Review KTM 1190 Adventure

Agent Orange

There’s a new contender in the adventure bike segment, but does the scarily powerful KTM 1190 Adventure have what it takes to dethrone the BMW R1200GS?

The big, thudding KTM 950 of yesteryear started out as a Dakar Rally experiment. When the guy in the street was first able to buy one a decade ago, it quickly gained a passionate following among bikers who appreciated the hard-as-nails approach.

But the 950 had its fair share of detractors, too. The ride was uncompromising and the electronics were crude compared to the competitor bikes from Europe and the Far East.

Now we have the new KTM 1190 Adventure, a more refined bike that KTM hopes will lure buyers away fro m the increasingly popular BMW 1200GS. Well, let’s see it in action.

 Starting with the seat. 
The standard Adventure model has a split seat, which means the pillion sits slightly higher than the rider. The rider seat is heightadjustable and although it’s no sofa, it’s way more comfortable than the seat on the 950 and the 990.

If you’re a wannabe Marc Coma, the Adventure R is fitted with a nonadjustable bench seat for aggressive, one-up riding.

The 990 had a similar seat but it was so high that only Andries Bekker would have been able to put his feet flat at a traffic light. Mercifully, the bench seat on the Adventure R is lower.

 What if I want to go on a long trip? 
Motorcycle touring encourages thrifty packing, but if you want to use this bike for extended road trips, KTM makes a good luggage system.

The complete touring kit (tank bag, top box and twin panniers) holds a respectable 136 â„", but it doesn’t come cheap â€" be prepared to shell out just shy of R20k.

 It’s all about the looks. 
The 1190 Adventure is certainly prettier than its predecessor, but unfortunately it’s also less distinctive. Apparently this was done deliberately so the bike would appeal to a wider market.

The partially exposed trellis frame weighs only 9,8 kg and the two-into-one exhaust ends in a beefy silencer. It might be bigger and heavier than the old 990, but it feels smaller and more nimble than its BMW rival.

 Hello, 21st century. 
Finally, KTM has invested some moola into electronic riding aids like ABS, traction control and tilt sensors. Enduro riders needn’t feel disempowered â€" once you select “off-road” mode on the computer, the front and rear brakes unlink and function independently.

Irritatingly, this also moderates the engine’s hectic 148 hp output to a “safe” 100 hp. You can turn off the riding aids altogether, but KTM makes it a little more difficult to do so. Other impressive features include a smooth, electronic throttle; a slipper clutch that changes gears smartly; electronically adjustable suspension (not on the R version) and tubeless tyres â€" finally!

Optional extras include a heated seat and heated hand grips, an alarm system and auxiliary spotlights.

 How thirsty is it? 
KTM says it’s 20 % more efficient than the 990, with a claimed consumption of 5,88 â„"/100 km. When I rode the bike I got 8,33 â„"/100 km, but only because I was a little bit reckless with its phenomena l power.

 How’s the ride? 
The Adventure is fitted with a 19” front wheel and a wider back wheel, which makes it more appropriate for touring on tar. The R model has a 21” front wheel and a narrower back wheel better suited to roads littered with rocks.

Both models come with a steering damper, which you’ll need when you’re blasting along a back road at 265 km/h. Yes, the 1190 is extraordinarily fast for a bike in this category. The new technology might be a departure from the bike’s rally origins, but it makes for an awesomely smooth ride.

 Best thing about it?  The 1190 will handle almost any road Africa can throw at it.

 Worst thing?  Don’t expect off-road tyres to last on a bike as pow erful as this.