Weighing Ducati, BMW, and Yamaha

[Travex]

Funny things these forums. When you go to the BMW forum they tell you to get a beem. Go to the KTM forum and you're told to buy an orange. Got to the Super Tenere forum and they tell you the truth. Kidding aside, each of those plus the Triumph made my short list. Reliability, features and serviceability of the S10 won me over. Wasn't much of a decision really. Like new shoes... Try'em before you buy'em. But you already know that.
Best of luck to you in your deliberations! ::003::

 

[markjenn]

I think what many of us are trying to do is get a little beyond simply rooting for the home team and instead listen to the OP's opening remarks about what kind of bike he likes and go from there. There certainly was a request for reliability, but there also was a desire to bash around at speed on rough roads, have big-grin power, and keep the weight down. To me, this fits the description of the new KTM 1190's to a t.

- Mark

 

[squarebore]

I think what many of us are trying to do is get a little beyond simply rooting for the home team and instead listen to the OP's opening remarks about what kind of bike he likes and go from there. There certainly was a request for reliability, but there also was a desire to bash around at speed on rough roads, have big-grin power, and keep the weight down. To me, this fits the description of the new KTM 1190's to a t.

- Mark

Agree. Prefer you to be happy on something else than get an S10 and bag it out. Any motorbike will do jumps but some aren't meant to.

 

[krussell]

For the enthusiasm that you project in your description of your desires and riding wants, the Super Tenere and the KTM 1190 Adventure are the two serious contenders. The KTM is better than they have done before, but only barely out in the US and may be difficult to get a test ride on, and it's still chain drive. Lighter, even more dirt worthy, but shorter service intervals at only 10k miles compared to the 26k miles of the Super Ten. You'll be riding the Yamaha more than the KTM in terms of maintenance Vs riding time.
http://www.ktm.com/us/travel/1190-adventure-eu/highlights.html#.UpNocRyaqBA

I think the KTM has even less maintenance than suggested here. The "by the book" service interval of the S10 is 4k mi, with valves at 26k. The service interval of the KTM is 9300 mi, with valve checks at 18,600.

 

[rednax]

hmm...interesting thread this....and a bit suprising. I´ve seen people on ST go much much faster on dirt than I´d even dream about, lift it up in weelies and other wild stuff. If your up in the weight of a ST and not on the Paris-Dakar level so ...well...and if you want something that will take on all kind of roads as well as dirt and you don´t want to sacrifice comfort and reliability on longer trips and you´re able to jump a v-star on dirt ??? and you choose not to go for a WR or the likes of that, admitting that KTM 1190 is a later generation with more developed safetygadges, (i bet that gyroything will soon be on all big bikes) I can´t think of a better choise than the supertenere . Yeah, well that´s all ::26::

 

[Rasher]

I think the KTM has even less maintenance than suggested here. The "by the book" service interval of the S10 is 4k mi, with valves at 26k. The service interval of the KTM is 9300 mi, with valve checks at 18,600.

Service intervals in the UK is 6,000 miles, shims at 24k

 

[Mtbjay]

Tundra,

I rode the KTM 990 Adventure, and Truimph Tiger 800 X/C before discovering the Tenere. The Tenere is sure nice, but if you want power and speed, I think the new KTM or the Mulitstrada will float your boat over the Tenere. While I'm no racer, I reason you'll find Tenere too heavy for serious fun at speed (at least I do). It's sheer bulk and power-to-weight is simply unfavorable for really quick handling. (Then again, I came from a 360lb Ducati Monster prior to the Tenere). I do find the Tenere a terrific bike for long journeys in any weather, carrying everything but the kitchen sink. It's a spirited pack mule in my book. Fast enough, but not really quick. I've never taken it on a serious dirt ride, but it's fine on forest service roads with stock 90/10 tires, as long as I'm conservative in my riding style.

I'm sure you've noticed that on paper, the new KTM, BMW and Ducati are much more powerful than the Tenere. More importantly, the KTM -and especially the Ducati- are also substantially lighter. Their power-to-weight ratios enhance everything and would be paramount to my decision... so long as cost were no object. With the Yamaha, I'd worry I couldn't pick the damn thing up if I ever tipped over! (With the Duc, I'm sure I'd find myself riding conservatively off-road for fear of a putting a scratch in it… but the KTM seems ready to take it's lumps and add to it's character.)

However... if you're looking for bang for the buck, the Yamaha wins, hands down. Especially if you score one on deep discount like I did! And you'll have plenty of scratch left over to accessorize it (and add more weight, ha ha.).

While I am not mechanic, but I never had any problems with my Ducati over 3-years and 15,000 miles of spirited riding. I found the KTM's to exude quality too, even more than the Yamaha I dare say? The Ducati's valve intervals are much longer than before and a non-factor in my book, as I prize riding dynamics well before maintenance needs. Then there is the new tech of instantly adjustable suspension on both the new KTM and Ducati. Complications of the added electronics aside, the ability to tune the suspension (as well as power delivery) on-the-fly is very appealing. With all the added speed those powerful and expensive bikes bring, I'd welcome the added security of a supple, smart suspension.

Anyway, that's my two-cents worth!

 

[snakebitten]

I have an LC8 KTM.

It's an enthusiastic piece of work. Designed to deliver a great experience.
And while there is a certain "quality" to it, it's a different quality than I would say the Yamaha has.

I would say the KTM is a performance quality.
The Yamaha is a reliability quality.

And, of course, a degree of overlap amongst both.

There are some fellas with high mileage LC8s. But they will tell you it requires a certain degree of vigilance.
A clueless-anybody can get high mileage out of the Tenere.

 

[EricV]

I think the KTM has even less maintenance than suggested here. The "by the book" service interval of the S10 is 4k mi, with valves at 26k. The service interval of the KTM is 9300 mi, with valve checks at 18,600.

Please state your source. I'm seeing on the KTM site that valve checks are every 15,000 kms (or closer to 10k miles. (actually 9320)) LINK

The KTM R model is 100 lbs lighter and has more Hp. I'm sure it's a fun bike, but that comes at a price in terms of maintenance and chain drive, among other things. The S10 is much lower maintenance with longer valve check intervals. I was never referring to service intervals as oil change intervals. That's owner service for most riders. And at the owner's discretion.

@ MtbJay - Don't take this the wrong way, but if I only rode 15k over three years, service intervals wouldn't be a factor either. I covered that in a couple of weeks this past summer. But that's a valid point you made, the intervals may or may not have an impact on each individual's perspective, depending on how much they ride. ::008::

 

[Rasher]

But that's a valid point you made, the intervals may or may not have an impact on each individual's perspective, depending on how much they ride. ::008::

Most UK riders do few miles, I reckon the average for big bikes is about 3k per year over here, the average Multistrada owner will be well into his third bike by the time the first one needs the valve check, with the new owner of his original one reeling from the £1,000 service cost when it hits that mileage.

If I was in the finance loop that many new bike owners are (i.e. paying £200 per month and getting a new bike every 3 years / 10k) servicing would not worry me, but as I buy a bike for cash and keep it until I fancy another one and have the cash to buy it service costs and long term reliability come quite high up the list, ruling out Ducati's, KTM's and BMW's, a lotto win would change all that (except the BMW, would still avoid them like the plague)

 

[krussell]

Please state your source. I'm seeing on the KTM site that valve checks are every 15,000 kms (or closer to 10k miles. (actually 9320)) LINK

http://www.ktm.com/uploads/tx_ktmproduct/techdocs/14_3213108_en_OM_8925b0.pdf

2014 US Owners Manual, page 94

 

[EricV]

Interesting conflict. They doubled the interval from EU to US. ??? I've seen KTMs before. Don't think I'd trust them on that 18,600. Not, at least, on the first interval. History says they can't manage that well. But still, interesting all the same.

 

[krussell]

The EU manual has the same interval, and there's some press quotes on it. A new "coating."

"A new “diamond-like coating” on the finger followers helps KTM extend valve-inspection intervals; on the 1190, you check them for the first time at 18,641 miles

Read more: http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/firstrides/122_1305_2014_ktm_1190_adventure/viewall.html#ixzz2lp1AP1rS