The next chapter...KTM Super Adventure S

bmac

Active Member
Joined
Mar 17, 2012
Messages
284
Location
Florida, Wisconsin
I guess I need to start at the beginning. I had the opportunity to ride a 790 Adventure from S Florida to Wisconsin 6 weeks ago. I had some doubts about traveling on a smaller bike but what a great way to find out. Trip was a blast I loved the bike took more secondary roads than Interstates (did run Interstate through IL) and managed to turn 1450 miles into 2200 in 2.5 days. So I was hooked but also knew I would want the 890 if the bikes were the same otherwise, that’s just me.

So after a couple of days with the 890 Adventure I can tell you it’s a big improvement over the 790 and just plain old fashion fun to ride. The power, the power delivery and the front spring rate are a lot more civilized. The 890 has better low end and mid range power than the 790. The 790 felt more like a hot rod hooligan bike which I’m sure appeals to some people. The 890 has me smiling the whole time I’m on it. The bike handles like it’s on rails. I questioned the 21” front wheel on the street but KTM seems to know how to make it work the 10s. Now I know why the only bikes that ever pass me on the Slimey Crud Run are the older KTM 950/990 Adventures with their 21” front wheels and on/off road tires. These things handle better than sport bikes. I will admit it doesn’t have the FJR like power of the 1290 Super Adventure that I was riding had but 105 horsepower in a 400lb bike (dry) works just fine. The best part is the size of the bike, it’s just easy! Windshield works well, better than expected for sure. The looks are typical KTM edgy but really appeal to me. Updates to follow as I get more miles on it.

Dirt Dad not trying to hijack your thread just helping to paint the world orange.
I chose the 890 Duke R over the 1290 Super Duke so I can fully appreciate your choice. It has plenty of power and is just plain fun, as you said. I have yet to find a time where I thought I needed more power.

I did notice a substantial handling difference between the 21" front wheel on the Adventure and the 17" on the Duke. The 21 steer substantially slower at higher speeds and has me wondering if a 19 wouldn't be a nice option for a mostly road going non R model.
 

bimota

Well-Known Member
Joined
Dec 10, 2017
Messages
6,521
Location
bridgend, Wales, UK
just seen alot of ktm being recalled


MANUFACTURERS' RECALL
KTM - Super Adventure / Super Adventure S / Super Adventure R. Model year 2021. The plastic plug on the carbon filter drain hose may melt by the heat emanating from the exhaust and act as an ignition source. Consequently, small quantities of fuel may escape through the open/damaged plug and melting plastic can drip onto the exhaust manifold, increasing the risk of fire.
FEMA, Europe's leading motorcyclists' organization, shows you all recalls: www.femamotorcycling.eu/recalls

rob
 

Dirt_Dad

Well-Known Member
Founding Member
2011 Site Supporter
2013 Site Supporter
2014 Site Supporter
Joined
Sep 21, 2010
Messages
5,955
Location
Northern Virginia, USA
I believe that is the one that featured in the film, “Close encounters of the Third Kind”, Devils Tower in Wyoming.
Correct, they even sell little space aliens in the gift shop.

just seen alot of ktm being recalled


MANUFACTURERS' RECALL
KTM - Super Adventure / Super Adventure S / Super Adventure R. Model year 2021. The plastic plug on the carbon filter drain hose may melt by the heat emanating from the exhaust and act as an ignition source. Consequently, small quantities of fuel may escape through the open/damaged plug and melting plastic can drip onto the exhaust manifold, increasing the risk of fire.
FEMA, Europe's leading motorcyclists' organization, shows you all recalls: www.femamotorcycling.eu/recalls

rob
I love orange kool-aid, but I'm not interested in buying a freshly redesigned one in the first year. Give it a few years, then I'll consider it.
 

Donk

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jul 27, 2013
Messages
922
Location
Burlington, WI
Dirt Dad do you have the Rally Pack installed on your bike? Because mine was a demo it came with it. Mostly I’m a set it and forget it guy but decided to play with it this morning. In Rally you can adjust tc on the fly wheelie control is disabled and you can select the throttle setting you want. It is amazing how seamlessly the electronics on these bikes work because when you dial it down you know it’s not there. I could hardly ride the bike without breaking the rear tire loose! Was a blast in a psycho sort of way.
 

Dirt_Dad

Well-Known Member
Founding Member
2011 Site Supporter
2013 Site Supporter
2014 Site Supporter
Joined
Sep 21, 2010
Messages
5,955
Location
Northern Virginia, USA
I didn't think a rally pack was available for my year of SAS. If it is I could see investing in one.

I read somewhere the Rally mode on the 21 SAS shuts off wheelie control when the bike is not leaned over in a corner. That sounds ideal.
 

Sierra1

Well-Known Member
Joined
Nov 7, 2016
Messages
14,812
Location
Joshua TX
:D
. . . . I read somewhere the Rally mode on the 21 SAS shuts off wheelie control when the bike is not leaned over in a corner. That sounds ideal.
Now. . . . why did I think you do wheelies? :rolleyes: More stereotyping I guess.
 

Dirt_Dad

Well-Known Member
Founding Member
2011 Site Supporter
2013 Site Supporter
2014 Site Supporter
Joined
Sep 21, 2010
Messages
5,955
Location
Northern Virginia, USA
Happy 1st birthday to my SAS.

For its gift I added 475 miles to the odometer. From Bismark, ND to Duluth. MN. That puts it around 12.5k. Lower than expected, but buying and selling a house really cuts into ride time.

Not much new to report. The biggest issue I've had is the water pump drain screw has slightly loosened twice on my ongoing 3000+ mile ride. I know its happening every 1500 to 2000 miles now and will keep a closer eye on it. Other than that its been perfect.

Closing out my first year with the bike i can say it is the most entertaining, satisfying, smoothest, and downright fun motorcycle I've ever owned. I still crave riding it as much now as I did when I first figured out how much fun it could be.

Happy Birthday. SAS. Looking forward to year 2.
 

Donk

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jul 27, 2013
Messages
922
Location
Burlington, WI
That’s GREAT. Hope the love affair continues. I used to say and often still do my ‘15 SA was the best bike I ever owned. Hopefully I’ll be saying that about the 890 soon enough.

I had reservations about the 21” front wheel on what for me is mostly a paved road bike. I’m finding that it seems to deal with tar snakes and the inevitable patches of sand and gravel that are waiting mid corner with much less drama than a ‘17” wheel. Maybe D D or someone with more off road experience can explain the why, I certainly can’t. I’ve yet to get into a situation where I doubted the front tire when pushing it into a corner including in TN when I had to stop and get myself under control cause I was pushing way to hard in the tight stuff.

Dirt Dad what about a little Teflon tape on the plug. I’d suggest Loctite but not sure it would work in the wet. Before you ask I already figured out how to do it without draining your coolant. Just buy a second plug tape it and do a quick swap. You’ll hardly lose a drop.
 

Dirt_Dad

Well-Known Member
Founding Member
2011 Site Supporter
2013 Site Supporter
2014 Site Supporter
Joined
Sep 21, 2010
Messages
5,955
Location
Northern Virginia, USA
Thanks for the suggestion. Planning to deal with it when I get home in about 2k more miles.
 

cyclemike4

Well-Known Member
Joined
Sep 18, 2016
Messages
815
Location
ky
I watched some feller do a review of the Harley Pan America the other night. He beat the crap out of that bike. Slid it sideways on the street and was running it like his life depended on getting away off road. He broke a foot peg off on a big jump. He said he had ran the KTM super adventure s through the same paces and didn't break anything. I had to watch it. Man that thig will haul the mail with a rider on it. He was fearless and fast. I guess he wasn't paying for the bikes too! haha. Any way that looks like a fun bike to ride! Sorry i don't remember what video i watched but it was good. Enjoy the Super Adventure that looks like a great trip!
 

bmac

Active Member
Joined
Mar 17, 2012
Messages
284
Location
Florida, Wisconsin
I watched some feller do a review of the Harley Pan America the other night. He beat the crap out of that bike. Slid it sideways on the street and was running it like his life depended on getting away off road. He broke a foot peg off on a big jump. He said he had ran the KTM super adventure s through the same paces and didn't break anything. I had to watch it. Man that thig will haul the mail with a rider on it. He was fearless and fast. I guess he wasn't paying for the bikes too! haha. Any way that looks like a fun bike to ride! Sorry i don't remember what video i watched but it was good. Enjoy the Super Adventure that looks like a great trip!
It is Chris from Bike World. He is currently the best reviewer out there. He pushes them hard and describes how it feels to ride them. My Duke 890R is in the garage mostly because of his review.

Bike World review of Pan America

For more entertainment see his review of the 890 Duke.

Bike World review of the Duke 890R
 

Donk

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jul 27, 2013
Messages
922
Location
Burlington, WI
Must be something about KTM and coolant. Noticed a small amount of coolant under the bike the other morning. Turns out the clamp on the thermostat housing was not on correctly from the factory. The dealer, Rob’s Performance got it in and sorted right away. While I was there I mentioned that the quick shifter was a bit funky between fourth and fifth so Drew their top KTM tech did a “relearn” on the quick shifter and boy what a difference. Cannot say enough good things about the bike or the dealership. Being it’s a KTM I ordered a Wings exhaust for it. Don’t expect any significant change in performance but it’s lighter and better looking than the stock can.
 

Donk

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jul 27, 2013
Messages
922
Location
Burlington, WI
TNWalker I saw a picture of your Sargent seat earlier in the thread and had mine done also. Just got it back today haven’t tried it yet.
 

TNWalker

Active Member
Founding Member
2012 Site Supporter
2014 Site Supporter
Joined
Jan 26, 2011
Messages
565
Location
Tennessee
My Sargent seat is working good for me. I think you'll like it.
 
Top