KTM 990 Adventure vs. Triumph 955 Tiger

[Buggles]

Here goes,

I've been riding the KTM for 2 weeks now and have done almost 2,000 miles on her, a mix of motorway, big & small country roads and commuting through London. So I'm ready to compare the two...

This is a bit of an apples/oranges discussion, as the bikes are clearly made with a different purpose in mind.

The KTM is a great bike, the Adventure monniker fits perfectly. I can see myself going anywhere on this bike. The Tiger is best described as an adventure-styled touring machine. It'll do anything bar off-road exceptionally well.

Engine & Gearbox:
The KTM's big 999cc twin is amazing, it has loads of power, both low-down as well as in higher revs. It does lack a bit in the mid-range though, especially in the higher gears. If you give it some throttle at 70mph in 6th gear, it's off to a "slow" start... You're better off dropping it a gear, and once it gets going it's amazing, as is the sound from the stock exhaust!

The gearbox is very smooth, sometimes I wonder if I've changed gear at all, you barely feel the lever against your foot.

The Tiger is easily the smoothest engine I have EVER had the pleasure to ride. It will go in any gear and has an amazing powerband from low to high revs, and everything in the middle. It really doesn't care what gear it's in, it'll just go! Once you roll on the throttle, the sound gets better and better, a deep throaty roar! The Tiger engine beats the KTM, in everything except fun!

The gearbox is good, but a bit notchy at times. You do need to exert some force to move through the gears.

Handling:
The KTM handles great, it feels really light and turns into corners so sharply that I have to make sure I don't cut them too tight. I haven't been into the Alps on the KTM yet, so I'm not sure how I'll handle proper twisties. One thing that'll take getting used to in twisties will be the sensitive throttle. It makes the bike LEAP forward at the slightest move of the wrist. The KTM always feels solid and planted, and I'm sure I can push it through corners a lot faster than I'm doing now (I'm still adjusting).

The Tiger handles a lot better than it's bulk would have you believe. I've been through the Pyrenees on her and it only got difficult on very narrow hairpins. She's a bit wide, which makes filtering interesting, but you get used to it. Because of the smooth triple engine, she doesn't really care what gear you leave her in when cornering, unless you're doing a 20mph hairpin in 6th, you'll be just fine. Throwing her through a series of quick turns is harder work than the KTM, but great fun!

Comfort:
The stock screen on the KTM provides better than expected wind protection (I'm 5'10), but it could be better, especially on long motorway journeys. I'm looking into a touring screen, but haven't decided yet. The seat is quite hard, but I'm getting used to it. The seating position is good, with the angle of my legs being quite comfortable. I'd give the KTM a 7 of 10 for comfort.

The Triumph's stock screen is pretty bad, and I upgraded this to the MRA-Vario screen quickly. With the MRA screen, you can go up to 50-60 mph with your visor open, no problem. The seat is decent, but gets quite painful on longer motorway rides. My legs are bent back slightly, which makes them cramp up a bit quicker. In all, very comfortable though, 8 of 10 (6 of 10 with the stock screen).

Other:
The finish on the KTM is exceptional, and while it some things (like the switches) don't look as polished as the Tiger, they feel more solid. I have to say I find the lack of fuel gauge annoying. Fortunately, I've always been in the habit of resetting my trip counter when I fill up. Good thing about the 990 is that is has 2 trip counters, as well as a fuel counter that starts to count when it goes on reserve. So even if you miss the light coming on, you'll know how many miles you've done until reserve.

The lights on the bike are very good and provide great visibility. I do worry about the rear light, as it seems quite small. I may take to wearing hi-vis, or at least sticking reflective stripes to the top box.

It has a little compartment on top of the tank that's big enough to fit your sunglasses, or in my case, my phone, the safety screwdriver for my GPS and the case for my earplugs. The space under the saddle for the toolkit is genius, it slots in a vertical space, as opposed to being bungied on the bottom of the seat like so many other bikes.

The KTM Panniers are Hepco & Becker Gobi panniers, spacious and well made.

Although I like the look of the double tanks, having to fill them both separately is a chore, especially since I keep pouring it in at wrong angles, making petrol shoot out the tank

The Tiger feels very solid as well, but less thought has gone into the design. You have to reach quite far across the bars to press the button for the trip counter, or to turn the heated grips on. Also, the speedo gets a bit hard to read at dusk. It's fine in light or dark, but that time in between is a bit of a struggle...

The standard lights aren't great. It's got two headlights, but only uses one standard. £19 will get you a relay to fix that. The fact that there is a place waiting for the relay on the dash, makes me wonder why they didn't fit it to begin with.

Dual headlights make a massive difference, especially when fitted with Nightbreaker bulbs. I would never go back to the single headlight on the Triumph, and if you're still riding like that, fix it asap and become enlightened

The stock panniers are good, and the mounting system is great. You can barely tell there are mounts for the panniers. Unfortunately, the panniers aren't square, so they're a bit difficult to fill up, especially since they don't open at the top, they open all along the pannier (like a suitcase). One of the panniers is shaped around the exhaust, which means you have even less space in it. They're pretty waterproof, but standing them in the pouring rain for a day will result in some water getting in.

Overall:
Different strokes for different folks is never more true than when comparing the Adventure to the Tiger. There were times on the motorway I was wishing I was back on the Tiger with its superior wind protection and smooth engine, but the KTM just makes for much more fun. If you like cars you should at one point own an Alfa. Yes, they're more expensive to maintain, more things go wrong, but what a ride. The same applies to the KTM, if you like bikes, you should try the KTM, it's definitely more expensive to maintain, I don't know if more goes wrong than on a Tiger, but I'm sure I'll find out!

I've also noticed you get more attention on the KTM. I've had people come up to me to compliment me with the bike, dads rubbernecking when they pass me in the car, and people giving me the thumbs up when I pass them.

Both bikes are pretty in their own way (for adventure bikes) and the design of the KTM is definitely the eye-catcher of the two.

I'll always have a soft spot in my heart for the Tiger, it's one AMAZING machine! However, I'm definitely not regretting the change!

JB

[winxp-master]

Nice write up J.

[Chad]

good points well made

[African Simba]

Recently I had the pleasure of riding a Katoom 990s Adv out in Africa and had the chance to ride the beast out in a proper desert. What a Bike I was so pleased with it the above mentioned is spot on.

[Jacqueslemac]

I've only ridden a 990 for a few miles (thanks, Chad), but I've ridden my Tiger a fair bit in all conditions and all weathers. Your observations on the Tiger strike a chord with me.

I've got both the MRA Vario screen and the Triumph touring one and both are an improvement on the original (although it's hard to say which of them is the biggest improvement - I keep swapping).

The gearbox is a bit notchy. I find it best to pre-load my foot against the lever before pulling the clutch in when changing up.

The dials are just as you say - fine in the daylight and fine in the dark, but the figures completely vanish during dusk and dawn.

My panniers leaked a couple of times and they're nowhere near big enough for camping trips. I've swapped them for ally ones.

I'm managing over 50mpg average on my Tiger. How's the KTM?

[Buggles]

I'm managing over 50mpg average on my Tiger. How's the KTM?

That's where the Tiger kicks the KTM *rse... I get about 45mpg (motorway, 75mph, no luggage bar the top box) where I got 56mpg out of the Tiger fully loaded for holidays this summer.

This is part due to the smaller front sprocket i've got on there (to help with the mad throttle). Stan get's around 50mpg out of two up fully loaded on the motorway (reformed, good Stan ).

As I said, I'll always have a soft spot for the Tiger, it's an amazing bike. One I'd recommend to anyone without hesitation!

JB

[Chad]

This is part due to the smaller front sprocket i've got on there (to help with the mad throttle). Stan get's around 50mpg out of two up fully loaded on the motorway (reformed, good Stan ).


JB

bad stan used to get three to the gallon, but used to get there so quick he could sit and have a coffee and watch himself arrive

[Wee Jack]

Excellent post Buggles, I've never ridden a Tiger, but you've got the KTM pretty well summed-up !! I almost feel as if I know that bike .

Fuel consumption - I took off the Akraprovic cans a sold them after 18 months of expensive noise generation !! 40 mpg average. The standard cans gave 50 mpg, but that took a bit of a hit when the 16t front sprocket was put on when the chain was replaced at 18,000 miles.

Glad your enjoying it - I have no regrets over my 23 months and 18000+ miles of KTM ownership.

I sounds like you need room in your garage for a Tiger and a Katoom !!!!

[Chad]

I have no regrets over my 23 months and 18000+ miles of KTM ownership.

is that all have ye gan soft ye bampot

[Wee Jack]

is that all have ye gan soft ye bampot

It would have been a lot less but for the 800+ miles I spent running around Scotland with a GS on my tail !!!!

and YES saft as saft is !!

How are you ? ya big plonker !!! long time - no hear.