The next chapter...KTM Super Adventure S

fac191

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The reality is its a Superbike with all the maintenance bills and worries in Adventure bike clothing. Is it really worth having all that extra power for the times you will use it ?. Great bike on paper but in the real world may be not. As for luggage, 2 up with luggage and top box mine handles just fine. I ride it as its designed to be ridden. And it does everything well. Do like the KTMs but owning one would not be for me. Thanks for taking the time to write everything up as its good info for all of us.
 

Nikolajsen

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I'm betting the short chain life has to do with the 160 hp and would be much better for us "normal" users.
Yes, but I guess that the chain is bigger than the Transalp.
Transalp was a 525, and I always used D.I.D X-ring "gold" chain
 

Dirt_Dad

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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.
I actually have no idea what the chain life will be, but I do need to try to figure it out before heading out on a long trip. Along with the 9K valve check interval, it does have me curious how realistic it will be to go on long rides with this bike.

I am going to set it up for travel. I have some HB bars on back order at the moment. I am not interested in the "floating" side case racks KTM sells. They allow the cases to shift in the wind. I'll be using my much narrower Pelican cases all the way around. We'll see how it goes. There are known stability issues with the SAS above 125 MPH. A place where I will never be.

I weighed my top case and with all the tools I had inside it was over 25lbs. It doesn't need to be that heavy. Making it lighter may not be enough. I'm leaning towards the Kreiga 10 as a good bag for day rides.

My infatuation with the bike is still growing rapidly with each ride, but my eyes are wide open about the ways it's going to challenge me related to big trips. I don't have any of those trips on the books at the moment, so we'll see what happens. The nice thing is I got such an incredible price on the bike that if it doesn't work out I doubt it's going to hurt all that much. I'm hopeful I will not need to test that theory.
 

Boris

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DD, I’d be very surprised if the chain needed replacing before 15k miles. Realistically I reckon you’re looking at nearer to 20k. I think your big trips will be fine! You may have to re-think things a little, but still fine.

Enjoy it:)
 

bmac

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DD, I’d be very surprised if the chain needed replacing before 15k miles. Realistically I reckon you’re looking at nearer to 20k. I think your big trips will be fine! You may have to re-think things a little, but still fine.

Enjoy it:)
Exactly! The soonest I have replaced a chain on a 160hp bike is 21k. The last one had 21k on it when I sold with the original chain. On past bikes I have gone to 35k. Keep them clean and adjusted properly and you can expect very good chain life.
 

Sierra1

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Wow. My FJ never went that far between chain replacements. And it was nowhere near that amount of HP. Maybe I used a higher percentage of the FJ's HP :rolleyes:. But, seriously, I think chain wear is going to be like tire wear. . . . all depends on what that right hand is doing. But, I agree with Mr. Boris. . . . enjoy it.
 

Dirt_Dad

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It's amazing how easily humans can get adjusted to a new situation and that becomes the new normal. Mental adjustment locked in.

I've done a lot to get my Tenere ready for sale so I decided to take it for a ride to make sure everything is good to go. My beloved Tenere. I've happily bought 4 of them over a 6 year period, because they were the best bike for me. I've ridden a Tenere to the eastern and western most corners of North America. They have all been reliable to a fault, more comfortable than I could have ever wished, and protected me from disaster. I'm a Super Tenere fan for life.

Did a lot of test riding of my two big bikes today. Literally jumping off one bike and immediately getting on the other...5 times. It went like this...

Ride 1: Super Tenere
Intended ride duration: 3 miles
Actual ride duration: .75 miles
Experience: Boy, this seat is comfy....dang, this is a big bike. Oh yeah, I have to use the clutch to shift...that sucks. How did this bike get put into Touring mode...oh, it's not. Wow, this is sluggish. I don't need to go the full 1.5 miles down the road. That's enough, lets go back.

Ride 2: SAS
Intended ride duration: 21 miles
Actual ride duration: 41 miles
Experience: Man this is tall. Feels svelte and competent. If I go that way I can stay out longer. This thing is so smooth. Sport mode, TCS off, sometimes wet road, sometimes gravel on road, but still no concern about 160 HP in these conditions with TCS off. Bike inspires confidence, so light, so easy to control. Still not riding all that much faster than Tenere, just more enjoyable at these speeds.

Ride 3: SAS - reinstall a nearly empty top case back on. Still probably near 15lbs.
Intended ride duration: 14 miles
Actual ride duration: 3 miles
Experience: This sucks!!!! ride 1 mile change suspension from 1 rider to 1 rider with luggage. Still sucks for a fun ride. All luggage is now strictly for long distance travel. I expect diminished "fun" factor on a fully loaded travel bike. I'm not giving up the enjoyment of this bike to carry crap I don't need.

Ride 4: Super Tenere
Intended ride duration: 3 miles
Actual ride duration: .75 miles
Experience: My god...this feels like an ocean liner. Clutch damn-it. After 9 years of Tenere ownership, it's time for a change. Let's turn around here. This may be my last Tenere ride.

Ride 5: SAS top case gone
Intended ride duration: 3 miles
Actual ride duration: 14 miles
Experience: Ahhh...this just feels right. What time is it?...I have enough time to go all the way down the mountain. Turning around at the bottom, go a little wide...thinking I'm so glad I turned off that blasted Hill Hold feature...and wow, this bike is tall.

In summary - top case sucks. I'm hoping the KTM crash bars I have on order do not screw up the wonderful weight balance of the bike. I'm guessing it won't. Same curiosity of the side case racks. Since it is low weight, I'm hopeful, but time will tell. Looking at the mounts on the bike I suspect the racks may be easy to remove and put back on. If so, they will probably stay off except for big trips. This bike is just awesome as it sits.

So I have made the mental jump from the Tenere to the SAS. I can now let the Tenere go and be at peace. May it serve the next owner as wonderfully as it has served me.
 

Ron_Luning

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News (to you) flash: valve checks are at 18.6k miles. Not sure who misinterpreted or lied to you about the schedule, but this is from the service manual.Screenshot_20200805-213630_Drive.jpg
 
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RonH

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SAS is one of the things everyone needs as an upgrade over the Yamaha which doesn't have it. New technology everyone demands. No idea what it is either, but for sure it's a big upgrade. I think though it stands for Steering Angle Sensor. You need it so the motorcycle needs the info for all the stuff like lean over ABS, headight aim ect. No good having a modern motorcycle that doesn't compensate your steering angle into the brakes ect, and of course these things never go bad ever to foul up your riding.
 
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Ron_Luning

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SAS is the reburn mechanism from the charcoal canister that catches fumes. I doubt anyone maintains it, as it is usually removed as the first modification. All modern street bikes have some form of this per environmental rules.
 

Boris

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SAS is one of the things everyone needs as an upgrade over the Yamaha which doesn't have it. New technology everyone demands. No idea what it is either, but for sure it's a big upgrade. I think though it stands for Steering Angle Sensor. You need it so the motorcycle needs the info for all the stuff like lean over ABS, headight aim ect. No good having a modern motorcycle that doesn't compensate your steering angle into the brakes ect, and of course these things never go bad ever to foul up your riding.
Oops.

on that note, I’m off to enjoy a pint of bitter.
 

Dirt_Dad

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News (to you) flash: valve checks are at 18.6k miles. Not sure who misinterpreted or lied to you about the schedule, but this is from the service manual.
Thanks for setting me straight. That is a welcomed revelation. Totally my fault, I took the advertised "long service interval" of 15000 KM be be their reference to valves. I've had almost no time to go through the manual except to figure out ... what the hell is this or that. That does eliminate one of my concerns of the bike.

I did install the orange KTM crash bars last night. Very impressed with fit and finish. Got to hand it to both BMW and KTM. Quality and attention to detail are outstanding. Of course I had to take it for a short ride to see if it screwed up the balance of the bike. Nope, balance and weight still feel good. It did dramatically change the air flow over the bike. At 71 degrees I was feeling as much or more heat than I did on the first ride at 98 degrees. I'm hoping that I'll get used to it like I did after the second ride, but this may force me to do something.

RonH is correct about a lot of things that could go wrong. If this turns out to be a long term keeper, I'm sure I'll end up getting a warranty. Speaking of not checking the book...I don't even know the length of the initial warranty. Life will slow down sooner or later...
 

Madhatter

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DD, heat is hot ,does the potato ever get used to the oven . it's not going to burn you but will be very annoying and uncomfortable . maybe some heat shrouding to channel it a new direction , exhaust wrap , fire proof pants . my buddy rides his ,just endures it . winters coming ,heat could be a good thing. well its not a perfect bike , if you like it (I will not ride it because I might like it myself ) then all is well , it matters what you think not anyone else . be safe. and keep up the reports . pretty interesting reporting.
 

cyclemike4

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ky
It's amazing how easily humans can get adjusted to a new situation and that becomes the new normal. Mental adjustment locked in.

I've done a lot to get my Tenere ready for sale so I decided to take it for a ride to make sure everything is good to go. My beloved Tenere. I've happily bought 4 of them over a 6 year period, because they were the best bike for me. I've ridden a Tenere to the eastern and western most corners of North America. They have all been reliable to a fault, more comfortable than I could have ever wished, and protected me from disaster. I'm a Super Tenere fan for life.

Did a lot of test riding of my two big bikes today. Literally jumping off one bike and immediately getting on the other...5 times. It went like this...

Ride 1: Super Tenere
Intended ride duration: 3 miles
Actual ride duration: .75 miles
Experience: Boy, this seat is comfy....dang, this is a big bike. Oh yeah, I have to use the clutch to shift...that sucks. How did this bike get put into Touring mode...oh, it's not. Wow, this is sluggish. I don't need to go the full 1.5 miles down the road. That's enough, lets go back.

Ride 2: SAS
Intended ride duration: 21 miles
Actual ride duration: 41 miles
Experience: Man this is tall. Feels svelte and competent. If I go that way I can stay out longer. This thing is so smooth. Sport mode, TCS off, sometimes wet road, sometimes gravel on road, but still no concern about 160 HP in these conditions with TCS off. Bike inspires confidence, so light, so easy to control. Still not riding all that much faster than Tenere, just more enjoyable at these speeds.

Ride 3: SAS - reinstall a nearly empty top case back on. Still probably near 15lbs.
Intended ride duration: 14 miles
Actual ride duration: 3 miles
Experience: This sucks!!!! ride 1 mile change suspension from 1 rider to 1 rider with luggage. Still sucks for a fun ride. All luggage is now strictly for long distance travel. I expect diminished "fun" factor on a fully loaded travel bike. I'm not giving up the enjoyment of this bike to carry crap I don't need.

Ride 4: Super Tenere
Intended ride duration: 3 miles
Actual ride duration: .75 miles
Experience: My god...this feels like an ocean liner. Clutch damn-it. After 9 years of Tenere ownership, it's time for a change. Let's turn around here. This may be my last Tenere ride.

Ride 5: SAS top case gone
Intended ride duration: 3 miles
Actual ride duration: 14 miles
Experience: Ahhh...this just feels right. What time is it?...I have enough time to go all the way down the mountain. Turning around at the bottom, go a little wide...thinking I'm so glad I turned off that blasted Hill Hold feature...and wow, this bike is tall.

In summary - top case sucks. I'm hoping the KTM crash bars I have on order do not screw up the wonderful weight balance of the bike. I'm guessing it won't. Same curiosity of the side case racks. Since it is low weight, I'm hopeful, but time will tell. Looking at the mounts on the bike I suspect the racks may be easy to remove and put back on. If so, they will probably stay off except for big trips. This bike is just awesome as it sits.

So I have made the mental jump from the Tenere to the SAS. I can now let the Tenere go and be at peace. May it serve the next owner as wonderfully as it has served me.
Hey Dirt Dad I know this is really doesn't apply to your bike because i have never ridden the big KTM's. I have had two bikes with top boxes and don't like them on either of them unless i am taking a long trip. Something about them just feels wrong to me as well. I even rode a Goldwing that i hated the top box on! With out it i thought it was a great bike! probable just me though. By the way if i ever do get a goldwing it will have the top box. I am sure the better half would love it! haha.
 

Dirt_Dad

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I've changed luggage setup on nearly every bike. This one is no different. I'll use my top case and side cases for trips. Otherwise it will be stored waiting on the next long haul.

Just orderd a Mosko Moto 8L Stinger tail bag. Downsizing is the way to go on this bike.
 
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