This is to the detriment of KTM sales and a positive one for BMW..... If KTM woke up they might sell a few more bikes.
R1300gs v KTM 1390
- Thread starter J biker
- Start date
J biker
Registered user
When thieves ignore them, to go for the BMWs, you know the real used value.
Honda uses an a-arm front on the Goldwing. And interestingly BMW doesn't use it on most of their motorcycles, only the 1300 GS/A and RT.
the goldwing has something close to the hossak front end... British bloke thought of it forever ago - its on the K1300 and the K1600 - its great for all aspects of separating the suspension and braking forces - everything would have it except for one massive flaw - trying to turn the steering - you need silly weak pathetic linkages that flex and give a horrid feel when trying to turn
very different to the telelever - that brought many similar advantages spliting suspension and braking - and on the R1300GS you now have the steering fully connected with real forks not the snap off and die 1200 and 1250LC madness
"trying to turn the steering - you need silly weak pathetic linkages that flex and give a horrid feel when trying to turn"
Completely untrue, zero flex in these linkages.
"not the snap off and die 1200 and 1250LC madness" ridiculous statement. Classic botus
These new automatic KTM & BMW bikes are very good
J biker
Registered user
I was talking to a guy with the auto 1300gsa at the ferry terminal in Portsmouth last month. He loved his. Though he said there was a learning curve required..
No idea how reliable the systems will be or how they operate, as not on my radar.
Back to the test video…
Im sure a different track, with longer straights would see the KTM as faster..probably. Somewhat misses the point though. The R1300gs handles in a way it has no right to. Probably why the tester got the surprise he did with lap times. I suspect the KTM will be point and squirt, but the GS will hold more corner speed.
Exactly why some motogp bikes are faster at some tracks than others over the years. Power is nothing without control..
Why not ?
We all say that about Cruise and Quick shifters
But now they’re the norm
I guess most of us will be riding auto bikes in 5-10 years
K1300GT and K1600GT/L you can easily feel the hossak flex just maneuvering the bike at rest - the weight builds so much resistance the linkages flex all the time
sure if clueless you might not care - but I suggest you find what you consider to be a big 80 mph S bend - then go a mile up the road, turn around and take it at 120, you'll soon find the flex I'm talking about - where you'll be needing to apply around 1/2 a locks worth of steering input more than a real bike needs, all the while having to calibrate quite how early you need to instigate the flex - so you get to tip the bike back and forth at the right points....
make sure you don't misjudge or you won't get to type rubbish on forums any longer
Martin GSA UK
Registered user
I think your filter needs changing
Do you make these things up as you go along? What a load of bollocks !!
I won't be. Changing gear is part of the bike riding experience for me. Man and machine as one and all that ol' bollox. Sometimes I like to quick shift, others I'll hold on to gear and give it some berries. An auto box can't see a bend I'm approaching which might determine what I do with the gears
What about a DCT auto with paddle buttons?
So that I can do the same as I would with a manual box? What's the point of that? Also it's not as intuitive as tapping up and down with my foot, my hands are busy enough when pushing on.
Yes different than using your toe if that's important a DCT isn't for you, although Honda do offer a toe shift option on at least some of their bikes. TBH the button shift using your finger and thumb is just so much more convenient. And the DCT is SO fast and smooth up and down through all gears. Are there any F1 cars that are not paddle shift automatics anymore?
On my DCT bikes I used them in manual shift when riding more aggressively through corners and on hills but auto mode was sure nice when riding in traffic or if I just wanted to enjoy a more relaxed ride. If I had only one motorcycle though I'd probably want it to have a manual box but if it were say an Africa Twin I'm not so sure.
On my DCT bikes I used them in manual shift when riding more aggressively through corners and on hills but auto mode was sure nice when riding in traffic or if I just wanted to enjoy a more relaxed ride. If I had only one motorcycle though I'd probably want it to have a manual box but if it were say an Africa Twin I'm not so sure.
All of the new autos give you that experience in manual mode. I'm not an auto aficionado by any stretch and didn't even consider the ASA when I brought a 1300GS last year (that was sold for a myriad of other reasons). But having ridden the KTM 1390 SAS EVO, I would be happy to swap to one. Obviously only a fool pays RRP for a KTM so we'll see how that market plays out first.
In the table posted on the previous page, is that mpg really what the 1300GS gets (or close to) on an A road (58.8) ? Pretty impressive if so.
The BMW has been catching up with the KTM in performance stakes, whilst the KTM has been moving towards the GS in comfort and useability stakes.
I tested a couple of GS1200 versions when I had my 1190 / 1290 KTM's and they were nice and smooth but way behind on mid range and top end in comparison, felt like a nicer place to be for the motorway, but lacked excitement and instant surge in any gear at any RPM compared to the KTM.
The 1250 Shift cams sorted the mid range nicely and I think the 1300 (not that I have ridden one) has taken a big stride forward in the sporty stakes with more power - and more than enough for most of the people most of the time, and improved handling, so now, with the exception of doing drag races from traffic lights, or top speed runs the BMW is now a match for the KTM for most riders.
The numbers on paper are even less relevant these days where all of these bikes have plenty of power, and none of those in the spec list seemed "deficient", so for me it would come down to how they "feel" to me on a test ride, and how hard they hit my pocket....
...The KTM "Depreciation" does not mater much to me, as I buy on a "good deal" (£3k+ of list for both my 1190 and 1290) and the 1190 cost me ~£100 Month in depreciation after 3.5 years - anyone managed to buy a brand new GS in 2016 for £100 per month with no deposit? - Thought not.
The KTM is a fair bit cheaper than a GS "like for like" today, but I would still not go near one without a decent discount, and there is no way I would ever consider the Ducati at the insane prices they command without a lotto win.
I had a remap and suspension overhaul of my 1290 recently and it feels amazing, maybe in another 2-3 years if the country has not gone bust and wiped out my job / pension pot / savings I would look again, and right now a 1-2 year old GS would probably be the way I would go, although if the KTM rode nicely and could be had for chump change at a year old I might stay Orange?
I tested a couple of GS1200 versions when I had my 1190 / 1290 KTM's and they were nice and smooth but way behind on mid range and top end in comparison, felt like a nicer place to be for the motorway, but lacked excitement and instant surge in any gear at any RPM compared to the KTM.
The 1250 Shift cams sorted the mid range nicely and I think the 1300 (not that I have ridden one) has taken a big stride forward in the sporty stakes with more power - and more than enough for most of the people most of the time, and improved handling, so now, with the exception of doing drag races from traffic lights, or top speed runs the BMW is now a match for the KTM for most riders.
The numbers on paper are even less relevant these days where all of these bikes have plenty of power, and none of those in the spec list seemed "deficient", so for me it would come down to how they "feel" to me on a test ride, and how hard they hit my pocket....
...The KTM "Depreciation" does not mater much to me, as I buy on a "good deal" (£3k+ of list for both my 1190 and 1290) and the 1190 cost me ~£100 Month in depreciation after 3.5 years - anyone managed to buy a brand new GS in 2016 for £100 per month with no deposit? - Thought not.
The KTM is a fair bit cheaper than a GS "like for like" today, but I would still not go near one without a decent discount, and there is no way I would ever consider the Ducati at the insane prices they command without a lotto win.
I had a remap and suspension overhaul of my 1290 recently and it feels amazing, maybe in another 2-3 years if the country has not gone bust and wiped out my job / pension pot / savings I would look again, and right now a 1-2 year old GS would probably be the way I would go, although if the KTM rode nicely and could be had for chump change at a year old I might stay Orange?
I’m still orange (apart from an old airhead) although my 450 EXC RFS is likely to be leaving me shortly.
All the best to the new owner - of this parish -really sorry to say goodbye!
All the best to the new owner - of this parish -really sorry to say goodbye!