Nice review! Will concur with Karl on several points. Am an owner of a 2019 SAS. Several changes brought it, at least for me, even closer to the new model. The most important, a Booster plug (from Danish Booster plug), transformed engine characteristics in lower RPM completely. Gone is the jerkiness that was there before. It also responds better/faster, and overall feels more pleasant to ride. On the flat pulls smoothly even down below 2750RPM. But of course, it's not vibration free. In that respect, the BMW GS is a more comfy ride, in low RPM. I had a 1200GSA before. A bike I did 55k kilometers with. So it took a little while to get used to the 1290SAS. 19000 kilometers later it's opposite. Now I miss lots of things when on something else, for instance a 1250GSA. But I still think it's great. Most people need time to "calibrate", to adapt. Of other things, KTM Powerparts ergo seat fixed the seat issue. Absolutely mindboggling KTM continue to fit their bikes which, at least to many of us, is a rubbish, a slab of concrete "comfy", stock seat. SLightly better on the 2021, but not by much. The KTM ergo has excellent comfort, and also much better shape. I also put on offset risers, 30mm up/19mm offset. Max or close to max of what was possible without re-routing, or even change of cables. Being tall guy the rest sits well with me. A fuel eco that hovering between 4.3-4.5 liters/100 kilometers, it's as economical as my modified 1200GSA was. Cheers :)
I'm getting 55-60 MPG (easily getting 270 miles between refills) at a steady 70-80mph. The scary fun is all above 5Krpm, below that it's civilised and I'm riding my down 3K rpm in 5th gear without issue. I hate the end can, waiting on the Scorpion (Akrapovic option is too pricey for me). It's a good town bike, nothing snatchy, filters well. Do order it with the Pro Suspension option, it's worth it. After market and KTM accessories are thin at the moment (and very little from the previous bike fits). It's not perfect (hate the seat and indicator switch in particular). I traded my vstrom1000XT for this KTM, so it's better in most respects.
If it hasn't got the quickshifter activated the gearbox will be as notchy as hell. Same with my 2020 SAS. Once activated it solves the problem and is as smooth as silk.
Another excellent review. Karl's thoughtful comments are much appreciated. I like the new styling, a lot. That exhaust can has to go, it looks like something from the boiler room on a ship! The first thing I would do is throw on a Remus can and a power commander, that would fix the low end power issues, it certainly suffers from being over lean.
Nice and clear review, Scott! Karl's argument about 'emotion' is a difficult one. On one hand we know it's the most important issue for us, motormen, on the other hand it's difficult to measure because it's subjective. To me any boxerengine means emotion! Nice issue to consider!
Great review! Great idead inviting Karl and getting his viewpoint and experience. Never thought about the passenger pegs hanging up my boots, that would be a deal killer with erogonimics for myself. Very happy you reviewed this bike...its been on my want list for a while. Cheers!.
Good stuff as usual Scot. Another riders perspective was enlightening regarding the new SAS. Will definitely be patiently waiting for the release of the new 1200 tiger. Love the channel brother, and please keep these great reviews coming. Appreciated.
Another great review. Test drove the bike back to back with the gs. Still undecided, i have mixed feelings about both. Waiting here like a good boy for triumph to launch the new tiger 1200,that looks like it ticks on both ends, gs style and ktm power. 😁
Thank you, Scott, Great review and content as always👌 And special Thank's to Karl, solid info from experience 👊Greetings to ALL from Ireland 🍀☘🍀💚 Tony K.
Excellent review.. you're easy to listen to, articulate and very specific.. the video was clear, concise and informative.. by the end of the video I felt as if I had demo'd the bike myself.. well done.. Thank you. I subscribed to your channel immediately.
Great review ! I have a 2020 KTM Super Adventure S (Silver/Black) and I love it - except the one time the key fob gremlins popped up when I stopped for fuel 500+ miles from home… I hope the new bike has the electrical issues resolved…
Nice review Scott. Edgy look. It’s got power for days. No questions there. By comparison for money spent. What’s your opinion of overall Fit and Finish?
Thank you. Well, you will spend about the same money as a 1250GS but the fit and finish is not as good as the GS, the GS is on another level I'd say...imho.
Great review with the new formula to catch the experience from an owner. The uncomfort riding at low RPMs is annoying and was one of the main reasons to change my KTM 790 Duke into a BMW F 900 R. Exhaust of the SAS isn‘t Italian style. No navigation/ connectivity? GS seems to be the gold standard. I prefer smaller bikes.
Navigation isn’t that good on the GS. The Navigator GPS is pants because it’s Garmin based - you could use the Cradle, but your limited to what smartphone you can use. On either bike I’d plug in a rugged Android smartphone and use a RAM mount.
Great review, I own a 2012 Yamaha Super Tenere aka XT1200. I've been thinking about upgrading to a new XT1200. the 1290 has recently been on my radar. I'll be in Austria on vacation next month, maybe a few days on the 1290 will be enough to make me switch to a KTM.
Fantastic video mate, thanks for sharing. I am currently looking for my first KTM and I have decided I would prefer the 1290. S and second choice would be the 1290 R. my budget here in Australia, means I am typically looking at bikes from 2013 - 2017. My intention is to buy as tidy bike as I can for the money, with my next focus being to find one with as low mileage as possible. Can you make any recommendations of which Year bike to try and buy or. perhaps which year I should avoid. I have never owned a KTM but after riding 4 of them, I have shifted my focus from a similar year BMW GS to the 1290. As I feel it has more bang for buck. Thanks again for sharing, I appreciate how much effort and time goes into uploading content. Kind regards Paul RU-vid. Nuffys Builds
Thanks to you and Karl for your honest and objective impressions on both models of SAS. I am wondering if I should change my Yamaha Super Tenere. I understand what Karl said about his bike having more character, more soul, and I think this is very important in a motorcycle.
The comment about the passenger foot peg is a bit odd. I find that actually quite convenient. It has NEVER bothered me when using the rider pegs, but if you like, you can rest your heel on the passenger peg and your foot front on the rider peg - and get a nice change of position / stretch. Very useful. The other thing that the SAS guys does not seem to value - the handling and ride - BOTH- on this new SAS is off the planet. Crazy how it can do both.
Great video as always... Motorbikes are getting too big, too heavy, too powerful, too tall and too expensive. A bike of 100hp and no more than 200kg wet is the sweet spot IMHO.
@@gordon4221 they do seem rather nice. Look worth the money over the 650 ninja that's for shore. As good as an older 600/4 super sport really. And more usable power and torque. Can't really decide between the rs and the tuono. Think the rs looks better but do I really need the fairings.
@@rideronthestormc968 i didn't buy the 2021- the '19 fit me much better, and the new one didn't make me excited enough to spend the money. I need to ride an 890 adv r to see if the weight savings makes up for the difference in power.
Always appreciate your honest approach to comparing bikes! 1250 gsa still the leader on my list as I look to add to the stable.....looks tough to bump it from the leaderboard.
+1 on that... and also if driven on track or like a hooligan on the street.. I was thniking of selleing my GSA and buy a 1290 but after testing it (i have a video on my channel of that) i felt that it was not better...... So i bought a Standard GS instead. ;)
I did not test the new one, but have over 20000kms on model 2019. Cons are important and majority not saying. My are: not suitable windshield for taller riders. Very narrow. In the half of mirrors I see the elbows. And than a few problems, which are not coming every ride: heat under the seat from rear valve /over 25°C you feel it/, not suitable central stand, no space under the passanger seat, poor cover of rear wheel in rain - water you have on passenger seat and your back/.
Muchas gracias, excelente video, has captado exactamente la esencia del modelo anterior y del actual, estoy totalmente de acuerdo contigo, es una excelente moto, aunque ya no es ready to race. Mis felicitaciones, por favor sigue así. Un saludo
Good input from Karl. I wear size 13 (US) boots so that rear peg issue would affect me too. I do wish the previous gen 1290 had the updated riding modes and an optional factory GPS.
The real question is should a 1190AdvR guy upgrade to the new 1290 SAR?! One complaint I have on my 1190 is my heals hit the rear pegs on my street boots, guess that ain't going away. I want the new bike simply for the separate wheelie and traction control functions, and the "rally" throttle mapping. I really hate how most street bikes have a really mild throttle map, too much wrist twisting! It would be awesome if they could do an off-road "race" ecu map and exhaust like they did on the gen3 Super duke, which I own and did to mine, really makes it scream now that euro5 is not a concern
It's a shame that KTM did all that redesign work on the SAS for 2021 and didn't end up with a very compelling ride. I'll stick with my 2014 KTM 1190 Adventure.
Thanks Scott (and Karl..), great review as always. Don’t know in you ‘do gossips’...but I’ve heard that there will be a new KTM 1290 GT. What can you tell about this?. Regards Arno
Everything euro 5 in that displacement needs a tune and exhaust from headers back. My bmw was same way I literally thought it was broken before I flashed it
You were in street mode while complaining about the throttle response. This mode was too lame for me on the previous model already. Switched it to sport and never went back.
I have 2019 SAS like Karl's and in a year or two ot sure what to upgrade to. I really like the adrenalin this LC8 V2 engine gives when the throttle is twisted. It's a blast. Now I wouldn't get the R1200GS, although a great great bike very planted and confy it just doesn't have the power of my SAS. I want to test ride the R1250GS, 2021 SAS and the Multistrada V4 before deciding what to buy next. However, recently I started liking sporttouring bikes such as the new Hayabusa, Ninja 1000SX, R1250RS.... So much to choose from 😅
There's always KTM'S super duke GT. I came from a super adventure T and the GT is a good middle ground between a sportbike and a tourer all while maintaining that crazy Vtwin power.
@@kugangles9860 that's a good shout actually! Did not consider that bike because somehow I think it would be too small for me. But should be worth a test ride. When is due to have an upgrade? Like the SAS had this year
@@aleksandarkanizaj I thought KTM might have put a new one out this year because of some spy shots that came out last year of a new GT being developed. But probably within the next 2 years I'm guessing. The current 2nd Gen is a great bike though.
Good review as always. Good lord that bike is ugly though!!!! Euro 5 emission regulations are leading to some pretty horrible engine strangulation; case in point. Decat and remap and I'm sure it would feel far better.
As a primarily happy owner of a 2018 SAS I’m happy to hear that the 2021 doesn’t have significant differences. My biggest complaint with the 2018 is that it feels top heavy to me at slow speeds, but once rolling it’s a wonderful bike.
I would counter his opinion as a owner of the '22, the TFT DOES connect to both the helmet and the device and shows NAV on screen. He only tested power in street mode. Had he put it in Sport mode, and suspension mode in sport, he would have ignited his brain a bit! RALLY mode is Insane! You can also custom map the throttle response and the suspension can be dialed in . (If you pay for the mode)
Really good review, I need emotions for a motorcycle and not a lot of electronics and phone conecting etc .... with that all the prices went to all brands unfortunately. for those drivers who drive in 5 or 6 gear at speed 30 or 50 it is better to drive only a car, or ;-)) Greetings to all and thank you!
Hey! I appreciate the spreadsheet, but the weights seem off. The Revzilla Daily Rider - Zack - Actually weighs them. He says the Multi V4 is 570 pounds wet, the GS is 565 pounds wet, and you say GS 549 and MS V4 429 ???. What's interesting is that the Multi V4 is actually 5 pounds heavier than the GS!!! What is going on? I Imagine that you don't weigh them. I would like you to weigh them, add accuracy to this problem, and reveal the deception I think is happening. Especially with Ducati? These differences are NOT trivial.
Sorry, I have no way of weighing a bike, I just go by what the OEM legally states. There are so many conditions and options that can change a bikes weight, too many to list, so that is why there are so many different weights for just one bike. take care, Scott
High Scott, if you do the comparison in a list of all big adventure bikes than you should get the big Yamaha and last but not least the Pan Amerika Harley... 🙂
Once again Scott, great review. Are you German? Your English sounds so American to me. Perhaps you’re with the CIA or BND? Motorcycle division of course! 😂
Another statement looks strange for me.... The fuel consumption of the GS... 4.75 litre?????? Most if the bmw drivers are saying that she needs 5.6 or 5.7 litres..
The reported fuel economy numbers have to be compliant with the Euro 5 standard testing parameters. Real world numbers will vary a whole lot depending on many factors, not the least of which are how fast you ride. The regulations involve testing at legal speeds.
But the gasoline consumption has to be realistic... Even with euro 5 the 1250er engine needs under normal and compliant with road law normaly 5 litres plus....
