I’m with you on this
R1300gs v KTM 1390
- Thread starter J biker
- Start date
J biker
Registered user
I dont know how accurate the read out is, but mine shows 53 mpg. Everything from ripping through the gears in Europe, away from cameras, some motorway stints and ride outs mixed in.
Martin GSA UK
Registered user
A
A and B roads at 40 to 70mph, I see upper 50s mpg. It plummets on longer stints on faster A roads and dual carriageways. More like mid to upper 40s. On the whole I'm seeing over 50mpg average.
Teasdales tell me ,they're that busy they can't find the time to put the 1390 adventure auto out as a demo bike.
A good friend collected his Evo Auto from them last week
Looks amazing
Dan said they were busy
Both will be brilliant in real world riding.
I moved from a 1250 Rallye, to a 1290 and then a 1390 SAS and now after 4 months with that, a 1390SAS Evo. The lightbulb moment happened in the Black Forest with @JohnnyBoxer when i realised that I ride at 8/10ths maybe 5% of the time and the rest, is really day to day, real world riding. I’d told myself all about the control and precision I needed to hold on to when buying the manual and it turned out to be bollocks. I haven't got on well with Honda’s DCT’s, but I’m loving the ermmm …. precision and control the various KTM gearchange options give you.
Longshot? Both are amazing bikes and I’m sure I’d also be happy with the BMW. But I suggest keeping an open mind about the new gen auto’s, as they’re a revelation.
I moved from a 1250 Rallye, to a 1290 and then a 1390 SAS and now after 4 months with that, a 1390SAS Evo. The lightbulb moment happened in the Black Forest with @JohnnyBoxer when i realised that I ride at 8/10ths maybe 5% of the time and the rest, is really day to day, real world riding. I’d told myself all about the control and precision I needed to hold on to when buying the manual and it turned out to be bollocks. I haven't got on well with Honda’s DCT’s, but I’m loving the ermmm …. precision and control the various KTM gearchange options give you.
Longshot? Both are amazing bikes and I’m sure I’d also be happy with the BMW. But I suggest keeping an open mind about the new gen auto’s, as they’re a revelation.
We pensioners have got to fill in our long days, somehow.
Test riding seems the perfect escape, even if you never buy one.
What’s not to like
It can be ridden in manual mode, which is just like riding a bike with a quick shifter. In manual my 1300ASA shifts as nice as any bike I have ever ridden. Slow manoeuvring is a revelation, it's just a case of controlling it on the back brake rather than the clutch. Plus, the auto box can be over ridden at anytime, if you feel you need to be a gear or two down, just dab on the lever. Riding in heavy traffic and through busy towns is an absolute breeze. No messing at traffic lights, come to a stop, when the lights change ride off again. I will say that after 9 months of ownership I'm fully converted. MILLE, go and try one, you never know.
You did look happy on yours
As @ikkje says - when you look back on a ride, an awful lot is just mundane riding, trundling along in traffic or towns/villages and you’re up & down the box constantly at lights/roundabouts etc
Do, why not an automated bike - that still has manual control for the nice bits like your favourite twisties or mountain pass
It’s the Future
Martin GSA UK
Registered user
So long as the rest of us never get forced onto auto shift by manufacturers phasing out manual bikes, I'm happy for those who enjoy their automatics. But, can't help thinking, unworthy though the thought is, the next step is staying home and doing the ride on a PlayStation.
There does seem to be a pressure towards de-skilling the rider. I guess traction control and ABS can be argued as required by the increased torque / power and weight of modern bikes. If I were cynical (thankfully, I'm not
), I'd be suspicious the push to autos is from manufacturers softening us up, to remove objections to going electric. Or, they think their target audience is getting to old to use a clutch.
I'll duck for cover...
There does seem to be a pressure towards de-skilling the rider. I guess traction control and ABS can be argued as required by the increased torque / power and weight of modern bikes. If I were cynical (thankfully, I'm not
), I'd be suspicious the push to autos is from manufacturers softening us up, to remove objections to going electric. Or, they think their target audience is getting to old to use a clutch.I'll duck for cover...
Do you drive an auto car?So long as the rest of us never get forced onto auto shift by manufacturers phasing out manual bikes, I'm happy for those who enjoy their automatics. But, can't help thinking, unworthy though the thought is, the next step is staying home and doing the ride on a PlayStation.
There does seem to be a pressure towards de-skilling the rider. I guess traction control and ABS can be argued as required by the increased torque / power and weight of modern bikes. If I were cynical (thankfully, I'm not
I'll duck for cover...
I believe now that manuals are no longer an option or are special order on many new cars
Me … happy with auto in future
There does seem to be a pressure towards de-skilling the rider. I guess traction control and ABS can be argued as required by the increased torque / power and weight of modern bikes. If I were cynical (thankfully, I'm not
It makes riding easier for both aging riders and new riders making it more accessible to both. Personally I have never given using a clutch a second thought as it has become instinct/muscle memory. When I'm too old to ride a manual I'll probably just get a twist a go scooter
Martin GSA UK
Registered user
Car = transport
Bike = a journey, to engage in and be savoured, using skills to be honed each ride.
I am not anti-auto, for those who prefer it. I was mainly saying I personally, don't really understand it and I don't want to be forced down that route. I guess I am a little concerned about how long bike manufacturers will be happy to continue developing both systems on new platforms. Not too worried though, I'll just stick with what I've got. I do applaud BMW for the foot switch on their autos though. That attempts a middle ground and I hope they continue that and others follow.
Vive la difference.
I fear that you're missing the point I made about the options open to you with the system, I find that simply using the paddle for up changes when I want it to do something the Auto won't and ditto the throttle 'back' twist makes it as controllable as a manual bike. The options are:
- Both paddles up/down
- Gear Lever up / down (comes as standard)
- Down shifts - via the throttle (same as shutting off cruise control) Obviously, down only
If it was something for aged and less able riders, I kind of think I wouldn't be riding a 1390 and as I stated, the benefit is that it cuts out all the mundane / routine gear changes. Next time you're touring, try counting how many times you change gear in an hour of riding.
Each to their own and all that so up to everyone to choose their own path, but as has been mentioned. Auto boxes are set to get better and better and aren't about to go away.
- Both paddles up/down
- Gear Lever up / down (comes as standard)
- Down shifts - via the throttle (same as shutting off cruise control) Obviously, down only
If it was something for aged and less able riders, I kind of think I wouldn't be riding a 1390 and as I stated, the benefit is that it cuts out all the mundane / routine gear changes. Next time you're touring, try counting how many times you change gear in an hour of riding.
Each to their own and all that so up to everyone to choose their own path, but as has been mentioned. Auto boxes are set to get better and better and aren't about to go away.
I'll make these my final thoughts on the ASA or auto bikes. I've been riding continually for 55 years. In that time I've had a considerable number of bikes.
The ASA does take some time to fully adapt to. Yes you can jump on it and be fairly conversant with it in 30 mins. But, to fully start to understand how to ride it took me several months. It is as much of a hoon to ride in manual mode as any clutch operated bike but, in town or traffic you can just relax in auto.
Knowing what I know now, if I had no problem with clutch control, which I do due to a physical problem, and was looking for a 1300 GS, I would definately go ASA.
The ASA does take some time to fully adapt to. Yes you can jump on it and be fairly conversant with it in 30 mins. But, to fully start to understand how to ride it took me several months. It is as much of a hoon to ride in manual mode as any clutch operated bike but, in town or traffic you can just relax in auto.
Knowing what I know now, if I had no problem with clutch control, which I do due to a physical problem, and was looking for a 1300 GS, I would definately go ASA.
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