2013 KTM Adventure 1190

Sign me up! I haven't been this excited about a new bike in a long time.

<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <wunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <wontGrowAutofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--> That’s an outstanding series of articles on the 1190 and KTM. Enjoyed it. Thanks pebble35 for posting it.

As Cyborg knows, my disgust with KTM really has little to do with 1190, which by almost all measures, promises to be an outstanding road bike that one can take off-pavement from time-to-time. I already leave my R1200GS pavement riding buddies standing still on my 990, even with its skinny 21” Conti Trail Attack, but I would love the 1190 to also stick it to my Ducati MS friends.

Instead, my disgust stems from KTM’s ongoing neglect of the middle-weight, off-pavement focused Adventure bike segment. This, I believe, is KTM’s worst marketing mistake of all time, especially in light of the money they spend on the Dakar each year. Worst even then not providing bikes for the Long Way…at least that didn’t cost them hard cash upfront.

In ADDITION to either my 990 or, perhaps, a 1190, I’m looking for something in the 350-375 lb range; if it is in the 375 lb range, then it should be a twin. Droning on pavement at 75+ mph is NOT the mission statement for such a bike.

And, I’m not insisting on a fully homologated bike. I have no doubt that the geniuses at KTM could take an extended lunch break to cobble together a 690 Hard Parts Adventure kit, consisting of Rally Replica front tanks, fairing, associated hardware (ala the Dottori Africa kit, except OEM quality) and a wide-ratio gear cluster. No rear tanks other than the stock under seat tank, perhaps reinforced slightly to carry up to 35 lbs of gear. This is not rocket science stuff. (IMO, RallyRaid carries the additional fuel too high).

My 640 Adventure is the closest existing embodiment of this concept. My only gripes are that it vibrates too much, is slightly down on power, it could carry the fuel even lower and it has a dated, and some would say, ugly look.

In the mean time, I'm looking forward to throwing a leg over a 1190, but for entirely different reasons!!<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if !mso]><object classid="clsid:38481807-CA0E-42D2-BF39-B33AF135CC4D" id=ieooui></object> <style> st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } </style> <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]-->

Not seen the bike in the flesh yet so do not know how easy it is to pull bodywork/parts off to get to the motor for servicing work. What i do know is that the service intervals are up to 9,000 miles (double the intervals for the 990) so I don't think valves will need to be checked until 18,000 miles.......

Bigger service intervals will almost certainly mean service costs will be a lot lower than the old 990's.

I am sure the suspension settings can be custmised - will be seeing the bike in Milan next week and will ask the question !

I sure did. Thanks very much. I hope they sell a boatload of these bikes.

Yes thanks! Interesting reading especially the off-road part. I think this will change some of the perceptions that's for sure. I'll be sure to get that issue when it lands here.
BTW I didn't see the part where they mention the 700-800cc bike...pleeasse.

Looking forward to seeing the actual bikes!! Anybody hear whether they are likely to turn up at any of the IMS Moto Shows yet??...wishful thinking!!

Dave

Interesting read but the offroad part is not convincing. That's not necessarily the bikes fault, the tester himself admits to not daring to do more than an easy circuit. Maybe they should have invited someone who owns a 950/990 or SuperEnduro and rides it hard.

Read it again - several paragraphs before the end of the off-road section.

Read page 32 again. The photographer Chippy Wood has KTM big bike experience.

Thanks for posting that article Pebble. Nothing like some good moto-porn. I'm not sold on the non-R regular 1190. Pretty much a 12GS IMO. I think the 1190 R is a good-looking bike though. 18-21 wheels, etc.. I'm still glad I got one of the last 2012 990 Adv R's. It's very worked out and I feel I could trust it in the middle of nowhere. The 1190 will need a few 4-5 years under its belt.

Can anybody tell me why I would want to buy a new GS when you can have the 1190? I mean, I know they are hyping up the motor water cooling and all, but does anyone believe it will be better at anything versus the 1190???

I suppose its like Harley. Lots of people buy them not so much for the bike but to belong. That is the only reason I can see to get a GS over the 1190.

Thanks Owen. Great article
While ur in Milan cast an eye over the lhs of the bike -bet theres room for another tank
If it's as good in the flesh there just may be a 950 rallye imposter up for sale !!!

In Milan a week tomorrow and will post up a few photos.................

Electronic cruise, shaft-drive, Telelever ... in case they are important to you.

If it is just about the dynamics, good reasons do seem difficult to drum up.

I don't know about "just" part. I'll put up with a lot of "things" and forego a lot of features for the right riding dynamic. At essence, that's basically the reason I ride.

Of course. Me too. (I own a very impractical Ducati.) The "just" wasn't intended to be diminishing. Meant "only".

OTOH, the other stuff has its place. Hence, the "If".

Thank you for posting that AWESOME article. In almost 30 years of riding I have never loved a bike like I love my 05 950ADV, to this day. I could never have seen a case for me ever selling it......until now. Love what they did with the new bike, loved the comment by Chippy that it (the R) was better than the SE off road, just hope my little legs can reach the ground. If so, this is my next bike. Man, I'm glad I found this!

Best.......Mike

Thanks for posting that article

After reading the reviews it sounds like this new bike is going to be better than I expected.



EDIT: glad I got to see and read the article(s) before it was removed.

Hi Guys-

First, I'm sorry to say I had to take down the images of the 1190 review. That's copyrighted material, and scanning/ posting is an infringement of that.

Bike is an awesome magazine, if we want it to stay that way, they need to sell it. Go buy it on your newstand. It's worth it.

Back to regularly scheduled programming.

Neduro

Ned,

Sorry for the original post - hope it has not caused any problems for the forum

No worries, just don't do it again!

For US readers, the best way to get that content is the iPad app- the newstand release might not include that supplement.