smugmug and am following the procedure for posting pictures by copying URL, highlighting URL and clicking on IMG. The pics still don't appear - please help

 

[Trailrider]

I see that the pictures didn't appear where the should have - hmmm, back to the drawing board.

Let's try this - the brand new bike.        If this works, I'll continue

Quote my post and see what I did.

Nice bike! :thumleft:

 

[bradleys]

Nice bike, just love Nam,enjoy.

 

[Desert Boy]

Ok, I've got it now. Sorry for the previous flops

Got the new bike - pleased as punch!

I was keen to get the first 1000kms out of the way as soon as possible so a round trip to Solitaire was planned - down Gamsberg Pass to Solitaire and bak home via Spreetshoogte Pass. That would roughly be about 500 kms. Added to the 400 kms that I did in the first week, I would be very close to the 1000.

One of the things that I'm sure hasn't changed much on the neww 990 is the fuel consupption. That's why I made a pair of stainless steel brackets for 5l jerry cans that fit on the pannier rack.

Some of my riding buddies make disparaging remarks about "fuel tankers"

The ride started at the Engen fuel station at about 07h15 on Sunday morning. The route was as below

The route via Gamsberg to Solitaire is about 270 kms. There has been a lot of rain around Windhoek in the second half of January so the countryside is particularly green and luscious

Below the pass, on the way to Solitaire via Gaub Canyon, it was a lot drier but there were signs that it had rained

After a quick bite to eat, something to drink and after refuelling at Solitaire, it was back on the road to Windhoek via Spreetshoogte

After Spreetshoogte, it was plain sailing for another 170 kms to Windhoek. We got home around 14h30

It was a fantastic day on the new bike with great weather and wonderful company. Of course the magical 1000 km service is only 50 kms away and then the bike's full potential can be enjoyed

Happiness

 

[Desert Boy]

Wow, got it wrong again. Not that easy. Let me try again at the correct size. I'll only post the pictures this time. I am learning about this URL stuff.

Please follow the text up above and see the larger photos below. I've certainly learnt a bit about URLs, etc

I hope this makes some sense this time. Next time will be better

 

[LeonDude]

Nice! Congrats on the new bike, I hope we're going to see a lot more of NAM now that you've got your URL's sorted out  :thumleft:

 

[Martin-DR650]

Desert Man-I love your jerrycan idea,I still want to do that on my DR.

 

[KTM Jagermeister]

Beautifull!!!

 

[edgy]

Love those jerry can holders - how much?

 

[Frohan Visser]

Nice new "Toy"!!
Im glad you stayed in the "Orange Family"!! Its very nice jerry can holders!!
I am jealous about your "backyard", Nam is probably one of the best places for DS bikes!! Enjoy!

 

[Desert Boy]

Thanks for the compliments about the jerry can holders. They really are no big deal but are very practical. They were "thrown" together using stainless steel offcuts in a few hours. Anyone with a bit of metalwork experience and a bit of time could make them. There is no rocket science involved. They do give you a whole lot of extra range though, which is really useful here in Namibia.

Here are some detail photos that were taken when the jerry can holders were made; still on the 2007 990 Adv.

You're right though, Namibia is certainly DS bike Utopia

 

[Gee eS]

Very nice bike! Congrats.

 

[TerrorSA]

Lekker  :thumleft:

 

[lifeofgareth]

Great Bike and I love the Jerry Can fix.  :thumleft:

I'm about 18 months late to wish you well with the new bike, but just on time to say I hope we kick Namibia's arse in the rugby tomorrow!  :imaposer: ot:

 

[Frannarossi]

Damn,it must be nice to get a bike like that wrapped in plastic!Congrats and enjoy her :thumleft:

 

[ShaunF]

:thumleft: