Thinking of buying another bike

[GoodFoodGuyd]

Having been on the forum since April this year, I have read alot of posts about Peeps adventure's when out green laneing and I read with envy the numerous posts about the national and I have gazed longingly at pictures of muddy bike's ( do I need to get out more often?). So.............. in a nut shell, I'm going to have a look at this today
Type KTM Model 990 Adventure Year 2007 Category Venture Sports Engine 999 Colour Blue Mileage 1600 Registration Price £7250 2007'57' ADVENTURE S in immaculate standard condition with full luggage, first service

AM I DOING THE RIGHT THING??????????????????????????

[Whealie]

Yes and No. Not just because it is a KTM.

How happy will you be dropping £7,000-worth of bike on rocks?

Would a smaller lighter bike be more appropriate for green-laning?

I love taking the big bike out - although I wish I had a proper green-laner too - but I have a beaten up one for off-roading.

[samben]

I have to agree with Whealie mate. Far too nice a bike to be throwing down on rocks. There is also the hieght factor of the KTM. Do you think you could flat foot one on uneven ground?

[Slimie]

I've also got to agree with Chris's comments.

I do take the KTM off road. You get a great sense of achievement when it goes right but I only go out with company and on fairly gentle lanes.

Too much invested if it goes rubber up!!

One day I'll have a little XR or summat...one day!!

-Simon

PS it's a cracking bike, and way better than I am

[Wee Jack]

Yes you are doing the right thing. BUT it depends how much green muddy stuff you want to do - the 990 is brill on forestry roads etc , where you can crack on a bit , but I don't fancy it much in the soft stuff.

The KTM 990 just rocks , but I'm not the guy to ask for an unbiased opinion .

You would love it on the road. and you can practise on the gravel till you look like my avatar !!

[phil w]

Me and J had a short one yesterday, but the lanes we took no way would I want to do it on 7k of bike. J did it on his BMW and the same lane was 10 times harder hence the avatar of Js BM on the deck.
get a hack to go offroading, whether big or small, it will get dropped.
Even yesterday the differance of 2 novices on a 250 and 650 was easy to see, the 250 is light and gets the power on easier.

KTM is great and buy it if you can

[winxp-master]

have to agree, i wouldn't be happy taking a £7000 bike over rocks!...did you see Whealies video? lol no chance!

Looks a lovely bike though for everyday use and light gravel tracks, they look even nicer with the rear lights added on to the panniers from rugged roads

[AIRWOLF]

Cracking bike

If you have little off road experience be prepared for some repair bills (could be expensive ).

So my advice would be, get the big KTM , and spend a few hundred quid on a 250 trail bike to get really mucky , then, when you have some experience and don't fall off the 250 very often, you'll be ready to get the big un' dirty

[stanbloke]

I've got one and it goes offroad. but that is my choice.

I keep telling myself that I'm not doing it again, but i always do , coz it's £7k's worth and if i drop it it may cost me Blah, Blah.

Your bike , Your choice mate. But there have been some good advice from the guys on here so take your time and give it some thought..

[GoodFoodGuyd]

I thank you all for your input. I arrived at the guys house expecting to be able to see the bike straight away, you know have a glance over while he comes to the door. This didn't happen. Instead I was asked to wait 10 minutes while he went and got the bike. I asked where it was and he said 5 miles up the road in a secure barn/warehouse..............my ears are still ringing from the alarm bells that duly sounded. Anyway, I gave the guy the benefit of the doubt, and said ok, you pop the kettle on, milk and two sugars and I might still be here when you get back . 20 minutes later and he appears around the corner pushing the bike, laughingly shouting " it ran out of petrol " so I replied " that's not going to do it any good " to which he palmed me with some sarky comment under his breath. Now, I don't know how difficult it is to start a 990s after it has run out of fuel, but it seemed an awful long time before there was even a glimmer of hope of the thing starting. By now I had been there an hour, drank a p*ss poor impression of a coffee, smoked what seemed like 20 fags and had started to poach my internal organs in the warmth of the september sunshine while dressed ready to hop on the bike at any moment. That moment had arrived, the bike was ticking over-ish so I blipped the throttle and was promptly told off for doing so. WHO THE F**K IS BUYING THIS ??????? I asked, ME OR YOU???????which was answered with "NOT YOU". The guy turned the ignition off, kicked up the stand and pushed the bike back onto his driveway, closed his gates and went inside............................................ .........
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So I guess I won't be buying a KTM any time soon
Lesson learn't
Regards
Greg