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2012 KTM 990 Adventure R Overview
KTM 990 Adventure R is an enduro / off-road motorcycle, displacing 999.8 cc. Power comes from a Four stroke, 75°V-twin cylinder, DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder engine, a compression ratio of 11.5;1. On the performance side, it delivers 116 hp @ 9000 pm of peak power and 100 Nm @ 6500 rpm of torque. Top speed is factory-quoted at 210.7 km/h. On the road, the 2012 990 Adventure R tips the scales at 207 kg, carries a 19.5-litre fuel tank, offers a seat height of 895 mm and spans a 1570 mm wheelbase. That's roughly 8.2 kg heavier than the average enduro / off-road motorcycle in our database. The full 2012 KTM 990 Adventure R spec sheet below covers every technical detail, from suspension travel to tyre sizes.
2012 990 Adventure R - Pros & Cons
Strengths
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Strong power output: With 116 hp @ 9000 pm and 100 Nm @ 6500 rpm of torque on tap, the 990 Adventure R is no slouch for its class.
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Fuel injection: Fuel injection means consistent cold starts and clean throttle response without the fussiness of a carbureted setup.
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Large fuel range: A 19.5-litre tank means fewer stops on longer rides - a genuine plus for touring or a lengthy daily commute.
Considerations
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📏
Tall seat height: At 895 mm, shorter riders will likely be on tiptoes at a standstill - worth sitting on one before you buy.
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Chain final drive upkeep: Budget time for routine chain maintenance - it's cheap to replace but needs consistent attention to avoid premature sprocket wear.
Wear Points & Servicing Notes
Cooling system servicing
990 Adventure R's Liquid cooling setup is low-maintenance provided the coolant interval is kept - old, acidic coolant is the main cause of long-term corrosion in the water passages.
Fuelling & injector care
The Keihin Electronic Fuel Injection EMS on the 990 Adventure R needs little beyond good fuel and periodic use of an injector-cleaner additive - no jetting or float-bowl maintenance to worry about.
Brake disc and pad wear
Braking up front comes from 2x 300mm Brembo discs 2 piston calipers - solid stopping power, with disc and pad wear best checked on the same schedule as tyre changes.
Suspension condition on used examples
The 990 Adventure R's suspension runs 48mm WP USD forks at the front. The rear uses WP-PDS rear shock, hydraulic spring preload. Fork-seal condition and rear linkage play are the two things worth checking before buying used.
Final drive maintenance
The 990 Adventure R uses chain final drive, which is cheap to replace but needs regular cleaning, lubrication and tension checks to get a full service life out of the sprockets.
Frame & chassis check
Built around a Tubular cromoly spaced frame. powered coated, the 990 Adventure R's chassis is straightforward to inspect: look for corrosion, cracks or repair welds around stress points like the head-stock and swingarm mounts.
990 Adventure R - Buying & Maintenance Guide
What to check before buying
Before handing over money for a used 2012 KTM 990 Adventure R, cover the fundamentals: service book and oil change history, chain and sprocket wear, and any sign of oil weeping around the casings. Cold-starting it yourself tells you a lot - a healthy 990 Adventure R should catch quickly and settle into a smooth idle.
Oil and filter changes
Nothing protects a 990 Adventure R's engine like disciplined oil changes - stay on the manufacturer's schedule (roughly every 6,000 km or annually). Match the viscosity grade to what the owner's manual specifies, not what's cheapest.
Fuel system care
Fuel injection on the 990 Adventure R needs little attention beyond decent fuel and an occasional system-cleaner additive. Anything left standing for three months or more should have its fuel drained and replaced before it varnishes the injectors.
2012 KTM 990 Adventure R - Frequently Asked Questions
What engine does the 2012 KTM 990 Adventure R have?
The 2012 KTM 990 Adventure R uses a Four stroke, 75°V-twin cylinder, DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder engine with 999.8 cc of displacement. It is liquid cooling.
What is the top speed of the 2012 KTM 990 Adventure R?
The 2012 KTM 990 Adventure R has a factory-quoted top speed of 210.7 km/h. Real-world speeds vary depending on rider weight, conditions and state of tune.
How much does the 2012 KTM 990 Adventure R weigh?
The 2012 KTM 990 Adventure R weighs 207 kg. This is the manufacturer's dry figure.
How much power does the 2012 KTM 990 Adventure R make?
The 2012 KTM 990 Adventure R produces 116 hp @ 9000 pm of power and 100 Nm @ 6500 rpm of torque. These are peak figures.
What is the fuel tank capacity of the 2012 KTM 990 Adventure R?
The 2012 KTM 990 Adventure R has a 19.5-litre fuel tank. At around 5-6 litres per 100 km, that is roughly 325-390 km between stops.
Is the 2012 KTM 990 Adventure R suitable for shorter riders?
The 2012 KTM 990 Adventure R has a seat height of 895 mm. This is towards the tall end of the spectrum and will require most riders under 175 cm to tiptoe at stops.
What brakes does the 2012 KTM 990 Adventure R have?
The 2012 KTM 990 Adventure R uses 2x 300mm Brembo discs 2 piston calipers at the front and Single 240mm Brembo disc 1 piston caliper at the rear.
What tyre sizes does the 2012 KTM 990 Adventure R use?
The 2012 KTM 990 Adventure R runs 90/90 -21 front and 150/70 -R18 rear tyres. A good selection of sport, touring and all-weather rubber is available in these sizes.
What gearbox does the 2012 KTM 990 Adventure R have?
The 2012 KTM 990 Adventure R is fitted with a 6 Speed transmission.
KTM 990 Adventure R Spec Evolution
The KTM 990 Adventure R was produced across 4 model years (2009-2012). The table below highlights the key specifications that changed across the production run - useful whether you are comparing years or tracking down a specific variant.
| Specification |
2009 |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
| Max Power |
113.3 hp / 84.5 kW @ 8750 rpm |
113.3 hp / 84.5 kW @ 8750 rpm |
116 hp / 85 kW @ 9000 pm |
116 hp / 85 kW @ 9000 pm |
| Seat Height |
915 mm / 36. in |
915 mm / 36. in |
905 mm / 35.6 in |
895 mm / 35.2 in |
| Ground Clearance |
316 mm / 12.4 in |
316 mm / 12.4 in |
301 mm / 11.85 in |
296 mm / 11.6 in |
| Wheels - Front |
2.15 x 21''; |
2.15 x 21 |
2.15 x 21''; |
2.15 x 21''; |
| Wheels - Rear |
4.25 x 18'' |
4.25 x 18 |
4.25 x 18'' |
4.25 x 18'' |
Key Specifications
Engine
Four stroke, 75°V-twin cylinder, DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder
Power
116 hp / 85 kW @ 9000 pm
Torque
100 Nm / 73.8 lb-ft @ 6500 rpm
Weight
207 kg / 456.34 lbs
Fuel Capacity
19.5 Litres / 5.1 gal
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Full 2012 KTM 990 Adventure R Specifications
Year
2012
Make Model
KTM 990 Adventure R
Seat Height
895 mm / 35.2 in
Wheelbase
1570 mm / 61.8 in
Ground Clearance
296 mm / 11.6 in
Dry Weight
207 kg / 456.34 lbs
Fuel Capacity
19.5 Litres / 5.1 gal
Displacement
999.8 cc / 60.9 cu-in
Engine Detail
Four stroke, 75°V-twin cylinder, DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder
Bore x Stroke
101 x 62.4mm
Compression Ratio
11.5;1
Cooling System
Liquid cooling
Engine Oil Specification
Motorex, SAE 10W-50
Exhaust
Twin stainless steel silencer with regulated catalytic converter
Fuel Consumption
17.2 km/lit
Fuel Induction
Keihin Electronic Fuel Injection EMS
Ignition
Contactless, controlled, fully electronic ignition system with digital ignition timing adjustment
Starter
Electric
Battery Capacity
12 V/11.2 Ah
Clutch
Wet Multi-disc hydraulically operated,
Final Drive
Chain, X-Ring 5/8 x 5/16"
Final Drive Ratio
16:42
Primary Drive
35:67
Transmission / Drive
6 Speed
Frame Type
Tubular cromoly spaced frame. powered coated
Suspension - Front
48mm WP USD forks
Suspension - Rear
WP-PDS rear shock, hydraulic spring preload
Handlebar
Aluminium, tapered, Ø 28/22 mm
Rake
26.6°
Steering Head Angle
63.4°
Trail
119 mm / 4.68 in
Wheel Travel - Front
248 mm / 9.7 in
Wheel Travel - Rear
248 mm / 9.7 in
Brakes - Front
2x 300mm Brembo discs 2 piston calipers
Brakes - Rear
Single 240mm Brembo disc 1 piston caliper
Tyres - Front
90/90 -21
Tyres - Rear
150/70 -R18
Wheels - Front
2.15 x 21'';
Wheels - Rear
4.25 x 18''
Specifications are compiled from manufacturer documentation and cross-referenced
technical sources, and corrected on an ongoing basis.
Spot an error? Let us know.
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