Just got new 2 me 2006 950 adv it looks brand new I love it and it's the GOAT.

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.

Great video Luis. Gracias. Own a 2012 990 ADV. KTM 950/990, the greatest motorcycle in the history of mankind. Period

Thx for making these vids Luis. You have great insight and knowledge. I'm looking to get a 950 now.

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...

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😀

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.

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!

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...

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".

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 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

Enjoyed your video, I feel the same way about my 990, awesome bikes

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.

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.

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’ve got a mint 990adv absolutely love it will never sell it. Hope to see your 950 running one day

Awesome video man. You should definitely fix the ktm and turn it on every once in a while

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.

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'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.

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.

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!

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

Got one, 2003 so the first ones. Will never sell it, smile after riding it is priceless. Hate the maintenance but once you dial that throttle???

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!

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.....

Hola que tal han resultado las 950 es que quiero comprarme una usada

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

You get her fixed yet? My "brand new" 2004 950 is almost done with a big overhaul! Let's mob bru!! :P

🔝

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.

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!

Nice story but why don’t you repair and used it again? I still really enjoy my 990 adventure R (after two 950 adventure S).

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.

What do you ride now?990? That's what I hope to own one day 👍👍

Hopefully you’ll dive into whatever issues the bike has,and handle business.

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

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

I'm trying to save up for a 640 at $4000. I just found a 950 at $4500. I might have to save a little longer now for that one 😂👍

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.

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 hope by now you have the swine running again

10:25 Just get that bike on the road again!!

Easy Rider ... the movie you saw...

Nice story. I wish you wouldn't say "like" so much.

TL;DW: "This bike is awesome but I won't tell you why"

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.

guy is going to make love to this motorcycle because he is romantically involved and blushing . Like a little girl

What the wife says: “why do you keep that old motorcycle around when it’s so useless” what I hear: “why do you keep me around, I’m so useless”

FIX IT!

And no. There are no better bikes out there. Carburator vtwin, frame, reliability… nothing still compare.

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!