KTM Adventure 1190?
Discussion
Hi all, I'm hoping to replace my tired old SV1000 within the next month or so and I've taken a shine to the KTM Adventure 1190. I do need to test ride a BMW GS and XR but I think the GS is going to be too big (need to fit it along my car in the garage) and my brother in law has just bought an XR so we would look a right pair of t*t's on the same bike if we go out together! Also its a long time since I've ridden a 4 cyl bike and I really love the V Twin lazy torque.
I liked the Mutlistrada too but they are going beyond my budget really. Looking at an ex demo 1190 or maybe a 1 year old one around 10k.
I need to stick a monster top box on it too so the adventure style suits this too, plus I'm 6'2' and all limbs so I'm over sports bikes now.
Any views, good/bad, a bike I've missed?
The KTM wasn't perfect, bit of buffeting at M way speeds but I'm assuming a different screen would sort this but I enjoyed riding it a lot.
I liked the Mutlistrada too but they are going beyond my budget really. Looking at an ex demo 1190 or maybe a 1 year old one around 10k.
I need to stick a monster top box on it too so the adventure style suits this too, plus I'm 6'2' and all limbs so I'm over sports bikes now.
Any views, good/bad, a bike I've missed?
The KTM wasn't perfect, bit of buffeting at M way speeds but I'm assuming a different screen would sort this but I enjoyed riding it a lot.
I tried both the big KTM's (1190 and 1290) and found both really hard on my wrists but I may have just been having a bad day. I would say the size of the 1190 is directly comparable to the GS and the same with the 1290 and GSA. The 1290 has a better screen but you also get a much bigger bike as a compromise.
The XR engine doesn't sound like it's what you're after and it would look horrendous with a monster top box as well.
Perhaps consider the Triumph Tiger Explorer?
The XR engine doesn't sound like it's what you're after and it would look horrendous with a monster top box as well.
Perhaps consider the Triumph Tiger Explorer?
I rode a 1200GS - and the 1290 KTM and have to say the 1290 was magnificent!
Simply an amazing machine in every way. You can pootle and tour and then get pretty darn excitable.
Heated Grips and Heated Seats were just an awesome, awesome addition. As was the cruise control and effective screen.
Simply an amazing machine in every way. You can pootle and tour and then get pretty darn excitable.
Heated Grips and Heated Seats were just an awesome, awesome addition. As was the cruise control and effective screen.
I test rode an 1190 and 1290 last year. Loved the 1290's addictive, stomach-contents-disrupting torque. The 1190 felt a little lacking, but still appreciably quick.
I was looking to spend about £9-10k too and ruled out the 1290 because it was way out of budget and space would've been at a premium (I have to get my bikes through a garden gate). I ended up buying a £9k 2013 Multistrada S and am so glad I did. It's head and shoulders about the 1190 in terms of grin factor. It's not broken down or gone wrong. It's cost a bit to service but I went in with my eyes open. It felt like a more premium product than the 1190 because I guess it is… and was much more expensive when new.
The 1190 was OK, but I can't think of an area (other than off-roading) where it beats a Multistrada. From my experience too many people are put off Multis because of internet scare stories, but I bet there are lots of happy users not on forums!
TL;DR: find a £9k Multistrada and buy it. Silly fast.
I was looking to spend about £9-10k too and ruled out the 1290 because it was way out of budget and space would've been at a premium (I have to get my bikes through a garden gate). I ended up buying a £9k 2013 Multistrada S and am so glad I did. It's head and shoulders about the 1190 in terms of grin factor. It's not broken down or gone wrong. It's cost a bit to service but I went in with my eyes open. It felt like a more premium product than the 1190 because I guess it is… and was much more expensive when new.
The 1190 was OK, but I can't think of an area (other than off-roading) where it beats a Multistrada. From my experience too many people are put off Multis because of internet scare stories, but I bet there are lots of happy users not on forums!
TL;DR: find a £9k Multistrada and buy it. Silly fast.
Value wise KTMs drop like stones in thier early years ie when current models as the dealers always do massoohive discounts at the end of the season start of the next to clear unsold stock often at prices peops are asking for year old 2nd hand bikes. Once they are past being a current model prices seem to level out a tad as they are affected by the yearly dealer purge. I had one for just under 2 years. Whilst they are probably the lightest of the big adventure bikes they are not light and tall (though I had the R) so intimidating if off road. I found mine wasnt that good of a mile muncher as the engine was vibey in the pressing on speeds used on A and M ways. Footpegs are bizarrely quite cramped for large bike but fairly easily fxed with lower and wider foot rests. And when fitted with Powerparts/touratw@t panniers its wider than a bus (too wide IMO) Saddle was comfy on the one I had and when I came to trade it dealer who sold me it and serviced it wouldn't take it as a trade in on a bike they had in stock. So the local dealer might not be as friendly or supportive as you would like (PS is was fully serviced and without issue).
And one last thing despite having a claimed 160bhp it never felt that fast and needed a s
t load of throttle and revs to access it, which was often accompained by butt clenching on the edge of tank slapper handling, a trait often reported by owners with varying levels of success in the "fixes" available.
I've stepped down to a mere 800cc 110hp triple and its performance is far easy to access and use though weighing a shed less than the boat anchor probably helps.
And one last thing despite having a claimed 160bhp it never felt that fast and needed a s
t load of throttle and revs to access it, which was often accompained by butt clenching on the edge of tank slapper handling, a trait often reported by owners with varying levels of success in the "fixes" available. I've stepped down to a mere 800cc 110hp triple and its performance is far easy to access and use though weighing a shed less than the boat anchor probably helps.
Edited by fredd1e on Friday 27th January 16:26
fredd1e said:
Value wise KTMs drop like stones in thier early years ie when current models as the dealers always do massoohive discounts at the end of the season start of the next to clear unsold stock often at prices peops are asking for year old 2nd hand bikes. Once they are past being a current model prices seem to level out a tad as they are affected by the yearly dealer purge. I had one for just under 2 years. Whilst they are probably the lightest of the big adventure bikes they are not light and tall (though I had the R) so intimidating if off road. I found mine wasnt that good of a mile muncher as the engine was vibey in the pressing on speeds used on A and M ways. Footpegs are bizarrely quite cramped for large bike but fairly easily fxed with lower and wider foot rests. And when fitted with Powerparts/touratw@t panniers its wider than a bus (too wide IMO) Saddle was comfy on the one I had and when I came to trade it dealer who sold me it and serviced it wouldn't take it as a trade in on a bike they had in stock. So the local dealer might not be as friendly or supportive as you would like (PS is was fully serviced and without issue).
And one last thing despite having a claimed 160bhp it never felt that fast and needed a st load of throttle and revs to access it, which was often accompained by butt clenching on the edge of tank slapper handling, a trait often reported by owners with varying levels of success in the "fixes" available.
I've stepped down to a mere 800cc 110hp triple and its performance is far easy to access and use though weighing a shed less than the boat anchor probably helps.
...but apart from that, you're a fan? And one last thing despite having a claimed 160bhp it never felt that fast and needed a s
t load of throttle and revs to access it, which was often accompained by butt clenching on the edge of tank slapper handling, a trait often reported by owners with varying levels of success in the "fixes" available. I've stepped down to a mere 800cc 110hp triple and its performance is far easy to access and use though weighing a shed less than the boat anchor probably helps.
fergus said:
...but apart from that, you're a fan?
Bizarre but I am or was :? I've had a few KTM over the years and if I had the space I could be tempted back onto an early 950adv , had one when they 1st came out. Glad I got the 1190 out of my system but preferred the carb 950 as an alround bike. 
Still got a 2005 950ADV I bought new, now 55k kms of touring around Europe, often 2-up. Intend to keep it a while yet.
The newer models have never really attracted me, as the cost to change is high (bought other bikes instead), FI was an issue on early 990s, etc.
It's of course now very old tech: carbs, no ABS/traction control, 99hp and high mpg, but it does the job for me fine.
If I were looking now for an equivalent bike, I'd seriously consider the BMW/Triumph alternatives. I love Ducatis but the Multistrada is not an adventure bike by any stretch of the imagination, just a taller roadbike made to look uglier :-)
PS. The spoked wheels on mine have never had more than quick hose down after muddy rides. Who on God's earth would actially spend time 'cleaning' them? ;-)
The newer models have never really attracted me, as the cost to change is high (bought other bikes instead), FI was an issue on early 990s, etc.
It's of course now very old tech: carbs, no ABS/traction control, 99hp and high mpg, but it does the job for me fine.
If I were looking now for an equivalent bike, I'd seriously consider the BMW/Triumph alternatives. I love Ducatis but the Multistrada is not an adventure bike by any stretch of the imagination, just a taller roadbike made to look uglier :-)
PS. The spoked wheels on mine have never had more than quick hose down after muddy rides. Who on God's earth would actially spend time 'cleaning' them? ;-)
Mags said:
Looking at an ex demo 1190 or maybe a 1 year old one around 10k.
Any views, good/bad, a bike I've missed?
The KTM wasn't perfect, bit of buffeting at M way speeds but I'm assuming a different screen would sort this but I enjoyed riding it a lot.
You can buy a new one for £10500 (less probably if you can drive a hard bargain)at the moment as they are being replaced with a new 1090/1290 line up. Any views, good/bad, a bike I've missed?
The KTM wasn't perfect, bit of buffeting at M way speeds but I'm assuming a different screen would sort this but I enjoyed riding it a lot.
I test rode one, but the buffeting drove me mad. Sounded like I had a helicopter inside my helmet. Adjusting the screen every which way just increased/decreased the noise. A shorter screen off the R version would probably sort it. Mirrors also affect it apparently, so some off a smt or something similar might improve it.
Well I've gone and bought the Adventure 1190 now, an 18 month old model with low mileage that basically looks like it hasn't been used.
I found the GS a bit too soft and huge and the XR a bit too full-on for what I want. The KTM sat in between the two and the price was right.
The dealer is fitting a monster Givi Trekker Outback 58 for me as well, hope to collect this weekend all being well.
I even shifted the old SV1000, a breaker called me within minutes of my ad going up and we agreed a price, happy days. Really hoping that the worst of winter is past now so I can get out and enjoy the KTM without the greasy roads.
I found the GS a bit too soft and huge and the XR a bit too full-on for what I want. The KTM sat in between the two and the price was right.
The dealer is fitting a monster Givi Trekker Outback 58 for me as well, hope to collect this weekend all being well.
I even shifted the old SV1000, a breaker called me within minutes of my ad going up and we agreed a price, happy days. Really hoping that the worst of winter is past now so I can get out and enjoy the KTM without the greasy roads.
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