tell me about your 1190

I've had a bike set up before (Aprilia Tuono) by a workshop that preps race bikes, without any rebuild / revalve work, and the difference was very noticeable, the main one being raising the forks in the yokes. It was only 5mm but just shifted the front / rear bias enough to quicken the steering without becoming too "snappy". The katooms have good quality suspenders as standard, so I'm sure a proper session with a guru will draw the most out of them. Worth every penny to me as it was only about £35 and took about an hour. Going down the revalve route will be the way to handling nirvana, though of course the cost will be much higher... and you'll need to set some time apart for the work to be done.

I like your process with breaking the components apart and noting each tweak. There is a real skill in knowing how each variable will affect and change the others. But don't ask me, I can numpty the preload up or down depending on whether I'm with or without the boss or an expedition run to Lidl / Sainsburys / the local tip...

Keep at it! And let us know what works / doesn't for you...
 
I did this with a zx6 track bike many moons ago (tagg racing in Ashford) and again, that was only about £30. I may be tempted to do the same again with this. (They sit you on the bike and work out all your static sag etc ...)
 
I have just finished reading this thread from start to finish (I know I should get out more).
Thanks for the info and all your thoughts it has been a big help in making my mind up. Having recently tested both the GSA wc and the 1190 R I was a bit uncertain which way to go. I have been a fan of big V's for years and currently have an Aprilia Tuono as one of my rides. But surely there must be a reason why you see so many boxers on the road and I have only seen one 1190.
I have never been one for following the crowd but was having doubts as to why so few KTM's. Thanks to you all for quashing my doubts as to reliability.

A KTM it shall be, just need to find one now and a bit lively as well as I have a trip planed for June.
 
SPG said:
I have just finished reading this thread from start to finish (I know I should get out more).
Thanks for the info and all your thoughts it has been a big help in making my mind up. Having recently tested both the GSA wc and the 1190 R I was a bit uncertain which way to go. I have been a fan of big V's for years and currently have an Aprilia Tuono as one of my rides. But surely there must be a reason why you see so many boxers on the road and I have only seen one 1190.
I have never been one for following the crowd but was having doubts as to why so few KTM's. Thanks to you all for quashing my doubts as to reliability.

A KTM it shall be, just need to find one now and a bit lively as well as I have a trip planed for June.
Click to expand...

:JB

You won't regret it :)

Andres
 
SPG said:
I have just finished reading this thread from start to finish (I know I should get out more).
Thanks for the info and all your thoughts it has been a big help in making my mind up. Having recently tested both the GSA wc and the 1190 R I was a bit uncertain which way to go. I have been a fan of big V's for years and currently have an Aprilia Tuono as one of my rides. But surely there must be a reason why you see so many boxers on the road and I have only seen one 1190.
I have never been one for following the crowd but was having doubts as to why so few KTM's. Thanks to you all for quashing my doubts as to reliability.

A KTM it shall be, just need to find one now and a bit lively as well as I have a trip planed for June.
Click to expand...


Like many things in life, things are popular 'cos they're good. But ... (!) ... I think there is always an element of 'I can't be arsed to do my own homework so I'll just see what every body else is doing and go with that ..'. I'd be pretty confident that there are plenty of follow the crowd GS owners out there that have never really looked at the opposition or tested it. My GS was a good bike (gear box pretty shite) but it never really put a smile on my face. I never patted it on the tank with affection.
But I'm really happy with the KTM - proper performance, well built, wonderful modulation in its transmission and brakes, (transmission way way better than the GS - and they're the little things that make or break a bike ... ), and it has character.
It's a good choice .. :thumb2
 
Giles said:
Like many things in life, things are popular 'cos they're good. But ... (!) ... I think there is always an element of 'I can't be arsed to do my own homework so I'll just see what every body else is doing and go with that ..'. I'd be pretty confident that there are plenty of follow the crowd GS owners out there that have never really looked at the opposition or tested it. My GS was a good bike (gear box pretty shite) but it never really put a smile on my face. I never patted it on the tank with affection.
But I'm really happy with the KTM - proper performance, well built, wonderful modulation in its transmission and brakes, (transmission way way better than the GS - and they're the little things that make or break a bike ... ), and it has character.
It's a good choice .. :thumb2
Click to expand...

I agree totally about the gearbox the KTM was so smooth and possible the easiest to find neutral I have come across on a bike. The GS had BM's "gear assist" or quick shifter in old money, which was nice but how hard is it to shut the throttle and change gear. What sold the KTM to me more was I had to ride it and it encouraged me to ride it faster and harder. I felt like a passenger on the GS without me having to actually ride it, I hope you get what I'm falling desperately to put in to words. The complete opposite of when off the bike when you need a passenger to help push the beast around.

The other thing that surprised me was that BMW bikes come with indicators, unlike the rep-mobile cars it appears given the amount of near misses I have had in the past.

As the advert used to say " the future is bright, the future is orange" So much for me getting a slower more sensible bike......
 
I thought you were supposed to be ill .... :)
 
Giles said:
I thought you were supposed to be ill .... :)
Click to expand...

I am,that's why I'm putting off going to bed.

grinning-smiley-010.gif
 
Nice 'n' Fat said:
How about this used one?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/KTM-1190-...7979402?pt=UK_Motorcycles&hash=item43d34f028a

Ex Demo probably
Click to expand...

Thanks for the links. I have been offered the demo I rode the other day for reasonable money. It is quite well specked and they are willing to supply luggage at a decent price. I only hesitate as being a demo it has probably been ragged to within an inch of destruction. I gave it a good fist full on more than one occasion. I know that a one owner bike could also have been thrashed but given that they laid out the money the chances have to be less..
 
KTM 1190r What is the best change you have made?

I know when the bike first arrives the contrast to all that went before it is somewhere on the far horizon difficult to see and it is hard to imagine how it could be improved yet we can always it seems think of something :green gri.

However Wings shorty followed by Holan Panniers/Top-Box soon had me thinking "this bike is perfect" (for me)

Then because at 6'4" I was copping a fair old buffeting behind the KTM tall screen I bought the Puig with deflector and "Bliss" long journeys would now be conducted in still/silent air which is a luxury for me.

Then I read an article or in fact several over on "adv-rider" one aimed at tall riders and one specific to foot-pegs and that got me thinking, a little more leg room would be nice "old knees need love too"

This was the link I discovered.
http://www.knightdesignllc.com/Products/Motorcycle/KTM/Adventure/KTM_Adventure_03_Foot_Pegs.html

Which lead me to these, 7/8" or 22mm lower which is heavenly for long legs (knees):D and so comfortable to stand on, lowering the c.of g. and to use a phrase stolen from Adv-rider like having power steering and not too shabby to look at.

Delivered to France in 10 days from the US. and fitted in 20mins.

Well that's me done then. :nenau
 

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corsicandreamer said:
I know when the bike first arrives the contrast to all that went before it is somewhere on the far horizon difficult to see and it is hard to imagine how it could be improved yet we can always it seems think of something :green gri.

However Wings shorty followed by Holan Panniers/Top-Box soon had me thinking "this bike is perfect" (for me)

Then because at 6'4" I was copping a fair old buffeting behind the KTM tall screen I bought the Puig with deflector and "Bliss" long journeys would now be conducted in still/silent air which is a luxury for me.

Then I read an article or in fact several over on "adv-rider" one aimed at tall riders and one specific to foot-pegs and that got me thinking, a little more leg room would be nice "old knees need love too"

This was the link I discovered.
http://www.knightdesignllc.com/Products/Motorcycle/KTM/Adventure/KTM_Adventure_03_Foot_Pegs.html

Which lead me to these, 7/8" or 22mm lower which is heavenly for long legs (knees):D and so comfortable to stand on, lowering the c.of g. and to use a phrase stolen from Adv-rider like having power steering and not too shabby to look at.

Delivered to France in 10 days from the US. and fitted in 20mins.

Well that's me done then. :nenau
Click to expand...

Might get some for my 950 Superenduro.

Did you have to adjust the gear shift a similar amount too ?
 
A quick question for you lucky soles that have a 1190 R. Auxiliary lights that are fitted by KTM, where is the switch is a stand alone add on or part of the main controls.

Thanks in advance Steve
 
SPG said:
A quick question for you lucky soles that have a 1190 R. Auxiliary lights that are fitted by KTM, where is the switch is a stand alone add on or part of the main controls.

Thanks in advance Steve
Click to expand...

Standalone switch, as you sit on the bike it is mounted on the left near the power outlet, so it's just on or off. I preferred the 990A approach, you could also have aux lights come on with high beam/switch off with dipped beam if required.
 
Dear Giles, I bought this bike to ride often and clean when necessary, the salt free roads of the South of France are perfect for lazy bastards like me. :D
Arsey, the gear lever was so far out of reach it was a shock and yet the brake felt better than before with no need to adjust. :nenau
Finally, unlike poor Andres, the foot peg pins almost fell out. :thumb2
 
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