KTM 950 Adventure

The KTM 950 Adventure is a Dual-sport motorcycle that was produced in Austria by KTM. The bike is powered by a liquid cooled, four-stroke, DOHC 942 cc 75° V-twin engine, producing around 102 bhp (76 kW).

KTM 950 Adventure
ManufacturerKTM
Also calledKTM LC8 Adventure
Production2003-2006
SuccessorKTM 990 Adventure
ClassDual-sport motorcycle
Engine942 cc 75° V-twin[1]
Bore / stroke100 mm × 60 mm (3.94 in × 2.36 in)
Compression ratio11.5:1
Top speed215km/h
Power102 bhp (76 kW) @ 8,000 rpm
Torque97 N⋅m (72 lbf⋅ft) @ 6,000 rpm
Ignition typeDenso CDI
Transmission6 gears
Frame typeOpen cradle, chrome-molybdenum steel tubes with Aluminium subframe
SuspensionFront: WP USD 4860 MXMA (damping and rebound adjustable) 48 mm (1.9 in) diameter

Rear: WP Progressive Damping System (PDS) shock absorber with adjustable hydraulic preload, rebound, separate low and high speed compression damping.
BrakesFront: 2 x Brembo perforated brake disks, 300 mm (12 in) floating calipers
Rear: 1 x Brembo disk 240 mm (9.4 in) with floating caliper.
TiresFront: 90/90 R21
Rear: 150/70 R18
Rake, trail26.6°/ 119 mm (4.7 in)
Wheelbase1,570 mm (62 in) ± 10 mm (0.39 inch)
Seat height2003/2004: 880 mm (35 in),

2003/2004 S: 915 mm (36.0 in),
2005/2006: 860 mm (34 in),

2005/2006 S: 895 mm (35.2 in)
Weight206 kg (454 lb) (dry)
Fuel capacity22 L (4.8 imp gal; 5.8 US gal) (including 4 L (0.88 imp gal; 1.1 US gal) reserve)
Oil capacity3.3 L (0.73 imp gal; 0.87 US gal)
Fuel consumption10 L/100km (43 to 24 MPG)

History

The story of KTM 950 Adventure started in 1992. That year, a one-off special called the Bepono, built for the German BoTT series by two engineering students by combining a pair of cylinders from a KTM LC4 single on a special crankcase, was displayed on the KTM stand at the IFMA Show in Cologne.

That was just a teaser, though - as was the second time around in 1996, when it was revealed that the Stuttgart-based design office Kraft Technik, had been commissioned by KTM to produce a design for a V-twin Hard Enduro, possibly using the 60-degree V-twin RSV900 Rotax engine at that time developing for Aprilia. The Italian company however refused to share it with their Austrian neighbours. Another alternative for KTM was the Swedish Folan 60-degree V-twin motor which already existed, however it was also aborted once KTM had been successfully floated on the stock market.[2]

In early 1998, as the company grew in strength and the need to expand its single-cylinder range with a twin-cylinder product line, new V-twin became a priority. Chief engineer Wolfgang Felber made preliminary studies of twin-cylinder engine formats and vehicle concepts.

KTM LC8 Engine

By August 1998 the decision was made to go with a 75-degree V-twin design, but with special emphasis on light weight and, especially, compact build. To do so, KTM decided to assume the entire R&D process themselves in-house, and hired Claus Holweg as Project Manager from their Austrian rivals, Rotax.

The new engine called LC8 was complete and had its first dyno run on August 11, 1999 in exactly 12 months from the start.

After the successful engine development the time came to design the body of 950 Adventure.

KTM Adventure prototype

Development and management departments of KTM put designers and model makers together to set a concept. The final prototype's design was completed by Kiska, the design partner of KTM, and presented at Munich Motorcycle show in 2000.

After the critical votes, KTM CEO Stefan Pierer decided to reject the first draft of the Adventure except few small details, chassis and engine.

KTM's designers were innovative in defining a never seen design, strained and broken lines with a very angular fairing. In order to help, engineers asked rally pilot Fabrizio Meoni to assist.

In early 2001, engineers quickly built a frame house with ratings defined by Meoni and soon in February 2001, he begins Adventure testing under the real conditions in Tunisia.

Later that year Fabrizio Meoni wins Rallye des Pharaons 2001 following superior victory on the Dakar in 2002, confirming that 950 Adventure is ready.

The nearly final form of the 950 Adventure was formally presented in at the 2003 Intermot Motorcycle show. Mass production of the LC8 begins in February 2003.

In 2006 KTM stopped producing 950 Adventure. The successor was KTM 990 Adventure which had slightly more engine displacement and fuel injectors instead of carburetors.

Suspension

Front and rear suspensions were made by WP. Front suspensions (also known as forks) allow compression adjustment at the bottom as well as damping adjustments at the top of the forks. Spring preload can be adjusted by on the top cap of the forks.

Rear suspension (shock absorber) has rebound adjustment at the bottom of the shock. High/low speed dampening are adjustable using a clicker dial and a 14mm hex at the top. It is worth noting that High/Low speed dampening are referring to speed of compressing the spring, not speed of the motorcycle.

Rear shock on all adventure models of 950 and 990 have hydraulic preload adjustment accessible with a knob on the left side of the motorcycle. KTM 950 Super Enduro R version has a mechanical large nut compressing the spring instead.

Suspension Travel

Front and rear suspension travel was changed by KTM throughout the years it was in production. Seat height and ground clearance were subsequently affected.

YearmodelSuspensions travelSeat height, unloadedGround clearance, unloaded
2003950 Adventure230 mm (9.1 in)880 mm (35 in)281 mm (11.1 in)
2003950 Adventure S265 mm (10.4 in)915 mm (36.0 in)316 mm (12.4 in)
2004950 Adventure230 mm (9.1 in)880 mm (35 in)281 mm (11.1 in)
2004950 Adventure S265 mm (10.4 in)915 mm (36.0 in)316 mm (12.4 in)
2005950 Adventure210 mm (8.3 in)860 mm (34 in)261 mm (10.3 in)
2005950 Adventure S245 mm (9.6 in)895 mm (35.2 in)296 mm (11.7 in)
2006950 Adventure210 mm (8.3 in)860 mm (34 in)261 mm (10.3 in)
2006950 Adventure S245 mm (9.6 in)895 mm (35.2 in)296 mm (11.7 in)
2007990 Adventure210 mm (8.3 in)860 mm (34 in)261 mm (10.3 in)
2007990 Adventure S265 mm (10.4 in)915 mm (36.0 in)316 mm (12.4 in)
2008990 Adventure210 mm (8.3 in)860 mm (34 in)261 mm (10.3 in)
2008990 Adventure S265 mm (10.4 in)915 mm (36.0 in)316 mm (12.4 in)
2009990 Adventure210 mm (8.3 in)880 mm (35 in)261 mm (10.3 in)
2009990 Adventure R265 mm (10.4 in)920 mm (36 in)316 mm (12.4 in)
2010990 Adventure210 mm (8.3 in)880 mm (35 in)261 mm (10.3 in)
2010990 Adventure R265 mm (10.4 in)920 mm (36 in)316 mm (12.4 in)
2011990 Adventure210 mm (8.3 in)880 mm (35 in)261 mm (10.3 in)
2011990 Adventure R245 mm (9.6 in)905 mm (35.6 in)301 mm (11.9 in)
2006950 Super Enduro R250 mm (9.8 in) front
255 mm (10.0 in) rear
965 mm (38.0 in)330 mm (13 in)
2008950 Super Enduro R250 mm (9.8 in) front
255 mm (10.0 in) rear
965 mm (38.0 in)330 mm (13 in)

[3]

Modifications

Year950 Adventure950 Adventure SChanges[4]
2003Grey-BlackOrangeN\A
2004Grey-Black, Black, OrangeBlue-Orange colors of Rally Raid Gauloises Team with 'GO !!!!!!!!!!!' slogan
  • Darker windscreen fairing
  • Front fender is painted evenly with the dominant colour of the body
  • Tank protection at the bottom
  • Wheels' rims are completely black
2005Black, OrangeBlue-Orange, but 'GO !!!!!!!!!!!' slogan removed
  • Engine: The multipurpose shaft, The clutch is modified to reduce mechanical noise
  • Carburettor is equipped with electric heaters (to prevent freezing in cold weather)
  • Suspension travel is reduced by 20mm (from 230 to 210 mm and from 265 to 245mm on S model)
  • Front wheel is now more resistant to off-road use
  • Rear rim pass from 4.00" to 4.25"
  • Rear caliper pistons now have thermal protection
  • Saddle has been redesigned and different foam was used to get a better comfort
  • Thermal protection of the exhaust manifold before the cylinder was lengthened
  • A splash protection (protecting the electric element placed in front of the airbox) was added under the frame behind the steering column
  • A new fan shroud cooling to better redirect the exhaust air and less heat on the left knee of the driver

See also

KTM Adventure Bikes Hall Of Wisdom (www.ktm950.info), a great source of information dedicated to KTM 950 and 990 models, summarizing valuable forum posts.

Other large dual-sport motorcycles :

References

  1. Yossef Schvetz (November 8, 2000). "First Look: KTM LC8 Adventure". Archived from the original on April 15, 2007. Retrieved 2011-04-05.CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  2. Alan Cathcart. "Not Like The Others". Retrieved 2011-04-05.
  3. Based on information published by KTM in Repair Manual 2003-2013 (Edition: 12/2012 - Art-No. 3.206.142-E) and each year model's specific Owner's Manual. Owner's Manuals on KTM950.info
  4. "Evolution des Modéles". Retrieved 2011-04-03.
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