it's funny that I fell on this video, as in 2004 I heard of this motorcycle company KTM that was making crazy dual sport motorcylces. When I first saw the 950 adventure it was love at first sight which wasn't meant to be as my cash flow had other priorities. 15 years later I'm looking for another Dual-Sport to add to my garage and I fell on a 2004 silver & black with 20,000Km like saw in 2004. That same feeling came to me when I saw it and it was for sale. In two days I am picking it up and it will remain with until I can no longer ride it, and hopefully I can pass it on to my son. We all have a few love in life the 2004 KTM 950 adventure is one of mine.
I don't usually comment videos but man, I share your thoughs. I'm born in 1992 and I was like 10 when I saw this thing the very first time. I was like, I am gonna buy this when I can. And I did, in 2016! I have had many kind of bikes, changed them after one year or so, got bored. But this 950 just keeps smile on my face. In 2023 my bike will be 20 years old and to celebrate that I am going to explore the Silk road if everything goes as planed. First from Finland to Moscow, then bikes onto trans siberian railway, to the east and back home riding. Should be about 40-50days trip😀
My 05 950 Adventure sat for 7 years, I went through the carbs and she fired right up, what a thrill. They are amazing machines to ride. If I were to describe it in one word it would be "Raw".
I have had my '05 950 Adventure since new, living in Washington state at the time. I was riding a KTM RXC 620 when I got it. That bike was a game changer. I loaded it up with my camping gear and went on 2 and 3 weeks trips. Even though I now have a 1190R, I would never sell the 950. It's a very special motorcycle.
I had a 2005 950 Adventure I rode all over Thailand, Laos, and Cambodia. Amazing bike.When I left Asia, I had to reluctantly sell it when I went back to the states. Looked at newer KTM bikes here, and did not like all the electronic doo dads. So......bought a 2009 KTM 950 Super Enduro. :-) That bike is more fun than I ever had on a bike. Simply raw...
Thanks for sharing! I love my 950 Adventure too and I think of it the same way you do - it’s a modern classic. A keeper for sure! Puts a big smile on my face and turns heads everywhere I go.
A feeling I know all too well. I was a sportbike rider also until I started selling them off looking for something more comfortable and versatile. Last one I owned being my old Kawi zx14r that my wife would ride 2up with me. I found a pristine 06' 950adv with only 3,000 miles on it at a Harley dealer of all places. That bike reignited a fire in my soul and gave me a new love for riding again. It would do anything I asked if it and so confidence inspiring. I ended up out on the local motocross track jumping it like it was a 250lb dirtbike and decided to get the 950 Super Enduro since my riding kept gravitating more and more towards the off-road stuff. I'm now currently on a 500exc that does everything from Enduro races, supermoto track days and long distance dualsport trips like the TAT. No matter how good the 500 is, I'm always thinking about how much fun the 950's were for me. Not to mention that exhaust note. It's motorcycle bliss for my ears. Thanks for the video. It's been a great trip down memory lane.
I have a 950s adv and a Zx14 as well as a new '20 1290 but i cannot sell the 950. Turns out this is a cult bike and there is no better sound than the angry snorting of a 950. Love this bike and although it is no longer the best at everything it has a charisma that is addictive and off road it is something else and unmacthed for my riding needs. Thanks for the video and i COMPLETELY agree with you. 💯👌👌
@@antonkruger5652I disagree! The 950/990 Adventure is a better adventure bike than the 1290S or R, the Africa Twin, the BMWs, even the T7s which are the next best think but are very anemic for my taste. Their suspension travel in the S and R variants (I had a 2009 ABS white which was raised to R heights and kept the ABS) is still unmatched and when you drop the bike which will eventually happen, the bike won't leave you stranded. Hit that GS cylinder in the "right" spot and it's game over! New adventure bikes don't crash well and they are full of worthless electronics, especially to a good rider that doesn't need them. The only think I ever need in a big fast bike is ABS and that's for the 1 - 2 times I'll get caught by surprise which didn't happen but for 2-3 occasions for the 110.000kms I kept my 990 from new. Then it saved me from a crash. I'm in the market for another one atm.
It is an awesome bike, maybe still better than some of the new stuff - Simple, fast, rides like a trailie off-road. Still lots of them around in good condition for not much money. (Well here in NZ anyway).
Riding that bike on the fireroads of the PNW was a treat. Scared me though as it's limits were so high, I was comfortable going fast enough to hurt myself quite badly. So the Tiger with street tires was good enough for me. Didn't keep me from going anywhere, it just took a bit longer. The 950 inspired such confidence though. The bike even tracked straight on its side spinning down the road. The rider and the deer on the other hand...
Its a beast and a relaxing cruiser, i was almost terrified how fast that big thing is, i love it so much :D there is no bike like that, i think there will never be ! i made a 2400 km trip with it, rocks, mud, gravel and fast corners on tarmac, with ease! And im a offroad novice, its amazing.
I own an 05 FXDXI, I love it, always was my dream, it's great, will never sell it, and yet I got to this video because I just closed the deal on a 05 950 Adventure S with over 60K miles. Certain things cannot be experienced in a Harley and a whole world of excitement the 950 is bringing to me. New ADV bikes are fantastic, but I feel starting in the 950 will make me a better rider, and at less than 3k I know I won't suffer when I drop it. Great reassuring video for me
I have mine since may and for me this is the Holy Grail of motorbikes. I had a BMW GS which was suppose to give me the 'escape' possibillties but I did find too dull. The KTM is everything - fast, agressive, great offroad and feels just awesome thanks to the carbs. It's an analog bike, the pinaccle of mechanical engineering. So, after watching this vid I thought that it needs a bit more love and just ordered a new Rally Fairing ;)
I wanted those carbs but I also wanted ABS which will save your hide 3-4 times in the bike's life and that's why I'm now opting for the 990 instead of the 950. Big fast bikes with no ABS in roads like glass aren't a good combination.
I was born in So CA and like you, rode a variety of Suzuki, Yamaha, and Honda 750/1100 cc sport bikes; all over Angeles Crest HWY, Ortega HWY, and even up to Mammoth Lakes and race over Tioga RD to Yosemite, or up to HWY 46 off 395 and race with a friend all the way to Benton ,at the intersection of HWY 50. After moving to remote CO in 1994, I began my enduro and off-road education. Currently I currently ride a 2023 KTM 350 EXC-F for difficult off-road trails and a 2017 KTM 1090R for fast pavement and easy off-road rides. Colorado has an infinite amount of off-road areas with a variety of skill level requirements to explore. I was considering buying a beautiful 2004 KTM 950 Adventure S, because it is an analog machine without all the stupid electronics seen on the new generation KTM 790/890/1290 bikes. But after watching videos like yours and others, on maintenance, it is obvious my mechanical skills are not up to the complexity this bike requires. So my plan now is to simply keep my two dedicated machines and be happy. Thanks for sharing this video!
in 2004 I went looking at 950's. Got talked out of them and into an 1150 BMW Adventure. 200,000 miles on that thing, I sold it. Found a lightly used 2010 990R in 2013 with less than 2,000 miles. It now has 85,000+ miles on it and I won't buy another bike. I will ride it until I can't. Not perfect, but it makes me feel like my 850 Norton did in 1974 and how my CBR900 RR did on the race track. It is my favorite bike in almost fifty years of riding.
All true. Very well said, this is the kind of video you send to your friends who are not moto people who wonder what that 9x0 in your garage represents. It's a no compromise big dirt bike that was turned into an adv bike before the Long Way Round catalyzed the market. My 2012 990A has been mothballed for a few years like yours but its right there in the garage and every time I walk by it I know it will run for me again. ps - my 500 is currently where it's at here in UT, no disrespect meant to my 990.
Had a 950 then 990R then got a 1190R. Love them all and ride both long distances and hard off road. Also ride other off roads. Just realised the best adventure i have ever owned was my 950. Went out and bought another 950 2006. Did a full upgrade and modification with all the off road accessories. Best bike i have ever own and will never sell my 950 again. Suspension upgrades by Martin Paetzold from 230mm travel to 265mm with heavy duty springs and upgraded valving, oils etc for fast off road trails and desert racing. Engine mods only filters, Oberon clutch slave, facet pump. Akropovic pipes decatted. Protection and this bike is mind blowing. Other than my XR650R i hardly touch my other bikes.
I'm debating between a 990 and the other 1090/1190 used ones. Love the 990 design, but I also want more reliability from a newer ktm...if that even exists. Thank You for sharing your 950 experience.
Hello have to agree on the 990 design ! And for the debating... it depends on what you need. if you will not be doing harder offroad or enduro and will ride mostly on road + gravle roads the 1090 and up are for that. i own a 2007 990 adv 72.000 km on it now. And i do as much offroad as i can, even dry rock river beds. but i think for me the 990 is max for me atleast xD i would not go up. you dont need it. sometimes more engine+weight is to much for enduro. Am looking to get a 640 adv so the 990 wont be so alone... but to be honest... my dream is the KTM 450 rally... but the price tag... meaby one day. You only need to know how and where you are going to ride.
@@justaguyonabike1991 yeah, I'm holding out for the new adventure r 2021 to come to the US. I have a 501 husky so I think that would compliment it nicely for longer camping or 2 up riding. Not interest in the S model...dont like electronic suspension and don't need adaptive cruise. Standard cruise control is fine...at least it make me alot more excited than the Harely Pan American.
6:24 Single cylinder make excellent touring bikes and that's not widely understood. Today you can get your hands on something that's not vibey at all: 701 Husqvarna/ KTM 690 Enduro starting 2019 has a second cam shaft
This Bike has caracter...and history .....I had an LC4 for 5 years and then , upgrade to the 950LC8, the riding is great, is a legendary motorcycle, an adventure ....this bike put KTM on top of the Dakar Race for many years....it is just an awesome Bike....AND THANKS for sharing your pic with the carabela ponymatic, I allwas wanted one of those when I was a Kid.....
Sir, like Dude! - like what are you waiting for??...you know your blood is beyond the point of boiling...i can hear it all over your soul! Please Give that beast of a machine some good ol tune up love, blow the dust of and let it breathe once more...it's suffocating!! Or better yet just ship it to me down here in E.Africa! :-) You're a master story teller btw - tks for the ride, wish my stop was in a couple more hours..! Cheers!
Bought a second hand (obviously) 950 adventure just a few months ago because I always admired that bike, due to its ruggedness and sheer presence, and thought it was a... regular bike. Now I know, .... it is not!
Ciao Luis, dopo tanti anni e tantissime KTM ho finalmente ho acquistato una 950 Adventure (dopo avere avuto anche un 990) per trasformarla nella Rally 950 vittoriosa alla Dakar del 2002 con il mio concittadino Fabrizio Meoni......Sono felice ma anche teso e non vedo l'ora di vederla ultimata!! La sto' ri-costruendo insieme al meccanico di Meoni, Romeo Feliciani e dovrebbe essere una replica veramente esatta di quella belva!!! Mi fa' piacere sapere che nel mondo ci sono molti appassionati di questo modello come me e che per molti di loro ha rappresentato la miglior moto mai posseduta...esattamente come per me!!! Un saluto
These two guys… 😂 Ernesto Guevara and Alberto Granado. I was doing that travel in South America when the movie was in Italian cinemas. While riding around Bariloche, Argentina, I’ve seen an orange thing sitting on the side of the road. It was late 2004. I stopped and spent 3 days with the owner to study it. Then I continue my travel up to Bolivia. Sadly on TV news there was Dakar and Meoni passed away. I knew nothing about rallies. I was 24. I came back, saved money and bought a new 950. Now it has over 700.000 km and I suppose it’s the KTM with more mileage in the world. Miles done in over 150 rally raids around the world. I follow races to take pictures, always with the 950.
Enjoyed this video. I too grew up riding since age 5 or so on a mini bike and old Yamahas. Had a KLR 650, then a 2004 KTM 640. I sold the 640 and bought a 2006 950. Love that bike, has 46,000 miles on it. Rode it back from Montana last summer after shipping it up there. A little bit of a bugger to work on having to remove crash bars, plastic tanks just to get a glimpse at the carb, engine. But it runs like a Saturn V. My buddies who ride the whiz bang smaller dirt/enduro bikes tease me, but they also comment on how nimbly I throw that bike around on the dirt. Get yours working soon!
Awesome! Thanks for the personal story. I've been distracted with my 18 250xc and my 19 450sx, but come this winter the 05 950 is coming back alive. Godspeed Bruce.
Cool vid here, im selling my 1190 adv r to get some other things taken care of, I have the same emotions about it that you have for the 950. A guy is coming this Wednesday and man, its hard to let her go. Longest bike I've owned, has put the most smiles on my face, and has caused some anger at times. Regardless, my next cheap ride will be hard to pick. I'm thinking 950 or xr650l.
I have a 950 exactly like that, 6:58, but with the orange defenses, and for me is the prettiest motorcycle I have ever seen *- * Even I dont care it spend 7-12 litres / 100km x'DD
Ik overweeg een ktm 950. Ik lees vaak dat deze motor veel onderhoud nodig heeft en dat er vaak aan gesleuteld moet worden, klopt dat? Sleutelen is namelijk niet mijn hobby, rijden wel
Ian, thank you! I own more than one bike, but my dual sports are 2016 1190r, and 2010 690r. My open class cross bike is a 450sx, and my Enduro bike is a 2018 250xc. All such good bikes!
Dooode. . .fix yer silly bike and go enjoy life again. 4 years on the stand?! Best well-rounder ever made. . . go anywhere, do anything. . . simply amazing, and an absolute hoot to ride. It's a hooligan and a long-distance backcountry traveller both. If you can pilot it, the bike can handle it. Absolute quality too.
I've been riding my 2004 since mid-2006. It's done just under 130k miles and still makes me grin like a fool. I also have a mint 2005. The newer models (790/890) ride better because of the advances in suspension, but in all other respects, the 950 is still top of the pile.
The 950 runs Keihin pump carburettors that deliver outstanding performance from zero revs . Very user friendly .......The 990 runs a fuel injection .............more midrange top end power. The 950 is easier off road . The 990 will tour better . I am a 990 owner for 13 years . .....Still happy . Kev.
The movie you refer to is The Motorcycle Diaries and is about, and from the travel diary of, the physician and revolutionary, Che Guevara. Now, if you are an American, I will be really encouraged to hear that this revelation (if it is one) changes nothing for you.
You can play the drinking game watching this video. Every time you hear the word right you have to take a drink of beer or whiskey. In the first 5 min you will be drunk as Fu(k. Right!
