KTM Super Adventure

[SirToU]

Just been looking around at various things and looked at the KTM Website!

WOW, the stats on the KTM Super Adventure rival the GTR... first time thats happened on an adventure bike.

160 BHP KTM v 155 BHP GTR
140Nm KTM v 136Nm GTR
249kg Fully Fuelled KTM v 303kg Wet (+ fuel)  GTR

642bhp/tonne v 511bhp/tonne
or power to weight ratio of
0.642 bhp/kg v .511 bhp/kg......

there is a negative...... price.  £15999 v £13699.....

These are amazing stats and if I was really looking to replace the GTR, then it would have to be a serious consideration.

Neil

[STX1300man]

and you can buy a plough attachment!

[Charlie747]

and you can buy a plough attachment!

Plus you need a glam rock stars platform boots to flat foot the floor unless blessed with micro wedding tackle and a 42" inside leg 

On a serious note Neil those figures do sound like pucker ye ha fun 

[SirToU]

Just going to bring this up again because..... I would like an opinion.....

I know there are members on here that have sold their GTR for other non Kawasaki brands.

I love my GTR, but its 5 years old, has 54000 miles and I'm really interested in a KTM adventure (1190)........

However, I'm really worried that the GTR (s) have been so good to us, its does everything, that I wonder whether a KTM 1190 adventure would be an equal.  I would hate to sell the GTR, with all its personal history, to find that I actually don't really like the Adv as my main bike.  Whenever, I've test ridden it, thats been my opinion, its a great toy, but I couldn't live with as my main bike, but the urge is still itching.......

Alternatively, Its likely that I could wait till Christmas, buy the KTM and have both - potentially mothballing the GTR temporarily until I'm convinced the KTM is a good replacement.  (or just keep both, but I guess SWMBO will get a bit upset with me).

So - Over to you - what do you guys think....... seeing as I've known some of you since 2008.

Neil

[Debs]

Have them both... 

[Boomer]

Yup,... BOTH. 

[nightrider]

I have got a 2006 ktm superduke as a second bike ,it is without doubt the most fun exciting bike I have had the light weight and explosive power is thrilling to ride , but when serious touring is called for the gtr is king , the duke is so easier to ride fast on twisty roads and rides around the Lake District where the weight of the gtr becomes to much ,cornering on the gtr has to be precise ,where the duke just laughs and says is that all you got , try one you will be hooked ,I now have the best of both worlds with two great bikes ,both great in their own right ,

[Lonewolf]

Neil, decisions, decisions eh?


On one hand you say that whenever you've test ridden the KTM it's been your opinion that its been a great toy so perhaps there's your answer, forget it and move on, however you've got that itch that obviously needs scratching so you have to take the plunge and give one a go. Ultimately, what do you have to lose, I would say nothing other than learning that you can put that curiosity to bed and move on or alternatively you may just discover that you've found you new best mate!

[SirToU]

hmmmm....

Perhaps, I should mention the GTR isn't my only bike....  ;-)

I have a Kawasaki GTR1400, A Kawasaki Z750R, a 2005 Fireblade and a MSX125.  The other half has an ER6F.

I am thinking about selling the Blade to fund the KTM, but I've only had that 6 months.  it was a bucket list bike, its a nice bike but as with most sports bikes, its not particularly flexible in terms of what I can do with it......  ;-)  go fast!

Neil

[coman37]

Hi Neil,

      I am in the same quandary as you, got a stable of bikes so really cant add another, i need to let something go and the KTM seems like it will do everything the GTR does, plus i get a new/newer bike with all the toys that KHI refuse to fit to their flagship tourer, ie cruise control,ride modes, active suspension etc (+30 ltr tank)

I will wait for a nearly new or ex-demo to become available as £16k is too salty for me.

i need to get an extended test ride to see if i can reach the floor (one of my bikes is a Tiger 955 and i am at the limit on that one) and if the journo hype is true or just marketing.

the test ride is like the first kiss with a new girlfriend, you just know that youre gonna want more and you start to see faults in your current g/f (bike) that you hadnt noticed before.

I didnt mean to be unfaithful but what temptation, please save me from myself

Coman (surprising single!!)

[Winston Smith]

I did what you are contemplating.

Had the GTR - loved it, but fancied an adventure bike - as well as.

Bought a 1200GS - great bike, totally awesome, comfy, quick, sweet handling.  However, it wasn't a tourer.

Fate lent a hand and a small issue saw me at the BMW dealers (nothing wrong with the bike) not happy with an adventure bike and a deal to beat all deals was made for the GS and GTR against the K16.

I personally think the KTM is shit, but if you like adventure style you may be happy with one.

If you like tourers then think carefully about changing.

[coman37]

Been looking at the K16GT as well, as b4 £16k is too much for an occasional bike, they are now starting to appear as used albeit with above average mileages, but it proves that they are bought to ride. I think I'm ready fo a new toy!

Coman

[SirToU]

yes, hhmmmmm, well....

A couple of years ago (2008/Pre GTR), when my BMW went wrong (Oh, they all do that Sir), I was lent a standard GS for a week and I loved it - except - I felt - it was so underpowered it is scary......  for me anyway, and the same goes for the most of the current range of the adventure (touring) bikes, with exception to the Multistrada and KTM, who are slowly getting there... - well the Super Adventure has arrived...  :-) - And to be fair, every time I've ridden any adv bike, I've really enjoyed it - especially the taller versions (GSA with ESP).

so for me the choice is really easy, but only the KTM is close to delivering something similar to the GTR.  However, there are some compromises....  pannier size, chain drive, and SWMBO's comfort -  But I could live with that (I think).

However, the GTR doesn't have any of those compromises, smooth, powerful, comfortable, and has loving history....  she's like a faithful labrador, always pleased to go out and clock up 500miles per day and still ask for more.

But I'm taking in Winston's comment - did it and went back to a touring bike, which leaves me at my first statement - its one to have in the garage, but its not a primary bike (for me)......  so my head and my heart are still in disagreement......  perhaps, so Debs comment - get both!  may have to happen......

Off to at least speak to a dealer.....  ;-)

Neil

[SirToU]

Easy decision, or at least it been put off for another month.....KTM Super Adventure has not hit the showrooms yet - only one is available down south somewhere......

Neil

[O.C.]

Neil, the ONLY real way to decide whether a bike is for you or not is to get it out on an extended test ride, (I'm aware that you already know that) but it is the only real answer as one man's meat is another man's poison.

I just read a report on the KTM 1250 Super Adventure in April issue 'Bike' maga and its left me wondering why all the electronic gadgetry.

Coincidentally I read the following posting on the S10 site only the other day....it may interest you...bearing in mind that we don't all share the same opinion .   


I just got Cycle World mag to catch up on the long term KTM 1190 Adventure and BMW GS Adventure comparo. Of course, they didn't want to throw the Tenere' in the mix. You will find out why. Here is a synopsis for those that don't get the mag.

In the first installment a few months ago they drooled all over these bikes after a whopping 2500 miles.  Just gushing with praise and superlatives. The KTM was $18,134,and the BMW $21,671. They made a big deal about the 'high quality' and 'awesome reliability' of these 'premium brands'. They hardly rode them, yet didn't have one bad word about them. Oh boy, was that going to change. Big time.


So in the latest installment (and I'm sure last) they rode them off-road a bit more, and the miles racked up, and the reality hit home. The KTM was hard starting at 8000 miles so they took it in to the dealer to check it out. They found the valves 'tight', and they 'claim' the motor consumed enough dust to require a complete top end rebuild, which they had to do. The motor was shot and the dust did it in. I call BS on that one. CW said the air cleaner element was looking good when they took it apart. Supposedly an 'air box problem" did the motor in, but unless the air box was shoveling in dirt, I think the dust claim is a stretch. I think it is more like 150 horsepower problem. I'd bet my life that motor will burn up when ridden hard, and it did. Horsepower and longevity aren't used in the same breath, and the KTM died quick. Also $1,641 bucks for 'Maintenance Costs'. They have a whopping 11,837 miles on it, and at 8000 miles the motor top end took a crap. Sounds peachy. I'll take two.

Not to be outdone in the overpriced, crappy quality race was the BMW. They simply dropped it over once and cracked the valve cover, even though the bike supposedly has crash bars. Next the horn button was broken. To fix that was $441 with labor which CW called 'totally ridiculous'. Really? I thought that was the point of the Beemer??  :-*
Anyway they looked over the Beemer further and found both front and rear shocks blown and a toasted clutch totaling another $1,458 in parts alone. In 11,000 miles the BMW tallied up $1,858 in maintenance costs, and $3,173 in repair costs. Right about 5 grand in 11,000 miles. That is on top of the $21,671 purchase price. Doesn't that sound inviting? I'm running to the BMW dealer right now hoping they haven't sold the last one!

CW summed it up by claiming that big adventure touring isn't cheap, and they are glad for good warranties. They were wrong on both counts. They simply overpaid for bikes with horrible reliability history. If they throw they Tenere' in the mix, at real world pricing would have gotten one 4 grand less that the KTM and a whopping 7 grand cheaper than the BMW. I am 100% sure the motor wouldn't need a complete rebuild at 8000 miles, and I am sure wouldn't rack up 5 grand in repair and maintenance costs in 11K. The last thing I worried about with my Tenere' was the warranty. I guess the 'premium' bikes need those. All this happened in less than 12K and one year. Imagine long term. I did. That is why I OWN and Tenere' and the CW guys would too, since not one dime came out of their pockets for those bikes.

Be assured we have the least expensive, most reliable bike in the world. PERIOD. Aren't you guys looking smarter every day? I'd say yes. No argument at all!   ::012::