The next chapter...KTM Super Adventure S

[Dirt_Dad]

DD , great review ..... I kinda like the orange a bit to much ....
your 2nd paragraph you say you turned off the traction control , then in the 3rd paragraph you are surprised the rear end stepped out and that traction control didn't even notice.... test riding is distractingly fun.

I can see I worded that poorly. Para 2 was about setting up the Rally mode to have TCS turned down all the way as low as it would go. When I departed I was in my usual "Sport" mode, which still had TCS on. That's something I really like about the bike. Going to TCS off is as easy as switching modes. This bike also has two memory setting so you can set it the way you want everything and save it in memory 1 or memory 2. I didn't play with that, but I LOVE that idea.

Obviously I'm grateful to MotoMember in Purcellville, VA for letting me try their spectacular bike. It's still available for anyone who wants a GS killer. Think a top of the line flagship bike...with attitude. It's truly next generation and awesome.

I stand corrected. I received a text from the GM at MotoMember today. The bike has been sold. The text also arrived with a request to come back to ride more bikes for them.

Side note: Somehow I have a reputation at two different dealerships that, "if Dirt_Dad rides a bike, it sells." It all started at Romney when the owner noticed every time he loaned me a bike, it sold very quickly after I returned it. It became a joke and once he loaned me a Honda someone had traded in. Since he wasn't a Honda dealer he was confident no one would be missing it. When I returned it the next week he told me he was shocked that someone had called during the week looking for that exact model. It sold. So now the GM from Romney is my KTM dealer closer to my house. He has the same thoughts about my mystical abilities. The Harley and the Versys I rode last month both sold. And now 4 days after riding the new SAS...it's gone.

I'm not doing anything to make it happen, but I'm sure as hell not going to try to correct their misconception. When your dealer thinks he benefits from you riding his bikes...keep your mouth shut. If I could only figure out how the scale up and monetize this effect I'd quit my job tomorrow.

 

[Jlq1969]

D_D…..life is only one…..why spend time thinking…..if you can spend it riding…..if one day you leave this world, and you have money left over….you did the math wrong

 

[VRODE]

I can see I worded that poorly. Para 2 was about setting up the Rally mode to have TCS turned down all the way as low as it would go. When I departed I was in my usual "Sport" mode, which still had TCS on. That's something I really like about the bike. Going to TCS off is as easy as switching modes. This bike also has two memory setting so you can set it the way you want everything and save it in memory 1 or memory 2. I didn't play with that, but I LOVE that idea.



I stand corrected. I received a text from the GM at MotoMember today. The bike has been sold. The text also arrived with a request to come back to ride more bikes for them.

Side note: Somehow I have a reputation at two different dealerships that, "if Dirt_Dad rides a bike, it sells." It all started at Romney when the owner noticed every time he loaned me a bike, it sold very quickly after I returned it. It became a joke and once he loaned me a Honda someone had traded in. Since he wasn't a Honda dealer he was confident no one would be missing it. When I returned it the next week he told me he was shocked that someone had called during the week looking for that exact model. It sold. So now the GM from Romney is my KTM dealer closer to my house. He has the same thoughts about my mystical abilities. The Harley and the Versys I rode last month both sold. And now 4 days after riding the new SAS...it's gone.

I'm not doing anything to make it happen, but I'm sure as hell not going to try to correct their misconception. When your dealer thinks he benefits from you riding his bikes...keep your mouth shut. If I could only figure out how the scale up and monetize this effect I'd quit my job tomorrow.

Get someone from KTM to read your ride reviews. They should pay you for them!

 

[Dirt_Dad]

D_D…..life is only one…..why spend time thinking…..if you can spend it riding…..if one day you leave this world, and you have money left over….you did the math wrong

While I may appreciate that way of looking at things, I suspect DM may see the math part a different way.

Get someone from KTM to read your ride reviews. They should pay you for them!

No shortage of bike reviewers in the world...and most of them are literate.

 

[TNWalker]

Following this thread and reading Dirt_Dad's wonderful reviews and impressions, this past weekend I decided to go ahead and take the plunge on the new 1290 SAS. Itraded my 890 for it and my local dealer gave me a great deal. After a few days of riding and getting acquainted with the new ride I am very pleased with my decision. What a fantastic machine. My best review would be to post a referral to this thread as Dirt_Dad has really summed it all up perfectly. I have some new essential farkles already ordered up and on the way. Having already had a couple of KTMs the decision was quite easy to make. Thanks Dirt_Dad for you insights on this great machine. Now off to ride some more. Steve

 

[Jlq1969]

Since your SAS has radar, it would be nice if you added to DD's comments, how the radar behaves. I have read in other forums that sometimes the radar became "intrusive" when overtaking. That is to say, coming with the cruise activated, when you are deciding to overtake, the radar anticipated and braked the bike, which became annoying. To keep you behind another vehicle, it was "comfortable and safe", if there is a sudden braking of the vehicle and a distraction of who drives the motorcycle

 

[Dirt_Dad]

CONGRATS, Steve!!!

That new one is so refined over mine. I really look forward to your reports.

That's awesome!!

More pictures, please.

 

[Ss1]

Поздравляю! Супер мотоцикл!

 

[Donk]

Mostly finished project '20 1290R/S. R lowered 2" S wheels & windshield, calibrated tone rings, insulated SDGT rear header pipe. Handles great and my feet touch the ground with a 30" inseam.

 

[Dirt_Dad]

Mostly finished project '20 1290R/S. R lowered 2" S wheels & windshield, calibrated tone rings, insulated SDGT rear header pipe. Handles great and my feet touch the ground with a 30" inseam.

Looks great! Few questions...

What are "calibrated tone rings"??

What material was used to insulate the rear header pipe? How well does it work? Like to see some pictures of that.

How have you mounted the tail bag?

Very nice bike you've created there.

 

[Donk]

The tone rings for abs/tc and speed are from Ian in the UK. He adjusts the slots so that there is no speedo error. 78mph on the speedo is 78mph. I had to get different tone rings going from 21"/18" to 19'/17" so I ordered them from him. I had read about his stuff on the Adventure Rider forum.

The rear header pipe off the Super Duke GT is both double walled and wrapped in heat shielding. Same one they use on the '22 SA models. I'll get a picture over the weekend. Yes it seams to help but it doesn't cure the fact the the 1290 is a hot bike. Interesting because the Super Adventure is significantly warmer than the Super Duke and the Super Duke GT. I think the part cost about $330. pricey but I'd do it again.

The rear rack is from Perun Moto. Highly recommend his products. I replaced the stock rear rack which is useless with the Perun Moto unit. Looks stock with the exception that you can actually attach things to it.

Not that you asked but the seat is from Seat Concepts and the semi soft bags are Enduristan Monsoon Evo and they are wicked cool. Doubt I'd put hard bags on a bike again. I'm going to try S seats and see which I like better.

Thanks for your compliment. It is a Super Adventure for the vertically challenged. I want to add the front fender off a '22 SAS but that's just cosmetic and a proper GPS mount.

 

[Dirt_Dad]

Appreciate the info.

Good looking seat. I've been satisfied with the Power Parts heated seat. Heating doesn't have any need for the installed wiring. But hey, it was inexpensive so why not.

Good luck with the bike. Hope your R/S is a winner for you. Please keep us posted.

 

[Dirt_Dad]

... my buddy who has a 1290 and no restraint it seems , has 16 k and 6 rears so far . he bought a tire changer machine and its coming in handy. im not hard on tires , I can get 5 k on a TKC 80 rear easy. im a wimp.

This is going back a bit, but my current TrailSmart has only 4,300 miles and is dead now. Just made me think back to this post by Madhatter. I've learned some things about rear tires and this bike. The history:

OEM Scorpion: 5,791 - learning the bike, general riding. Rear was not totally dead, but replaced as a set.
TrailSmart(#1): 2,999 - replaced prematurely in prep for a trip
TrailSmart(#2): 6,782 - 4K miles trip out west to Tenere event last summer, plus general riding. Completely dead (and punctured) when removed.
TrailSmart(#3): 4,300 - dead - almost no off pavement, no power sliding - just the usual heavy right wrist activity this bike inspires.

TrailSmarts are no longer $100 per set, and my initial stock-up supply has been exhausted. I'll be trying a Continental Trail Attack 3 next. If that doesn't work I'll likely go back to the Scorpion.

This weekend DM and I did a "shake-down" ride in prep for a ride up north this summer. I put the top case back on and a loaded duffel on the back seat. My god, that sucks the joy out of this bike. 10 miles down the road I told DM if the bike always rode like this I'd sell it. 10 miles later I remember to change the rebound on the suspension, and 10 miles after that I realized I needed to update the dampening from the Comfort setting I used on the highway the week before. Once the suspension was all correctly set, and I adjusted my thinking to travel and not piloting a rocket, all was good again. A shake-down is necessary get my perspective in alignment.

This bike is amazingly versatile once you get all the settings adjusted. There's no question I am the weak link in switching from hammering twisty roads as best I know how, to carrying a load of stuff to some distant place. Attitude adjustments can be challenging for me. I know what this thing can do.

Have a great riding season in 2022. Hoping there will be an event in 2023 that brings all of us together again. Ride safe.

 

[TNWalker]

This is going back a bit, but my current TrailSmart has only 4,300 miles and is dead now. Just made me think back to this post by Madhatter. I've learned some things about rear tires and this bike. The history:

OEM Scorpion: 5,791 - learning the bike, general riding. Rear was not totally dead, but replaced as a set.
TrailSmart(#1): 2,999 - replaced prematurely in prep for a trip
TrailSmart(#2): 6,782 - 4K miles trip out west to Tenere event last summer, plus general riding. Completely dead (and punctured) when removed.
TrailSmart(#3): 4,300 - dead - almost no off pavement, no power sliding - just the usual heavy right wrist activity this bike inspires.

TrailSmarts are no longer $100 per set, and my initial stock-up supply has been exhausted. I'll be trying a Continental Trail Attack 3 next. If that doesn't work I'll likely go back to the Scorpion.

This weekend DM and I did a "shake-down" ride in prep for a ride up north this summer. I put the top case back on and a loaded duffel on the back seat. My god, that sucks the joy out of this bike. 10 miles down the road I told DM if the bike always rode like this I'd sell it. 10 miles later I remember to change the rebound on the suspension, and 10 miles after that I realized I needed to update the dampening from the Comfort setting I used on the highway the week before. Once the suspension was all correctly set, and I adjusted my thinking to travel and not piloting a rocket, all was good again. A shake-down is necessary get my perspective in alignment.

This bike is amazingly versatile once you get all the settings adjusted. There's no question I am the weak link in switching from hammering twisty roads as best I know how, to carrying a load of stuff to some distant place. Attitude adjustments can be challenging for me. I know what this thing can do.

Have a great riding season in 2022. Hoping there will be an event in 2023 that brings all of us together again. Ride safe.

Still getting acquaited with my 22 model experimenting with the various suspension settings. For most instances I am preferring the comfort setting with anti-dive enabled. Gives a nice plush ride. First service being completed this week. It's an amazing machine that I have quickly become smitten with.

Steve

 

[Dirt_Dad]

Glad to hear you're enjoying the bike. My affections are still increasing.

I'm curious, do you know what the bike is doing in anti-dive? I don't have that setting, but I've never felt the bike does much doing.

 

[TNWalker]

Glad to hear you're enjoying the bike. My affections are still increasing.

I'm curious, do you know what the bike is doing in anti-dive? I don't have that setting, but I've never felt the bike does much doing.

The anti-dive function is intended to keep the front end of the bike from diving under hard braking supposedly improving safety and control. It keeps the bike feeling more predictable on twisties and curves.
My bike came with suspension modes, Auto, Sport, Street, Offroad, Comfort, Rally and Advanced. In the Advanced mode you can adjust Preload, Anti-dive, and the front and rear springs can be configured indvidually. There's a lot there available to be tuned but it's pretty easy to do and comprehend. The suspension is very nice and the bike handles great. It knocks off the miles effortlessly. Worst part about it is when the ride has to end. I can't wait to get back on it and just go!

(371) MODEL HIGHLIGHTS | KTM - YouTube

Steve

 

[Dirt_Dad]

Worst part about it is when the ride has to end. I can't wait to get back on it and just go!

Steve

That never changes. I used to do 250ish mile day rides on the Tenere. On the SAS my day rides have gone to 350+. Even after 350 miles, I'm still looking for that one last good road I can take to avoid having to put it away just yet.

 

[Dirt_Dad]

Here's something I believe I've learned going from the Tenere to a modern bike. A TFT equipped bike is now a computer with wheels more than ever before. Just like any other computer, sometimes they get confused, and take a reboot, or maybe two to get them working correctly. I've seen it with my wife's BMW that had an entire left control cluster stop working. I've seen buttons go dead on my buddy's Honda AT. Both of those were corrected with a reboot. Sometimes the reboot needs time for some capacitor to drain, but eventually the reboot was the answer. Last weekend was my turn.

Like every other issue I've experienced with the KTM, this is an owner induced issue and not a bike proble.

I decided to change the suspension load setting on the bike. This requires the bike to be stopped and running. I managed to stall the bike and without thinking I attempted to change the load setting. The load icon blinked as if changing the setting but but nothing happened. Then I remembered to start the bike. It cranked once, gave me a red warning like above that said General Failure, then continued to crank and start. I cleared the warning with a single push of the left button then rode 30 minutes to a store. 10 minutes later, I hit the power button and saw the message above. Well... that seems bad.

Took the picture, cleared the message, started the bike and rode 30 minutes to a gas stop. Bike ran perfectly. I've started and stopped the bike 7 or 8 times since and never seen the message again.

I asked my buddy at the KTM dealership if I needed to worry about it. His gut reaction was not to be concerned, but if I wanted he's have his service shop hook it up to look for any hidden codes. I was at the dealership on Friday to get DM's bike a state mandated annual inspection. I explained everything to the service manager and he offered to hook it up if I wanted. I asked him if he owned the bike would he hook it up? He looked at me and just said...nope. That's what I thought. I'm just not going to worry about a computer that needed to be rebooted.

 

[Jlq1969]

when you say “Hook it up, do you mean to “connect it to a scanner”??…..I don't see why not to do it, even an interface with a cell phone application would not generate any kind of problems for the bike. You should do it and check the fault codes. The appearance of "Ecu Failure" is not exactly something normal within the known and probable faults. But out there, it's just a problem of a (-) or (+) connector, which at some point, It can be aggravated and not be solved with a reboot. And what have you read in the 1290 forum about this fault???

 

[Dirt_Dad]

When I posted this in the SAS thread of ADV I had not seen anyone report this error. After posting, there's been a number of people saying they have seen the ECU Failure message. I did notice I was not alone in seeing it after a stall. Most speculation is around the sensitivity of this bike to voltage fluctuation. All speculation.

Why not get it checked?..time. My life is all about time now. I feel like I have so little available that I'm hyper alert to where it gets spent. I stressed to the service manager that I don't want to be in Maine next month cursing him under my breath. I said, "if I'm being stupid for not checking it, please tell me...really." That elicited no different answer.

Had I not made the suspension mistake and the warning came up without any provocation I would likely have a different attitude. Since I can directly point to a highly likely event that caused it, I'm just not concerned.

I'll be launching on an multi-state ride very soon. Once done I'll be sure to report back if my risk assessment was flawed.