The next chapter...KTM Super Adventure S

Jlq1969

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I still don't fully understand why front tires go so fast on this bike. I don't feel like I use my brakes any more than I did on the Tenere, I fully endorse spirited engine braking. I try to give the front tire a rest reasonably often. The bike weighs less than a Tenere. Not sure there's a good explanation on why they go so fast.
take a look at the vibration of the front fork. If you have somewhere to see the front wheel axle…and compare it to some fixed point on the chassis, you will be able to see if it vibrates. If it vibrates, that is probably the cause of the most wear (compared to the use you gave the S10). On the S10, I see vibes. Another cause of front wheel wear could be the resistance to acceleration of the rear wheel, until they are equal in rotation, the front wheel must want to drag (perhaps hundredths/thousandths)...but enough to cause friction and wear
If the 1290 accelerates faster than the S10…there will be more weight transfer in less time…there will be less support on the front wheel…and if the resistance ( by weight and diameter) of the front wheel were the same on both bikes…the one on the 1290 would tend to drag more time
 
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Dirt_Dad

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If the 1290 accelerates faster than the S10…there will be more weight transfer in less time…there will be less support on the front wheel…and if the resistance ( by weight and diameter) of the front wheel were the same on both bikes…the one on the 1290 would tend to drag more time
If acceleration can cause front tire wear I'm lucky not to be changing it weekly.
 

fac191

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I believe part of the electronics package is stability control so that may be pushing the front wheel into the ground.
 

Jlq1969

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Is that if an electronic package, kept the front wheel with more support on the ground, during acceleration….the 1290, it would accelerate less than the S10
An electronic suspension stiffening package could prevent the motorcycle from sinking from the rear (or rising from the front)... but the resistance to spin of the front wheel will not be able to avoid it
 
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Dirt_Dad

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The model year after mine does have Anti-Dive. I have no idea how it works, but spring control would make sense.
 

Dirt_Dad

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Yes, I've said this before, but it really is dramatic. This bike performs so much better at 58 degrees than it does at 95 degrees and humid. A couple of months ago I was wishing the bike had more power. Today the bike brings the front wheel off the ground shifting from 1st to 2nd, and from 3rd to 4th. Keep accelerating hard and you can feel the front just skimming and barely keeping contact with the ground. The power is back. It just take more dense air to bring it out. Yes, you can get the front end up at 95 degres...but it's so effortless when cool.
 

Donk

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Change of plans! The 1290 Super Adventure R/S is no longer for sale. Decided to bring it home, put it in the shop and it can sit there. Only offers I got were lowball offers and I'm not going there. If I ever rephrase that When I want to blast out to New England to see my sister I'll take the 1290. If I think about it it has more hp than my FJR did, weighs 100lbs less, handles better, is more comfortable than my S10 was and has great weather protection. Plus my feet are flatter on the ground than they were with either of those bikes. I have too many bikes but I guess it really makes sense to keep it. Not like I'm going to make a profit on the work I put in it might as well ride it. So that will make 3 1290s and soon 3 890s on the S10 forum. Go figure!
 

Dirt_Dad

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I don't know if I should congregate you or say I'm sorry to hear it. Overall I can think of far worse things than keeping a 1290 in the fleet.
 

fac191

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Its nice to read about other bikes. Especially bikes your interested in. KTM in particular develop their bikes alot so there is always something going on with them. Keep it coming.
 

Donk

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I came to the conclusion that although I like the 890 better the 1290 is still a very good if not great bike. Sure I could sell it and buy a used RT or FJR for half the money if I want a dedicated blast across the country via Interstate bike but not sure there is really much sense in that. First and most importantly if I put the money in the bank I don't think it would last too long before I spent it on something else. Secondly I don't think an FJR or RT would last too long before I chopped it. Owned both, like both but there is a reason I'm not riding either anymore. Before anyone asks the reasons the FJR is great but too dated and RT is a BMW. Taken by itself I like the 1290. I put a lot of effort setting it up exactly as I wanted, money too but that's spent and no getting it back. I know it came out great because 2 friends one a top KTM tech the other a Ducati rep (that rides KTMs) who is the fastest track rider I know both rode it and said it was an amazing bike. So it can sit in the shop and when I want to go somewhere far away in a big hurry I'll take it. As much as it bothers me to own more than 2 bikes I guess I'll have to get over it. Best part is my wife thinks I'm nuts to sell any of them
 

fac191

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I came to the conclusion that although I like the 890 better the 1290 is still a very good if not great bike. Sure I could sell it and buy a used RT or FJR for half the money if I want a dedicated blast across the country via Interstate bike but not sure there is really much sense in that. First and most importantly if I put the money in the bank I don't think it would last too long before I spent it on something else. Secondly I don't think an FJR or RT would last too long before I chopped it. Owned both, like both but there is a reason I'm not riding either anymore. Before anyone asks the reasons the FJR is great but too dated and RT is a BMW. Taken by itself I like the 1290. I put a lot of effort setting it up exactly as I wanted, money too but that's spent and no getting it back. I know it came out great because 2 friends one a top KTM tech the other a Ducati rep (that rides KTMs) who is the fastest track rider I know both rode it and said it was an amazing bike. So it can sit in the shop and when I want to go somewhere far away in a big hurry I'll take it. As much as it bothers me to own more than 2 bikes I guess I'll have to get over it. Best part is my wife thinks I'm nuts to sell any of them
Whatever you do dont get rid of the Wife !
 

Dirt_Dad

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Interesting...I also owned a FJR. I bought it on ebay and drove from Virginia to Michigan to pick it up. I learned a lot in the 3 weeks I owed that bike.

It was a great bike. Like riding on rails. The guy who bought it from me ask me to lead him on a test ride since he didn't know the area. After the ride he told me I was leading him so fast into some twisties that he was concerned...then the FJR just took him through it like it was nothing. "Yes, that's why I'm selling it."

The FJR doesn't need a skilled rider to pilot it through the curves. It's so well designed it just does it. I hated that. I was forced to ride it insanely fast to get any excitement out of it. I don't want to ride that fast. I'm a dad, I need to keep my license and be at work on Monday...that's just way too fast for me.

I remember standing in parking lot after my Triumph 900 test ride telling CW I was going to test the SAS next. He eyeballed me...I told him, 'I know, I'm concerned it might be another FJR experience.'

28 months later the SAS has no similarities to the FJR. It does require a competent rider to guide it through the twists and turns at a high level, and it delivers satisfaction at much lower speeds than the FJR demanded. I love that. Yes, I ride a SAS to go slower.

Donk, congrats on having a wife that understands motorcycles as a priority. I'm fortunate to be blessed in that way, too. I'm lucky and I know it.
 

Donk

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I liked the FJR. Used it for a lot of Iron Butt riding, the 50CC and so forth. Got caught in a blizzard in Vale Pass on it, no issues. The width and weight of the bike was tough with a 30" inseam. You think Yamaha could have designed a little narrower frame in the seating area. I owned a '13 Multistrada with a full Termi and the Termi tune at the same time so the FJR never seemed fast. The FJR did have freight train like power, any gear any rpm it could pull. If anything it seemed heavy and lacking brakes compared to the Multi. That Multi only wanted to accelerate, there was no end to it. After a while I realized that the Multi was just as dependable as the FJR and possibly more comfortable if lacking range and cruise. I used it for a few Iron Butt rides and wasn't long before the FJR was gone. Stumbled over a '15 Super Adventure shortly after and with an 8 gal tank AND cruise the rest as they say, is pretty much history. Because I couldn't lower the '15 with electronic suspension I eventually ended up with the '20 SAR that I own now. While I'm done owning one there is still to this day a special place in my heart for the FJR. I don't think any bike can get out on the slab and bang out miles hour after hour as well.
 

Dirt_Dad

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No doubt the FJR is an outstanding bike, especially for long distance. My FJR taught me I have no business buying bikes with a 17" front wheel. I never bought a 17" again after that bike. Obviously there is nothing wrong with that size wheel, it just doesn't work for me.
 
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