KTM 990 Adventure Dakar 30eme édition 2011 — Specifications

Thirty years of Dakar, and KTM has never really left the crumbs for anyone else. The Austrian manufacturer has so thoroughly dominated rally-raid that celebrating this anniversary was practically an obligation. In 2011, the Mattighofen firm pulled out a special edition of its 990 Adventure, dubbed "Dakar 30th Edition," just to remind everyone who rules the sand.

Under the skin, you'll find the 990 Adventure R platform, meaning that 75° V-twin displacing 999 cc that delivers 115 horsepower at 8,750 rpm and 98 Nm of torque at 6,750 rpm. A square engine, with its 101 mm bore against just 62.4 mm of stroke, that favors clean high-revving over diesel-tractor grunt. The whole lot runs through a six-speed gearbox and chain drive, enough to tickle 200 km/h on the speedometer. Compared to a BMW R 1200 GS of the same era, heavier and more road-oriented at heart, the KTM clearly plays the adventure bike card that doesn't shy away from a beaten-up trail. And against the Yamaha Super Ténéré, it counters with a more spirited, more radical temperament.

What sets this special edition apart from the standard model comes down mainly to the livery and a few well-chosen details. The Gauloises-style blue paint scheme, a direct nod to the years when the cigarette brand sponsored KTM in rally racing, gets a touch of orange on the front beak. The visual result is quite successful, you have to admit. The tubular side engine guards, painted to match the chrome-molybdenum trellis frame, add an adventurer's touch that means business. ABS rounds out the package, a welcome addition on a machine weighing 209.5 kg dry and fitted with Brembo brakes featuring dual 300 mm discs up front.

On the chassis side, no revolution compared to the R. The 48 mm telescopic fork and mono-shock each provide 210 mm of travel, placing this machine at the top of the class for a full-size adventure bike. The seat height peaks at 860 mm, exactly the same as the standard Adventure. Shorter riders will have to deal with this reality or invest in a lowered seat. The 90/90-21 front and 150/70-18 rear tires confirm its dual-purpose vocation, with a front hoop sized for serious off-road use. The 19.5-liter tank remains a bit tight for long-distance crossings, especially compared to the 30 liters some competitors offer. On this point, KTM sacrifices range in favor of agility.

At €13,950 in 2011, this special edition came with a significant premium over the base 990 Adventure. Is the extra cost justified solely by a collector's paint job and matching crash bars? For a rally-raid enthusiast who wants to fly their colors, the answer is yes without hesitation. For someone simply looking for a high-performance big adventure bike with no sentimental attachment to the Dakar, the standard R version does exactly the same job for less money. This 990 Adventure Dakar 30th Edition is aimed first and foremost at collectors and lovers of KTM history, those who know that behind this livery lies the most victorious lineage in world rally-raid.