Trex63 > Trex63's Blog Posts > '06 KTM 950 Adventure modification / maintenance history

September 20, 2007 19:18

(See also Photo Gallery ‘06 KTM 950 Adventure modification / maintenance history)

I hope I will not get struck by lightning from the BMW motorcycle Gods…

Besides my ‘06 F650 Dakar and ‘07 1200 GSA, I could not resist adding a ‘06 KTM 950 Adventure to the stable. Had I not found the 1200 GSA back in April ‘07, I would have ended up buying the KTM instead. Now I’ve got them both …go figure!

August 07 – 005 miles. Picked her up at the dealer on a Tuesday. It’s a brand new ‘06 model. Since I didn’t have anybody taking me there, the dealer offered to keep my 1200 GSA over night and pick me up the next day from home (awesome service).

- I had the tall windscreen and crash bars installed as part of the deal. The bike came with 32 l. Gobi side cases.

- I knew the seating position / comfort was none existend. I ordered the “tall” Touratech seat to increase distance between the seat and foot pegs.

- I also installed the 18 mm handle bar risers for comfort.

August 24, 2007 – 400 miles. I went ahead and performed the canister-rectomy and removed the SAS (secondary air system). The charcoal canister has been known to be a culprit causing problems when gased up to the rim in hot weather (fuel expansion). It can get as bad as getting hydro-locked.

Interestingly, KTM sells SAS blanking plates and plugs as a kit.

The bike runs like a bat out of hell. I’m having a hard time staying below 90 mph…

September 10, 2007 – 500 miles. I order and installed the european headlight with H7 driving- and H3 high beam light bulbs. The difference is significant in the dark. I may even forego additional PIAA’s or similar (...propably not)

September 17, 2007 – 790 miles. After reading a lot on the ADVrider forum about KTM problems with clutch slave cylinders, I order and installed the EVOLUZION up-grade kit. Double o-rings and a sturdier design will keep the bike going and the cylinder from leaking. In the meantime, KTM has issued its own up-grade kit. However, the EVOLUZION design is more convincing (IMHO).

Did I mention how fast this thing is…

October 14, 2007 – 840 miles Started with the initial 620 miles service today. Oil change is a PITA. I thought German engineers were strange. After working on the KTM, I know that Austrian engineers are worse…

I would be worth while just turning the bike up side down and let the oil drain out the filler hole…

On a positive note, I realy like the ease of valve adjustments. Once you take the cam bearing bridge off, it’s a piece of cake. No messing with cam chain tensioner like on the F650.

The intake valves were all tight, within specs. All exhaust valves were on the loose side, within specs – go figure!

I adjusted all valves to the looser end of the spectrum. Hopefully, it will safe me at least one re-adjustments at the next service intervall.

I am somewhat amazed, every time I have the bike apart, it starts instantly on first push of the starter button…Great!

...and, “she” is reeeeaaaly fast!

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