Impressions of the 1190 ADV

[Sgt Bilco]

After much badgering and cajoling from my local dealer, I finally found the time to have a ride on the 1190. I went into the dealer with the G/F last saturday as she is thinking about an SMT and for some reason felt very drawn to the 1190.

Organised the test ride and picked the bike up on Thursday in lovely sunshine. After having a run through of all the gadgets, put it in street mode I headed off into the sun looking forward to the next 2 hours.

My initial impressions are was how small it felt compared with my GSA and it felt more like a super moto. Right off the bat the engine felt very very strong and powerful, lovely gearbox and probably some of the best brakes I've used on any bike. After about 15 minutes of feeling my way I got it on some of my favourite local roads and immediately I wasn't happy with the riding position and the screen was dreadful. I was wearing a Tour X and I couldn't get it to a position where there was no buffeting and the visor was soon caked in flies and crap. I also didn't really like the power delivery in street as it seemed all or nothing and came in very fast especially on back roads. I tried it in rain mode which drops the power to around 100hp and the bike was transformed from being a bit of an animal to being something much more manageable and I started to enjoy it much more and became a bit more confident in the bike. The 150 hp on tap is way more than needed for an "Adventure" in my opinion and is not what I want or need from a bike but maybe I'm getting old.

The handling is good and the controls nice and light and everything does what it's supposed to but, and it's a big but, I felt there is something missing from the bike and I just couldn't really gel with it. After reading all the hype about this thing I really wanted to like it but I just don't and can't really put my finger on why. I've ridded a few 950 and 990's and found them very involving and great fun to ride but this thing has managed to lose this and it seems to have lost the KTM character. Looking at all the plastic on it I certainly wouldn't want to get this thing in the dirt and I think the Dalton Highway would kill it although it's been designed for this.

As I have said I really wanted to like it but just felt very underwhelmed by the whole experience and my opinion is KTM have gone away from the 950/990 roots and into the world of a sports bike with straight bars which is where I guess they are aiming it for bigger sales.

Funnily enough, when I got back on my bike it felt big and heavy with stiff controls but it just makes me smile like an idiot everytime I get on it because it has tons of character which sadly the KTM doesn't have. Sadly, the KTM is not for me.

 

[Timolgra]

Your GS has character because you've ridden it for 100k miles

Intrigued why you think the Dalton would kill an 1190 but not an R1, a Harley or any other bike?

 

[Sgt Bilco]

Your GS has character because you've ridden it for 100k miles

Intrigued why you think the Dalton would kill an 1190 but not an R1, a Harley or any other bike?

You are right about mine Tim and she is like a comfy chair.

Well, loads of bikes ride the Dalton but they really have to pussy foot along it. You can pin the GS's ears back and let her rip on there with no worries. There are really only 2 bikes which seem to cope with the road on a regular basis without too much grief and damage and they are GS's and KLR's!! There aren't many KTM's up there and I'm certain the 950/990 would be a real blast and would eat it but the 1190 just felt like a road bike with a few rufty tufty clothes on it.

 

[Timolgra]

Well it's certainly no 950, but then it wouldn't be as really this is the road version with road tyres ...... but don't tell my local dealer

Put some decent offroad tyres on the 'R' and it would be a different ride

 

[billynomates]

After much badgering and cajoling from my local dealer, I finally found the time to have a ride on the 1190. I went into the dealer with the G/F last saturday as she is thinking about an SMT and for some reason felt very drawn to the 1190.

Organised the test ride and picked the bike up on Thursday in lovely sunshine. After having a run through of all the gadgets, put it in street mode I headed off into the sun looking forward to the next 2 hours.

My initial impressions are was how small it felt compared with my GSA and it felt more like a super moto. Right off the bat the engine felt very very strong and powerful, lovely gearbox and probably some of the best brakes I've used on any bike. After about 15 minutes of feeling my way I got it on some of my favourite local roads and immediately I wasn't happy with the riding position and the screen was dreadful. I was wearing a Tour X and I couldn't get it to a position where there was no buffeting and the visor was soon caked in flies and crap. I also didn't really like the power delivery in street as it seemed all or nothing and came in very fast especially on back roads. I tried it in rain mode which drops the power to around 100hp and the bike was transformed from being a bit of an animal to being something much more manageable and I started to enjoy it much more and became a bit more confident in the bike. The 150 hp on tap is way more than needed for an "Adventure" in my opinion and is not what I want or need from a bike but maybe I'm getting old.

The handling is good and the controls nice and light and everything does what it's supposed to but, and it's a big but, I felt there is something missing from the bike and I just couldn't really gel with it. After reading all the hype about this thing I really wanted to like it but I just don't and can't really put my finger on why. I've ridded a few 950 and 990's and found them very involving and great fun to ride but this thing has managed to lose this and it seems to have lost the KTM character. Looking at all the plastic on it I certainly wouldn't want to get this thing in the dirt and I think the Dalton Highway would kill it although it's been designed for this.

As I have said I really wanted to like it but just felt very underwhelmed by the whole experience and my opinion is KTM have gone away from the 950/990 roots and into the world of a sports bike with straight bars which is where I guess they are aiming it for bigger sales.

Funnily enough, when I got back on my bike it felt big and heavy with stiff controls but it just makes me smile like an idiot everytime I get on it because it has tons of character which sadly the KTM doesn't have. Sadly, the KTM is not for me.

This is one thing I could never understand myself why there is always a hankering for more horses with touring/adventure style bikes.
2 up and fully loaded the GSA can break all speed limits in the UK and Europe so why do you need another 50 bhp.
Sports bikes yes I understand

 

[Timolgra]

This is one thing I could never understand myself why there is always a hankering for more horses with touring/adventure style bikes.
2 up and fully loaded the GSA can break all speed limits in the UK and Europe so why do you need another 50 bhp.
Sports bikes yes I understand

Yes well, we could say the Airheads can break all speed limits yet some will say the 1150 is too slow for them, now the goal posts have been moved again by KTM.

Perhaps the politicians were right after all in suggesting a 100 bhp limit bikes

 

[Sgt Bilco]

Well it's certainly no 950, but then it wouldn't be as really this is the road version with road tyres ...... but don't tell my local dealer

Put some decent offroad tyres on the 'R' and it would be a different ride

I'll probably go back and have a go on the R and if anyone from KTM is reading this, perhaps you can finally redeem yourselves from the LWR debacle and lend me a bike to prove they wont fall apart on the Dalton

 

[Timolgra]

I'll probably go back and have a go on the R and if anyone from KTM is reading this, perhaps you can finally redeem yourselves from the LWR debacle and lend me a bike to prove they wont fall apart on the Dalton

Chris with all due respect, a KTM with the right tyres on would eat the Dalton for breakfast

 

[Sgt Bilco]

Chris with all due respect, a KTM with the right tyres on would eat the Dalton for breakfast

I know you're right Tim but I would still like KTM to lend me one to prove it

 

[Timolgra]

Why not, when I was running my own big bike trips in Morocco I was offered a 990adv, foolishly I declined and became further trapped in this
GS world

 

[Davy F]

All I can really add is that the more miles I do on mine, the happier I am with my choice. I don't have 1190 R envy, nor do I ever wish I was back on a GS. My 1190, as far as I'm concerned about, is a road bike with some off road capabilities and a comfy riding position with 150 horses on tap should I want to go mental now and again. I have fitted the 1190 R screen which has sorted the buffeting of my Tour X peak out, but that does let more bugs meet their maker, but then again, a GoldWing it ain't. Other than that, I'm as happy as a very happy thing.

Horses for courses and all that.

 

[Flip]

This is just another horses for coarses thread, what ever floats yer boat, after 3 GS1200's and a 2 hr test ride on the wc I bought the 1190R as it ticks more box's and is a better bike for me and if you don't like 150 bhp you don't have to use them. I use every single one of em and I'm smiling. ��

 

[johnnyboy]

Unfortunately, there are too many wannabe journalists on this here forum who think the whole world wants to know their opinion of a bike. Their opinions are often biased and of no real use to potential buyers. Why there are so many threads based on somebody's experience during a 1 or 2 hour demo ride I shall never understand; perhaps it's an ego thing and they think their opinion is the one that counts. Frankly, if I like the look of a bike and am considering purchasing it, I will go and road test it myself and make my decision as to whether I want one or not. I don't think I will feel compelled to give everybody my opinion unless it was asked for; which would be along the lines of; the best thing to do is take it for a test ride (they are free afterall)!!

As for suggesting this particular bike could not be ridden along the Dalton highway without self distructing............................

Nothing personal in this reply, purely my, dare I say it, "opinion".

 

[david a hall]

I don't think I will feel compelled to give everybody my opinion unless it was asked for;

Thats okay then Oh you just did.

 

[rocky burns]

I'll probably go back and have a go on the R and if anyone from KTM is reading this, perhaps you can finally redeem yourselves from the LWR debacle and lend me a bike to prove they wont fall apart on the Dalton

Do that.... you'll be surprised. .. I didn't like the standard one but the R Is a different ball game...

Dont ask me why?? It just feels loads better..

 

[doyle]

Unfortunately, there are too many wannabe journalists on this here forum who think the whole world wants to know their opinion of a bike. I shall never understand; perhaps it's an ego thing and they think their opinion is the one that counts.

I'm afraid if folk didn't voice their opinions on the forum then there wouldn't be a forum

 

[johnnyboy]

Thats okay then Oh you just did.

In my opinion you used my quote out of context, that happens a lot on this forum too.

 

[david a hall]

No I didnt, you expressed your opinion criticizing others for their opinion, some people do sound a bit pompous on here with their views but that is where I would of put your post too.

 

[Lord Snooty]

Unfortunately, there are too many wannabe journalists on this here forum who think the whole world wants to know their opinion of a bike. Their opinions are often biased and of no real use to potential buyers. Why there are so many threads based on somebody's experience during a 1 or 2 hour demo ride I shall never understand; perhaps it's an ego thing and they think their opinion is the one that counts. Frankly, if I like the look of a bike and am considering purchasing it, I will go and road test it myself and make my decision as to whether I want one or not. I don't think I will feel compelled to give everybody my opinion unless it was asked for; which would be along the lines of; the best thing to do is take it for a test ride (they are free afterall)!!

As for suggesting this particular bike could not be ridden along the Dalton highway without self distructing............................

Nothing personal in this reply, purely my, dare I say it, "opinion".

Surely the whole point of a motorbike forum is to discuss motorbikes....isn't it I would rather trust the impartial, honest, opinions of the guys on here that I know than that of some journo who has been flown out to a launch and wined and dined and who has a vested interest in ensuring the advertising revenues from the manufacturer continue to flow in.

As for not feeling compelled to give your opinion unless asked for - you seem to have been quite prepared to offer plenty in your post - totally unasked for, oh the irony

 

[johnnyboy]

Surely the whole point of a motorbike forum is to discuss motorbikes....isn't it I would rather trust the impartial, honest, opinions of the guys on here that I know than that of some journo who has been flown out to a launch and wined and dined and who has a vested interest in ensuring the advertising revenues from the manufacturer continue to flow in.

As for not feeling compelled to give your opinion unless asked for - you seem to have been quite prepared to offer plenty in your post - totally unasked for, oh the irony

As you have chosen to ignore the whole point of my post ie an amateur journalistic attempt at writing yet another ride report on the new KTM adv, several have already been written and posted. I was questioning the need for yet another ride report on the same bike. Clearly this is a motorcycle forum where people discuss among many other things, motorcycles. My point about not feeling compelled to give my opinion was referring to the need to write about a test ride on a bike that others have already done. As for listening to journalists' opinions and basing my future bike purchases on what they say; I don't remember saying that either.

In the context of my original post; if you choose to read it properly, I fail to see any irony.