GS ADV vs KTM 1290 ADV

Gargy

Registered user
Joined
Jan 20, 2014
Messages
1,749
Reaction score
2
Location
Gloucester United Kingdom
In the latest issue of Ride magazine there is a test between the two bikes.

Best bit is that the KTM rider is always asked about his bike, except by GS riders................... And at the end of the article it states that GS riders don't have to ask because they know they are on the better bike of the two.
 
after the shortage earlier in the year, i saw two SAs cluttering up my local dealers showroom yesterday.
 
That made me larf, you buy what you want to buy. If the BMW experience have left you cold then the KTM is a logical choice as a replacement for the GSA. I like the GSA but wouldn't say no to a KTM SA. GS/GSA is as common as muck for a reason. It is like piles, every arsehole has one.
 
It's apples and oranges. One is a fairly bulky, shaft driven upright touring bike and the other is a high powered chain driven v twin to rival the Multistrada etc. although in the same broad segment if I were interested in one I doubt I'd be as interested in the other.
 
We hope you are very happy together then!

Tried a SMT 990 a few years back it didn't do it for me.....


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
 
Well it didn't do the road of bones with Charlie and Ewan's arse on the seat
Funny as fcuk
Had this debate in Penzance with a Kim rider who said my 1150 GSA was shite
 
Yes I tried an 1150 gs and it didn't do it for me either. Course it's a completely different bike as is an set 990

Exactly, each to there own. I would never consider a HD but my mate loves them and can't see why anyone would ride anything else, just shows you!


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
 
I love my GSA to bits but had a go on a ktm 1190 r the other week on holiday and that was great to each yo there own both good bikes just depends on what takes your fancy at the time.
 
Well it didn't do the road of bones with Charlie and Ewan's arse on the seat

There is more to that story than what is portrayed in the series. BMW said they will sponsor them whereas KTM said they can buy the bikes. Guess what you will choose if money comes into play.
 
There is more to that story than what is portrayed in the series. BMW said they will sponsor them whereas KTM said they can buy the bikes. Guess what you will choose if money comes into play.

No they never.......... They refused their request because they thought the bikes might break down and make the KTM range look bad. They could of bought them anywhere with or without KTM's permission.
 
No they never.......... They refused their request because they thought the bikes might break down and make the KTM range look bad. They could of bought them anywhere with or without KTM's permission.
That's not even what the show made out lol.
 
No they never.......... They refused their request because they thought the bikes might break down and make the KTM range look bad. They could of bought them anywhere with or without KTM's permission.

:confused:

KTM didn't need to sponsor them because the capability of the bike has been proven (640). Before Ewan and Thingy such tours and trips where rather low key. Those who did it knew what to expect and what is needed to do the job. The 1150 GSA is not the ideal bike and wouldn't be my choice either for such trips. Read this report as it is really good. This will give you and idea of what to expect and what is needed. This is a new take on how to approach things.

As to get the thread back on track. Horses for courses. As a magazine you cannot really slag off a manufacturer but highlight some shortcomings and the advantages of the bike. SimonW of this parish will confirm. Ridden in isolation both bikes would be the dogs dangles but as I said. In the end you buy what you want. A motorcycle nowadays is not a logical purchase but an indulgence and luxury. There is exceptions though to that.
 
KTM, BMW, Triumph, What ever, you pay your money you make your choices. We all like what we like and everyone is different. Get over it
 
:confused:

KTM didn't need to sponsor them because the capability of the bike has been proven (640). Before Ewan and Thingy such tours and trips where rather low key. Those who did it knew what to expect and what is needed to do the job. The 1150 GSA is not the ideal bike and wouldn't be my choice either for such trips. Read this report as it is really good. This will give you and idea of what to expect and what is needed. This is a new take on how to approach things.

As to get the thread back on track. Horses for courses. As a magazine you cannot really slag off a manufacturer but highlight some shortcomings and the advantages of the bike. SimonW of this parish will confirm. Ridden in isolation both bikes would be the dogs dangles but as I said. In the end you buy what you want. A motorcycle nowadays is not a logical purchase but an indulgence and luxury. There is exceptions though to that.

Ktm didn't need to sponsor them with good media coverage and marketing BMW became the best selling adv bike
I bought my bike purely after watching the programme I was amazed I didn't care if they carried them on a truck the way it was done was pure genius the fact that a lot of people were behind the scenes Ktm would have loved to have the sales BMW have
I'm not saying Ktm aren't as good they may be better I won't be getting one
 
I may be wrong here and sorry if I jump to the typical stereotype I mean no offence, but KTM seem to have a more radical image and BMW a more laid back image (maybe laid back isn't the term I'm after) in the touring sector, I've had my fair share of KTM's, and you could probably say I'm a big KTM fan, had the bikes, the t shirt, hats, track suit for the baby and even a teddy for him (very sad I know), I'm not saying the BMW is not radical but I guess the power differential, drive and image is very different, but I have to say the BMW (in my eyes) is a looker, the KTM adventure not so much, I know both are excellent bikes and highly regarded by the owners and professional testers but at the end of the day you get what you want, I want the BMW and will be having one very soon, will I be sat at the lights looking at a KTM adventure thinking I should have had that? Possibly, but if I had the adventure and was looking at the GS I'm sure I'd be thinking the same.
 
There's a KTM dealer much closer to me than the nearest BMW dealer. I chose to buy the BMW because I don't want to deal with the KTM garage; I've always found them a bit condescending. Similarly when I went to the local Honda dealer they made no effort to sell to me, so they lost a potential sale.
There are many variables when choosing a bike.
 


Back
Top Bottom