I got my full motorcycle license in February. At the end of February I took some bikes for test drive. The BMW 1250 GS, the Honda Africa Twin adventure sports 2020 DCT, and the manual version, the KTM 790 adventure S and the KTM 1290 super adventure S. I tested all the bikes in the same week. The last one that I tested was de Honda Africa Twin adventure sports manual, but the experience I had on the 1290SAS was so amazing that I've forgotten the feelings I had in the other bikes. What an experience, that bike is so amazing that it will be my next bike after all this coronashit ends.
Congrats to your full license. This is absolutely the way to go - try all the bikes yourself and see what you like. I tried the Ducati Multistrada first at the time - then the BMW R 1200 GS and even through I wanted to like the Ducati more I decided on the BMW ... until my first ride on this KTM and I have not looked back ;-)
I went from an Africa Twin AS to a 2018 KTM 1290 SA R. Both bikes are awesome in their own way. The KTM is much tighter and engaging, but I liked the torque curve of the AT more. Off road the AT has a sweet spot at around 4000 rpm that is absolutely intoxicating.
@@phoenix10452 Thank you Michael - the AT is another one of those bikes I have not been able to try out yet - need to put this one on the list too I guess ;-)
@@phoenix10452 I have a 2018 ATAS now, which I am in the process of trading in for a 2020 1290 SAR. I love many things about the AT, for sure. I think it both looks and sounds better than the 1290 SAR - but it lacks power. 95 horses get boring on the pavement (but is enough off-road). I find myself riding much more on pavement, but still want to be able to enjoy gravel roads whenever I want, so I'm hoping the 1290 SAR will be a good fit for me. Hoping for spring as soon as possible now, so I can go get my KTM :)
Pragmatic Tornado you will love the KTM. It is so tight and engaging. You will have to get used to the standing position on the KTM. You will not be standing almost upright like on the ATAS. The standing position of the KTM is attack mode, with your body hunched forward, which is good for dynamic off-road riding but less comfortable. You could of course compromise by installing risers. I choose to get used to it :-)
Best KTM Super Adventure 1290 video review ever!!! You've covered all the angles! That's exactly what I wanted and what most want, a real user long term review as impartial as possible. Congrats again and the image quality, video takes and scenery are just awesome! Best regards from Argentina!
I am thinking of buying this bike, & after watching this fantastic & in-depth review i am! I have watched lots of reviews on this bike - this is the best on RU-vid. Thank you
Thank you for your honest and thorough review. Bought a 2020 KTM 1290 SA and will be picking up today! So thrill! Normally a Harley girl but this bike changed my mind toward more sport touring. Keeping the street glide so I can still hang with my friends. Looking forward to the next adventure in my life! Cheers
Thank so much and congratulations on your new motorcycle - how exciting to look forward to the very first ride with a brand new bike 😎 I actually started my bike journey on a Harley Davidson before switching to an adventure bike and eventually to the KTM 1290 SAS - I did a short video on it ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE--Jh1lb0Jt9A.html. I wished I could have kept my HD too -lucky you 😉 - when I am back in the US I at least get to ride one for a day or two - last time I had a street glide ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-pK2X9rpG2ys.html 😎 ride safe and enjoy your adventures - cheers 🤙
Had the privilege of test riding the '17 1290 sa for 4hrs (city traffic, hwy & mountain twisties (no off-road)). The bike was phenomenal. The power.....sublime. Decided at that time to go with the '17 1200 gsa as I couldn't get past the elevated engine heat & chain maintenance. Whilst I can truly appreciate some "hot buns" just not my own. Otherwise a spectacular machine. mv a spot-on review ✌️✌️
Thank you for your nice comment. 😎 Good point about the engine heat - due to the design your buns (and crown jewels) are a bit closer to the hot parts of the engine - with heavy stop and go traffic that may become an issue but nothing compared to the Harley Davidson (air-cooled) big twins that I owned 😂. The BMW is much better in this respect. Keep cool and stay healthy! 👍
I have the same bike. Love it! Over 24,000 miles in 18 months! This is by far the best bike I have owned. The Alps look like a lot more fun then The Rockies are for riding. Thanks for the video! Be well! Ride fast! :)
Thanks for you comment! Good to hear you are happy with your KTM too - The Alps are amazing - come over and check them out - the Rockies are still on my list - maybe next time with an adventure bike instead of a Harley Davidson ;-)
Your praise is very much appreciated - I was hoping to give this review a different spin and not redo what is already online. I hope you are staying healthy in the States - the numbers are very concerning and they are rising fast - I have family in the US as my wife is American - -cheers!
Thank you for taking the time and effort to make this for us. It's most appreciated that a real owner has given us relevant information and not a waste of time Press release (journalist ).
Very good review my friend, it’s great to hear a real time “live” riders review and not a sycophantic journalist just raving because it’s the latest bike on the block. I had a Ktm 1190 adv,r in 2014 but sadly had a number of issues, reliability wise, but the bike was a blast when in good shape... I’m with you with the locations, the Alps are a riders paradise, oh to live nearer would be a dream, but as soon as the horrific Covid 19 is gone I’ll be back.... Ride safe , great vids. Cheers ....
Thank you for the appreciation. It is not like I do not watch these reviews too (I watched a ton of them before buying this bike) - I was hoping to provide a different perspective in addition to what is already available. I am sorry to hear you had all these issues. I suppose I have been lucky so for. I had a lot of troubles with my BMW R 1200 GS - all covered under warranty but still. I am keeping my fingers crossed that life will turn to normal by the time summer comes around but until then I am doing my part and staying home ;-) stay healthy!
I purchased the 1290sas very recently, still waiting for delivery, actually. I come of a Tracer 700 and did test rides on the Tracer 900GT which made clear i like twins, and the BMW GS which felt very comfy. But the thrill you feel when you ride a motorcycle that fits you perfect, i got with the KTM. Anyway, i looked as many reviews and movies on YT i could find and i really like yours. Keep it up, you have a new follower 😉!
Thanks for the perfect review! Really appreciated watching it. I ride a 1290 SAR since a couple of years after having had a BMW R1100GS since 1995 (I still have it as a second bike). All you described is so true, awesome enginge and breaks, great riding positioning, best bike I have ridden so far
Very comprehensive review - enjoyed it. Not many decent mileage / time frame reviews around so made it more noteworthy. I nearly bought one several years ago but was put off by KTM reliability and poor local dealer service. Glad to hear you have had no problems. I like the fact that you invested in a set of off road wheels to truly get best value.
Thank you very much for you nice comment 😉 since I started this channel I have been reading about the hit and miss with reliability on KTMs from some owners. I know I had my fair share of issues on the BMW R 1200 GS - I also know it is not representative of all BMWs - it just really sucks when it is you. Anyway - let's see what the offroad end will bring in the future - it is a lot of fun but I definitly need more practice to feel anywhere near as comfortable as I do on the road. cheers - stay healthy!
I did not know how many great roads there are until I started exploring them and I have only seen a few yet. However, depending on where you live in the US there should be plenty of legal choices of riding offroad (which is quite limited in Europe) and there certainly is no lack of beautiful scenery and nature 😉 Ride Safe!
Outstanding. Well done and highly informative. I’ve had one year with my 2019 KTM 1290 SAS and, after 6k mikes, I loved learning something new and some of your objective comments. One day I’ll get to some of those Alp roads. Thank you.
High quality video as usual. The KTM, ducati and BMW are all excellent bikes. I chose the r1250gs exclusive. Why ? Three main reasons - 1. BMW quality, customer service and 3 year warranty ( comes at a price !) 2.Shaft drive - I am lazy and chain cleaning, oiling etc is toilsome. 3. Stability and telelever suspension is second to none. There is a reason the GS wipes the floor year after year in sales compared with all other bikes - it is the best all rounder in my opinion ( and it is only a personal opinion).
Gordon - thanks for your comment. The BMW R 1250 GS is an excellent motorcycle and a choice you cannot go wrong with. I do miss the low to no maintenance of a shaft drive some times ;-) btw. you can get 2 additional years of warranty (to make it 4 total) with KTM - at least in Germany. Money well spent on a little bit of piece of mind. Thanks for watching & stay healthy!
Got my new 1290 SAS and managed one ride before the lock down started. I love the bike and it's a good evolution from the 1190 SA that I had. Unfortunately the dealer hadn't disabled the transport lock so it refused to start after 3 hours riding. Luckily I was back home by then! I'm hoping for a good price for its first service after their mistake. Great review 👍
Congrats to your new bike John! I did not even know there was such a thing as a transport lock ;-) That would have been a real pain if the bike had refused to start in a middle of a long tour. Let's hope we will get through this lock down phase quickly - it is especially hard because the weather is starting to get really nice now. stay healthy!
Regarding high-speed stability, I know that the jacket plays a very important role. If it is not as stiff as a leather jacket, it will start to flap in the back and make your shoulders and therefore the handlebars move. So it's more a question of wind protection and the jacket will play a role in the stability of the bike.
Absolutely - I have noticed that wearing the airbag vest helps in this regard. I was able to go quite a bit faster last weeked coming back from my day trip ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-AYQ7Ps02OZk.html
This review is now the reason I am 100% set on picking up the 1290 S. Was a bit reluctant, due to I ride 70/30 Street and dirt, but me and my ADV buddies do ALOT of long distances to get to our spots. Thanks for this awesome review! Has given me confidence in my upcoming purchase.
MotoVibes thanks buddy! We have a lot of great roads here in Ireland too, you should take a trip here sometime 👍 here’s a small clip of one ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-BiBtYu6LxpM.html
Hi there . Really loves your videos . I got myself exactly the same bike as yours, that I brought home the day confinement started . So, it sleeps in my garage since then... cannot wait to experience it. In the meanwhile , I’m relying on you to imagine what it’s alike . Many thanks for the nice videos, and review . Be safe , and Ride safe thereafter....
Congrats on the purchase - I can feel your pain - now you have that brand new beauty of a beast in the garage and you cannot take it for a spin. Your time will come. Thanks for your comment and for watching - stay healthy!
its been 2 years as well for me! amazing bike! also around 30k kms! love it everyday! make sure to add the Rottweiler Airbox System! it will transform the bike to a new level!
Good to hear - I looked at the airbox and the Rottweile kits - really cool stuff but it would likely get me into trouble as our bikes have to pass tmandatory echnical inspection and emissions testing every 2 year.
I have a KTM 1090r, it’s the worst bike I’ve ridden at High speed, sounds like all of the KTM range are not stable at high speed which shows in your video! Nice work,👍👍👏👏🏴
Great review man. I really like your vlog. I too have a 1290 sas and your givi windscreen recommendation was on the spot! By the way, on insane speeds try setting the suspension on the "ride with pillion mode"while you ride alone, this will set the preload of the bike and will give you a "more to the ground" feeling of your front wheel.
The wobble issue is common to long track/long suspension, large wheel (19”+) bikes like most adventures and harleys etc, it’s made worse with load on the back, baggy clothing, big aftermarket screens and hand guards, cameras etc, these all move the center of gravity (load) back and extend the trail/front forks, also with the extra load on your upper body from the baggy clothing means you hold the bars tighter to compensate this causes the speed wobble. BMW’s, Honda’s, Yamaha, Ducati adventurer bikes, cruisers, motard and trail bikes all do it.
Thank you for the explanation - makes absolute sense. I have to admit I have not taken a Ducati Multistrada up this speed or the BMW (just would not go that fast anyway). Clothing has made a major differene in my experience and my riding gear is extremely baggy
@@MotoVibes I had both a GS and GSA LC and the GSA doesn't have this problem because of the big tank. Especially when gassed full even with luggage. In the future i'm looking to buy a Super adventure because i like the KTM agressiveness! You can get 17 inch front wheels from Alpina. Great cost but performs and looks perfect!
I’m actually doing all the things you’ve done with my 701 supermoto 🙂 I’m really tempted by a 1290 but I think It’s less fun to ride on mountain pass but on the other hand it’s way more comfortable on long journeys...
Sometimes it would be nice to have a lighter bike indeed. Offroad especially would be easier with a lighter bike. However, the 1290 is hard to beat on long distance rides
Huskyeleven Well, you will be surprised how nimble and agile that 1290 Super Adventure is. I do own a 2016 1290 Super Adventure (first edition, or later called T version), and I love to take corners at the mountain pass. As a little reminder, I am only 5’6” and mountain passes in my country mostly have more acute angled corners, and I can toss around that bike easily. Try ride one of them, and toss around the corner of a mountain pass, and you’ll be surprised, I gotta tell ya. Anyway, i would love to own a 701 Supermoto like the one you have. Take care and ride safely, Bro...✌🏽✌🏽👍🏼👍🏼
The latest 1290 still has the death wobble and you 100% spot on, they are very sensitive to setup. I have had it two up with full Touratech luggage at 236km/h on the Garmin with no issues then one up at 190 the wobble sets in, makes no difference on wire or cast on my old SAS. You will never truely lean it on the track unless you remove the center and side stand as they deck out, if you have wider pegs they will deck out as well. They are fun thou and eat the tyres after a few laps as the chassis cooks them so power slides are predictable...
I switched to the 2022 1290 SAR haven’t had the chance to take it to top speed yet. The S from 2021 was quite stable at top speed - it was a three day loaner while mine was in service 😉
Awesome longterm review, brilliant bike,i’m considering one of these this year…and the roads man THE ROADS..! how we’ve missed travelling to Europe,riden most of those roads too.10 out ten sir.
@@MotoVibes Hi,i'll definitely be looking at the 2021 version, but over here in the North West of England some dealers have still got unregistered 2020 models at good prices.I tested a 1190 SA a few years back and that went very well,so the 1290 should be great.
@@stevedenny3547 same over here - they have had really good deals on the 2020 models as most manufacturers are still sitting EURO4 bikes that they need to sell soon. With up to a 4k Euro price difference to the 2021 model I would be torn too ;-)
Great review. I’m picking up mine next week !! Last 11 years on a BMW with several expensive mechanical problems. Looking forward to a more reliable bike.
Thank you very much. I have had issues with my BMW too but that was not the reason to switch for me. Also, read the comments if you have time - some had issues with their KTM as well and were not as lucky as me so far. Maybe pick a newer bike and get the manufacturers warranty for 2 years - you can also extend the warranty (before the 2 years run out) - which I have done for an additional 2 years just for the piece of mind. All the issues I had with the BMW were fixed under warranty and would have cost a fortune - bad enough if stuff breaks but if you then have to pay for it yourself that really can spoil the fun ;-) Now may be a good time to pull the trigger on a new bike - end of season and rumor has it that the successor of the 1290 SAS / SAR will be anounced for next season which may get you good deals on the current model - good luck
Thank you very much - if Offroad is your thing and you are tall enough the R is the way to go - I think the R looks more badass too - I really like the big 21" front wheel and spoked wheels look more fitting to this type of bike. The S version is almost too big for me - I am 180cm ;-)
I own an 18 SAR and I adore it. It's literally my daily rider, a job at which it excels at. It's also very capable offroad and a weapon in the twisties, so if you can fit (and have experience) I'd jump on one. Stay well.
Tighten the fork bearings by the chassis, they are often losing on these bikes, and dealers suck on checking them in Service. My 2018 Ktm 1290 SAS fork play was upwards 15+mm even after the first Service, I tighten it and high-speed stability was soo good!
It's super easy, there is plenty of info about it. Under the handle bars you se one larger alu. nut maybe 36 mm in size, that one you tighten in till free play is gone (put bike on center stand and check if there is free play by hand move fork forward and backward) but remember first loosen the locking bolt torx M8 before you start tighning on that larger nut! When you tighten that larger 36 mm nut the conical bearings inside will tighten against the outer bearing and fork will be stable. When you tighten the bearings, and free play is gone, make sure steering moves lightly left and right, if it turns with resistance you tighten to much. Very easy procedure but anyways dealers just skips it! And costumers ride a woobelie bike. I do all my service my self can't trust any dealers these days.
@@JW-cq4ez Thank you - sounds easy enough - will have a look this weekend. I have a few other maintenance items on the list anyway. Thanks again for pointing this out. Ride Safe!
Comprehensive covering a number of topics, including embarrassing crashes but they happen! In process of purchasing 2019 Super Adventure S after owning Super Tenere which was excellent in reliability and versatility....just lacked character. Thanks for making the effort to provide insights.
@@MotoVibes I have purchased the bike and awaiting parts to arrive and be installed. Been reading about various electrical issues (fuel filler cap not opening, ignition not always working from key fob) so hope not left stranded somewhere. Had no issues with 2014 Yamaha Super Tenere this bike is replacing.
@@bruceleavitt9709 Do not make yourself crazy about all this - enjoy your new bike ;-) Congrats to your new purchase! Chances are that something will brake - but it many of the top end bikes have their issues but they reward you with an amazing riding experience!
Really enjoyed your review and the accompanying comments, I learned a lot from you all. I've just traded my 2014 AS and waiting for a run-out 2019 SAS to arrive here in Australia. Where I live in the wet tropics, we have mountain ranges with lots of twisties and varied terrain. In times gone by I did the demanding off-road stuff on my 990 adventure, it was a great experience and in some cases just to prove it could be done! The big adventure bikes have their limits so smaller it is for me when tackling the challenging offroad stuff. I'm just looking forward to throwing my leg over the 1290 and going for a blast mostly anywhere there's some form of pavement, it's that simple really...Thanks for sharing your experiences ...Happy Days
Hi Eddie - sorry for the late reply - sometimes I reply and it the response does not get saved for some reason. Congrats on your new 1290 SAS! The SAS is a great road bike for sure - there are definitely limits to how offroad this bike can handle - for the most part the limit is with rider at the moment but I am getting better. I noticed that the SAS suspension can handly some offoad but hits its limit really fast and of course the weight of the bike (any big ADV bike for that matter) is limitting - really make me want to try out a much lighter enduro bike some day. I watched quite a few videos from your country men and their adventures in the Australian bush. Really amazing scenery! Enjoy your new bike & Ride Safe!
MotoVibes G’day and thanks for your reply and interesting comments. I picked up my bike today and rode into the evening (awesome lights) taking a long ride into the county to visit my 92-year-old Mum. I wished I had a camera set up like you as it was a beautiful trip west through the mountains chasing the setting sun. I did get a speeding ticket though; it's about time as I've been fortunate to to get busted for a long time. You’re right about riding in the dirt, the big adventure bikes are just to prove it can be done hehe; I've ridden dirt most of my life, and it only makes sense to go smaller, I would seriously consider the KTM 790 Adventure R for long distance adventure off-road riding or a 500exc for blazing the tighter trails; I want both plus my 1290 SAS🙈 All the best on two wheels my friend. Cheers Eddie
Eddie Hayes well, i am sure your mom is happy you have a fast bike now. Gets you there much faster 😂 I have had my share of tickets too. It’s easy to go a little too fast. Now that you have a bike pick up a GoPro and record some of your rides - even if it is just for yourself. As the R model - I actually went by the dealer today just to see if I could live with the extra seat height of the 1290 SAR. Maybe I could. Let’s see. Ride safe 😎🤙
Very nice and interesting review you done after 2 years. I own the "R" model and I say you covered the pro and cons I also experienced with mine. Great that you wanted to share this with us. Keep up the hope that we ovecome this corona soon so we can start travelling again
Thank you for the nice feedback! At least we had some time over the late summer to travel a little bit before everything went back to shut down mode. I am hoping things will look better in 6-12 months ;-)
Good real world review...thanks for posting!!!! I was just at the dealer today looking at the new 2020 1290 SA..it's a beauty but I'm not sure it would be such a big step up from my trusty 1190
Keith - thanks for your feedback! The 1190 is a fantastic bike - I got to ride Thomas 1190 Adventure R a few times in past years - also for a short stretch of offroad riding and I really liked it. The 1290 refines what is already great on the 1190 but if you are happy with yours just keep it ;-) I am curious about the successor of the 1290 Super Adventure S/R which is rumored for release next year.
@@billoldreive3628 thank you very much Bill - glad this video could make a difference. If you like the 1190 R will love the 1290 - Thomas (my ridding buddy) actually bought a 1290 S in addition to his 1190 R - I guess he was sick of swapping wheels back and forth and just bought an on-road bike in addition to his off-road 1190 R ;-) He is very happy with the 1290 S - cheers
Thanks for the incredible review. I just ordered a new KTM 2020 Super Adventure S. I currently have a Super Duke R and I wanted the comfort of an adventure bike but the power of a sports bike. You just reassured me about my decision. Thanks.
So after 2 months with it I can say that the one big disappointment from this bike is the heat. I live in Israel and we have a hot summer and a short winter and this motorcycle is producing so much heat that it is sometimes unbearable. I added any power part exist and this bike is burning. The super duke that I had was hot but not even close. It is very disappointing and makes me want to sell the bike.
I have an SAS and a Tiger 800. On the Tiger I still have a Mitas EO7 on the rear, and wow that tire slides on me more than any tire I’ve ever had. In the rain, it’s a bit of a shit show. On the SAS I just put a set of the Dunlop Trailmax Mission tires on. Just started pushing them more on the road, and they’ve handled amazingly. Slightly less smooth than the stock Pirellis, but very close to the same street performance...and they’re a 50/50 tire! Recommend you give them a look, because you’re right, the tires are a huge difference to the application of an ADV bike. Agree with at least 90% of your assessment on the SAS. I’ve put >7K miles on it in 6 months, best bike I’ve ever ridden. Cheers from the States, stay safe on the continent.
That is also what I noticed with the E-07+ - as soon as it is a little wet on th road the rear breaks out. Thank you for the tip on the Dunlops - looks like they just came out (late 2019). I looked up the specs and 8000 miles on a set of tires would be a dream. Where are you from in the States - do you get to ride offroad a lot? Stay healthy ;-)
I live in the DC suburbs of Maryland, so don’t get many opportunities off road unless I travel about 100 miles or more, much like you described living in Berlin. So for me I want a tire that’s road focused, but more aggressive than a 90/10 for off-road with all of the mud out East. Kyle Bradshaw has done some really good videos on the Dunlops that you may want to check out.
@@jaronard1 That is so awesome - I used to live in DC and then moved to Northern Virginia - it seems like a lifetime ago now but I do remember the area well - lived there for just over 3 years. I watched Kyle's ride in the snow with the Dunlop - this guy is crazy - really liked the video and left him a comment.
Hi there really enjoyed your clip and your experiences and honesty, for so many years now having not decided to buy a venture bike as so curious to see which companies are bringing to the table their willingness to perfect their bikes has me overwhelmed and a little confusing and so in appreciation on your lip here has boutique me one step closer to deciding which adv to buy thanks again I be looking forward to more of your clips cheers from Australia...
Thank you very much for your kind comment. There is indeed a lot happening with regards to developments in this segment - as always: if you wait long enough there will be something better down the line ;-) Ride Safe & stay healthy! cheers
Well - have a test ride and see for yourself. See if you can spend at least a full day with it. I was convinced after the first 15 min but needed the rest of the day to reconfirm my first impression ;-) cheers
Thank you very much - the 1190 is still a great bike - that is what my buddy Thomas rides. I curious to see what the model upgrade will bring - first indications show something similar to the 790 in design language - the funny tank design - you may be better off with this model then ;-)
@@MotoVibes Yes, that's why I'm so interested in the new model. I saw some spy pictures of it. I also don't really like the headlamp styling of the current KTM's.. But first ride my own bike for 100k's or something :)
Your GREAT media contributed to my decision to purchase 1290 SA S, solid non-bias information. Question - what crash bars do you have? Obviously they performed well and like the fact they are not overwhelming aesthetically. Thanks Craig
wow - thank you for this feedback Craig - I am happy to hear that this review helped. The crash bars are actually the original KTM power parts. I am glad I get them - they are worth every penny 😎
For road use try the Roadtec 01. The standard Pirelli and Conti fronts were demolished within 2k miles, just not suitable for the sort of pace the bike can handle. The Roadtec delivered 5k rear and 7k front, miles not kilometres.
I don't know why these prominent manufacturers bother making off-road versions of such big heavy bikes, which any level headed experienced rider knows are too bulky for that kind of use. There are plenty of mid-range powerful bikes that weigh far less for that sort of experience. I would rider anything bigger than a 600cc on dirt, especially considering how powerful those smaller engines are nowadays. Ride carefully and thanks for the great video.
Thank you very much. Can’t argue with this one. Still amazing what you can do with these heavy beasts. For the best off-road experience you should definitely go with lighter bikes.
I bought a 2018 Super Adventure R last April and sold it in September with only 4000 miles on it. The keyless fob kept stranding me and KTm wouldnt warranty the electronics so they wouldnt fix it. I also had to spend 2 days going through the bike bolt by bolt because everything was loose or hoses and wires were rubbing all over the place, but that may have the dealers fault that I bought it from. I got it home from the first ride and found missing bolts. it was an amazing ride and introduced me to the dirt side of things, but I just couldnt trust it. The bluetooth never worked, the KTM app was garbage, and the key fob shutting the bike off out in the middle of no where just killed it for me. When it ran fine, it was the best bike that Ive ever owned.
I am really sorry to read this - absolutely feel your pain. A high-end bike like the KTM needs to perform in order for you to have confidence and trust in it. That is a bit how I felt about my BMW R 1200 GS that kept having problems - not as severe as yours but still. As for the missing bolts - I had a few too but I think that was sloppy work of the shop for not clamping down the front axle correctly. Eventually you have to do the main maintenance of the bike yourself to be 100% sure. I did not for the first 2 years because of the warranty. I will start to do more myself now - with the limited means that I have of course ;-) What are you riding now if I may ask?
@@MotoVibes , Sorry for the late reply, buddy. I'm not riding currently. I just moved to The Oregon Coast and am researching bikes. Too be honest, I've really been thinking about my 1290 again. Maybe even looking at the previous gen, before they were with the keyless fob and the new dash. But I really love the new look of them today. I Have been keeping an eye on the KTM 790, Vstrom 1000 XT, Yamaha Tenere 700. But I've also been considering just getting a smaller dual sport like wr250r and putting it on a bumper rack of my xterra and then buying a dedicated road bike. I just watched a few videos of the KTM 390 adventure and though that it looks like a fun bike to go explore offroad with.
What do you think about the seat? Ergo seat is good I think little to high for me, the original seat I made 13mm holes in the foam in a "pattern" to soften up the foam, let's see, need to test it how it feels. I have 32" legs so I prefer the lower seat. But it's hard.
same here ;-) the PP seat is just a tad to tall for me. I mean it works but I cannot set the heals down fully - the original seat is way to uncomfortable for me. The PP seat is great for comfort and for the most part I am fine with taller ride height.
Vielen Dank für deine Videos! Sie waren in Summe ausschlaggebend, dass ich heute einen Kaufvertrag für meine SAS 1290 S BJ 07/18 mit 11tkm unterschrieben habe. Grüße aus Lörrach
Cheets from Texas USA my friend. I just bought a new 2019 silver n blk. Absolutely love it, specially being 6'2. Love your video content and fantastic commentary. Thanks for sharing your adventures and advice. Great work!
willraven7 then you very much! Congratulations on your KTM. my riding buddy Thomas that you see in the videos a lot just bought the exact same bike. Once we can travel again you will likely see your bike on this channel more often 😎 I bet you had a big grin under your helmet when you took your bike for a first ride 😁 Ride Safe ! Cheers.
@@MotoVibes yes sir! Was raining lightly when i drove hm from the dealer. I put it in rain mode and smiled all the way home 40 miles so much my face hurt. Specially trading in a harley streetglide (hd was like sitting in a small kids chair)😁
@@willraven7 That is quite the transition from a Harley Davidson to a large adventure bike - a transition I get absolutely relate too. I started riding (again) on Harley Davidson Softail Deluxe before I moved to a BMW R 1200 GS and eventually the KTM 1290 SAS. I did a short recap of that bike journey of mine while I was riding with my brother ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE--Jh1lb0Jt9A.html
@@MotoVibes i watched that one too...im 51 but grew up riding dirt and crotch rockets...had a few HDs and just not the same as a bad ass ADV ...KTM ROCKS. ill never go back !!
Excellent review. I'm looking at getting back into biking after a 11 year break. Looking at the 1290 along with other similar bike. Just keep getting drawn back to the KTM. What accessories have you fitted to your bike as I noticed the orange rear sprocket? What ones do you have that you'd recommend? Thanks
Thank you Ian - I did 2 videos on most of the accessories that I have ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-r9qvKLRHJ4M.html and this one for offroad use: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-_yjVpDS4UqE.html The orange sprocket was just some nice bling as I had to renew both sprockets and the chain as part of regular maintenance
Really good review... thank you very much. I would à liked earring you talk about the cost of the periodic maintenance, and also about your feeling of the semi-active suspensions. Cheers from France!
How much milage do you have? I have the opportunitie to buy the exact same bike, but it have 45k miles on it. Currently have a bmw f800gs 2014....should i?
Great video, ditto great information. Re crash, you were lucky and glad for that. I total'ed my previous bike (BMW 1200GSA) in June (gravel on pavement in a turn). Was not quite as lucky as you, or luckier, all depending on point of view. Marked the end of the season, and the beginning of hospital/rehab period of 5 months. All gone well, albeit (painfully) slow. On a whim I bought a 2019 1290SAS (with low mileage) a few days ago. Have since done a lot of research. The wobbling phenomena it seems one can, apparently, mitigate by among other things balance tires/rims. But the one single taks some claim helps, is to tighten up front fork/bearing. Then there's funneling of air in front. I've noticed is that the stock wind screen isn't shaped as aerodynamic as, for instance, the stock GS/GSA screen. Latter however, flop around and causes instability in high speeds, without additional brackets. Worse if you try high speed with the stock panniers on. Latter with absolutely zero aerodynamic props. Now, after a lot of research I put Puig touring screen with spoiler on the GSA. It made a huge difference regarding stability, specifically in windy conditions. One thing is the rigidity of the screen. Another is the shape. Puig have followed the same recipe on the touring screen for 1290. With experience from BMW 1200GSA it would seem probable the funneling of air can help on high speed stability also on the 1290. That is the theory side of it. Remains to be tested. I don't live in Germany, so high speed enjoyment will limit itself quite naturally. So therefore, a potential issue I'll try to mitigate before any experience. In any event, thanks again for lots of great contributions! Cheers.
You basically brought down to the point. See if it is even an issue for you- if I did not live in Germany I would even go for a short racing screen all the time ( which I kinda did this year anyway)
Thank you very much - the issue has been around for a while - some manage to get it fixed. I have the 2020 R now with similar issues - but I was expecting it to some degree - the extra suspension travel of the R does not help.
I've had the 1290R for 2 yrs now & agree with everything you said around the motor & brakes & electronics safety package Primarily use the street ride mode for the throttle response also Zero mechanical issues in 25,000 kms so far (I change the oil every 7500 kms) = (paranoia I guess) Bike eats rear tires with that power but it's certainly enjoyable 👍 I bought the same exhaust system & the weight difference between the stock & powerparts option was noticeable (4 kilo ish) = (tiny bit deeper sound as you said, not loud droning or anything on the hwy) Have been using it for 2up camping trips with the wife in Canada, & in the wet or cold weather, on or off road on fire roads its been fantastic = { side note; "this bike doesn't have an image issue at all, everyone likes this thing & everyone waves as we pass through, it's definitely a conversation piece when parked" } Not a good 1st bike for anyone, but a great bike for anyone with a bit of riding experience The quick shifter is sorta magical as described 😏
Emery Mahylis thanks for sharing your feedback on the 1290 SAR. I have been doing quite a bit more offroad stuff lately and I am getting to the point where the stick suspension hits it’s limits. I am contemplating the switch to the R model for the better suspension 😉 maybe next season- let’s see. Cheers mate
@@MotoVibes couple things to note around the R model... In Canada it arrives with TKC 80 tires on it = as a result we've never had a speeding ticket, it's not really safe to fly through hwy corners beyond 130kph.. at 150 kph you will slide from the inside of your lane to the middle in a sorta 2 wheel drift & this can be unnerving.. I try to avoid this, the bike just has way more get up & go than the tires can handle =( I leave the computer assistance on for all the extra help it provides, & on nobbie tires you can tell the ABS & traction control differences between road & rain modes, I always use rain mode when it rains, I also use it if its a bit frosty in the mornings, or cold at night, around 2 degrees celsius ) We are on our 3rd front tire & halfway through 5th rear tire.. I've thought about trying TKC 70 rocks setup in the future, maybe next year, for the dual compound stability, but at the same time I think I should have bought the S model when I think about it too much = (maybe having 2 different wheel sets is a good idea, depending on whare were going on a trip) =(all our trips start in Vancouver, so it's Vancouver to sloquet hot springs, or Vancouver to halfway river hot springs, or Vancouver to Port Renfrew beach on the west coast of the island, sometimes it's a 3rd unpaved & then sometimes its pavement the entire way except for the campground) In the manual that came with the bike there is a rear spring option (front springs also) here in Vancouver it cost $425 at a suspension tuner to order this optional spring & have it installed, it gives you an extra 25 kgs preload & you don't need to revalve.. I didn't find a need to change the front springs as were 2 turns out from maximum preload up there, clickers set to "standard" 12 clicks out. (rear clickers are both 9 clicks out & high speed compression is at 3/4 turn out, rear preload is at maximum turns in which is 18 turns ) Running the majority of the powerparts catalog; = Same seats as you "heated models = Skid plate (was only $275 Canadian dollars & its very thick aluminum) = Aluminum spine hand guards (looks like a Bark Busters product but it actually says KTM Austria on the inside of the plastic deflectors) = Touratech aluminum luggage system 31 liter right side, 45 liter left, 38 liter top box (on the powerparts rack) = 2 of those 5 liter dry bags from the catalog one on-top of each side box = That 14 liter tank bag that unzipps to 18 liters from the catalog (its also a back pack with the straps hidden in a compartment, & the base stays on the tank, this was a pleasant surprise actually as you wouldn't have known from the description in the powerparts catalog, it seems to be able to deal with light rain, but its not waterproof for heavy rain, so it has a rain cover in a pocket) = The aluminum tool rack box thing that sits above the muffler "very handy & useful for a variety of things" we use it all the time with a couple Rock Straps (beer or wine, or long items, or garbage, never for tools)(tools are in the bottom of boxes to keep the weight down low) = All the orange aluminum pieces have been collected over time = Heated grips was a must have = Same windscreen except the clear taller model "works fantastic, same story, this wasn't my first idea" = Puig side deflectors "keeps the cold wind from going up & around & circling the waist area in winter on the hwy, not flawlessly, but it works" = Had the rear exhaust header pipe under the seat ceramic coated (instead of the insulated item from the catalog) this cost $200 Canadian dollars in Vancouver, I know you know why I did this.. this reduced the heat in the summer by 33% coming from down there.. the part from the catalog was $450 Canadian dollars? It was the KTM dealer who suggested we try something else & its been an acceptable solution just to ceramic coat it instead. All in all, a fantastic camping & adventure machine for us, 142 liters luggage capacity (Not including that aluminum rack) I weigh 220 lbs, wife is 150 lbs, were sitting at 1050 lbs all up on the wheels (full tank of gas & all the luggage, tools, camping gear & supplies) We went for titanium snow peak cookwear (as much as needed)(Optimus multifuel stove) Alite designs mayfly chairs (2 of those) Hilleberg tent (3 person, but its good for 2 with gear inside) Light weight air mattresses (no insulation to minimize size & they fit in the tent bag in the right side box) Thermarest medium sized pillows (they fold small) Sorta unusual bivvy bag system comprised of multiple different types of full length zipper bags & puffy blankets for inside & out of sleeping bags "that we don't carry" this allows for multiple layers for 2 in barrels of material or made into a double bed with many layers below & on-top (depends on weather we're getting along or not obviously.. lol) The top box is basically for the cooking equipment & consumables like food, with the rapid trap system its easy to disconnect & move away from the bike & tent & haul up a tree if we're in grizzly bear country, the box is air tight & we've never attracted animals so far We've never been on the road for more than 3 days (long weekends) I do carry a fairly powerful air compressor to seat a tire bead, we've had a flat 96 kms into the woods before & the wife has never bugged me about how much space we give up for tools ever since Actually carry one of those tiny compressors as a backup pump Chain tool + master links Decent size accessory battery for charging headlamps & phones (kept in tank bag) but it is capable of jumping the bike if needed Carry fuses, especially the red 10 ones (if you forget to turn every accessory off when using a powerful pump it'll blow fuses, this has happened twice for us, I do keep the bike running when using the compressor & the bigger one takes 4/5 minutes to fill from empty & can seat the bead with help from a ratchet strap around the rubber.. I've actually never tried with the mini pump, the mini pump is about the size of a cigarette package & I tried airing up with it once & it was taking forever, I don't think it's capable of seating a bead & it might burn out or kill the bikes battery if I didn't have the bike running to fill the tire from empty, (would you want your bike running for 25 minutes & not traveling forward & just burning fuel in the middle of nowhere.?) it could probably handle a plug once if needed & then I'd probably retire it, I don't trust it. Better than nothing, but better to consider it as a backup pump.. our main pump can handle a truck tire & is about the size of 2 Guinness cans of beer in its pouch with all accessories & plugs/patches I do carry spare tubes (even though we're running tubeless tires) = "there's really no guarantee that a plug or multiple plugs or patches from the inside is going to work" Carry JB wield & a variety of other things to make emergency repairs We have the Delorme inreach satellite communication device, but that to isn't always reliable (& hey, what if I dropped the bike on it & now its broken plus something on the bike.?) Starts to get quite complex when intending to travel far off the beaten path & you'll give up alot of luggage space for support & self rescue items (maybe 25 liters of space) We think we'll keep the 1290R for another decade at least, as it's very good for its purpose we use it for & We'll get a goldwing 7 speed DCT with an ultimate seat for pure pavement trips in the next few years The 1290 was my 40th birthday present.. lol 👍 (my wife is awesome)
The 1290 R suspension system is a bit finicky up front, you sorta have to enjoy making adjustments, to keep it silky smooth that is.. I'd always been a Honda guy before owning this WP setup & its different than Showa offerings 4sure.. Example= one click of adjustments is equal to 3 clicks on a Showa unit & Its nessisary to blead the front forks air (on the center stand with the wheel off the ground of course) basically every day of riding, or your definitely going to feel it getting harder through the bars & that vibration will get annoying unless addressed (sometimes twice in the same day if we've gained considerable elevation or vise versa) The 3rd bar riser configuration I'd ended up at (currently..) & seemingly a solution is the rubber bumper BRP sub mount for the Scott's damper. Didn't bother with the damper itself, but the 4 blue rubber bumpers work well (torque to the minimum spec) Found that along with a bunch of other goodies from Rottweiler performance in the USA online = SAS canister delete stage 2 (Canada doesn't actually need this canister, in British Columbia) = ABS dongle (yea, that was annoying until addressed) = Kickstand dongle (not installed, but in with the tools on the bike) Kept the stock airbox & run the K&N style filter + the nostril filters up front This actually works as I know what it looked like before & after changing the air filters setup & not having the nostrils originally = when riding 2up on logging roads / fire roads with others who are usually alone on their bikes we end up taking up the rear often & along with that comes all the dust unfortunately, the powerparts catalog solution with double air filtering does help out quite a bit. Sometimes it's better to travel alone to avoid this dust situation, although there's safety in numbers 4sure.. We topped the heated powerparts catalog seats with Airhawk cussions, because riding off road 2up you cannot really stand up together safely, this doubled the amount of time we can travel on unpaved roads before needing to take a 10 minute break to stretch out & walk around a little bit (2 hrs at a time basically before breaks now is typical) this is a non issue on pavement, but that higher speeds vibration off road will get to anyone after a while.. The bikes seat height is now 37" up front for myself, getting up there, I'm 192 cm (6'-3") & cannot completely flat foot both sides at the same time any longer, but its still ok. Bike fell over once while at a standstill when my wife was hoping on & we sorta had the slowest drop in history occur., No damage, the rubber bumpers on the bottom of the touratech luggage system makes contact, nothing else touches & With 2 people it's fairly easy to pickup... Lol...
@@emerymahylis944 That is what i heard from R riders. 😂 guess the grass is always greener on the other side 😉 at least you have your wife to help picking up the bike. The reason I preferred the S over the R is my height of 180 cm. I barely get both feet on the ground with the power parts seat. I am still contemplating but I would keep my 19/17” wheels for faster riding
Cool review, I like the top view with the drone. Luckily I bought my GS 1250 HP last fall, otherwise I would have had doubts about the right decision after seeing this review 😉
yeah - but you had your eyes on the BMW from the first moment and GS 1250 GS is an awesome bike too. We can trade bikes for a while if the Touratech Event does not get cancelled now - hope to see you soon. cheers
I got my GS 1250 last fall as well and its just a better bike over all. better tech, more comfortable, just more superior. had a KTM before, its a great bike. more sport bike the touring
Thank you - well, then you know ;-) check out this video on my video and sound setup ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-DyeBTCGt_Ks.html cheers
Man, great extended and informative review.. was at the dealer today. Seriously considering buying this... Earlier this year i traded from a zzr1400 to a super tenere. I love the comfort on the super tenere, but i am missing the power of the zzr1400. It would cost me some pennies but this machine sure looks like the best thing when it comes to power combined with comfort... Never felt right to drive anything else but japanese. But your review is very convincing, also on the front of reliability! Thanks for your contributions. I've subscribed to your channel! Greetings from Amsterdam !
Thank you for the kind words and your support! I can see how a Super Tenere will be a tough match after riding fast and powerful ZZR1400 - The Super Tenere is a great bike but also quite heavy for the power it packs. I love the KTM V-twin - what a powerhouse of an engine - I have had the bike for 3 seasons and it never gets old ;-) If you are looking for a more upright seating position and even more punch - the Super Duke GT may also be worth looking at - I have not ridden the GT but I have ridden the 1290 Super Duke for a day but you said comfort is important and the 1290 SAS will have plenty of that at the push of a button. Good luck with your choice - let me know if you buy the KTM ;-) cheers
@@MotoVibes yes i was also looking at the GT but an upright position is very important for me. I also measure 1.92 meters, so the GT feels and fits like a minibike to me hahah... I will for sure let you know what happens! The super tenere is indeed a great bike, but like you are saying, the weight is definitely too much. Especially compared to the 1290 SAS. Only minor small point at this moment is going from a shaft drive to a chain again. But like i said, a minor point. With the SAS, i am absolutely willing to take care of a chain again 🙂 thanks for your feedback and i will definitely get back to you on the outcome! Once again, kind regards from Amsterdam!
@@erwindenengelsen8144 OK - at 192 cm it has to be the Super Adventure ;-) You may want to consider a chain oiler to minimize the hassle with the chain - it is stil more maintainance than a shaft drive (as you have to keep the chain clean) but if you are on tour you do not have to whip out the chain oil can after a day's ride - that time can be better spend - on the first beer for example ;-)
@@MotoVibes good advice! That can just do the trick. That beer sounds even better hahah.. hopefully the borders are open at springtime and corona virus in the past, so we can enjoy some perfect german Beers in your southern part of the country! I visited the Schwarzwald earlier this year, great riding, great Beers, great hospitality! Planning to visit Bavaria next year...
Just bought one! What a testdrive... Mental power!! On the way back to the dealership i drove right past it with a big smile on my face haha.. just to have another go at it! Man, what an incredible machine. Power and comfort in one machine, just what i wanted. Added QS , heated grips, MSR and some sprocket insulation guard to prevent excessive engine heat on warm days. More toys will probably follow during ownership, but this was the bottom of my wallet for now hahah... Expected delivery, mid january!
Fantastic video review. This is the type of long term ownership information I had hoped to find about this motorcycle. I have seen the price on used 1290 SAS bikes coming down in my area and have been considering upgrading from my 2015 tiger 800 XRX. The triumph has been a wonderful machine for me but I have outgrown it's touring capacity. I enjoy long distance touring and the tiger just does not have the power for a rider with 2 weeks of gear on it. Also the aerodynamics of the tiger leave a bit to be desired. It is interesting about the high speed wobble though, that is a problem that I get on my tiger only with the soft bags and fully loaded above 90+ mph. How would you rate the aero as far as wind noise/buffeting? Have you or would you make any changes to the windscreen?
Thank you very much! I am glad it is helpful. High speed wobble is usually not something you have to worry about at speeds less than 120 mph no matter how much you carry on the bike. I find the wind protection as good as on my former BMW 1200 GS - I had a an aftermarket windscreen on my BMW and I also have one for the KTM. Check out this video for more on that (and other accessories) ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-r9qvKLRHJ4M.html
I have the same bike for 3 years now and completely agree with everything you have said here, the few negative elements the bike had are easy to put up with in real world use, the positives more than make up for them. I have been looking recently for a tank bag, l like the look of yours, which make / model is it you have ? Best 1290 channel by far
Thank you very much Mark 😉 check out this Video for the luggage and tank bag for the S model ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-GtAT7LlLTGA.html This is what I currently use on the R model ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-lRwl9qs3f-8.html
Vielen Dank Jörg! English reaches more people - it is exciting to know that fellow riders from all over the world are watching some of my content - also I like to watch content from other countries and I really appreciate if they go through the effort of allowing a international viewership to follow what is going on by speaking English or at least using English subtitles. The helmet is a Touratech Aventuro Carbon ;-)
Really enjoyed this video. Was on the fence about buying this bike 🏍. This enforces i am making a very good choice . Moving from a cruiser to this bike for long distance riding. I am hopeful it is comfortable in the seat for long distance rides as i am wanting something fun with power and storage . Great video 👍
Thank you very much Jeff. For long distance riding have a look at the powerparts seat from KTM. really makes a huge difference. I did a video on this and other accessories for the 1290 SAS that you may be interested in ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-r9qvKLRHJ4M.html Cheers 😉
Unfortunately, here in the UK, the extended warranty is not available. I wonder why this is. I bought mine new & the problems I have had mean I am likely to sell it when it is 2 years old. Its first engine lasted 400 miles until the gearbox failed. The engine was replaced under warranty. The keyless ignition doesn't always recognise the fob as being in range & the fuel filler cap doesn't always release when required. With 5000 miles on the clock, paint on the shock spring is coming off revealing rust underneath. There is a blister of paint about the size of a thumbnail on the swingarm (it's never been ridden in winter so it hasn't suffered with the salt used on British roads to melt ice). I like riding the bike but KTM build quality is not as good as it should be.
Mate I am sorry to read this. I have heard of people have trouble with their KTM - even with the latest one. However, I have had tons of issues with my BWM R 1200 GS at time - I do not think that is representative for all but it sucks when it hits you. Good luck with your bike maybe things will turn out OK.
Sehr coole Art der Eindrücke. Echt gut zusammengefasst und aufbereitet! Darf ich Fragen wie dir das am Pass passiert ist? Bist du auf etwas ausgerutscht oder auf die Seite gekommen? Danke und LG 7
Hi Oliver, hab das Video schon vor ein paar Tagen am TV geguckt und bin aber noch nicht zum Kommentieren gekommen. Zur Zeit geht halt viel drunter und drüber und mir fehlt da manchmal die Zeit für die Dinge, die wirklich Spaß machen. Auf dieses Resümee-Video hab ich mich schon sehr gefreut - auch wenn die einzelnen Aspekte der SAS ja durch Deine anderen Videos schon ausführlich besprochen wurden. So ein Gesamtfazit mit den Gedanken und Beweggründen dahinter ist natürlich eine feine Sache. Im Prinzip hat das mein Bild von der KTM nur nochmal bestätigt. Sie ist immer noch auf meiner Wunschliste ganz oben. Aber Probefahrten und dgl. sind ja im Moment eh nicht möglich. Es ist auch die Frage, ob es in diesem Jahr für mich überhaupt sinnvoll ist, ein Zweitmopped anzuschaffen. Wer weiß, wie weit und wie lange die Bewegungseinschränkungen noch andauern!? Und außerdem sieht man ja schon die Erlkönigfotos vom 2021er Modell der SuperAdventure. Könnte ja auch interessant sein. Mal sehen, wie sich alles in den nächsten Wochen und Monaten so entwickelt. Dir weiterhin alles Gute!!!
Vielen Dank für die Blumen - vielleicht ergeben sich ja zum Ende des Jahres gute Angebote für aktuelle Modelle - besonders viel wird sich ja jetzt nicht verkaufen oder das neue Modell ist so gut, dass Du nicht Nein sagen kannst - ich bin sehr gespannt ob und wie man diese Bike besser machen kann - mal abgesehen von den wenigen im Video erwähnten Themen. Die Verrückten drehen bestimmt die Leistung noch mal auf - 170 PS / 145Nm - einfach nur so weil es geht - nicht weil man es braucht. ganz ohne Shiftcam Quatsch oder Desmotronic ;-)
@@MotoVibes Das ist alles nur Kram, der zusätzliches Gewicht mit sich bringt und gerne auch den Geist aufgibt. Ich glaube auch nicht, dass das Abstandsradar auf kurvigen Strecken gut funktioniert. Vor allem: wer will oder braucht sowas auf nem Motorrad? Bin aber trotzdem gespannt, wieviel Leistung sie dann hat und wie sie dann aussieht. Die fiesen Tankbacken bei der 790er sind ein absolutes No-Go! Mal sehen, wie das dann bei der 1290er rüberkommt. Ist womöglich ein Grund, noch das "alte" Modell zu ergattern. Auf jeden Fall möchte ich mir auch die alte und neue S 1000 XR ansehen und auch der 1100er AfricaTwin eine Chance geben.
@@dermaschinist2596 Die XR würde ich auch gerne mal fahren - hatte leider noch keine Gelegenheit dazu. mal sehen was sich ergibt dieses Jahr - ist ja wirklich noch alles offen.
Thank you - I also did that but the biggest influence seem to be the cloths for me - baggy goretex textil will be a lot worse than a tight fitting leather suit. However, wearing my airbag vest helped to keep my jacket tighter to the body which helped for top speed riding.
Very good review, I have to try it first but think will be my next bike Riding a Kawa Z1000SX for some years but my knies don't like the position anymore for long distances :)
Thanks for an inspiring review! I ride a 2018 1290 R and I’m as happy with it as you are with your bike. Now I just hope that the snow and ice will go in the next couple of weeks so that my riding season could start (northern Sweden).
Thank you so much Michael. The weather is PERFECT right now we are just not permitted to ride our bikes (at least in some German states) - so the best I can do this weekend is to get bike a nice "spring cleaning" ;-) Ride Safe!
Only one question: what helmet camera did you use? The pictures are very good. I wonder whether you keep your head just as stable as it looks or what is your secret to get such low moving head cam footage?
Another great video! I have a Yamaha Super Tenere and I am considering a 2019/2020 model Super Adventure. The only thing I am concerned about is overall reliability of the KTM
Thank you very much Mike - glad you found this useful. I was quite happy with the reliability with my S model - I now have a 2020 R model - I hope to stay trouble free with this one too ;-)
I wish ;-) - In a good year I get to do 2 longer trips (1-2 weeks each) most of that milage is from those trips. Milage is lower this year - less travel in general and lower milage/day because of more offroad riding. Thanks for watching!
I have the 2019 R model now for about 2 years without any reliability issues, and the only problem for me is the seat height that is a bit too high for me, especially on offroad. The new 2021 S model with the lower seats that is available just seems to be the perfect adventure bike for both on or offroad.
I totally agree - that is one of the things that held me back of pulling the trigger. I found a place that customizes the seat - more comfort and reduced height of 2,5 cm- it will take 4 weeks before I get the seat back but I hope that brings it close to what I was used to on the S model
James Cao the BMW sells well for a reason - it does everything well and is easy to ride. You have to decide what’s best for your needs. The BMW is close to perfect- almost too perfect for me. I like the character of the KTM, aggressive, fast and rough around the edges when you want it to be. Comfortable for long rides when you need it to be.
@@MotoVibes Hello! I love the video. Thank you for the informative review. When you say "zero problem until now" are there issues you are currently experiencing or is everything still working as it should?
@@Supernova09949 Thank you! I have just over 40.000 km now on the KTM - I did not ride much in the first half of the year but the bike stil performs flawlessly - zero issues until now.
@@MotoVibes Yes I know... Anyway, the steering shakes more than necessary and I don't think the steering damper can be adjusted. As such, at these speeds I don't feel the bike very stable ...
Thank you very much- I did a video on all the accessories incl the levers- links are in the description ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-r9qvKLRHJ4M.html
@@MotoVibes Yes, absolutely. I live in the Netherlands and currently riding a KTM 790 Duke. But a bit in doubt about choosing between 1290 Adventure S and the Superduke GT. Both amazing bikes!
@@sylvano1990 Best if you could take both for a spin - ususally it is pretty clear after that. However, I did not think I was going to get into offroad riding - the 1290 SAS will allow you to explore that part of riding if you ever want. Like you said - both amazing bikes ;-) Let me know what you end up picking ;-)
Thanks for that review! Got a question about heating - is it an issue? Especially in wormer days? I had short test ride years ago when bike came out (fo first models) and I was bit surprised of the heat as it was cloudy, spring day. So I'm curious if it's any noticeable issue in long term or maybe it's not an issue at all with newer models :)
Well - I do not really have the issue but that is because I wear heavy riding gear even when it is very warm outside 98% of the time. I did notice that it gets hot in city traffic when I wear a (motorcycle) jeans which lets the heat through. I have ridden this bike in 35° C summers with the KLIM suit you see in the thumbnail. The heat from the motor was the least of my issues ;-)
Vielen Dank für die Blumen. Pilot einer 1290 SAS bin ich schon ;-) aber im Ernst - war viele Jahre in den USA, meine Frau in Amerikanerin - wir leben mittlerweile in Deutschland - zu Hause sprechen wir mehr Englisch als Deutsch - für die Arbeit brauche ich die Sprache ebenfalls täglich.
