KTM upgraded parallel twin on way

Got a spanner in the works? Post your motorcycle problems here.
dave h
Posts: 686
Joined: Tue Jul 12, 2016 4:49 pm
Has thanked: 321 times
Been thanked: 370 times

KTM upgraded parallel twin on way

Post by dave h »

Richard Simpson Mark II
Posts: 3516
Joined: Tue May 09, 2017 9:03 pm
Has thanked: 1413 times
Been thanked: 1668 times

Re: KTM upgraded parallel twin on way

Post by Richard Simpson Mark II »

Those surviving KTM 950/990 V-twins get more valuable by the day
User avatar
Monster
Posts: 752
Joined: Sun Jul 03, 2011 8:33 pm
Has thanked: 43 times
Been thanked: 125 times

Re: KTM upgraded parallel twin on way

Post by Monster »

Ohhhhhh .... the irony

A new 990 Adventure? all it needs is maybe a fuel gauge and better range !!

Sorted
If a Hammer don't fix it - you have an electrical problem
Richard Simpson Mark II
Posts: 3516
Joined: Tue May 09, 2017 9:03 pm
Has thanked: 1413 times
Been thanked: 1668 times

Re: KTM upgraded parallel twin on way

Post by Richard Simpson Mark II »

I've ridden both the CF Moto-engined bikes (790 Adv and 890 Adv). Coming off a 950...even one with 40,000 miles on it like mine, first thing you notice is the mechanical noise. The guy who owned the 790 got rid of it because it sounded like a bag of spanners.

Having done the valve clearances on my bike, it's noticeable how well-built the engines are, with the exception of the waterpumps.

I wonder if you get the same feeling of quality from the Chinese ones?

Still, 270 degree parallel twins are cheap and easy to build, so that's what we get. BMW, KTM, CF Moto, Aprilia, Yamaha, Honda, and now Suzuki they can't all be wrong.

Maybe it's me...had my head turned at an impressionable age working at a Ducati/Moto Guzzi/Morini dealer back in the 1970s. My first full-time permanent job, and by far the most memorable. But there's something about the sound of a V-twin.
redbikejohn
Posts: 2158
Joined: Wed Aug 04, 2010 4:01 pm
Has thanked: 2 times
Been thanked: 83 times

Re: KTM upgraded parallel twin on way

Post by redbikejohn »

Aaah the sound my open piped 916 used to make on the overrun 😍.
Yamaha tenere 700
XT660Z written off from behind by car.



Check out www.redbikejohn.com for ride & race reports (enduro, H&H etc).
garyboy
Posts: 4441
Joined: Thu Mar 07, 2013 6:14 pm
Has thanked: 2280 times
Been thanked: 992 times

Re: KTM upgraded parallel twin on way

Post by garyboy »

Apparently, the 270 parallel twin was chosen to emulate the sound and vibration qualities of a harley? Bikers were complaining that the Japanese in-line 4 was Too smooth and quiet, and therefore bland.

People like Honda must have experimented with the offset setup and timing for ages, to get the right sort of vibration that resonated with bikers' bums lol.

My NC750 is such a 270 twin, and honda have certainly got the depth of exhaust note and inner rumble just right. Strangely, they say they left in the over-rumble when the engine is labouring, with some sort of plausible explanation, but I think it is more to do with overall compromise between fuel efficiency, sound, vibrations, and power.
Crossrutted
Posts: 1753
Joined: Sat Apr 28, 2012 6:18 pm
Has thanked: 70 times
Been thanked: 178 times

Re: KTM upgraded parallel twin on way

Post by Crossrutted »

garyboy wrote: Tue Feb 07, 2023 3:59 am Apparently, the 270 parallel twin was chosen to emulate the sound and vibration qualities of a harley? Bikers were complaining that the Japanese in-line 4 was Too smooth and quiet, and therefore bland.
Can' comment about the Honda, but the KTM 790/890 engine is so lacking in character, no way does it resemble a V Twin.

( I will admit to having owned 5 real KTM LC8s, 3 Ducatis, 2 Moto Morinis and a Honda V Twin.
The much maligned CX500 engine had more character than the current KTM engine IMO.)
Richard Simpson Mark II
Posts: 3516
Joined: Tue May 09, 2017 9:03 pm
Has thanked: 1413 times
Been thanked: 1668 times

Re: KTM upgraded parallel twin on way

Post by Richard Simpson Mark II »

redbikejohn wrote: Mon Feb 06, 2023 10:34 pm Aaah the sound my open piped 916 used to make on the overrun 😍.
Oh yes...the glory days of World Superbikes...Saw Foggy first on the 888 (the infamous worm leathers at Donington Park) then for a good few years after on the 916.

Documentary film When Superbikes Ruled The World airs occasionally on (I think) ITV.
User avatar
Toe
Posts: 368
Joined: Tue Jan 25, 2011 12:44 pm
Has thanked: 25 times
Been thanked: 72 times

Re: KTM upgraded parallel twin on way

Post by Toe »

garyboy wrote: Tue Feb 07, 2023 3:59 am Apparently, the 270 parallel twin was chosen to emulate the sound and vibration qualities of a harley? Bikers were complaining that the Japanese in-line 4 was Too smooth and quiet, and therefore bland.

People like Honda must have experimented with the offset setup and timing for ages, to get the right sort of vibration that resonated with bikers' bums lol.

My NC750 is such a 270 twin, and honda have certainly got the depth of exhaust note and inner rumble just right. Strangely, they say they left in the over-rumble when the engine is labouring, with some sort of plausible explanation, but I think it is more to do with overall compromise between fuel efficiency, sound, vibrations, and power.
I think it's to replicate a 90 degree because the firing order on a 270 matches the 90. Always thought it was properly kicked off by Yamaha with the TRX850 wanting it to mimic a Ducati!
DRZ 400 Daytona 675 | BEL ESP FRA GBR
KHM IDN LAO MMR PHL THA VNM
garyboy
Posts: 4441
Joined: Thu Mar 07, 2013 6:14 pm
Has thanked: 2280 times
Been thanked: 992 times

Re: KTM upgraded parallel twin on way

Post by garyboy »

TBH I've never really understood it, or could visualise it.
Post Reply

Return to “TECHNICAL”