The next chapter...KTM Super Adventure S

[heberhog]

I hope you don't hear the neighbors whispering that every time you move.

Actually, nice to know you're still out there. Dirt_Mom is always wondering how you've healed up after your thing last year.

I'm doing ok. I'm afraid there will be more surgeries in my future. Still riding though! I think about you two often and I really enjoyed your company last year

 

[Dirt_Dad]

I'm doing ok. I'm afraid there will be more surgeries in my future. Still riding though! I think about you two often and I really enjoyed your company last year

Glad you are still riding. Sorry to hear more knife in the future. I do hope it gets worked out. DM is able to ride with no issues after all her work...and she wants me to tell you hello. It was a fun and memorable dinner.

 

[Dirt_Dad]

Turns out KTM is capable of building non-horrible seats. I test sat this seat while letting them do the first service.

(not installed - just sitting on frame)

It's actually quite comfortable and worked very well with no Moto Skiveez for 200 miles yesterday.

More to report later... After 4 rides and about 800 mile, I think I have a pretty good understanding of this bike. Where it's better and worse than the Tenere.

 

[TNWalker]

Hi Dirt_Dad, I just added this Sargent seat upgrade to my 790. So far a vast improvement over the OEM. Look forward to your coming report.

 

[Dirt_Dad]

Nice...Sargent was on my radar if the KTM heated Ergo didn't work. Good to know it's working for you.

 

[Dirt_Dad]

Since buying the bike last weekend I've ridden the bike on four different days, and the odometer is sitting just below 800 miles. The more I ride this bike, the more I find I'm look for another direction that takes me farther from home. I just don't want the ride to end.

The idea this thing is a "beast" is just flat-out wrong. I've always considered KTM to be a bit rough around the edges with more emphasis on raw performance. This bike is actually a spirited, refined ride that will reward you will strong performance only if requested, and in a silky smooth way. I'm done being concerned about "unleashing" the 160 HP as if it would be overwhelming...it is not. I've kept the bike set in Sport mode all the time for the last 700 miles and a lot of that with traction control off. Never a moment of any undesired outrageous power. Just smooth application as requested by the pilot. I even have to apologize to all those who reported the Super Tenere was "twitchy." I always suggested it was just throttle control and you'll get used to it. Well, compared to the KTM, the Tenere actually is twitchy.

There are places where the Tenere trounces the KTM.
1) Heat management - there is no heat on the Tenere.
2) Expense of long distance touring - could be considerable.
3) Shaft drive - obvious reasons, and also travel reason strongly related to #2 above

Either the weather is more favorable or I'm getting used to it, but the heat is not as bothersome as it was the first day.

Reality check - expense of travel. This one could really add up. When DM and I launch on our usual long summer rides it going to be at least 3K miles, but we've also done 6K mile and 7K mile rides. The KTM only goes 9K miles between valve checks. That has to be taken into consideration before launching on a trip. I'm less and less interested in wrenching on bikes, so more and more likely to pay some one to do it. If I'm launching on a ride and still 4,500 mile until the next check, that means technically I should do another one before the ride. Same thing with the chain and spockets...will they make 6,000 miles? If not, need to trash them prematurely in prep for the trip. I have absolutely no interest in trying to get work done on the road, so I'll be curious to see how this plays out.

Getting past the break-in RPM restriction was not a massive change. The bike continues to pull nicely up to around 10K, but there is no significant torque to allow roll-on wheelies above 6K. The bike wheelies best at low RPM, although if you hold the throttle pretty open and use the speed shifter around 9k it will come up a bit (TCS off) from 1st to 2nd. It is not what I would call a "wheelie machine." It will do them, but never unless you want it to. The bike is crazy composed all the time unless you intentionally push it.

Much like heated grips and cruise control, a speed shifter is a must have item. I didn't expect much from it, but it totally transforms riding. All my future road going bikes will have a speed shifter.

Now - take everything positive I've said about this bike and throw it out the window - it's all completely invalid.

At least that's what I did at the end of the day yesterday. I installed my trusty top case, which added way too much weight up high.

I won't say the bike rides like crap. I will say everything positive I've enjoyed about riding this bike evaporated with the high up weight. It turns slower and just feels ordinary with weight being up there. It sucked all the giddy joyousness out of riding the bike and I was looking forward to going home and getting off it. Hell, I even strated using the clutch again for up and down shifting. It's one thing knowing I need to carry all the necessary weight for a long trip. I accept that. I will not accept this feeling on my day rides and general, non-travel riding. Top case either looses dramatic wight, or it's gone. I suspect it's gone.

On the plus side, the Puig touring screen and KTM heated Ergo seat are long distance winners. Although I'm not thrilled with the seat icon that shows on the screen. It just looks wrong when seeing in your peripheral vision. DM claims not to see what I'm seeing, but it's just wrong...

 

[gunslinger_006]

I test drove one at the dealer. Awesome bike. It had 0 miles on it when I took it out and 10 when I brought it back. It's a beast of a bike and brought back memories from my sport bike bike days.
While test riding it, it blew an oil line going to one of the heads a few blocks from the dealer. I made it back with a right shoe covered in oil and smoke billowing from the motor. The dealer was pissed, at ktm, not me and the fact they had to clean all the oil from the motor..lol

This was perfect.

 

[rossagge]

...Purchased the bike at Motomember in Purcellville, VA.

Very nice. I just purchased my 15 S10 from them...haha. I'm in AZ though. It was shipped Friday heading my way. Congrats on your purchase.

Sent from my SM-T350 using Tapatalk

 

[Dirt_Dad]

Very nice. I just purchased my 15 S10 from them...haha. I'm in AZ though. It was shipped Friday heading my way. Congrats on your purchase.

Sent from my SM-T350 using Tapatalk

Thanks, same to you.

Interesting...I do know the GM there is very familiar with shipping bikes cross country. On Saturday the GM told me he sold the used S10 he had. Guess that was you.

 

[rossagge]

Thanks, same to you.

Interesting...I do know the GM there is very familiar with shipping bikes cross country. On Saturday the GM told me he sold the used S10 he had. Guess that was you.

Thx. Prob so...Matte Silv/ Race Blu. It was sitting next to a KTM 790 I believe. Would have been a nice ride it to AZ. I don't think my body would have been up to a 2k+ mi. ride though...haha. Looks like you had a nice ride home.

Sent from my SM-T350 using Tapatalk

 

[Dirt_Dad]

Thx. Prob so...Matte Silv/ Race Blu. It was sitting next to a KTM 790 I believe. Would have been a nice ride it to AZ. I don't think my body would have been up to a 2k+ mi. ride though...haha. Looks like you had a nice ride home.

Sent from my SM-T350 using Tapatalk

Yep that's the one. He had just shown me the gray one he took in last week. I remember talking to him yesterday discussing the difference between silver and gray. I had to admit I'm not good at distinguishing between the two. He didn't mention he was shipping it, but why would he. Like I said, he's been doing that forever. I'm sure it's in good hands. Enjoy.

 

[rossagge]

Yep that's the one. He had just shown me the gray one he took in last week. I remember talking to him yesterday discussing the difference between silver and gray. I had to admit I'm not good at distinguishing between the two. He didn't mention he was shipping it, but why would he. Like I said, he's been doing that forever. I'm sure it's in good hands. Enjoy.

Will do. I ended up sourcing my own transport company just because the salesman never got back to me on what they could do regarding that. He did say they ship all over the US but never followed up. Oh well. The guys I found are rated good. They mostly ship motorcycles as well so I'm sure it's in good hands.

Sent from my SM-T350 using Tapatalk

 

[Madhatter]

DD, great report and it reminded me that there have been some stability issues when luggage attached to the 1290 , have they addressed that ? your top box doesn't look over sized or heavy enough to cause such a degradation of riding feel , how would it feel with all your bags on ? hopefully it just needs a suspension tweak ..... I'm still trying to figure out my 2019 ES suspension ?

 

[Checkswrecks]

I'm really looking forward to riding the 1290 at some point and appreciate the updates.

That said, you've convinced me to keep the Tenere for now. The 9,000 service and chain (6,000 mile life?) just don't fit my life. Actually, I could put up with a shorter service interval IF it were quick and easy, so that's a plus for the Beemers and Guzzi's of the world.

Adding accessories slows the handling on any bike and I'm reminded of that every time I've been on a Tenere without bars, top box, etc. Still and since we have the same size Pelican cases, I'm just shocked at the change in handling that little box made for you. It'll be interesting to see what you say after putting on the boxes to travel.

 

[VRODE]

I’d think if you took care of the chain, 15k easy. I’m surprised at the 9k valve check intervals. I must have missed that one. I’d assumed they were 12k or longer.

 

[ballisticexchris]

I'm not surprised at all with the odd handling characteristics with a large top box installed. I have ridden a few bikes with them and never could get used to buffeting and tippy feeling. I was on the fence and a little nervous when I mounted my large (to me) Pelican 1150 on the back of my Super Tenere. Fortunately it did not change the handling of my bike.

I can highly recommend getting a R20 or R30 liter Kriega bag in place of what you have. The bags are very sleek and you will hardly notice them behind you.

As far as chains, they are not something you want to squeeze every last mile out of. At each oil change I inspect each link plate, roller, and random sections for length and cracks. In my experience a good street bike chain and sprocket has reached the end of it's safe usable life between 10,000 and 15,000 miles. I change out the sliders at the same time.

That being said, there are many riders who are willing to risk wadding up a chain and will squeeze every last mile out of them. Riders choice.

 

[Nikolajsen]

If you take care of your chain, it should be able to last at least 18.000 miles. (most dry roads)
On my Transalp I normal had to change chain every 23.000 miles, and I lubricate only manual.
Maybe longer with automatic lubrication??

I'm also shocked about the topcase negative effect

 

[Checkswrecks]

I'm betting the short chain life has to do with the 160 hp and would be much better for us "normal" users.

fwiw - These are small top boxes, not big OR heavy.

 

[Madhatter]

I watched a 1290 with factory boxes wobble down the highway at 70 mph , looked a little unstable for sure. And I’m not trying to trash your KTM , every bike has a few things we have to figure out to make it right for us . I will chat up my buddy who has one about his experience. He is an aggressive rider.

 

[ballisticexchris]

Still and since we have the same size Pelican cases, I'm just shocked at the change in handling that little box made for you. It'll be interesting to see what you say after putting on the boxes to travel.

[/QUOTE]

I'm also shocked about the topcase negative effect

I have ridden the same bikes back to back with and without top boxes. They always affect the handling in very odd ways. And not only some being top heavy, but in the case of the one Dirt Dad has on the 1290, acting like a sail.

Even my Super Tenere loaded with a sleeping bag and tent moves around a lot more than without the added wind resistance.