The next chapter...KTM Super Adventure S

[Buelligan]

Congrats Dirt_Dad, and welcome to the club!
I started my orange journey on an SAR, very capable in the dirt, loved the power, and dang but it's comfortable too.
<a href="https://artbartlett.smugmug.com/Rides/i-8XWmpfm/A">
This was on the NMBDR,
As you can see, I have two different sets of wheels, SAR wheel with knobbies, and SAS wheels with Pilot road 5's for the road

<a href="https://artbartlett.smugmug.com/Rides/i-Xc8BgsQ/A">
Those Jesses bags are the same ones I had on my Tenere, they've taken a beating and are still working great.
That SAR lasted me a year, before a deer decided to impede my forward motion and break lots of my bones in the process.
I'm on an SAS now, as beat up as I am, I don't think I'll be riding too far offroad for awhile. My right thumb is STILL healing
<a href="https://artbartlett.smugmug.com/Bikes/KTM-1290-SAS/i-ZJdLNh9/A">

I've installed the Rottweiler intake, fueling dongles, Arrow headers, Wings exhaust, Shitcanned those stock bags, and installed my old Jesse bags from my Tenere/SAR.
Your going to want to remove that charcoal cannister under your seat, Rottweiler makes a kit for that as well.
As for the side lights? They work very well! Kind of throws you off when they first come on, the more you lean the brighter they get!
All around, a damn fine machine. I still miss the shaft drive of the Tenere, but these are fun bikes...

Congrats again!!!

Bart

 

[Dirt_Dad]

Thank you, Buelligan. I'm very pleased to be a member of the club. Also sorry to hear about your injuries. As someone who has hit a deer at speed and totaled a Tenere, I'm always interested to learn more from others who have joined that undesirable club. If your willing to pass along that experience I'd like to hear it.

Like many SAS riders, I also started off interested in the bike by being attracted to the SAR. After some soul searching about what I will really do with the big beast, I went with the "compromise" bike...the SAS. I had no idea what I was in for. The anticipation of every next ride, the ability to make straight roads fun, and twisty roads a whole new level of satisfaction. No, I had no idea a motorcycle could be this transformative.

I also miss the Tenere's shaft. I'm not fan of chains, but if a chain is the price I must pay to enjoy a bike this much, well...so be it.

As far as the canister, it was deleted in the first couple of weeks. I know my buddy with the SAR has the fueling dongle, but not sure what that would do on the SAS.

Glad you are enjoying yours...happy to be in the club with you.

 

[Tenman]

I've got a 2004 Zrx1200 and rarely have to touch the chain. Chains have come a LONG way. If I'm not doggin the shit out of it. Which I never do anymore.

 

[Checkswrecks]

DD - If anybody asks about your 690R and you remember my old work friend Pete W from Camp-N-Ride, he still has his loaded low mile 2015 690R and is interested in selling.

 

[Cycledude]

I have killed 5 deer with motorcycles, the last one was instantly a total wreck at 70 mph at night, spent 2 days in the hospital, they wanted to send me to a nursing home because I couldn’t get out of bed by myself but fortunately my mother let me stay at her place, it was pretty hard getting out of bed for a few more days but I never needed any help. 6 weeks later I was riding again.

 

[Dirt_Dad]

Bob - I'll be in touch if anyone shows interest.

Cycledude - glad you're okay now. Sobering post. I thought i had beat the odds by hitting 2 and killing 1. You make it clear i am not free from future deer danger. Guess I always knew that...but 5 deer...damn.

 

[Cycledude]

Cycledude - glad you're okay now. Sobering post. I thought i had beat the odds by hitting 2 and killing 1. You make it clear i am not free from future deer danger. Guess I always knew that...but 5 deer...damn.

yes after killing the first deer I somehow thought it would never happen again, boy was I wrong !!! I have had lots of folks follow me and say wow it’s almost like those deer use you for a target !

 

[RonH]

Glad I've been lucky I guess. 500,000 miles give or take, never hit a deer or even had a close call.

 

[Dirt_Dad]

Amazing...I've have a close call almost every year. Could not count the number of times I've come within a couple of feet of a deer. My other impact was on my KLR with my daughter on the back. Got lucky on that one, too.

 

[fac191]

Thanks again for posting your experience with this bike. I like following it. I just wish i could bring myself to trust one. I keep reading too many instances relating to reliability with KTM's. If that was not the case i think i could well take the plunge. Its just when i get on the S10 the thought of it breaking down never enters my head. Even though it did let me down in Wales when seals for the drive went. Easy repair and not costly. And reading on here they can go if not correctly fitted at factory so i didnt consider it an issue. I would want at least a 5 year warrenty on one for piece of mind. Shame as its probably on paper one of the very best bikes that would appeal to me. Hope yours is trouble free. You certainly seem to love it.

 

[Dirt_Dad]

Hope yours is trouble free.

Me too...and thank you. I've always been a reliability first kinda guy. This bike was a big leap for me in that regard. I was fortunate to get it at a stupidly attractive price, so as I told my wife, even if it's the worst mistake I could make, the price makes it worth taking the chance.

My perspective has evolved. Obviously I hope to never have a reliable issue with this bike, but after seeing what it can do, I suspect I may not be willing to give up on it too quickly if there are issues. I recognize that's very easy to say when there are no problems, and misery changes outlooks pretty quickly, but as I got back from my winter 200+ mile ride today that started and ended at 35 degrees, I realize once again, this bike is truly different. I'm not so sure I would throw away that level of riding satisfaction just to have something reliable. Even as I type that last sentence, I'm thinking about how much this bike has changed my perspective.

 

[fac191]

Me too...and thank you. I've always been a reliability first kinda guy. This bike was a big leap for me in that regard. I was fortunate to get it at a stupidly attractive price, so as I told my wife, even if it's the worst mistake I could make, the price makes it worth taking the chance.

My perspective has evolved. Obviously I hope to never have a reliable issue with this bike, but after seeing what it can do, I suspect I may not be willing to give up on it too quickly if there are issues. I recognize that's very easy to say when there are no problems, and misery changes outlooks pretty quickly, but as I got back from my winter 200+ mile ride today that started and ended at 35 degrees, I realize once again, this bike is truly different. I'm not so sure I would throw away that level of riding satisfaction just to have something reliable. Even as I type that last sentence, I'm thinking about how much this bike has changed my perspective.

I do think that as you say this bike shines so brightly that even on a dark day you will still see the sunshine. And if you get a great deal your in front already. Keep the reports coming they are great and thanks again for taking the time to keep us all well informed on the bike.

 

[Johnwesley]

i agree with all the others that have said keep it coming, I enjoy checking in with how it’s doing. You may convince me to look into it again. I lusted for s 950SE and then let all the reports shy me away. That 890 is a nice looking bike on paper.

 

[Buelligan]

DD,
There are two different dongles sold for the 1290's. An off-road dongle that keeps the bike in off-road when you shut it off, instead of defaulting to back to street mode. It remembers your settings and retains them. Works for both the SAR, and SAS.
The second is fueling dongles, sold by Rottweiler, and replace your oxygen sensors. These greatly enhance your lower RPM fueling, and improves the bikes rideability at low speeds/low RPMs.
Again, these dongles work for both models, the SAR, and the SAS.
I've done numerous Iron Butt rides on this bike, and it's as comfortable as they come...
Oh, and the Jesses bags? Well they survived numerous falls in the Colorado and New Mexico Mountains while bolted to the Tenere, and survived the deer crash which bent the left one horribly out of shape. I brought them to work, and with a little help from the hydraulic press, got them back into shape, and now bolted proudly to the SAS.


Bart

 

[Dirt_Dad]

DD,
There are two different dongles sold for the 1290's. An off-road dongle that keeps the bike in off-road when you shut it off, instead of defaulting to back to street mode. It remembers your settings and retains them. Works for both the SAR, and SAS.
The second is fueling dongles, sold by Rottweiler, and replace your oxygen sensors. These greatly enhance your lower RPM fueling, and improves the bikes rideability at low speeds/low RPMs.
Again, these dongles work for both models, the SAR, and the SAS.

Good to know...thanks. I ride this bike so little off road it doesn't sound like I'll be needing either for now. This bike spends almost no time at lower RPMs unless it's idling. I do appreciate the education on dongles.

I'm amused the items I've heard needing improvement have bypassed me completely. I heard one owner talk about a notchy/crappy transmission. I was stunned when I read that one, so I asked him to explain his experience. He told me when he shifts with a clutch it is not smooth. Then he said if you use the speed shifter and shift in anger you'll never notice...aahhh, that's it. I find the transmission the smoothest one I've ever experienced on a motorcycle. Now I'm learning the low speed/RPM could be improved. Again, had no idea.

 

[jpward]

DD,
There are two different dongles sold for the 1290's. An off-road dongle that keeps the bike in off-road when you shut it off, instead of defaulting to back to street mode. It remembers your settings and retains them. Works for both the SAR, and SAS.
The second is fueling dongles, sold by Rottweiler, and replace your oxygen sensors. These greatly enhance your lower RPM fueling, and improves the bikes rideability at low speeds/low RPMs.
Again, these dongles work for both models, the SAR, and the SAS.
I've done numerous Iron Butt rides on this bike, and it's as comfortable as they come...
Oh, and the Jesses bags? Well they survived numerous falls in the Colorado and New Mexico Mountains while bolted to the Tenere, and survived the deer crash which bent the left one horribly out of shape. I brought them to work, and with a little help from the hydraulic press, got them back into shape, and now bolted proudly to the SAS.
View attachment 75960

Bart

Nice looking Jesse's. I have the same ones on my Tenere, and they have survived multiple hard crashes as well. Just bend 'em back in shape and hit the road!

 

[Buelligan]

I feel the transmission is much smoother than my Beemer, but not quite as nice as the Tenere. The Quick shift is a great option, and I've found no flaws with it.
The only issue I've had with the bike, has been the "key out of range" warning on the screen. Even though I know the key is securely in my jacket pocket.
I've never had any starting issues because of it.

 

[Dirt_Dad]

I've been riding my wife's BMW a lot lately. Have to say the KTM speed shifter is significantly smoother than the little GS. Hers is pretty good at higher RPMs. The KTM is excellent everywhere.

I do have the same key in pocket issues on occasion. Also never had it be an issue. I can often attribute it to foil lined packets in the pocket or house key between key fob and bike.

 

[Johnwesley]

I've been riding my wife's BMW a lot lately. Have to say the KTM speed shifter is significantly smoother than the little GS. Hers is pretty good at higher RPMs. The KTM is excellent everywhere.

I do have the same key in pocket issues on occasion. Also never had it be an issue. I can often attribute it to foil lined packets in the pocket or house key between key fob and bike.

i spent a week or so on a buddy’s big GS and that speed shifter was fun and very smooth. I’m not sure if that’s just super cool or I’m getting old and lazy either way I liked it

 

[Dirt_Dad]

...it's super cool.