The next chapter...KTM Super Adventure S

bmac

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I'm wanting better off pavement tires than the OEM, but not wanting to loose anything on the street. Like I said, I'm wanting a lot from a next tire. It may not exist.
In that case you might consider the Dunlop Trailsmart. You can get a set delivered for $100. That's right, I said a $100 for a set. If they don't work out no great loss. I don't know how they work off road but they do just fine on the street. They are noisier than the Roadsmarts but that is to be expected.

Chap Moto super deal on Dunlop Trailsmart
 

HeliMark

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One of my current 3 on the short list. I'm very impressed with the reported performance of the front tire, but saw a review where a 50hp bike could break the rear loose. That rear doesn't seem like a good candidate for the 160hp SAS. Considering a front as an option.
Again, I only have 180 miles on mine, but after about the first 100 miles, I flogged mine a bit, and never experienced that. The front tire is amazing in grip.

As you well know, softer tire, more grip, harder, better mileage, less grip.
 

Nikolajsen

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Even below the Karoo (6) the Avon came out dead last at (9). I once killed a Karoo on the Tenere in just 3K miles. If the Avon is that bad, I don't want to be changing tires monthly.
Is it the Karoo Street?
If not, take a look at this tire..
I ride about 13000 km this rear, and about 20000 on the front.
No bad surprises with the tire, a little noise above 95 km/t, but not bad.
 

Dirt_Dad

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Again, I only have 180 miles on mine, but after about the first 100 miles, I flogged mine a bit, and never experienced that. The front tire is amazing in grip.
Good to know I'm not taking it off my list for now. I have a buddy with these on his SAR. He feels pretty good about being able to handle the power of the SAR. I know he rides like me, but he's new to the SAR and still getting the feel for it. I'm going to continue checking with him on how satisfied he remains.

Is it the Karoo Street?
If not, take a look at this tire..
I ride about 13000 km this rear, and about 20000 on the front.
No bad surprises with the tire, a little noise above 95 km/t, but not bad.
It is a Karoo Street. I have such a bad attitude about Karoo after killing them in less than 3K miles on the Tenere. But that was the 3 and maybe I need to get over myself.

... you might consider the Dunlop Trailsmart. You can get a set delivered for $100. That's right, I said a $100 for a set. If they don't work out no great loss. I don't know how they work off road but they do just fine on the street. They are noisier than the Roadsmarts but that is to be expected.

Chap Moto super deal on Dunlop Trailsmart
That's a mind blowing price for a tire that gets pretty good reviews. Not sure how I feel about buying a 4 year old tire, but chances are I'd burn through this way sooner than I need to worry about it getting too old. A set at $104 ($5 tax) delivered to the house seems like a good punt while I continue to figure out what I want to do long term. And who knows, maybe it's a tire I'd like. Almost want to buy 4, but if I hate them that wouldn't be too smart. Hell, if I hate them, I may reverse my "why power slide on slicks" stance, and just burn them off the bike...I'm not above doing that.

Thanks for bringing this to my attention. This is an excellent way to buy research time. Punt executed.
 

bmac

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That's a mind blowing price for a tire that gets pretty good reviews. Not sure how I feel about buying a 4 year old tire, but chances are I'd burn through this way sooner than I need to worry about it getting too old. A set at $104 ($5 tax) delivered to the house seems like a good punt while I continue to figure out what I want to do long term. And who knows, maybe it's a tire I'd like. Almost want to buy 4, but if I hate them that wouldn't be too smart. Hell, if I hate them, I may reverse my "why power slide on slicks" stance, and just burn them off the bike...I'm not above doing that.

Thanks for bringing this to my attention. This is an excellent way to buy research time. Punt executed.
You are welcome!

I have friends that have bought 2 or 3 sets. I doubt you would regret spending $200 for 2 sets of tires and there is no chance you will "hate" them. One guy on this forum may experience wheel hop and peculiar handling but everyone else will find little to complain about.
 

Boris

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Have you considered the base Metzeler Tourance? They’re absolutely fine on the tarmac (although I’ve not tried them with your sort of HP) and have some off road ability.

just a thought.
 

Dirt_Dad

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Have you considered the base Metzeler Tourance? They’re absolutely fine on the tarmac (although I’ve not tried them with your sort of HP) and have some off road ability.

just a thought.
Honestly, no, I've not thought about that one since I once had it on a Tenere. I have no real impression of that tire good or bad.

There are so many updated tires out there now that I've been using this Chaparral Motosports video as a guide. I like the way they do their individual reviews. It even helps that they do their reviews on a 1190 KTM, so a bike that is approaching the power of the SAS.


At the end of the video they have detailed breakdowns of their rating by category.



Tires are very subjective by bike and even by individual rider. This is at least a starting point.
 

Dirt_Dad

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You are welcome!

I have friends that have bought 2 or 3 sets. I doubt you would regret spending $200 for 2 sets of tires and there is no chance you will "hate" them. One guy on this forum may experience wheel hop and peculiar handling but everyone else will find little to complain about.
Like your friends with multiple sets, after putting about 100 miles on the tires today, I came home and ordered an additional two sets. Three sets for less than the price one. .. don't get that many "no-brainers" in life. Best to take advantage of them. There's still some unanswered questions, like longevity, and puncture resistance, but even with today's temps being between 32 and 42 degrees during the entire ride, I was still able to intentionally push these tires pretty hard through dirt/gravel roads, high speed grooved pavement, lots of twisties, wet pavement, and as much 160hp as I could throw at them. They were excellent.




They are dramatically more confidence inspiring than the OEM tires off pavement. Only needed to ride a little more than a mile to hit a somewhat steep dirt/gravel road running from the top to the bottom of the mountain. After turning on the dirt road I felt so good after the first 100 yards or so I got suspicious. I put the bike in the middle of the road to stay where the deepest gravel collects. Wanted to get that slippery stuff off them as quickly. I violated my no powersliding on street tires rule(guideline), telling my self I was just cleaning the tires. My comfort level shot through the roof, and I found myself playing more than I ever have off pavement on the SAS. The whole thing made me wonder...am I really feeling a difference, or is this just a psychological placebo knowing I've gone from a 5% dirt tire to a 10% tire? I want to honest with myself, so I'll say I'm not sure. I do know I felt so much more at ease with this tire. Just felt so much more playful.

I'm not a good enough rider to know that I lost 5% of streetability from this tire. Everything I asked it to do...and for me, I asked it to do everything I ever ask for on a dry day, it responded as desired. Off to a great start with this tire.

On other update for the bike...

I've been able to give up my short-cut to the traction control. The bike allows you to set two shortcuts so you don't need to cycle through all the screens to change a value. Until recently I always had the short-cut one set to engine mode, and two set to TCS so I could turn it off more easily. I've come to realize that with engine set to sport, and suspension set to sport, the bike is more relaxed about kicking in with traction control. Even with TCS on, I've been somewhat surprised at how much of a wheelie it will allow in the right circumstances in sport/sport. For the most part, I'm really only looking to do wheelies that only get the front up a foot or two...or three at the most. No real interest in trying to find a balance point on a bike this big. I can achieve that 1/3 foot wheeling with TCS still on. It scratches that frequent itch, and I don't really need to turn off TCS any more. So short-cut two has gone to my heated grips.

Even as winter hits and the temps drop, I still look forward to every chance I can get to ride the SAS. It remains the most entertaining bike I've ever experienced. I loved all the Teneres I've owned. They were the right bikes for me at the time. This SAS is the perfect match for my current attitude and riding interest today. It remains as invigorating as ever. In some ways it's surprising that it's only been in the stable for just over 4 months.
 

Dirt_Dad

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In my Tenere days it's not a tire that I would have given a second look. But for anyone interested in a primarily street tire and only going to do the occasional fire road on dry days...it's worth a look.
 

Ss1

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The KTM is a fantastic bike, but its reliability keeps me from buying! And now the price also plays a role)))
 

Dirt_Dad

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The KTM is a fantastic bike, but its reliability keeps me from buying! And now the price also plays a role)))
Six months ago I would have said my familiar line, "KTM is the best motorcycle you can buy if you have a mechanic waiting back in the tent."

I definitely had some hesitation getting off my beloved and so reliable Tenere, and buying a bike from across the Atlantic and not the Pacific Ocean. Having a year of my wife's BMW in the garage did help a good amount. The insanely low price did clinch the sale of this bike, when I thought I was more attracted to the 1250GS. Four months later I'm finding it hard to ride any of the other bikes in the garage, knowing it will take time away from riding the SAS. I really, really like my 690, but I could be riding the SAS.

I'm glad I forced myself beyond my old attitude. It's opened a whole new level of satisifaction.
 

Ronzo

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Six months ago I would have said my familiar line, "KTM is the best motorcycle you can buy if you have a mechanic waiting back in the tent."

I definitely had some hesitation getting off my beloved and so reliable Tenere, and buying a bike from across the Atlantic and not the Pacific Ocean. Having a year of my wife's BMW in the garage did help a good amount. The insanely low price did clinch the sale of this bike, when I thought I was more attracted to the 1250GS. Four months later I'm finding it hard to ride any of the other bikes in the garage, knowing it will take time away from riding the SAS. I really, really like my 690, but I could be riding the SAS.

I'm glad I forced myself beyond my old attitude. It's opened a whole new level of satisifaction.
Totally hear what you are saying but you have only owned the bike for 6 months. No offence but you are still in the “honeymoon” stage. Only time will tell. I had a 690 as well but recently had to thin the herd. 690 was up there with one of the most versatile and fun bikes I’ve owned....on and off road.
 

Dirt_Dad

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Totally hear what you are saying but you have only owned the bike for 6 months. No offence but you are still in the “honeymoon” stage. Only time will tell.
Completely fair observation. I'm curious when the fever will break. She won't say it (very often), but I know DM will be happy when I allocate more off-SAS time and address more items on the honey-do list.


I had a 690 as well but recently had to thin the herd. 690 was up there with one of the most versatile and fun bikes I’ve owned....on and off road.
I agree it's an awesome bike. I find I like it best when keeping the pavement sections from getting too long (under 50 to 75 miles). Riding the PA section of the MABDR, the 690 was about as perfect a bike as I could have ever hoped. Even when I thought I had a mechanical issue, it was just minor burp...and my fault. Zero regrets getting that bike.
 

Cycledude

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Thanks for the tip I just ordered a set of Dunlop Trail Smarts from Chapparel for the Tenere .

Had them in shopping cart on Amazon for quite awhile but on Amazon Prime day the site said they were no longer available.
 

Dirt_Dad

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I have 3 sets of tires now, but after today's ride I'm wondering if I should order one more rear tire. Did a lot more off pavement and find I am riding like myself again. Apparently I no longer feel it's pointless to powerslide...I guess that was only my assessment on a more or less straight street tire. I did not bother to turn off the traction control today like I always did on the Tenere, but I suspect that will be my next move.

Weather and road conditions are about to turn to crap here, but today's unusually warm weather allowed me to end the 2020 riding season with a phenomenal 300 mile crescendo. It was a spectacular trifecta of clean roads, dry conditions, and no body in your way. The only limitations were my own riding skills, and I was having one of those rare days that happen every few years when you hit every mark, see everything 3 steps ahead, and ride as perfectly as you can humanly achieve for your skills and experience. Combine that with the extraordinary performance of the SAS, along with selecting the very best of the best roads in this area, and it's hard to picture a more perfect ride day.




Introduced the bike to Doll Sodds, where the wind is so strong the trees only grow on one side.




While it was close to 60 degrees off the mountains, it was cold enough up to the bike wanted me to be aware of the risks.


I didn't hit any ice, but I was cautious of the wet looking mud...good opportunity for it to be frozen. In fact not sure if it was the mud or possibly frozen mud, but there were a couple of loss of traction moments that reminded me I'm only on 10% off road tires. Still, the bike did an awesome job off pavement today.



While 2020 has sucked in so many ways for everyone, I do have to say the discovery of this bike has been a bright spot for me. I had to get over my distaste of chain drive, and my nervousness of getting a non-Japanese bike. I forced myself out of that comfort zone and have been massively rewarded.

So as I close out 2020, and my 20th week with the bike, I find myself with about 6,200 miles on the odometer. Not a lot, but enough to feel like I have a pretty good understanding of this bike and where it fits in my inventory, past and present. Bikes come and go. Only a few make a lasting impression. My V-Strom 1000 changed my life and turned me into a long distance rider. My Teneres comfortably and reliably showed me the world...or at least North America from as far east to as far west as you can ride. The SAS reaches deep into your core and gives you a visceral reminder of why you love riding a motorcycle. I find it hard to put into words, but when it's right, it's right. 20 weeks may be too short a time to say this bike will leave a lasting impression, but I feel safe in saying it already has.

For the locals - when I say I did the best of the best around here..this is some of what I rode today
Zepp mountain
Lower Cove
Howard Lick
Greenland Gap
Up and down Mt Storm
Dolly Sodds
Smoke Hole Road
 
B

ballisticexchris

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Have you considered another wheelset with some real offroad rubber?
 

Dirt_Dad

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Not really. My 690 is for the real dirt. While this bike rides significantly lighter than the Tenere, it's still a bigger bike than I want to take into anything too deep. There are great dirt roads in this area and that's all I'm really looking for with a big bike.
 
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