tell me about your 1190

[cookie]

giving one of these serious consideration, so tell me what you like about it/don't like about it

what's it like two up and loaded is something of a concern after a GS which hardly seems to notice?

should i look at the R? some reports find them even better on the road, which seems odd....

 

[Davy F]

Only clocked up just over 2k on mine at the moment, but my almost three week trip through UK/Europe starting end of June will help rack up a few more miles. So far, loving it and don't have the paranoid feelings of doom I had with the 12GS. It goes like stink, powerful brakes, handles brilliantly (the electronic suspension is great and if the R model handles better then my standard version, well, it must be sublime) and average fuel usage with reasonably sensible speeds is 50 mpg. I fitted the 1190 R short screen as I couldn't seem to get a buffet free feeling wearing my Arai TourX. Totally solved that by buying a new Arai Quantum ST lid and have now sold the TourX. I've had one recall so far for the seat foil to be fitted and some other checks, but a clean bill of health to date. I have just had another letter to have the sidestand replaced and oil pipe from the filler to be changed, but am pleased that KTM have added a further years warranty for peace of mind. Can't say how she works two up as I never take pillions, but with the horespower available, it shouldn't be a problem. I went with Nomada alu panniers rather than KTM's own ones as they are very big and not totally waterproof, I believe. The Nomada panniers seem well made and are big enough for my needs. I've changed the end can for a WINGS exhaust plus loads of little farkles all over the bike. Biggest thing about the bike is the FUN factor. Biggest mileage day so far is 340 and the comfort seat does make a difference, tho' my Sargent seat on the GS was better. No quality issues at all and compared to what I read about the 12GS WC (why do people keep referring to that as an LC ? ), I consider the finish to be better. The switches are very intuitive and less complicated than the WC's. I'm struggling to think what I actually don't like about the 1190 as I'm enjoying it so much when I find time to go out on it. The bike has character, is very different to the herds machines and just floats my boat right now.

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

They do look awesome

Plenty of choice in the sector now

I was talking to a chap in Scotland this week who had the Honda CT with DCT & he said was amazing
He had had 4 GS 's previously & was loving the bike - funnily he said ' GS impending doom' was something that he was pleased to get away from too

 

[stroller]

Mine is still too new to give much advice ( first service tomorrow), but initial comments are;
Brakes & gearbox excellent, clutch light, handling very good, still getting used to the electronic suspension but seems to be worthwhile. Can't use much of the engine power yet, but even so it has plenty of oomph.
Bikes before this were Triumph Triple & BMW K1300S so I am adapting to the V twin which doesn't like to be in higher gears below 3k revs - it's not a problem, just a case of an attitude change.
The light weight (compared to Triumph Explorer) is a huge benefit as far as I am concerned and getting it onto the centre stand is child splay.
I like the looks of the bike, and for me the ergos are ideal.
I had a pair of Givi Trekker 33s which I like, so I have used these on SW Motech quick release frames which are also good, but the are really too wide and not symmetrical. I don't use panniers much, but if I did , I would go down Davy's route and use the Holans.
The only downside is the chain. I would prefer a shaft drive but this carries a huge weight penalty, so I am happy to forgo the shaft to have all of the other benefits the KTM offers.

 

[fatbob99]

Having a few issue with mine at the moment , but nothing I didn't have with any other new bike
Off to Spain on mine next month and done a few 500+ days so far
Having not had it for a few weeks I miss it terribly and know I bought the right bike
If you were road riding I will never be convinced the 21 " front wheel is better than the 19" regardless of what chippy wood says I don't buy it
The paint job is nicer and the orange frame
If you ain't going off road I wouldn't bother
The akra sounds lovely too

To summarise I like it considerably more than the GS it replaced

 

[Deleted account 211025001]

I was out with a mate on his 'R' last w/e and he test rode both variants. He thought the R was the better road bike; he's a very quick rider and said the handling seemed no different with the bigger wheel (he was also surprised) but that the bike just seemed to 'work better' as a whole as a road bike - he couldn't put his finger on why though.

The R defo looks better though

Andres

 

[Davy F]

I was talking to a chap in Scotland this week who had the Honda CT with DCT & he said was amazing

I had actually decided that my next bike after the Versys was going to be the Honda C/T with DCT. I had one out for a full days riding and found it to be pretty damn good. Only real downside was the weight of the thing at standstill/pushing it about my garage. The Honda shaft drive was so smooth compaired to my GS and you just know there will be much less issues concerned with the Honda. But then I tested the KTM and that was it. It is so, as the yanks are so fond of saying, 'Awesome' !! And I'd still have a C/T DCT over the WC.

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

I had actually decided that my next bike after the Versys was going to be the Honda C/T with DCT. I had one out for a full days riding and found it to be pretty damn good. Only real downside was the weight of the thing at standstill/pushing it about my garage. The Honda shaft drive was so smooth compaired to my GS and you just know there will be much less issues concerned with the Honda. But then I tested the KTM and that was it. It is so, as the yanks are so fond of saying, 'Awesome' !! And I'd still have a C/T DCT over the WC.

Exactly what he said, I dunno if he'd tried the KTM, maybe not too many KTM dealers in the Scottish Highlands

He said he'd ridden the Explorer and WC GS and settled on the CT, with DCT

 

[Davy F]

He said he'd ridden the Explorer and WC GS

Yep, me too. In fact, my test ride on the WC was the day after the 1190 and it just felt like a slightly faster, but not as nice pervious 12GS.

 

[stroller]

I briefly thought about the R, but it was a bit too tall for me, and as I do not intend to do any off-roading, I decided the standard version was more suitable. Also, no electronic suspension on the R.

 

[Davy F]

I do love the colour scheme of the R version and have seen a standard bike with R bodywork on it (rather expensive to change tho'). I don't really like the look of the 21" front wheel of the R and if I am to head off the beaten track, I think the 19" wheel is more than able to cope with my soft-roading pretensions.

 

[cookie]

Thanks for the replies.

I fancy a change from BMW after an 1150 and two 1200GSAs. Very tempted, and I'm planning a second 1190 test ride in the near future.

No R demo available sadly, or I'd give it a go. Not bothered by lack of electric suspendies, but don't like the penny farthing front wheel. Paint on the R is much better though. Also not keen on the tiny screen. The std version was pretty crap after the GSAs. Anyone tried the optional extended screen.

I was thinking of having the akra and KTM/TT alloy luggage as I can get a discount on them.

 

[Nice 'n' Fat]

I'm not sure exactly where 'right here' actually is? but if it's within striking distance of Didcot then Premier Bikes have both version available as Demos

I've ridden them both and prefer the standard version over the R ..... I love the R's colour scheme but for me the standard version pips it on ride and handling

 

[cookie]

"right here" in bournemouth. didco doable, but dealing with a dealer nearer home (Crescent Motorcycles in Verwood) preferable. hopefully.

 

[sijohnston]

I chewed this one over for an age before I put down money. As my mates would testify to, my mind was kind of set on the ktm R. Have lived with an 800gs for 6 years & wanted something new. As I do a mix of terrain & have no love of the shaft *ahem*, the ktm looked likely. But due diligence & my all out satisfaction with my BMW persuaded me to ride the new 1200. On 2 separate days I lived with both bikes so that I could do back to back comparisons as well as bend Davy F's ear & others as to the merits of their bikes. Of course my test rides would be the ultimate kicker. Long story short, went BMW GSA WC. The KTM is a whip & is an utterly fantastic machine, but other than the speed, gear box & greater off road ability, I felt the GS beat it on just about everything: wind/weather protection, comfort, 2-up ability, build quality/finish, looks, residuals.... Am sure I wrote more in this forum somewhere, but suffice-it-to-say, you won't go wrong with either, but only 1 really came out on top for me. Also, for what it's worth, don't make too much of a comparison between the new GSA & the old one, as I wouldn't have owned the old one. If you do go ktm, listen to Davy on the luggage as the ktm stuff is awful. Oh, and fit a Wings exhaust rather than an Akro. Hope this was of some use Cookie. Be interested to see what you do.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[cookie]

having ridden the GS WC, GSA WC and being a very happy owner of the old TC GSA, i have to admit i think you are spot on in your conclusion.

but...

i am currently in the irrational grip of the urge for something different, so BMW is out. the S10 is too boring, the triumph is too ugly and the ducati is a ducati (and expensive). that rather leaves the 1190 or keeping what i have.

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

having ridden the GS WC, GSA WC and being a very happy owner of the old TC GSA, i have to admit i think you are spot on in your conclusion.

but...

i am currently in the irrational grip of the urge for something different, so BMW is out. the S10 is too boring, the triumph is too ugly and the ducati is a ducati (and expensive). that rather leaves the 1190 or keeping what i have.

CrossTourer DCT

 

[cookie]

i quite like the idea of the auto honda, but not just yet

took the KTM out again today for an extended blast. it really is hoot to ride, but still some things i don't like - the hot seat, the crappy italian sportsbike style side stand, and most of all the question mark over the airbox sealing. forks clonked every time i braked too. shouldn't have to think about shit like that on a new bike, but i'm still very tempted.

getting back on my GSA was like riding a big fluffy bunny home. nice and comfy, but a bit sedate.

 

[fatbob99]

Finally got mine back after 3 weeks or whatever they were doing and it lt like a magic carpet after the rc8
Thought I had a puncture

 

[cookie]

What was the matter with it?