The next chapter...KTM Super Adventure S

Donk

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Usually 15-20 minutes when I get tired on picnic tables in rest areas. 35-40,000 miles a year is not a big number. There are a lot of people including some forum members that double that and more. In the world of long distance riding I’m just a lightweight. Maybe I ride more than you, maybe you ride more than me. All that matters is we’re out there riding.
 

Donk

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Dirt_Dad what bags are you using on your SA?

If you are not already aware of them you should check out a part made for KTMs by a company named Ducati Spacers. It is a piece that goes on the lug in the throttle by wire that eliminates 95% of the slop in your throttle. It’s wicked nice. Once you have it you cannot be without it on your bike.
 
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Dirt_Dad

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I'm using the same pelican cases i first installed on my original Tenere more than 10 years ago. The are indestructible and require minimal maintenance. Soft cases don't give me a place for all the stickers.

As far as making changes to throttle response, I'd be hesitant. I remember TrikePilot made some similar changes on his Husky and I really appreciated the improvement. I find the SAS throttle response so ideal for me that I'd be concerned with messing with perfection.
 

Sierra1

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. . . . I find the SAS throttle response so ideal for me that I'd be concerned with messing with perfection.
Nope. You must change. You cannot be correct. At least that's what everybody seems to be telling me about getting my bike flashed. :D That I can't be satisfied with my throttle. Although I too think that mine is perfect.
 

Donk

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I seem to remember something to the effect of, “if it ain’t broke don’t fix it.” Was a suggestion, far from me to tell anyone else what to do with their bike. The throttle play bothered me but it’s always been something I’m fussy about on bikes even before throttle by wire.
 

Dirt_Dad

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Nope. You must change. You cannot be correct. At least that's what everybody seems to be telling me about getting my bike flashed. :D That I can't be satisfied with my throttle. Although I too think that mine is perfect.
I've got a bit of time on the S10. You really should flash it. ;) Of course I never flashed any of mine. I did ride CW's flashed bike one. Like it, but I personally don't tend to go for changing bike computers. Its just not me.

I seem to remember something to the effect of, “if it ain’t broke don’t fix it.” Was a suggestion, far from me to tell anyone else what to do with their bike. The throttle play bothered me but it’s always been something I’m fussy about on bikes even before throttle by wire.
I feel like KTM designed and built the SAS for me. It isn't perfect, but damn it's close. I'm slow to mess with whatever mystical balance that bike possesses.
 

Dirt_Dad

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That’s a wicked cool place to be with a bike.
Agreed! I recognize how lucky I am, and how rare it is to be this satisfied.

Obviously every bike is a compilation of compromises. The decisions made on the SAS just work for me.
 

-=clinton=-

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I'm a little late to this party, mostly because I just joined the site like 2 days ago. BUT. I had a 2015 Sa-T, that my wife and I put 11,000 miles on in a year, power parts seat and a sheepskin seat cover and it was brilliant. The cruise was first Gen with the on off switch on the right hand but other than being inconvenient it was flawless. The heat is an issue, but you can put a SA-T insulated header on, a lot of guys do, and it'll help. A lot of "diehard" motorcycle guys complain about the lack of adjustment in the suspension. I loved it, especially 2-up, with luggage fully loaded and leaned over in the mountains. Because I was able to focus on the road and not trying to remember what the bike was doing so I could dial it in or out of the suspension. There's a lot bad press on the forums, especially ADVriders, about the issues with KTM. For me, it was the lack of dealer network, and the fact the only place in town wants $44.00 for a spark plug. and there's 4. The 18K mile valve check, low vibes, smooth traceable power and the huge tank made it a great mile eater. The price of parts, low access to a dealer and 6K mile tire life got to be a constant thought in my brain. $20. chain oiler from amazon tuned 1/4 turn after every fill up got me to 18k before the chain went bad, but riding for 4 hours in the rain and having no chain oil didn't help. just my $0.02 YMMV.
 
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Dirt_Dad

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Nice....I manage to get full enjoyment from mine, but I have no doubt a truly skilled rider can smoke a whole lot of unsuspecting, skilled sport bike riders.
 

Donk

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The R goes in Monday for the 18/21" to 17/19" wheel swap and to have the suspension adjusted to match. Be fun to see how much different the bike feels with street tires and wheels. For a bike I was going to use for the winter in FL and then sell I'm starting to get in pretty deep. I must like it or something!
 

Dirt_Dad

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Nothing better off road than a 18/21 setup. When the going gets rough I abolutely love the 21. But for me, I disliked every 18/21 I tried for primary street use. I wanted to like them, but I never did. The 17/19 is perfection. Going the other way, I also dislike a 17" front. Those bike tend to handle too automatically and I'm forced to ride much faster that I want to get the same enjoyment out of the bike.

Good luck with the swap. Really looking forward to your reviews when it's done.
 

Donk

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Interesting to hear you say that. I originally bought the 19/17 S wheels for the 890 believing that the 21" front wouldn't be great for 90% street use. The bike is so good as designed with a 21" front that I saw no reason to change it. I have ridden the 890 as hard as Ive ridden anything even pushing it to the point where I had to pull over and tell myself to cool it before I got hurt. On the other hand with the 1290 there have been several times where I thought I was getting to to limit of the front and backed off a bit. I don't know if its the frame/suspension geometry of the bike or that the 1290 is 25% heavier than the 890 on the same size front wheel and tire? My '15 SA with 19" front wheel was one of the most planted bikes I've ever ridden. It easily out handled my Multistrada(s) and was one of the best bikes Ive ever ridden in the twisties. As far as off road goes I am clueless. I never really ride off road, roads without pavement are about as adventurous as I get. My original plan was keep both sets of wheels and switch back and forth as needed but for the limited amount of dirt riding I do I think I'll end up putting the 18/21' wheels on eBay.
 

Dirt_Dad

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First ride 2022. Way too early to say it's the start of riding season, but at least I got in my first 100 miles this year.

Here's a look you don't usually see of Shenandoah National Park.



Today is full week after the last snow...yes, so far this winter really sucks! But the temps got up to 33 degrees, so I put down the guitar (my entertainment when the weather is horrible), put on the electrics and grabbed the keys.

Welcome to 2022.

It's only been a few weeks, but it felt so good to be riding again. Winter riding around here means endless cinders on pavement, which requires significantly more caution exercised everywhere, especially in the corners. There's occasional ice, and you want to stay out of the wet as much as possible. It contains corrosive salt, and since the day dawned at 18 degrees (f) it could be a wet ice which is really slippery. Still on the SAS there is no need to take the bike out of Sport mode. Even in areas needing caution the bike is always easily controlled in Sport and only becomes a fire breathing beast if you intentionally request it. It never, ever surprises you, feels jerky, or on/off. Just smooth and predictable. Like the satisfying roll on wheelie it gave me in 4th gear at 65mph. It was requested and provided as expected. I do love riding this bike. It stays for 2022.

I was at the dealership yesterday to scheduled the 18K service, which does include the valve check. Still about 1,800 miles before it's due, but I wanted to get it on the schedule. After talking to the service guy, I decided to go ahead and order a new chain and sprockets... a cost I never incurred on any Tenere. A bit early?...maybe. To be completely honest, I haven't thought much about the chain after installing the oiler. I couldn't even tell you what shape it's in. Beyond seeing if it looks loose, or dry, I pay it no attention at all. When the service guy said some people ignore a chain and can go through one in 10K miles, or some people are really good at keeping maintained and get somewhere around 20K (yes, I know my buddy V-Tom gets over 30K on his). I want to continue not thinking about my chain, so I bit the bullet, ordered $275 worth of KTM chain and sprockets and will continue to ignore them as much as possible. It's the price I must pay to have this level of enjoyment from my bike.

Looking forward to the bike getting ready for the year and someone else doing the work. That's a first for me, but going to try to enjoy that freedom. We'll see how that goes.

Yesterday I was at the dealership and saw this.



As the little tag on the turn signal says, it was expect to be already sold. It has only been at the dealership a few days and, not surprisingly someone was on the way to pick it up. What did shock me was the SAS I saw 5 weeks ago was still on the floor. I really didn't expect that. It gives a bit of confirmation to my speculation that so many want the SAR, when the SAS is actually the bike that provides what people can use. The R is sexy, it's awesome, it's insanely capable, the idea of it is exciting. It's the bike that first got me to go to a KTM dealership. Then DM threw a bucket of cold water on me and asked why I wasn't looking at the S. Well, yuck, that's not exciting. But it did get me to give an honest assessment of what I was looking to achieve with my next bike. In the end, DM's does of reality was exactly what I needed. In the meantime, my buddy, who got me considering the KTM, bought his SAR...then sold it a few months later saying it was just too brutal. I've ridden enough with FireDog to know our riding styles and skills are similar. Good chance I would have done the same. Thanks DM for saving me from myself.

Happy New Year!
 

Dirt_Dad

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Yes, but where was i? For all you know it may have been at that nearby race track I've pictured so many times in the moto tag game.

Just can't be sure. :cool:
 
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