Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/1547519
P110 RIDE REVIEW I 2027 KRÄMER MOTORCYCLES GP2-990R sections of Cremona, short shift- ing to keep the power around the 6000-9000 rpm range is just so much fun as you let the motor do the work and rip you from corner to corner, the bark from the GP- style RP exhaust, custom-made for the 990R by the company in Czechia, a perfect audible com- panion to the occasion. Gearshifts under power have been vastly improved over the last five years with the larger- capacity Krämers, but it's still a case of get your shift done quickly and get your foot out of the way—don't preload the race- pattern six-speed with your foot, or you'll be met with a hard cut of the ignition that'll send your head flying into the screen. You're still running the stan- dard gearbox with this base model 990R, so it's important not to be too violent with your shifts. Soon (I'm not sure when), the big shock's preload, the Krämer will track straight and true and give you full access to the claimed 135 horsepower. Given the fact that this is KTM's largest parallel-twin cylinder mo- tor, you've got an abundance of torque at your disposal, and this, combined with the chassis' turn of speed and willingness to change lines if you mess it up, enables you to rip up the inside of riders on cor- ner exits in a way a four-cylinder engine could only dream of. Power delivery isn't perfect, as you can still get the chassis slightly upset from a closed throt- tle if you're not smooth with the application, but once underway, there's more than enough go for a stop/start track like Cremona. It pays to shift about 500 rpm or so before peak claimed power at 10,000 rpm to keep the engine driving and not smash into the hard-cut rev-limiter. In the twisty Changing lines midcorner is as simple as looking where you want to go and giving a slight tug on the bars, and you're there as the forged aluminum Dymag UP7X wheels, shod with Metzeler TD slicks, obey your every command. The lightness is one thing, but it's how the whole package comes together that's truly im- pressive. Krämer's close asso- ciation with WP means they get their own fork shim stack, and the feel at the handlebar is sub- lime. The GP2-990R maintains the excellent composure under brakes the 890RR was famous for, and the fork's transmission of information means you know exactly where the limit of the tire is at all times (unless you really screw up badly). Transfer that confidence to the other side of the corner while you're bleeding in the power, and once you've sorted your rear An empty racetrack, the Italian sun, and a Krämer underneath you. It doesn't get much better than this.