Tenere 700 Vs. Ktm 990 Adventure

[fozzy17]

790 clutch is cable and really light as in one finger

[daryl]

Dear friends,

The comparison in this thread is with the 990 not the 790. Thanks.

This might be slightly my fault.

My post was originally to another thread where someone asked about the 700/790 and appears to have been moved into here.

I've only ridden a 990 breifly and it was more of a handful than the Tenere. Saying that I'd still rather have the KTM.

[dave h]

790 clutch is cable and really light as in one finger

agree,

dave.

[Cone]

790 clutch is cable and really light as in one finger

agree,

dave.

I thought the clutch was awful on the one I rode

[Fried Egg Sandwich]

790 clutch is cable and really light as in one finger

agree,

dave.

I thought the clutch was awful on the one I rode

yep, the clutch was far too heavy on the 790R. Unlike the Ténéré 700, or the Ducati Desert Sled for comparison - both other adventure bikes with cable clutches.

[fozzy17]

you must of rode a 790 with a dodgy clutch then, i can pull the clutch in on mine with my little finger, if i remember when up garage i will post a video it is super light a few things i do not like about the 790 but the clutch isn't one of them

[paul.lewis]

Hi,

I raised the question of T700 Vs KTM 990 Adv ( NOT the 790 ) as I have been considering how to replace my previous 990 stolen in 2017. I bought a 1987 XT 600 Tenere in the meantime which has been a great pleasure. However it has become obvious that using it to nip across to tour the Alps is not really a comfortable option. I would like to keep the XT600 for trips on the TET and even Morocco ( Sandraiders).

However.. and back to the question. In 7 years since production ceased.. has any bike come along to challenge the sheer bravado, attitude and riding pleasure of the 990? One that would stop me re-purchasing another 990? Here are a few thoughts on some of the bikes I have tried during this time.

KTM 1090 / 1190
Having ridden these some time back I always felt they had lost some of the toughness of the 990 and had become too refined. Obviously they are now more powerful... but power, on its own, is not enough of an attraction for me and doesn't replace "personality" and character. They became too much like road bikes and offered less of the rally spirit. So I decided against them.

KTM 790
I have only ridden the non R version. The same comments as above apply to this bike. Plus it just looks too strange and I don't like how it looks - as well as being expensive. I will test the 790 R sometime and that may change my view.

Yamaha Tenere 700
I waited 2 years to test the T700... and I have to say it is a fantastic bike. 1.It feels super light, amazingly easy to manoeuvre ride. 2. The engine has lots of power from low down and is excitingly lively. 3. It looks bloody fantastic - in the true Dakar spirit. 4. Turning and geometry are excellent. 5. Good price.

I felt it was almost too light for touring however, when a feeling stability and some weight create a pleasant and more relaxed ride. I was also aware that the quality of components used might not be in quite the same class as the 990.

When a low mileage 2013 white 990 recently came up for sale I drove to see it. A magnificent beast, its sheer physical presence was remarkable. Yes, it is heavier than the newer bikes, massive in fact. Well... I bought it.

The rumble of a 1000cc twin burbling through lovely Wings pipes is a glorious sound. The 113 HP is not necessarily faster than the Tenere 700 ( it may actually be slower) but it has some arm wrenching heft and torque. Finally, it has tons of"attitude" and I guess I just love the 990.

Once I have done a few more key trips... The Alps and Scotland ad a few more too.. I may sell the 990 and buy the Tenere 700 which, as I get older will be easier to handle across multiple terrains. I do think the 700 is a superb and beautiful bike. But, perhaps, because the 990 was stolen... , I feel I still have unfinished business with that particular classic machine.

Dear friends,

The comparison in this thread is with the 990 not the 790. Thanks.

This might be slightly my fault.

My post was originally to another thread where someone asked about the 700/790 and appears to have been moved into here.

I've only ridden a 990 breifly and it was more of a handful than the Tenere. Saying that I'd still rather have the KTM.

That is interesting... I remember testing the Desert Sled and then breathing a sigh of relief getting back onto my 990... just a better more flexible and energetic bike. The T700 not THAT much lighter than the 990.. and less powerful. but sounds like it may be more fun on the road...

[johnnyboxer]

Any more thoughts ?

The T7's seem to be appearing at UK dealers, this week

[The Sarge]

Any more thoughts ?

The T7's seem to be appearing at UK dealers, this week

Mine is ordered Johnny but no date as yet...... Sometime in September is all I can get from Fowlers