1290 Super Adventure v 1200 GSA test ride
- Thread starter dsb79
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Davy F
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ta for the reply, the pictures are very interesting, these panniers seem to be narrow compared to the standard " bread bins", fit around the silencer well, despite being mounted on frames, all the frame mounted ones I have looked at so far seem to have a huge gap between pannier and bike... wonder if you could measure up the total width across the back of the bike, outside of pannier to outside of pannier, so i can get a comparison with the standard bins, thanks!
will be diging deeper as i couldnt see a thread about panniers...getting to info overload stage!
it might have been such an issue if the offer had included panniers for free....but will still have to look at the other options, I find filtering enough of a pain without the added chance of clouting someones car as i trundle past!
Deleted account 211025001
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Davy F
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With my 38/31 litre set-up, they measure 92cms across.
thanks davy
Thats a whole 4 cms less than the standard bins, the zegas are 99cms!!!
still every little helps they say!
ok found the website in us for these, is there a UK distributor?
this could mean I now have no excuse not to buy the bike........................
Davy F
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I ordered direct from the maker as there is no UK distributor.
dongleplonk
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This started out as a "GSA test ride verdict" thread, but changed to "GSA Vs SA" when I decided to buy an SA..
http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php/388842-GS-1200-TE-Test-Ride-Verdict
Those considering an SA or current owners might find it a fascinating read
http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php/388842-GS-1200-TE-Test-Ride-Verdict
Those considering an SA or current owners might find it a fascinating read
DJ GSA
Registered user
1290 Super Adventure. My 2p's worth
Having read just about every mag article and YouTube review I just had to check out the new 1290 Super Adventure for myself.
As I only had an hour I stuck it in sports mode and headed off. Bit of city traffic. 40/50/60 and 70 A roads. I didn't bother with the motorways they are alway jammed up around here and I only had an hour.
Even though I am very GS biased, I'm not gonna bash the KTM-1290 cos its really nice bike and it was a great ride no question. It and the GS I feel are just two different bikes. They both feel entirely different. But I do have to ask is what the hell was wrong with the 1190 Adventure that they had to make the 1290 ?
The KTM isn't better unless by better you mean faster, more torque and more horsepower then yes its a better bike. The feel of the bike, a better comparison would be the Ducati Multistrada which I think it would wipe the floor with. Considering the purpose the GS has more than enough of all that for my needs. I really don't need any more.
But think about the purpose. A big adventure bike isn't about the destination its about the journey. The GS was built for that purpose.
I've heard said that the KTM was built to take on the GS and that isn't really fair to either bike. They were both built to do big miles all day long and not miss a beat and both could do that no question. It just depends how you want to do it. You may get there faster but I'd still see you in the car park at the end of the run.
That 1290 engine is a monster. Your may as well go down to the nearest police station and hand over your driving licence and walk home.
Its raw and if you give it a right hand full, licence losing speeds will be on you in a flash and I dare say 3 figures on the speedo would not be far behind. You need to proper hold on if you give it the full beans, it just wants to go and get there in a hurry. It's proper shouty and sounds more like a sports bike than a big adventure bike. Its a different feeling to the GS boxer engine. Not good or bad just different.
Comfort-wise, the KTM is Recaro Bucket seat and GS a Chesterfield armchair. I felt more "sat on" the KTM and more "sat in" the GS.
You can be a proper hooligan on both bikes. I am far from any kind of expert but can easily throw both around like a '600'. The GS is an intimidating "gun" show where the KTM is all that but also wants a fight.
Things I didn't like. (Nothing bad, I just didn't like them)
I have only ever ridden BMW's but I can now see what all the KTM fuss is about.
I don't think KTM is a GS by any measure and I don't thinks its meant to be. It a bike built to do big miles, like the GS but does it just does it differently.
If you were thinking about buying the GS because its a GS then keep on heading toward the Motorrad showroom.
If you want to tear it up with the knee-down crowd ... on another continent ... then get yourself to the Orange showroom (no not the phone shop, the bike shop)
For me I like my GS the history and the heritage and it does everything I need it do to with plenty spare if I'm feeling "on it"
Having read just about every mag article and YouTube review I just had to check out the new 1290 Super Adventure for myself.
As I only had an hour I stuck it in sports mode and headed off. Bit of city traffic. 40/50/60 and 70 A roads. I didn't bother with the motorways they are alway jammed up around here and I only had an hour.
Even though I am very GS biased, I'm not gonna bash the KTM-1290 cos its really nice bike and it was a great ride no question. It and the GS I feel are just two different bikes. They both feel entirely different. But I do have to ask is what the hell was wrong with the 1190 Adventure that they had to make the 1290 ?
The KTM isn't better unless by better you mean faster, more torque and more horsepower then yes its a better bike. The feel of the bike, a better comparison would be the Ducati Multistrada which I think it would wipe the floor with. Considering the purpose the GS has more than enough of all that for my needs. I really don't need any more.
But think about the purpose. A big adventure bike isn't about the destination its about the journey. The GS was built for that purpose.
I've heard said that the KTM was built to take on the GS and that isn't really fair to either bike. They were both built to do big miles all day long and not miss a beat and both could do that no question. It just depends how you want to do it. You may get there faster but I'd still see you in the car park at the end of the run.
That 1290 engine is a monster. Your may as well go down to the nearest police station and hand over your driving licence and walk home.
Its raw and if you give it a right hand full, licence losing speeds will be on you in a flash and I dare say 3 figures on the speedo would not be far behind. You need to proper hold on if you give it the full beans, it just wants to go and get there in a hurry. It's proper shouty and sounds more like a sports bike than a big adventure bike. Its a different feeling to the GS boxer engine. Not good or bad just different.
Comfort-wise, the KTM is Recaro Bucket seat and GS a Chesterfield armchair. I felt more "sat on" the KTM and more "sat in" the GS.
You can be a proper hooligan on both bikes. I am far from any kind of expert but can easily throw both around like a '600'. The GS is an intimidating "gun" show where the KTM is all that but also wants a fight.
Things I didn't like. (Nothing bad, I just didn't like them)
- The dash, Urghh! It really does look comical and last minute. But it does what it needs to.
- Speedo, call me old fashioned but I like my dials. Tach and speedo should always be analogue I feel
- The multi-function switch thing. "OMG" what the f***!!!. Er ... No!
- (But that said I had a look around the showroom on my way out and all the KTM's were like it)
- Seat, my bum is used the the GS now so I guess that's just different feel, but numb bum was starting to set in by the end of my ride.
- Engine. Its top heavy and you can feel it when pootling in traffic, but on the go no bother
- Screen. Nice but felt a little inadequate. Wind noise was quite high in the down position and not much better up.
- Suspension. Just needs getting used to the dive when you pull up sharpish.
I have only ever ridden BMW's but I can now see what all the KTM fuss is about.
I don't think KTM is a GS by any measure and I don't thinks its meant to be. It a bike built to do big miles, like the GS but does it just does it differently.
If you were thinking about buying the GS because its a GS then keep on heading toward the Motorrad showroom.
If you want to tear it up with the knee-down crowd ... on another continent ... then get yourself to the Orange showroom (no not the phone shop, the bike shop)
For me I like my GS the history and the heritage and it does everything I need it do to with plenty spare if I'm feeling "on it"
Deleted account 190920001
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Each to their own and all that but the things you pointed out are exactly why I am waiting on my 1290 to arrive. I am bored with my GSA. Very capable it definitely is but not exciting any more. To be honest the 1290 in rain mode feels very similar power wise to my GSA.
The 1290 isn't supposed to be a GS, it's aimed at the GSA which is probably why I felt it to feel lighter than my GSA. I definitely felt the 1290 lighter both getting on it and then getting back on my GSA.
I totally get why people stick with the gs/a but there are many like myself who want a bit more and BMW missed the mark with the new water cooled bikes. This of course is what team orange is counting on
It's all personal taste because they are all good bikes at the end of the day. The 1290 of course being superior ;-)
The 1290 isn't supposed to be a GS, it's aimed at the GSA which is probably why I felt it to feel lighter than my GSA. I definitely felt the 1290 lighter both getting on it and then getting back on my GSA.
I totally get why people stick with the gs/a but there are many like myself who want a bit more and BMW missed the mark with the new water cooled bikes. This of course is what team orange is counting on
It's all personal taste because they are all good bikes at the end of the day. The 1290 of course being superior ;-)
DJ GSA
Registered user
The GSA sales figures will deffo take a hit. But to be fair that would be no shame if to the 1290
Lol
MerrickCampbell
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1290SA Road only tyres?
So a colleague has got a 1290SA and now is about to go off to the Alps (all Tarmac) for about 3000 miles and was asking me about tyres. I have PR4's on my GS but I have loved roadsmarts too. I thought I would ask on here to see if I can give him some feedback. Thanks for any help.
So a colleague has got a 1290SA and now is about to go off to the Alps (all Tarmac) for about 3000 miles and was asking me about tyres. I have PR4's on my GS but I have loved roadsmarts too. I thought I would ask on here to see if I can give him some feedback. Thanks for any help.
Deleted account 190920001
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Does he have a particular reason to take the TA2's off?
I love the look of some of the KTM models, but some are just damn ugly (like this one!). But then I don't like the water cooled GS/GSA's either! What's the tank range like compared to the GSA?
Deleted account 190920001
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Don't know as mine isn't here until next week, maybe, if it makes it out of France. Guys from the states are reporting well into the 300s when touring. One guy even posted a pic showing 52 US mpg. They won't be getting that if they use all the power though.
Not a huge fan of the looks either but to me it's better looking than the new GS GSA are.
MerrickCampbell
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No it's just a question as new boots are required. I know it will only ever be a road only bike and I thought I'd try and get a few opinions for him on road biased tyres. It's a heavy bike so perhaps that's going to limit his choice. Whilst I might get some ideas from others experience I was wondering if perhaps Road Attacks would be ok for example?
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