BMW R1200GS Adv vs. KTM 990 Adv R

[slowoldguy]

. In the end, they're split on which bike they liked best based on what they were personally looking for in a bike.

Man. You're taking all the fun outta it.

[Mr Head]

Actually, I don't think so.
Magazines don't buy their own bikes, pay off the loan and live with the damned things for years. Mile after mile. THey get goven a broken in bike and allowed to thrash it like a rented mule to just this side of death.

We of this community mostly go buy a bike based on how stupid we are at the time, how the tea leaves read or what out dog seemd to like best.
Or not.

I don't own a car I get to drive much other than on vacations with the family or the odd weekend jaunt. I ride my motorcycles as tools, rather than toys.

Mostly.
That's not to say I don't have fun. Every hump and crest of a hill is a chance to lighten that front wheel.
I need to minimize wear.

So, I went out and bought what I wanted next. After almost a year of searching I found one that would work.
And that I thought would do the job at hand. Which in my case is pretty varied but basically boils down to making me smile.
The Adventure has done that, mostly. Sure it has left me waiting on a truck in a parking lot or damned near the middle of a fucking freeway.
But, it has been an Adventure and it is fun, and makes me smile. It still starts and wheelies, jumps and slides.
I've loaded it up and swung a leg over it as the sun rose on the west coast and stepped off and lugged it up onto the centerstand in time in Denver to watch Leno. I've ridden sand and two track single track and what I would think were hiking trails had I not known they were OK for us to be there.
And still after all these miles and dumping all this money into parts and those hours in the garage replacing this and that and swearing as that damned Shaft refuses to align. Still I look forward to the next ride.
I think the next bike has a pretty damned big pair of shoes to fill when that day comes.
For now there are still parts I can afford. So tomorrow I'm off to buy some more. But, the bike will wheelie, jump and slide.

And most importantly make me smile.

For the next, next one I've narrowed that down too. I won't need quite the same size as I do now. I figure a little less will be more in the way of fun. Where, I've had, two, maybe one?
Time will tell, which way the dice will roll or the cards fall.

In the end I'm pretty certain I'll have another Adventure though maybe small.

Originally Posted by slowoldguy

Man. You're taking all the fun outta it.

[slowoldguy]

Sorry. I wasn't clear. Meant taking all the fun outta the Internet bitching. By being right. In other words, I couldn't agree more. ;) It is much more about the rider than the bike. Always has been and that is how it should be. IMO.

[Scottishman]

I have had two KTM two strokes. Still have one, and I love it. Outstanding in the dirt.

I am newer to road riding. Had a K 1200S. Great machine. Last year bought a S1000RR. Incredible. 193 HP. Fast, smooth and comfortable. My GS is the best of both worlds. The RR is a rocket, but I am faster over 150 km in the GS. Recognize I am new to this. But for longer distance, the GS rules. I am going to South America in October, and feel comfortable in that choice. Tried out a KTM Adventure last year, and found it buzzy and not as comfortable.

For me, it comes down to the intended usage. KTM is the best dirt bike, bar none.BMW GS is fabulous on the LD road. Track, the RR will wins, or if you want an acceleration fix.

One size does not fit all.

[Retics]

I sold my RSV4 last year because I was doing more touring on it then I should and my back and a$$ were starting to take a beating. I bought a R1150 GS Adventure, Its not anywhere close to the power of the Aprilia but if you want that sort of power in an upright bike I would go with the 1200 Multistrada myself.

[Wdwrkr]

I don't have any experience on the KaTooM, I like my beemers (have three). My all time favorite bike is the GSA. It does everything, and does most things I ask of it very well. The 10" deep sand here on the island is an issue with this behemoth, but I can't say my best friend on his 990R fares much better in it. I can say this the only Beemer that has left me stranded is the /5, and I can forgive a 40 year old bike for needing a break, and really it's issue was ethanol, more then mechanical.

My best friend has a 990R. He loved it until he road my GSA for a day, now he is trying to sell it for a GSA. By the way Orange Crush, has it's own fair share of threads of mechanical difficulties.

[srpuywa]

BMW's have bigger jugs!

[stevie88]

Originally Posted by srpuywa

BMW's have bigger jugs!

Ya but Guzzi jugs are big and pert, not drooping like an old German granny.

[srpuywa]

those guzzi jugs have hairy nipples

[gsweave]

Originally Posted by Wdwrkr

By the way Orange Crush, has it's own fair share of threads of mechanical difficulties.

Just don't have many Beemer guys (wasting their time) pointing em out


I ride what I ride.

[kellymac530]

Wait and try the new KTM 1190, that will be a much more fair comparison.

[stevie88]

Originally Posted by srpuywa

those guzzi jugs have hairy nipples

Hey, so do I.