Revisiting Past Loves.......
Discussion
So I find myself at a crossroad, figuratively and literally.
We are emigrating to Ontario Canada in the coming month after nearly 15 years in South Africa. With this move comes the opportunity to reset my bike requirements and expectations based on the prevailing climate and environment....
So from day 1, I've always been a superbike slut, winding up with a run of 3 consecutive RSV4's from 2012 to 2106. A sojourn in Vietnam saw me take up a GS1200 for practical reasons (tax) and having run a KTM 1190 S in East Africa for a couple of years finally ending up with a 2020 GS1250.....All the time keeping my race Ducati, RS250 and housing a friends BB R1 (never admit to riding it!!!
)
So here's the rub..
I love Superbikes, adore them, their performance and dynamics just sets my bells ringing..
However, I fully 'get' the modern adventure bikes in relation to the everyday practicality and incredible performance in the real world....
So here's the rub, with the move to Canada coming up, I'm naturally looking at getting a selection of 2 wheeled marvels into the garage.
One will definitely be a new(er) 250/300 Enduro bike but an/the other is likely to be an Adv type bike.
My issue is this, have Adv bikes 'over evolved'?? The GS I had was full house and yet I found myself barely using the various bells & whistles or being not overly bothered by them... fancy dash? Meh, automatic suspension? no thanks, cruise control?? Noooo, not for me... etc etc.
And strangely, as I peruse the classifieds for my next squeeze, I keep being drawn back to a past love, the KTM 1190S.
I ran one up and down East Africa and it was superb.. great balance of silly performance, adaptable rider modes, analogue dash etc but with cornering ABS etc.
Yes, they're getting on now, (2014) but I keep getting stirrings about getting another and fettling/improving it from my perspective given I learnt a lot about the highs and lows of the bike in the thousands of KM's on road and dirt in 35+ degrees heat...... The newer 1290 might be a subjectively better bike but for me, my needs and wants, I'm not convinced the additional $$$$ translates into a better overall package and experience.
Plus, for the cost differential, I can get an 1190 AND a 2017 Tuono Factory for the cost of a new 1290
I'm looking at other candidates like the Trumpet Tiger 900 etc but the KTM's 148 ponies keep making their case heard loud and clear.....
So, is revisiting a past love a case of rosy glasses best cleaned and thrown away or is age nuffin' but a number?? A good bike is always a good bike...
We are emigrating to Ontario Canada in the coming month after nearly 15 years in South Africa. With this move comes the opportunity to reset my bike requirements and expectations based on the prevailing climate and environment....
So from day 1, I've always been a superbike slut, winding up with a run of 3 consecutive RSV4's from 2012 to 2106. A sojourn in Vietnam saw me take up a GS1200 for practical reasons (tax) and having run a KTM 1190 S in East Africa for a couple of years finally ending up with a 2020 GS1250.....All the time keeping my race Ducati, RS250 and housing a friends BB R1 (never admit to riding it!!!
)So here's the rub..
I love Superbikes, adore them, their performance and dynamics just sets my bells ringing..
However, I fully 'get' the modern adventure bikes in relation to the everyday practicality and incredible performance in the real world....
So here's the rub, with the move to Canada coming up, I'm naturally looking at getting a selection of 2 wheeled marvels into the garage.
One will definitely be a new(er) 250/300 Enduro bike but an/the other is likely to be an Adv type bike.
My issue is this, have Adv bikes 'over evolved'?? The GS I had was full house and yet I found myself barely using the various bells & whistles or being not overly bothered by them... fancy dash? Meh, automatic suspension? no thanks, cruise control?? Noooo, not for me... etc etc.
And strangely, as I peruse the classifieds for my next squeeze, I keep being drawn back to a past love, the KTM 1190S.
I ran one up and down East Africa and it was superb.. great balance of silly performance, adaptable rider modes, analogue dash etc but with cornering ABS etc.
Yes, they're getting on now, (2014) but I keep getting stirrings about getting another and fettling/improving it from my perspective given I learnt a lot about the highs and lows of the bike in the thousands of KM's on road and dirt in 35+ degrees heat...... The newer 1290 might be a subjectively better bike but for me, my needs and wants, I'm not convinced the additional $$$$ translates into a better overall package and experience.
Plus, for the cost differential, I can get an 1190 AND a 2017 Tuono Factory for the cost of a new 1290
I'm looking at other candidates like the Trumpet Tiger 900 etc but the KTM's 148 ponies keep making their case heard loud and clear.....
So, is revisiting a past love a case of rosy glasses best cleaned and thrown away or is age nuffin' but a number?? A good bike is always a good bike...
Krikkit said:
Not sure whether you want dirt-capable, but what about the superbike-engined "adventure" bikes like the S1000XR? Or the Superduke GT?
Dirt ability is a must.Our resident Ontarian, Bob Defly is always posting sickening pics of his Tiger Rallye 900 in the backwoods type locations......
I get you completely. I sold my 1190R during our big house renovation, and now looking at filling its spot again. And all I can think of is another 1190. I like the R personally - no electronic suspension and all the nonsense, and it handled well on the 21 somehow.
A mate has a (new) S1000XR - lovely when you riding the tits off it, but lacks the effortless delivery of the KTM - any gear any time. 1200 Explorer is a little old school to be fair, goes well, but also lacks the KTM's punch. I haven't managed to convince myself of a GS yet, although I did buy its smaller cousin the r9T scrambler.
Off to the classified I go again. Thanks.
A mate has a (new) S1000XR - lovely when you riding the tits off it, but lacks the effortless delivery of the KTM - any gear any time. 1200 Explorer is a little old school to be fair, goes well, but also lacks the KTM's punch. I haven't managed to convince myself of a GS yet, although I did buy its smaller cousin the r9T scrambler.
Off to the classified I go again. Thanks.
Well you already know what I'm gonna recommend.
I don't know the older KTM's well enough to comment, but I do see them around all the time. For these types of bikes I would err on the side of lower weight vs more power. But that's just personal preference.
One thing to note, the speeding penalties can be large and severe, so keep speed on the track. Buy something you're less inclined to be a hooligan on the road with.
Bring it on!
I don't know the older KTM's well enough to comment, but I do see them around all the time. For these types of bikes I would err on the side of lower weight vs more power. But that's just personal preference.
One thing to note, the speeding penalties can be large and severe, so keep speed on the track. Buy something you're less inclined to be a hooligan on the road with.
Bring it on!
Bob_Defly said:
Well you already know what I'm gonna recommend.
I don't know the older KTM's well enough to comment, but I do see them around all the time. For these types of bikes I would err on the side of lower weight vs more power. But that's just personal preference.
One thing to note, the speeding penalties can be large and severe, so keep speed on the track. Buy something you're less inclined to be a hooligan on the road with.
Bring it on!
Bob,I don't know the older KTM's well enough to comment, but I do see them around all the time. For these types of bikes I would err on the side of lower weight vs more power. But that's just personal preference.
One thing to note, the speeding penalties can be large and severe, so keep speed on the track. Buy something you're less inclined to be a hooligan on the road with.
Bring it on!
I'm looking at the KTM/Husky/Beta 300's on a blue plate once we've settled. Need to find out what riding is available in the Ottawa area...
Tundra as a daily hauler of stuffs is in hand so maybe next season we'll meet up for a ride....
Steve Bass said:
Dirt ability is a must.
Our resident Ontarian, Bob Defly is always posting sickening pics of his Tiger Rallye 900 in the backwoods type locations......
Sounds like a 1090/1190 is the perfect fit then!Our resident Ontarian, Bob Defly is always posting sickening pics of his Tiger Rallye 900 in the backwoods type locations......
Can I be nosy and ask what takes you half way round the world for your moves? I assume it's work, but what's so interesting?
Krikkit said:
Can I be nosy and ask what takes you half way round the world for your moves? I assume it's work, but what's so interesting?
Certainly. I work in construction but specialised in railways and further specialised again in that field.
So for many years I have been a contractor, travelling to various projects around the world always saying I'd semi retire between projects but never actually achieving it
..offers keep coming 
Now, as we have a young family, our priorities have changed and I am working for a large Canadian company in their rail project management group meaning that we will emigrate there.
So it's Canada and the US next but primarily to get the family Canadian citizenship as well as their UK and South African...
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