I've also recently tested the KTM1290 Super Adventure R. Another great bike in the KTM range, not quite as dirt oriented as this one, but bloody close. Here is the link to the test ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-k0n6hks3AmQ.html
Wow!! Fantastic! Couldn't give up my 990 for any of the heavy weights, but now? What a great looking bike for those that like the more aggressive off road riding areas. Great review!
I totally agree on the suspension, Dave! One can really tell R&D with WP has done brilliantly on this one. A really big step up from the 9xx. Tried it against my 12yr old 950. I was able to keep a lot higher speed over the "bottoming out" bumps. And yet plush and comfy on the road, without tinkering with the settings. Really impressive, and a gamechanger in this class! But I´m still in love with my "new" carbed 990 engine. That is where the 1090 was least impressive compared to mine. I like the snappy, but controllable super strong bottom end on the old engine better. The 1090 was smooth as silk, but needed some revs to get my heart pumping :)
Yay, Paul, someone who has ACTUALLY ridden the 1090 and then commented. There's a heap of bench racers and the closest they've come is to have possibly read a magazine about it and then they talk through their arse and imply I'm biased because I've raved about it. In terms of engine grunt, I think there's no doubt your 950 will have more punch. But that's not much use out in the Australian Outback when fuel is scarce. They tell me the KTMs are very hard to push in sand :) Great to hear from you.
Great review. I test rode both the 1290r and 1090r at a ktm demo day in texas. I prefer the 1090r. looking forward to getting one and explore the western usa.
Now that you've ridden the 1090/1290, would you consider the 790 with what little we know about it so far? I'm an off-road racer that has just gotten into this about a year ago and purchased a 500 EXC. Wanting a bit more street capable (read comfortable).
Nice video and well said! After watching Rainer ride 1090 it loolked like it is not a bit lesser bike than the 1190 was in reality and everyday use, but this video gets one thinking there is much development been going on. Good!
I would suggest a truck load of development. I've heard the KTM engineers came out and rode with some our best riders in the Victorian High Country to get their head around, how we ride and the what we, the broader adventure community, need. But let's be clear, this bike has not evolved from the 1190. It might have it's roots there, but there is a huge difference between the two bikes. You've only got to sit on an 1190 then 1090 to see and feel that.
This 1090R is about blind LUST for the one thing that it does do better than any other adventure twin made today....play hard off-road for those that like the volume cranked UP. It's comfort, maintenance issues, design faults and other compromises obviously make other bikes "better".....for others....that care about such things.
You get an exhaust guard to fit with them. Have a look at the Giant Loop internet site to see fitting. But they are very easy to adjust to get them just right. My step are, 1. sling over your bike and get the pannier width correct with the velcro strip. 2. fit exhaust protector loosely 3. move panniers to the rear. 4. connect straps to pillion pegs, or there about (they are long so you have lots of flexibility. 5. connect panniers to the rear of the bike, usually through the little luggage rack and pull back tight. 6. if you have pannier racks then I weave the pannier side straps through them. 7 most importantly make sure there is movement backwards or forwards.
Great video and riding ! What about heating from the engine ? That was a big concern on the 1190. What's it like for the 1090 ? Any improvement ? Thanks (y)
No, there just a muffler guard that comes with the bag that is easily fitted. They fix to the passenger foot pegs and the rear rack. The are made by Giant Loop, one of my sponsors. The model is called Siskiyou Panniers.
I hope someone brings it to the advx 17 Bris to Capeyork. We have a course that is the ultimate test for a bike. WIth twice the distance covered than any other organised event in terrain that is wild. I doubt many will take photos or get drone videos because they will simply be in survival mode. This ride is really unknown to the ride community because the track from Brisbane to Cairns only very few have ever done it. With tour operators using the same tracks many riders now have done the same tracks about 4 times on different events.Lads if your doing the advx get ready for battle. There's a couple of days that are harder than the Simspon in my opinion. The 990 had 5 cracks in the rear sub frame , I have thrown away two rims and the body is still feeling sore. Adventure is often not easy.
So would this bike be honestly better then the Yamaha T7? I found a 2017 with 500 miles on it for 11500? Too high or worth the price? Thanks for the codeo
@@MotorcycleAdventureDirtbikeTV Who makes that cupping mechanism and what is it? I have worked on suspension for many years. Was that for the forks or the shock? I found the stock suspension (forks and shock) in need of serious work. Thx again.
@@robinsongguitars that is standard on all ktm adventure bikes since that model forward and it's just got better. Look it up on the KTM site it is a feature of the bikes.
This is clearly the only option capable of replacing my trustworthy and rock solid 990 adventure. I don't even want to get close to one of those beauties...but I'm attending Spain's KTM Days in a week...I'm screwed ;)
You are screwed my friend. As soon as you sit on one and move it from side to side you will know. Don't start it up and DEFINITELY don't ride it on the dirt :) . It's just soooooo good.
Agreed; you are screwed. I bought my 990Adv brand new in '07 and wore it out riding it so hard for 11 years and 75k dirty miles. I bought the 1090 new 5k miles ago and I am blown away at how much better it is than my awesome 990. The 1090 handles better, faster, easier and safer in all riding circumstances. It is a HUGE improvement off road. The electronics work surprisingly well in off road modes and I use them regularly. This new bike makes my great bad-road rides significantly more fun, and noticeably more comfortable and easier than on my 990. BTW, I never considered the 1290R, AT, nor any other bike to replace my tired 990. The 1090R choice was clear, since I had no patience to wait for a 790R!
i wonder how the Honda african twin compares to this....ktm adventure is a gr8 bike but a bit pricey compared to the twin for me....tht & i have more maintenance options after purchase with the Honda....thts the trick to selling a bike....having a good amount of service outlets for the customer
Motorcycle Adventure Dirtbike TV the thing is the price tag for the Africa twin is very low in my country compared to its competitors like triumph tiger,BMW,ducati multistrada & so on...wenever the price is low I always start wondering where the manufacturer cut corners to keep it low...I'll be trying to get a test ride for the Africa twin this week & my priority is off roading...If I like it I might just buy it cos it's price is quite low compared to the triumph tiger which I finalised on
There's is an enormous variance in what each brand is providing for the price and you've going to have your calculator out. It's a great time for cashed up middle aged adventurers. In the coming 12 or so months another bunch of outstanding bikes are going to land. It's great having so much variety and choice.
8:35, Not what Rob says.He also stated at the KTM Rally that it had a lighter flywheel and some engine internals. That's where some of the weight savings came from?
I can only go of what I was told. Like you half a dozen of the other, BUT the important thing is that it is noticeably different to the 1190 and more tractable down low.
Right now, because I still enjoy big singles, I'd prefer an adventurised Husky 701. But in terms of twins the suspension on the 1090 really is fantastic. I should be riding the Honda Africa Twin in about three weeks from now if the moons align.
Hey guys! I know this is probably a weird request, but how does the T7 compare to this? I'm the owner of a T7 and I love the thing to bits, but it feels a little lackluster in longer road travels (I travel a lot with a passanger), and I was thinking about trading it for a 1090r with low Kms, but i can't seem to find any good comparison videos to help me make up my mind. Care to lend a hand? Cheers!
@@MotorcycleAdventureDirtbikeTV I was wondering the same thing as I am wanting better suspension and a bigger tank than what my T7 has, without the need to redo everything...plus a bit more power will never go astray!
Yes....This was my thought as well. I haven't ridden either but had a sit on both at our last moto show and the KTM just felt better??!! If you do have a go at the AT I'd love to here your thoughts. I have narrowed my search down to the two.....Thanks again for the outstanding video and editing. All your efforts are very much appreciated...All the best from CANADA eh!
AFAIK - I'm gonna be the first person gutsy enough to say the non-macho comment of : " I wish the 1090 had the TFT display and LED headlight of the 1290 .., actually to me its a bit of a piss-off that it doesn't "
When I rode the 1090, the suspension setup was so bad, that bike actually bottomed out on gravel road... But we didn't have time to setup the suspension correctly, we had only about 20 minutes to ride... And my damn camera failed after 5 minutes of recording it :D
I don't know why people fiddle with suspension setting when they're on the bike for very limited periods of time. I can only assure you the suspension is outstanding.
My guess is that they just wanted to see what know does what and didn't bother to set it back. KTM dealer here doesn't want to allow more than 20 minutes on the bike, if you want more than that, then you need to rent the bike (which isn't very cheep)
@@MotorcycleAdventureDirtbikeTV Thank you for your reply. How does it feel in terms of everyday use and maneuverability? I come from a very mild offroad background with a F650gs single and 800cc F650gs twin...now riding a Desert Sled...I have been debating before I commit to the Ducati whether to get a 690 and add a couple of rally raid tanks or get a ready to travel CRF1000L...I could not solve that debate and ended up with the Desert Sled. I am leaning a bit more towards the 1090 R or the Africa Twin solution...need a bike for urban, dirt and highway rides...@ 172cm with 30" inseam...with 5years riding experience...
I really enjoy your videos but sometimes I feel like it should be called "KTM Motorcycle Adventure TV". The review seems good but the over all adoration for KTMs challenges me to believe its a fair and honest review. There is more than a little bit of fan boy happening here. Keep up the good work otherwise. Amazing cinematography.
Hmmm...doing a Yamaha gig this week end. Have you looked at the reviews of the WR450 F, WR250 Y, Tenere, Super Tenere. Mate you are right off the mark.
I didn't say you don't do other manufacturers. Taking a peek through your vids, the vast majority are KTM and I've watch a lot of them. It appears maybe not to everyone but to some people that there is a massive bias, and anytime there is a massive bias things get missed or pumped up when doing reviews of products. Once again, I love your shows I watch everyone that hits my sub box and I appreciate your work enough that I click ads for you. Keep it up.
So you dug yourself in a hole and now you're trying to squirm out of it. The majority of recent videos, that is adventure rides are about KTMs because that's what I've recently ridden and I own a KTM690. Get down to tests and it's far more balanced. As for the Chris Birch videos. He asked me to film him and he just so happens to ride a KTM.
Question for you... It's the last year of the 690R, and now I don't know if I get one or the 1090R.. What are your thoughts?? Is the 1090R as tall as the 690R? That have been a sore point for me? But I also love to tear it up on the twists as I make my way to the dirt roads... Thanks for your input!
I prefer big single for adventure. I currently have a ktm690. I've been looking very closely at the Husky 701. Not sure about seat eight as my 690 has stronger spring in rear to take load and doesn; 'sit down' unless loaded
I honestly fear for KTM with this level of R&D. like they’re going to go bust overnight suddenly. The next 2 leading brands combined aren’t doing 10% of the R&D KTM is each year. Nor do they have 1/2 the models in there lineup. I hope they’re sustainable.
KTM put a tremendous effort into R&D. I've had the pleasure of visiting the factory on two occasions and there is a positive buzz in that place. Their manufacturing processes were inefficient, so strategically it's good they're moving manufacture of some models to India and China. I'm confidant these big moves will secure their future as will there slow but steady move into asian markets.
And btw, can you explain why? i mean 10 kg is not a huge diference (less than 5%) so how come is it so much better offroad than the 1290? suspention is the same ground clearance etc all the same, i'm kinda intriged. If it was your only bike, as a do it all, why would this be better than the 1290 SA R? I'm sorry to bother you with this bs questions but i'm just curious ^^
I test the 1290 in August. The different is three things, lower centre of gravity, weight centralisation, less spinning mass. Feels much lighted than the 1190.
Every guy I know, that I meet out places or through friends, who own this bike? Rave about it. I got rid of my 701 for a Ducati Multistrada, which was a mistake. This or the 990 is on my radar now, I am sick of nannies or overly complicated electronics, I'm sure they're a good thing but I just don't like them.
@MotorcycleAdventureDirtbikeTV well, I bought one a year and a few months ago. Needed some work but I have ridden the crap out of it, I love it. I did the Idaho bdr a few weeks ago and wow I bet I jumped it 300 times. I do get worse fuel economy than my buds, but that is probably due to my throttle and giggling.
The problem is there are no such " dirt roads" etc here in Germany against the law to ride them, thats why most are just posers here rideing on the freeways.
Toby 750 I really don't know where this comes from. My 990 is bulletproof. It's been ridden hard for 60.000 kms and has fallen many times. Nothing ever breaks. Cheap parts and accessories also.