A Real Dirty Comparison Test

[Mr. Jones]

Like so many of you, I don't want to read a comparison test like MCN did of large dual sport bikes on pavement only. Although I understand that most of these types of bikes are bought for sport touring, commuting to work and riding down the odd gravel road, that is not what I want one for. I am only interested in the one that will be the best in the dirt. Any of them will be good enough to ride on pavement for me. The true test is mud and sand.

I was fortunate enough to find an owner of a 2013 Super Tenere who will bring his bike out to a full day of dirt (mud) only riding and allow as to switch back and forth between his bike, my buddies brand new KTM 1150R, and borrowed 2013 GS1200. The Super Tenere owner was pretty keen to try out the KTM so it wasn't difficult to talk him into it. All the bikes are stock and will be on knobbies. All three of us will rate the bikes after the ride and try to pick a winner. There isn't much more a guy can do if he wants a true test of the bikes dirt abilities but ride them all at the same time in the environment that he will be riding in.

Fellow board member snakebitten says the Super Tenere is "the biggest dirt bike in the world" and maybe I can prove it's the "Best Biggest Dirt Bike In The World"

I'm going to buy whichever bike is happiest getting dirty. Can't wait to find out which one it will be!

 

[tubebender]

Sounds like fun!

::017::

 

[BaldKnob]

Oh, this just got real!

Let's be honest... the KTM will be in another league offroad and on tarmac. The chain drive and 10,000mi valve checks are a deal breaker. Will be interesting to see your results.

 

[GrahamD]

Best thing to do for the decision. ::024::

 

[scott123007]

Oh, this just got real!

Let's be honest... the KTM will be in another league offroad and on tarmac. The chain drive and 10,000mi valve checks are a deal breaker. Will be interesting to see your results.

Interesting comment there...
If my main interest was off road like Mr. Jones, I would not want a shaft and 10,000 miles would take a looong time.

P.S. The Tenere handles its big fat ass off road pretty well for what it is and where it can go, but mud and sand will actually be the "deal breaker".

 

[Mr. Jones]

This years big ride we are going on is a little over 15,000 kms of mostly dirt and has some really gnarly sections that go on for day after day without a break. That driveshaft will look pretty good to me when I'm exhausted at the end of a day and there is no chain maintenance to do.

 

[True Grip]

Mud and sand will be the nemesis of all three of those bikes. I'd buy something 300 lbs lighter and tell my buddies I'll meet up with them if they leave me on the road. Only bad thing then is having to stop all the time to help them pick theirs up when the going gets rough.

 

[Langolier]

Now this sounds like a real test. Mostly used for the dirt .....mmmm.... I'll bet on the 1) 1190 ... 2) S10 (if ECU is flashed) .... and a close 3rd the GS.

and oh yea .................. ::006::

 

[starone]

I am interested in this one... should be good. ::017:: ::017::

 

[True Grip]

Now this sounds like a real test. Mostly used for the dirt .....mmmm.... I'll bet on the 1) 1190 ... 2) S10 (if ECU is flashed) .... and a close 3rd the GS.

and oh yea .................. ::006::

Just stirring the muddy pot

 

[snakebitten]

15,000 KM of off-road? Seriously?

If you said, 15 or 150 or 1500, I would be pointing out that I claim the S10 as the biggest dirt bike in the world, BUT only the second BEST big dirt bike in the world. Everyone should know by now that KTM has always been willing to sacrifice tarmac prowess to insure it reined supreme in the gnarly stuff.

But you said 15,000. As in THOUSAND?
Well, that might change things. Because that borders on RTW off-road distance. And that is the OTHER claim I am unashamed to claim.

The Super Tenere is not only the Biggest Dirt Bike in the world. It is also the Best RTW bike in the world. (as in 15,000 km of off-road)

Still, it is not the Best Big Dirt Bike in the world. That was the KTM Super Enduro. Now passed to the KTM Adventure with 21".....whichever one that is.

And yes, it's an opinion. But not that risky of one.

I'm envious as heck of the challenge. It sounds awesome. Although comparing OEM to OEM is a self inflicted scenario that seems unnecessary.

 

[BaldKnob]

These crazy Aussies will show you exactly what the 1190 can do: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JWIZfYQhgMc

Amazing bike it you are ready, willing and able to handle it! Giddyup!

 

[Don in Lodi]

15,000 KM of off-road? Seriously?

I think you're right, extra zero(s), that's 9300 some-odd miles, almost three times across the US... on dirt, on a borrowed GS? Although, I've read of a route tip to tip that would have miles like that.

 

[nondairycreamer]

I'll go out on a limb and predict both the KTM and BMW will detour for shop repairs before the ride completes 15,000 km.

 

[2wheelhuble]

I watched a KTM 990 and Tenere in some sandy hills. Same result, the big boys made it half way, the 800 bmw made 3/4 and the 650s to the top. That was the average after a few runs.
I get a kick out of the pictures of guys riding the bikes though "mud holes ". Here its mud, deep mud, clay mud, slippery, very stuck mud. I fear mud, need my legs for work.

However that being said I would like to try to mud up all those bikes.

 

[GrahamD]

These crazy Aussies will show you exactly what the 1190 can do: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JWIZfYQhgMc

Amazing bike it you are ready, willing and able to handle it! Giddyup!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JWIZfYQhgMc

So whens he going to start giving it some stick ::025::

Definitely not me . ::024::

 

[creggur]

Now I'm no expert on using the Tenere off road, and my knowledge of the other two bikes is purely academic. But if you're gonna be in the weeds for almost 10,000 miles I'm betting on the Tenere coming out the other side first. Even if the KTM handles better in that terrain, somewhere along the trip the Tenere's reliability will win out.

I could see a "Tortoise and the Hare" themed ride report emerging from a journey like that...

 

[dcstrom]

Yeah I think the Terere could do that easily. Just needs the ABS switch to let you lock the rear to set up those corners. Otherwise, no problem.

Seriously... anyone looking to do mostly dirt, and serious, difficult dirt, should be looking at a smaller bike than any of these. But if you insist on one of the big dual-sports, then the KTM is (almost) a no-brainer. Yes it will require more maintenance, but that's the price you pay for more off-road capability.

Something like this might give it a run for its money though. No shaft, but lighter, cheaper and a bit less powerful (but who needs it? Even Chris Birch is not capable of using 150hp off road...

Or if you want to go a bit gnarlier, then THIS would be the ticket...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JWIZfYQhgMc

So whens he going to start giving it some stick ::025::

Definitely not me . ::024:

 

[True Grip]

Agreed. You can hammer a nail in wood with a pair of vise grips but they make a better tool for that. These bikes are to big for crappy conditions except for the truly gifted. I watch all the videos and just see myself getting hurt. The worst trip is one you can't finish

 

[Big Blu]

Agreed. You can hammer a nail in wood with a pair of vise grips but they make a better tool for that. These bikes are to big for crappy conditions except for the truly gifted. I watch all the videos and just see myself getting hurt. The worst trip is one you can't finish

Aaaaahh, a thinking man! ::008::

Paul