AMT
- Thread starter Redboots
- Start date
KTM are really on the pulse with customer feedback, all I ever hear is how reliable all the modern gimmicks are and how everyone:-
* Wants a bike with more complexity...
* that dealers have no fucking clue how to fix...
* that will have a shit load of gremlins for the 1st 3 years of production
* and will cost a shit load more than the old one.
Looks like they are really nailing it, the excellent customer service and telling anyone and everyone to piss off when their bike develops a well known fault and denying any knoweldge of any problems should be the icing on the cake.
I think most manufacturers out there have already built their best ever bike, IMHO KTM pinacle was the 1190 Adventure, the 1290s admittedly have a little more refinement - but a little less soul, and a few more niggles reported.
The current 1290 model in the 4th year of production right now is probably a fair bet for anyone fancying one, currently offered with some decent discounts, if a family had not cut my mileage right down I would probably be enquiring on upgrade cost, but probably keep mine another year or two and see what's coming out of China by then, just don't fancy an over-spec'd bike at £20k, possibly consider a 2 year old KTM at that point if its one that came with 4 year warranty.
In 4-5 years I may downsize to a CFMoto or Kove, once they get to about 900 / 1000cc & @120BHP I reckon it will hit a sweet spot for me, enough power, not too much tech, and reasonable price.
* Wants a bike with more complexity...
* that dealers have no fucking clue how to fix...
* that will have a shit load of gremlins for the 1st 3 years of production
* and will cost a shit load more than the old one.
Looks like they are really nailing it, the excellent customer service and telling anyone and everyone to piss off when their bike develops a well known fault and denying any knoweldge of any problems should be the icing on the cake.
I think most manufacturers out there have already built their best ever bike, IMHO KTM pinacle was the 1190 Adventure, the 1290s admittedly have a little more refinement - but a little less soul, and a few more niggles reported.
The current 1290 model in the 4th year of production right now is probably a fair bet for anyone fancying one, currently offered with some decent discounts, if a family had not cut my mileage right down I would probably be enquiring on upgrade cost, but probably keep mine another year or two and see what's coming out of China by then, just don't fancy an over-spec'd bike at £20k, possibly consider a 2 year old KTM at that point if its one that came with 4 year warranty.
In 4-5 years I may downsize to a CFMoto or Kove, once they get to about 900 / 1000cc & @120BHP I reckon it will hit a sweet spot for me, enough power, not too much tech, and reasonable price.
Bollocks. KTM have been on the slide since they released the 950 Super Enduro 
I’m pretty sure I’ve owned more KTMs than any one one here but I’ve bought my last ……
I’m pretty sure I’ve owned more KTMs than any one one here but I’ve bought my last ……
New 1390 Super Adventure Evo now released:
www.ktm.com
2025 KTM 1390 SUPER ADVENTURE S EVO - MORE IS MORE | KTM United Kingdom
They say evolution is inevitable wherever life exists. In that case, the KTM 1390 SUPER ADVENTURE S EVO proves that statement. It also reinforces the > Read more
www.ktm.com
990 adv was surely the pinnacle?
The pinnacle is hard to judge, I am sure this latest beast will be the best KTM ever, if your a Journo who gets a very specially prepared press bike to hoon around on for a year.
As I use them for Touring the 1190 was the most fun, the cruise on my 1290 (18MY) made it better, but Keyless / Semi-Active is just a liability waiting to bite, the current 2024 bike I would consider in a year or so - easy access to air filter for servicing, lower seat for my ageing limbs and significant improvement to heat on legs issue.
But reckon that will be my last big KTM - and BMW / Ducati etc also well off my future radar, the new 1000cc Suzuki has been ruined with added complexity.
Hopefully Kove or CF Moto will build a relaible @1000cc / @120BHP adventure bike with decent conventional suspension, a Key and a sub £10k price tag in the next few years, otherwise I am gonna have to buy a V-Strom to ride on the cheap in my retirement.
As I use them for Touring the 1190 was the most fun, the cruise on my 1290 (18MY) made it better, but Keyless / Semi-Active is just a liability waiting to bite, the current 2024 bike I would consider in a year or so - easy access to air filter for servicing, lower seat for my ageing limbs and significant improvement to heat on legs issue.
But reckon that will be my last big KTM - and BMW / Ducati etc also well off my future radar, the new 1000cc Suzuki has been ruined with added complexity.
Hopefully Kove or CF Moto will build a relaible @1000cc / @120BHP adventure bike with decent conventional suspension, a Key and a sub £10k price tag in the next few years, otherwise I am gonna have to buy a V-Strom to ride on the cheap in my retirement.
Belco100
Registered user
I hope they have these at the NEC, really looking forward to getting a test ride on one.New 1390 Super Adventure Evo now released:
2025 KTM 1390 SUPER ADVENTURE S EVO - MORE IS MORE | KTM United Kingdom
They say evolution is inevitable wherever life exists. In that case, the KTM 1390 SUPER ADVENTURE S EVO proves that statement. It also reinforces the > Read more
9,000 mile service intervals, 37,000 mile valve check intervals, waiting to see if they are keeping the 4 year warranty and 8 year European breakdown.
They know their products, after 4 years of recalls and rectifications they know it will still keep going wrong for at least another 4 and want to make sure it comes back to the shop for the £100 per hour labour costs to fix it again.
Belco100
Registered user
I guess you have had a bad one then?
I am lucky then, my 2019 and 2022 models have been faultless (so far), but they do have a way about them - keep the battery charged and leave it to bootup before trying to start, but thats about it for mine. I went to quite a few get to togethers before buying my 2019 to dip my toe in the water with KTMs and was surprised that they are mostly OK, certainly no worse than any other European premium bikes. I have seen complaints on Forums, but you also get them on BMW forums as well and I never had a problem with any of them either?
Been very happy with my 1190 (as has Cookie I believe) but my bro’ has had a ‘mare with his.
My 1190 was a paragon of reliability over the 35k miles I had on it when I sold it. Several 2-up tours around Spain and Portugal. Power, comfort and not overloaded with needless electronics
There's a lot going on with KTM just now. Would I buy another 1290 S? In a heartbeat. In fact I just have and my 8500 mile beast will be on here shortly.
This guy nails it. The owner experience mirrors mine. Basically - don't rush start when cold, rest of the time fine, and keep the battery on a trickle charger. A low battery will throw occasional error messages but I learn't to keep it charged because I had the same issues on the 2017. Start the bike from cold in neutral. Observe these two anomalies and your problems will be few. I had the coolant leak when bike was new but they sorted that. Amazing machines and don't be put off by those who haven't owned a 2021+ bike.
This guy nails it. The owner experience mirrors mine. Basically - don't rush start when cold, rest of the time fine, and keep the battery on a trickle charger. A low battery will throw occasional error messages but I learn't to keep it charged because I had the same issues on the 2017. Start the bike from cold in neutral. Observe these two anomalies and your problems will be few. I had the coolant leak when bike was new but they sorted that. Amazing machines and don't be put off by those who haven't owned a 2021+ bike.
@25k on 1190 and just fuel sender and suspension error cleared at dealer.
@10k on 1090 with "general failure" on a trip, but cleared after a few days and never came back.
@15k on my 1290 and only a fuel sender and one reset for suspension error
Think the 1090/1190/1290 are all pretty decent, seen a lot of "race on" switch failures, mate had one and the switch is over £200!
Might get a used 23/24 1290, some great deals right now as nothing seems to be selling, but also means selling my 2019 (2018MY) may be trickey, but WBAB might be an option if I strip every extra off it first, or see if anyone here wants a bargain on an as new bike with / without extra's. then go new bike hunting with cash after XMAS.
What I don't trust is the new KTM models, or for KTM to stand by its customers if they have issues, the lies, deceipt and propoganda from KTM over the 790 / 890 cam issue makes the Bojo government look honest and caring.
@10k on 1090 with "general failure" on a trip, but cleared after a few days and never came back.
@15k on my 1290 and only a fuel sender and one reset for suspension error
Think the 1090/1190/1290 are all pretty decent, seen a lot of "race on" switch failures, mate had one and the switch is over £200!
Might get a used 23/24 1290, some great deals right now as nothing seems to be selling, but also means selling my 2019 (2018MY) may be trickey, but WBAB might be an option if I strip every extra off it first, or see if anyone here wants a bargain on an as new bike with / without extra's. then go new bike hunting with cash after XMAS.
What I don't trust is the new KTM models, or for KTM to stand by its customers if they have issues, the lies, deceipt and propoganda from KTM over the 790 / 890 cam issue makes the Bojo government look honest and caring.
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