tell me about your 1190

I have about 500k on them now, and they are great. The old tyres were badly squared off and the handling has been transformed, the bike just rolls into corners now. A couple of wet days and no drama, they do feel better in the wet but I'm far from an expert biker so don't push it in the wet (or dry!).

Hope this helps, unless something drastic happens, I will replace these with the same brand.

The lower speed rating doesn't worry me. It may bother others.

thanks for the update. i have already fitted a set of TA2s, but might well go with the michelins next time :)
 
Andres ...

Like you I was very impressed with the mileage from the Contis. I had 6 k on my shagged rear and that too is unheard of - I'm also normally about 4, 4 1/2 K on a rear tyre. So ... a good tyre in terms of performance V life.

I thought I'd give the Trailsmarts a bash 'cos the TR91 was such a good tyre. So far I've done about 2.5K on them, but that's all been two up and fully loaded with luggage. The rear is just beginning to loose its shape, but I think its a real unfair test at the moment; touring with all that weight on the rear and a fair chunk of A26 through France is always going to muller a rear tyre.

That being said, I've had a quick spank here and there on my own and they've felt really good. They've only seen a splash of rain (as we hit Dover after two weeks of high 80's low 90's!) and felt very solid. (The TR91 was a particularly good wet weather tyre).

With winter just around the corner, I'd say give 'em a go. :thumb2
 
Andres ...

...................

With winter just around the corner, I'd say give 'em a go. :thumb2

Thanks Giles, I may well do that.

One thing I found with the Conti's as they wore was the 'Cookie wobble' ( a shimmy of the bars at certain speeds if you let go of them), a high speed vibe/roughness (like running knobblies but not as pronounced) but, more disconcerting, what felt like warped discs when braking hard (the more weight on the bike the worse it was). The latter may not be tyres but I can't fathom what else it could be (head ok, discs ok (I think) and I can't dial it out with suspension, only make it worse).

Did you fine any of the above with the Contis? Are the Dunlops generally 'smoother' on the road?

Andres
 
Towards the end of their life, I did notice that the bike would wander quite quickly to the right if I rode no hands. I put this down to a track day where there was only a couple of left handers :nenau But it was definitely there. (If I hooked it into neutral at speed to alter a zip or whatever I'd have to almost fall off the left hand side of the bike to keep it running straight!) Instantly cured with new tyres. I didn't really notice any other weird wobbles or vibrations ...
 
........ I didn't really notice any other weird wobbles or vibrations ...

Oh.........not the right answer as I'm convinced it's the tyres..............

Anyway, ta and I'll defo. give the Dunlops a go - we'll soon see if it's tyre related or not :beerjug:

Andres
 
I think the road smarts are on the KTM approved list now, for those that care about such things.
 
R too?? With the 21 90 90 there's not much pure road rubber out there.

Andres, have you had your head race bearings checked? Mine were tightened after I noticed a knock in them, and the demo 1290 I took out ... Bloody hell they were well loose! That was giving the front a proper shimmy off the gas. I mentioned it when I got back and they were all 'oh I don't think so - it's probably the pads in the callipers ..' FFS! How can your staff ride the bike home at night and not notice stuff like that!!

Loose head race bearings seem to be a common glitch ...
 
R too?? With the 21 90 90 there's not much pure road rubber out there.

.............

Loose head race bearings seem to be a common glitch ...

Yeah, Geoff at Hilltop noticed they were loose (very, very slightly). I adjusted them and have kept an eye on them since, still ok AFAICT

Andres
 
Happy to say my 1290 was prepped better than their demo was. Head bearings were loose and the chain was well out, the slap was horrific. None of that on my one when delivered. No doubt the bearings will go loose as it seems to take a couple of adjustments before they settle.
 
Hi there Men...

Im based in Cork Ireland and i've a huge thing for the 1190 (not R). My 15 GS was stolen last month in Italy and even though I only had in 8 months and loved it I still feel I need a change!

Biggest problem I cant seem to get a test ride off one... KTM Dublin do not have a demo and none 2nd hand and the same for AMI in wexford. :blast
This applies to anyone over this side of the pond but would anyone know of somone selling one to test ride or even maybe someone would like to give me a go off theirs??!! I would be eternally indebted :beerjug:

Long shot I know but if I cant get some kind of test I'll pick up a 2nd have GS this week... and u wouldnt want that!!!
 
I was just re-arranging my balls .....
 
I was thinking off selling my 1190 S as seriously looking at an xr.

Will gladly supply details and photos if interested.

Basic info as follows:

MY 2014
Mileage - 4500 approx
Colour - Silver
Extras include:
Touring screen (have original)
Heated seat (have original)
Touratech top box
Akrapovic can with baffles (have original)
Rox risers
MotechTank bag

Rob:thumb
 
I was just re-arranging my balls .....

You've obviously gone a step to far and started to enjoy the Orange lifestyle to much,the uniform doesn't offer the support required :rob
 

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Are you based in the uk Rob?

The conversion from Euro to GBP is killing me...
 


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