Now clocked up almost 3000 miles with a 2000+ mile trip last week.
Pretty much all of my original thoughts hold true, but now have the benefit of a decent trip and a mix of every type of road (note the word Road)
I am not sure too many folk would rally be trying to figure out if the wanted a KTM1190 or an S10, Maybe KTM Vs Ducati, or even against the BMW S1000XR, but not so much against the Jap competition which most people would regard as cheaper to buy and maintain and less affected by big mileages with regard to re-sale value and post-warranty reliability.
The KTM is much lighter, far more powerful and has a chain drive (getting more of the power to the road) if speed is your thing the S10 really does not get a look in, maybe it has a bit more lug in the lower 1/3rd of the useable rev range, but in reality the KTM overtakes it in a nanosecond pulling hard from 3500rpm and going full on mental at 6,000rpm.
I have found when cruising the KTM "feels" a little awkward below about 60-65 in top, it runs fine at this speed and is smooth enough (in fact it is far smoother than the Gen1 S10 I had at all revs feeling more like a 4 cylinder bike in this regard) but it feels "right" from about an indicated 70 (with a similar 6-7% speedo inaccuracy to the Gen1 S10)
In the handling stakes I am sure the lighter weight, racier geometry and better suspension mean the KTM is quicker in the right hands, in my hands I doubt I go anything other than a smidge quicker in the bends, although when riding hard it certainly exists bends quicker. What is most noticeable is how much better the suspension is, both at riding bumps and tackling corners, even in "comfort" mode the ride is very controlled with very little wallowing, and in the stiffest "Sport" mode it is still better on bumps - the front being most noticeably improved over the S10.
The whole electronics package is very good, the Normal and Sport throttle modes I think give the same response, but the TC is less "intrusive" in Sport allowing the front wheel to skim along barely touching the ground most of the time and occasionally lifting a shade, in normal it is still very good at preventing any spin or front wheel lift - less intrusive than the S10 setup even in this mode, mucho whacking open of throttle in 1st / 2nd gear Alpine hairpins failed to faze it.
As mentioned the suspension seems very good, giving a fantastic ride on all surfaces, I used Comfort on all except the smoothest roads on my trip as it worked so well, only feeling a shade soft on fast flowing pristine tarmac where it would start to feel a shade wallowy - and "normal" fixed that without compromising comfort much.
Talking of comfort, for my 6'1 frame the bike was as good as the S10 and the "comfort" seat (optional extra) was much better than I remember the standard Super Tenere seat being (in fact I preferred it to my modified S10 seat) and it seemed to give good leg room and comfy arm positions (bars and footpegs both have an alternate position along with two heights for the seat)
The only area I really preferred the S10 was on very slow speed (sub 15mph) hairpins where the KTM felt a bit less stable, by 20mph it was fine, but with the S10 I could throw it over onto the peg at speeds as low as 15mph and it felt stable and secure.
Not forgetting the Yamaha's shaft drive (not liking having a chain again) legendary reliability (I would not think twice about keeping the Yamaha for 50,000 miles, whereas the KTM will be gone before 20k) cheap running costs (Easy home service / low indie servicing prices Vs Expensive specialist KTM dealers)
Overall a great bike if you want a comfy sporty bike, but if that is what someone wants the S10 should not be a consideration, and if you want a bulletproof rugged Adventure bike I would not have though the KTM should be on your list either.
For me it is a great blend of performance, handling and comfort and I will love riding it for a while - but that is the point, I cannot see me keeping it for 4 years and 23,000 miles like I did the S10 - and had a great deal not come along the S10 would have been with me for another year / 6000 miles.
