With my 1200GSA approaching 2yrs and over 14k miles I've always wondered if I was missing something with a KTM Adv. I owned a KTM 250 EXC-F, very different I realise, but bugger me it was such a hoot.
Having read the various tests in TBM and Bike, I decided to email Bike to ask why they consistently rated the KTM above the BMW.
"Why do the mags rate the KTM higher than the BMW? I can't speak for all of
them, obviously, but having been a part of Bike's most recent trailie test
this year, and another one back in 2005, my take on it is this: the GS is
still the better touring trailie, a bit more comfortable, bit more
sophisticated and civilised in the way it does stuff, loads more toys and
gadgets to play with. But the KTM is just a bit more sheer fun - it's a
rawer, simpler, more aggressive ride. The engine spins up faster and sounds
better, the steering feels lighter and more accurate, the brakes are
tremendous, the whole bike feels more manageable and more excitable. It's
not flawless by any means, but in both tests the agreed mood among all the
testers was that we wanted the KTM more because it was more fun, creating
more of an emotional bond - but still hugely practical and flexible with it.
That's not to say the KTM is the only good trailie and every other one is
scrapheap fodder, not in the slightest. Group tests are harsh environments
for every bike, and they're not there to provide the single, ultimate
correct answer for every possible bike/rider combination. You obviously get
on brilliantly with your GS, and that's what matters. I don't know if you've
had a go on the 990 - you might like it, or it might not be your thing at
all. Road tests can't predict that individual bond; we can't tell you what
you'll get on best with. We just try to provide an independent, thorough,
comparison by putting all the bikes in the same neutral territory.
Err hope that's not too heavy. Point is, if you love it, ride it and love
riding it, then why change it?
Cheers for now,
MFG
Martin Fitz-Gibbons
Road Tester,
Bike magazine"