This months Bike Magazine
- Thread starter Bionicmunky
- Start date
Bike sums it up nicely !!
"Leaping past long strings of traffic needs just a single flick of the wrist and cutting loose on deserted middle of nowhere roads,the 1190's so much quicker than the GS its embarassing"
" The KTM is the one that stands for the simple pleasure of riding.We'd choose it for a sunny morning blast and it's the sportiest"
"Leaping past long strings of traffic needs just a single flick of the wrist and cutting loose on deserted middle of nowhere roads,the 1190's so much quicker than the GS its embarassing"
" The KTM is the one that stands for the simple pleasure of riding.We'd choose it for a sunny morning blast and it's the sportiest"
The flush handle digs in the pillions back?
Must have been a bloody large pillion passenger, sure they didn't say the handles dig into people with huge arses?
i want my bike to do a bit more than that
Exactly and that's one of many reasons why I'd never buy the KTM. I want a bike that I can ride everyday and has decent dealer/manufacturer backup.
I'd be happy to take out someone else's KTM for a Sunday morning blast though
i want my bike to do a bit more than that
I agree.
If I could afford a new KTM 1190 R,I'd have one in a shot for belting round the Sussex lanes with the occasional longer trip.
It's like my 950SE plus an extra 50% !
But I agree that the GS is probably a better all rounder for most people who aren't so bothered about performance and handling and appreciate stuff like switch gear quality and ease of use.
KTM concentrate on the riding pleasure and hence fit top notch suspension and have come up with a stunning engine that blows away all the competition including the Multistrada.It's also very flexible and usable.
But the standard 1190 isn't much of a looker and they haven't thought hard about the quality of cockpit fittings etc.
So the GS will always sell to those wanting to fit in and have a great all rounder.
But the KTM rider will always have a bigger smile on his face,and the 1190R rider will be laughing !
Exactly and that's one of many reasons why I'd never buy the KTM. I want a bike that I can ride everyday and has decent dealer/manufacturer backup.
I'd be happy to take out someone else's KTM for a Sunday morning blast though
In my experience of having owned getting on for a dozen new KTMs and just 2 new BMs,the KTM after sales service knocks spots off BMW.
Have you had a different experience or are you just making an assumption ?
Then again,none of the KTMs needed to be returned to the dealer a day after delivery to have faults rectified !!!!!
And no KTMs were delivered with rust spots from the factory.
Count
Registered user
The KTM is clearly a great bike, it would be my second choice after the GS. There are differences like the chain drive that are probably not really an issue and I'm sure the KTM build will stand up.
The GS is probably a better all rounder and has arguably better backup. The GS community, network, accessories available etc. also add up to a lot of extra value that is harder to judge.
We're spoilt for choice in a growing sector and the GS has moved on enough to command top place for some things but not all. I think the Multistrada makes a great case for a touring bike that is 100% road focussed and the KTM takes that on really well.
The GS would have struggled without the power hike and I've not found it lacking. BMW needed to update to compete and have done so without losing the primary purpose of the bike which is an all rounder capable of on and off road within reasonable bounds that suit most riders.
The GS is probably a better all rounder and has arguably better backup. The GS community, network, accessories available etc. also add up to a lot of extra value that is harder to judge.
We're spoilt for choice in a growing sector and the GS has moved on enough to command top place for some things but not all. I think the Multistrada makes a great case for a touring bike that is 100% road focussed and the KTM takes that on really well.
The GS would have struggled without the power hike and I've not found it lacking. BMW needed to update to compete and have done so without losing the primary purpose of the bike which is an all rounder capable of on and off road within reasonable bounds that suit most riders.
a typical Bike magazine comment
Why not just go the whole hog and buy a GSXR
And that's a typical blinkered reply !
Just because someone rides an adventure style bike doesn't mean they don't appreciate something that's fast with plenty of grunt and can handle twisties as well as bumpy hilly roads.
And unless you're a dwarf,GSXRs and the like aren't that comfy for more than a very short ride plus you get to see feck all with your head down over the clip ons.
Most of the roads I ride I would much rather be on my SE or a nice shiny 1190R if I could justify the expense over a crotch rocket-been there done that and have seen the light.
Just out of interest,why do you not think the KTM could be a daily ride ?
Admittedly the GS switch gear might be of a higher quality and slightly more user-friendly but the KTM has a great screen,very natural riding position with comfy seat,and comes with an amazing engine that is VERY tractable yet delivers the best performance by far should you wish to twist the grip.
BIKE MAG
When you see this months magazine it really looks like BMW have had a word with somebody high up in the head office of Bike to put things straight after they went cold over the WC due to the tank slapper issue.?
Ive been buying the mag a long time but really question the spend now.?
Probably better spent on petrol.?
When you see this months magazine it really looks like BMW have had a word with somebody high up in the head office of Bike to put things straight after they went cold over the WC due to the tank slapper issue.?
Ive been buying the mag a long time but really question the spend now.?
Probably better spent on petrol.?
When you see this months magazine it really looks like BMW have had a word with somebody high up in the head office of Bike to put things straight after they went cold over the WC due to the tank slapper issue.?
Ive been buying the mag a long time but really question the spend now.?
Probably better spent on petrol.?
you say "went cold".
IIRC they loved it, but were holding back on a full 5 star rating until a possible stability issue was resolved. it now seems to have been sorted to their satisfaction and they love it more
By all accounts that I have read the new KTM is let down by its screen and seat - there are many other reasons but here's another one, the KTM is chain drive! The LC has a better screen, seat, shaft drive, better dealer back-up.........
Actually....I rode the 1190 and the R version before going to ride the GS. The seats fine (on both) and you've more leg room on the 1190 than the GS, however I felt you sat 'on' the 1190 more than the GS which I didn't like.
The screen is ok once you've adjusted it, but the adjustment was annoying, but once sorted out the protection was slightly worse than the GS, but not enough to put me off (and way better than the POS on my 990).
Chain drive vs shaft....meh not adverse to doing a chain so no big deal
My KTM and BM dealers are really good so again no issue.
Get a ride on the 1190 before dismissing it, its a nice bike (I preferred the R)and faster than the GS, but for me I prefered the 'feel' of the GS. So thats what I'm getting.
Stu
Its a small point but one of the few 'complaints' in the article was about the back of the riders legs getting covered in crap from the rear wheel . I notice that this seems to have badly afflicted all previous incarnations of the 12 so much so that everyone seems to fit those mudslinger thingies. Surprised that haven't fixed it with the new one.......that is all
Mutley
Registered user
What a sensible answer
Discussing the merits of an alternative bike in a section almost entirely populated by those who have already committed to the WC is probably the most futile exercise I can think of
Discussing the merits of an alternative bike in a section almost entirely populated by those who have already committed to the WC is probably the most futile exercise I can think of
Agreed, but fun to lurk.
COLOR="Blue"]Its a small point but one of the few 'complaints' in the article was about the back of the riders legs getting covered in crap from the rear wheel . I notice that this seems to have badly afflicted all previous incarnations of the 12 so much so that everyone seems to fit those mudslinger thingies. Surprised that haven't fixed it with the new one.......that is all[/COLOR][/COLOR]
Check out NUtty's Bike... Under BMW extended mudgaurds.. a solution I feel that BMW has thunk about but wants you to pay extra for..
Check out NUtty's Bike... Under BMW extended mudgaurds.. a solution I feel that BMW has thunk about but wants you to pay extra for..
