Best KTM Super Adventure 1290 video review ever!!! You've covered all the angles! That's exactly what I wanted and what most want, a real user long term review as impartial as possible. Congrats again and the image quality, video takes and scenery are just awesome! Best regards from Argentina!
I got my full motorcycle license in February. At the end of February I took some bikes for test drive. The BMW 1250 GS, the Honda Africa Twin adventure sports 2020 DCT, and the manual version, the KTM 790 adventure S and the KTM 1290 super adventure S. I tested all the bikes in the same week. The last one that I tested was de Honda Africa Twin adventure sports manual, but the experience I had on the 1290SAS was so amazing that I've forgotten the feelings I had in the other bikes. What an experience, that bike is so amazing that it will be my next bike after all this coronashit ends.
Congrats to your full license. This is absolutely the way to go - try all the bikes yourself and see what you like. I tried the Ducati Multistrada first at the time - then the BMW R 1200 GS and even through I wanted to like the Ducati more I decided on the BMW ... until my first ride on this KTM and I have not looked back ;-)
I went from an Africa Twin AS to a 2018 KTM 1290 SA R. Both bikes are awesome in their own way. The KTM is much tighter and engaging, but I liked the torque curve of the AT more. Off road the AT has a sweet spot at around 4000 rpm that is absolutely intoxicating.
@@phoenix10452 Thank you Michael - the AT is another one of those bikes I have not been able to try out yet - need to put this one on the list too I guess ;-)
@@phoenix10452 I have a 2018 ATAS now, which I am in the process of trading in for a 2020 1290 SAR. I love many things about the AT, for sure. I think it both looks and sounds better than the 1290 SAR - but it lacks power. 95 horses get boring on the pavement (but is enough off-road). I find myself riding much more on pavement, but still want to be able to enjoy gravel roads whenever I want, so I'm hoping the 1290 SAR will be a good fit for me. Hoping for spring as soon as possible now, so I can go get my KTM :)
Pragmatic Tornado you will love the KTM. It is so tight and engaging. You will have to get used to the standing position on the KTM. You will not be standing almost upright like on the ATAS. The standing position of the KTM is attack mode, with your body hunched forward, which is good for dynamic off-road riding but less comfortable. You could of course compromise by installing risers. I choose to get used to it :-)
I am thinking of buying this bike, & after watching this fantastic & in-depth review i am! I have watched lots of reviews on this bike - this is the best on TH-cam. Thank you
Thank you for your honest and thorough review. Bought a 2020 KTM 1290 SA and will be picking up today! So thrill! Normally a Harley girl but this bike changed my mind toward more sport touring. Keeping the street glide so I can still hang with my friends. Looking forward to the next adventure in my life! Cheers
Thank so much and congratulations on your new motorcycle - how exciting to look forward to the very first ride with a brand new bike 😎 I actually started my bike journey on a Harley Davidson before switching to an adventure bike and eventually to the KTM 1290 SAS - I did a short video on it th-cam.com/video/-Jh1lb0Jt9A/w-d-xo.html. I wished I could have kept my HD too -lucky you 😉 - when I am back in the US I at least get to ride one for a day or two - last time I had a street glide th-cam.com/video/pK2X9rpG2ys/w-d-xo.html 😎 ride safe and enjoy your adventures - cheers 🤙
Thank you for taking the time and effort to make this for us. It's most appreciated that a real owner has given us relevant information and not a waste of time Press release (journalist ).
I have the same bike. Love it! Over 24,000 miles in 18 months! This is by far the best bike I have owned. The Alps look like a lot more fun then The Rockies are for riding. Thanks for the video! Be well! Ride fast! :)
Thanks for you comment! Good to hear you are happy with your KTM too - The Alps are amazing - come over and check them out - the Rockies are still on my list - maybe next time with an adventure bike instead of a Harley Davidson ;-)
Your praise is very much appreciated - I was hoping to give this review a different spin and not redo what is already online. I hope you are staying healthy in the States - the numbers are very concerning and they are rising fast - I have family in the US as my wife is American - -cheers!
Outstanding. Well done and highly informative. I’ve had one year with my 2019 KTM 1290 SAS and, after 6k mikes, I loved learning something new and some of your objective comments. One day I’ll get to some of those Alp roads. Thank you.
Thanks for the perfect review! Really appreciated watching it. I ride a 1290 SAR since a couple of years after having had a BMW R1100GS since 1995 (I still have it as a second bike). All you described is so true, awesome enginge and breaks, great riding positioning, best bike I have ridden so far
I did not know how many great roads there are until I started exploring them and I have only seen a few yet. However, depending on where you live in the US there should be plenty of legal choices of riding offroad (which is quite limited in Europe) and there certainly is no lack of beautiful scenery and nature 😉 Ride Safe!
Very comprehensive review - enjoyed it. Not many decent mileage / time frame reviews around so made it more noteworthy. I nearly bought one several years ago but was put off by KTM reliability and poor local dealer service. Glad to hear you have had no problems. I like the fact that you invested in a set of off road wheels to truly get best value.
Thank you very much for you nice comment 😉 since I started this channel I have been reading about the hit and miss with reliability on KTMs from some owners. I know I had my fair share of issues on the BMW R 1200 GS - I also know it is not representative of all BMWs - it just really sucks when it is you. Anyway - let's see what the offroad end will bring in the future - it is a lot of fun but I definitly need more practice to feel anywhere near as comfortable as I do on the road. cheers - stay healthy!
Had the privilege of test riding the '17 1290 sa for 4hrs (city traffic, hwy & mountain twisties (no off-road)). The bike was phenomenal. The power.....sublime. Decided at that time to go with the '17 1200 gsa as I couldn't get past the elevated engine heat & chain maintenance. Whilst I can truly appreciate some "hot buns" just not my own. Otherwise a spectacular machine. mv a spot-on review ✌️✌️
Thank you for your nice comment. 😎 Good point about the engine heat - due to the design your buns (and crown jewels) are a bit closer to the hot parts of the engine - with heavy stop and go traffic that may become an issue but nothing compared to the Harley Davidson (air-cooled) big twins that I owned 😂. The BMW is much better in this respect. Keep cool and stay healthy! 👍
Very good review my friend, it’s great to hear a real time “live” riders review and not a sycophantic journalist just raving because it’s the latest bike on the block. I had a Ktm 1190 adv,r in 2014 but sadly had a number of issues, reliability wise, but the bike was a blast when in good shape... I’m with you with the locations, the Alps are a riders paradise, oh to live nearer would be a dream, but as soon as the horrific Covid 19 is gone I’ll be back.... Ride safe , great vids. Cheers ....
Thank you for the appreciation. It is not like I do not watch these reviews too (I watched a ton of them before buying this bike) - I was hoping to provide a different perspective in addition to what is already available. I am sorry to hear you had all these issues. I suppose I have been lucky so for. I had a lot of troubles with my BMW R 1200 GS - all covered under warranty but still. I am keeping my fingers crossed that life will turn to normal by the time summer comes around but until then I am doing my part and staying home ;-) stay healthy!
I purchased the 1290sas very recently, still waiting for delivery, actually. I come of a Tracer 700 and did test rides on the Tracer 900GT which made clear i like twins, and the BMW GS which felt very comfy. But the thrill you feel when you ride a motorcycle that fits you perfect, i got with the KTM. Anyway, i looked as many reviews and movies on YT i could find and i really like yours. Keep it up, you have a new follower 😉!
This review is now the reason I am 100% set on picking up the 1290 S. Was a bit reluctant, due to I ride 70/30 Street and dirt, but me and my ADV buddies do ALOT of long distances to get to our spots. Thanks for this awesome review! Has given me confidence in my upcoming purchase.
Hi there . Really loves your videos . I got myself exactly the same bike as yours, that I brought home the day confinement started . So, it sleeps in my garage since then... cannot wait to experience it. In the meanwhile , I’m relying on you to imagine what it’s alike . Many thanks for the nice videos, and review . Be safe , and Ride safe thereafter....
Congrats on the purchase - I can feel your pain - now you have that brand new beauty of a beast in the garage and you cannot take it for a spin. Your time will come. Thanks for your comment and for watching - stay healthy!
MotoVibes thanks buddy! We have a lot of great roads here in Ireland too, you should take a trip here sometime 👍 here’s a small clip of one th-cam.com/video/BiBtYu6LxpM/w-d-xo.html
Got my new 1290 SAS and managed one ride before the lock down started. I love the bike and it's a good evolution from the 1190 SA that I had. Unfortunately the dealer hadn't disabled the transport lock so it refused to start after 3 hours riding. Luckily I was back home by then! I'm hoping for a good price for its first service after their mistake. Great review 👍
Congrats to your new bike John! I did not even know there was such a thing as a transport lock ;-) That would have been a real pain if the bike had refused to start in a middle of a long tour. Let's hope we will get through this lock down phase quickly - it is especially hard because the weather is starting to get really nice now. stay healthy!
High quality video as usual. The KTM, ducati and BMW are all excellent bikes. I chose the r1250gs exclusive. Why ? Three main reasons - 1. BMW quality, customer service and 3 year warranty ( comes at a price !) 2.Shaft drive - I am lazy and chain cleaning, oiling etc is toilsome. 3. Stability and telelever suspension is second to none. There is a reason the GS wipes the floor year after year in sales compared with all other bikes - it is the best all rounder in my opinion ( and it is only a personal opinion).
Gordon - thanks for your comment. The BMW R 1250 GS is an excellent motorcycle and a choice you cannot go wrong with. I do miss the low to no maintenance of a shaft drive some times ;-) btw. you can get 2 additional years of warranty (to make it 4 total) with KTM - at least in Germany. Money well spent on a little bit of piece of mind. Thanks for watching & stay healthy!
Regarding high-speed stability, I know that the jacket plays a very important role. If it is not as stiff as a leather jacket, it will start to flap in the back and make your shoulders and therefore the handlebars move. So it's more a question of wind protection and the jacket will play a role in the stability of the bike.
Absolutely - I have noticed that wearing the airbag vest helps in this regard. I was able to go quite a bit faster last weeked coming back from my day trip th-cam.com/video/AYQ7Ps02OZk/w-d-xo.html
its been 2 years as well for me! amazing bike! also around 30k kms! love it everyday! make sure to add the Rottweiler Airbox System! it will transform the bike to a new level!
Good to hear - I looked at the airbox and the Rottweile kits - really cool stuff but it would likely get me into trouble as our bikes have to pass tmandatory echnical inspection and emissions testing every 2 year.
Cheets from Texas USA my friend. I just bought a new 2019 silver n blk. Absolutely love it, specially being 6'2. Love your video content and fantastic commentary. Thanks for sharing your adventures and advice. Great work!
willraven7 then you very much! Congratulations on your KTM. my riding buddy Thomas that you see in the videos a lot just bought the exact same bike. Once we can travel again you will likely see your bike on this channel more often 😎 I bet you had a big grin under your helmet when you took your bike for a first ride 😁 Ride Safe ! Cheers.
@@MotoVibes yes sir! Was raining lightly when i drove hm from the dealer. I put it in rain mode and smiled all the way home 40 miles so much my face hurt. Specially trading in a harley streetglide (hd was like sitting in a small kids chair)😁
@@willraven7 That is quite the transition from a Harley Davidson to a large adventure bike - a transition I get absolutely relate too. I started riding (again) on Harley Davidson Softail Deluxe before I moved to a BMW R 1200 GS and eventually the KTM 1290 SAS. I did a short recap of that bike journey of mine while I was riding with my brother th-cam.com/video/-Jh1lb0Jt9A/w-d-xo.html
@@MotoVibes i watched that one too...im 51 but grew up riding dirt and crotch rockets...had a few HDs and just not the same as a bad ass ADV ...KTM ROCKS. ill never go back !!
Awesome longterm review, brilliant bike,i’m considering one of these this year…and the roads man THE ROADS..! how we’ve missed travelling to Europe,riden most of those roads too.10 out ten sir.
@@MotoVibes Hi,i'll definitely be looking at the 2021 version, but over here in the North West of England some dealers have still got unregistered 2020 models at good prices.I tested a 1190 SA a few years back and that went very well,so the 1290 should be great.
@@stevedenny3547 same over here - they have had really good deals on the 2020 models as most manufacturers are still sitting EURO4 bikes that they need to sell soon. With up to a 4k Euro price difference to the 2021 model I would be torn too ;-)
Great review man. I really like your vlog. I too have a 1290 sas and your givi windscreen recommendation was on the spot! By the way, on insane speeds try setting the suspension on the "ride with pillion mode"while you ride alone, this will set the preload of the bike and will give you a "more to the ground" feeling of your front wheel.
Thank you - I also did that but the biggest influence seem to be the cloths for me - baggy goretex textil will be a lot worse than a tight fitting leather suit. However, wearing my airbag vest helped to keep my jacket tighter to the body which helped for top speed riding.
Good real world review...thanks for posting!!!! I was just at the dealer today looking at the new 2020 1290 SA..it's a beauty but I'm not sure it would be such a big step up from my trusty 1190
Keith - thanks for your feedback! The 1190 is a fantastic bike - I got to ride Thomas 1190 Adventure R a few times in past years - also for a short stretch of offroad riding and I really liked it. The 1290 refines what is already great on the 1190 but if you are happy with yours just keep it ;-) I am curious about the successor of the 1290 Super Adventure S/R which is rumored for release next year.
@@billoldreive3628 thank you very much Bill - glad this video could make a difference. If you like the 1190 R will love the 1290 - Thomas (my ridding buddy) actually bought a 1290 S in addition to his 1190 R - I guess he was sick of swapping wheels back and forth and just bought an on-road bike in addition to his off-road 1190 R ;-) He is very happy with the 1290 S - cheers
Very nice and interesting review you done after 2 years. I own the "R" model and I say you covered the pro and cons I also experienced with mine. Great that you wanted to share this with us. Keep up the hope that we ovecome this corona soon so we can start travelling again
Thank you for the nice feedback! At least we had some time over the late summer to travel a little bit before everything went back to shut down mode. I am hoping things will look better in 6-12 months ;-)
The wobble issue is common to long track/long suspension, large wheel (19”+) bikes like most adventures and harleys etc, it’s made worse with load on the back, baggy clothing, big aftermarket screens and hand guards, cameras etc, these all move the center of gravity (load) back and extend the trail/front forks, also with the extra load on your upper body from the baggy clothing means you hold the bars tighter to compensate this causes the speed wobble. BMW’s, Honda’s, Yamaha, Ducati adventurer bikes, cruisers, motard and trail bikes all do it.
Thank you for the explanation - makes absolute sense. I have to admit I have not taken a Ducati Multistrada up this speed or the BMW (just would not go that fast anyway). Clothing has made a major differene in my experience and my riding gear is extremely baggy
@@MotoVibes I had both a GS and GSA LC and the GSA doesn't have this problem because of the big tank. Especially when gassed full even with luggage. In the future i'm looking to buy a Super adventure because i like the KTM agressiveness! You can get 17 inch front wheels from Alpina. Great cost but performs and looks perfect!
Great review. I’m picking up mine next week !! Last 11 years on a BMW with several expensive mechanical problems. Looking forward to a more reliable bike.
Thank you very much. I have had issues with my BMW too but that was not the reason to switch for me. Also, read the comments if you have time - some had issues with their KTM as well and were not as lucky as me so far. Maybe pick a newer bike and get the manufacturers warranty for 2 years - you can also extend the warranty (before the 2 years run out) - which I have done for an additional 2 years just for the piece of mind. All the issues I had with the BMW were fixed under warranty and would have cost a fortune - bad enough if stuff breaks but if you then have to pay for it yourself that really can spoil the fun ;-) Now may be a good time to pull the trigger on a new bike - end of season and rumor has it that the successor of the 1290 SAS / SAR will be anounced for next season which may get you good deals on the current model - good luck
Hi there really enjoyed your clip and your experiences and honesty, for so many years now having not decided to buy a venture bike as so curious to see which companies are bringing to the table their willingness to perfect their bikes has me overwhelmed and a little confusing and so in appreciation on your lip here has boutique me one step closer to deciding which adv to buy thanks again I be looking forward to more of your clips cheers from Australia...
Thank you very much for your kind comment. There is indeed a lot happening with regards to developments in this segment - as always: if you wait long enough there will be something better down the line ;-) Ride Safe & stay healthy! cheers
Thanks for the incredible review. I just ordered a new KTM 2020 Super Adventure S. I currently have a Super Duke R and I wanted the comfort of an adventure bike but the power of a sports bike. You just reassured me about my decision. Thanks.
So after 2 months with it I can say that the one big disappointment from this bike is the heat. I live in Israel and we have a hot summer and a short winter and this motorcycle is producing so much heat that it is sometimes unbearable. I added any power part exist and this bike is burning. The super duke that I had was hot but not even close. It is very disappointing and makes me want to sell the bike.
Thank you very much - if Offroad is your thing and you are tall enough the R is the way to go - I think the R looks more badass too - I really like the big 21" front wheel and spoked wheels look more fitting to this type of bike. The S version is almost too big for me - I am 180cm ;-)
I own an 18 SAR and I adore it. It's literally my daily rider, a job at which it excels at. It's also very capable offroad and a weapon in the twisties, so if you can fit (and have experience) I'd jump on one. Stay well.
Really enjoyed your review and the accompanying comments, I learned a lot from you all. I've just traded my 2014 AS and waiting for a run-out 2019 SAS to arrive here in Australia. Where I live in the wet tropics, we have mountain ranges with lots of twisties and varied terrain. In times gone by I did the demanding off-road stuff on my 990 adventure, it was a great experience and in some cases just to prove it could be done! The big adventure bikes have their limits so smaller it is for me when tackling the challenging offroad stuff. I'm just looking forward to throwing my leg over the 1290 and going for a blast mostly anywhere there's some form of pavement, it's that simple really...Thanks for sharing your experiences ...Happy Days
Hi Eddie - sorry for the late reply - sometimes I reply and it the response does not get saved for some reason. Congrats on your new 1290 SAS! The SAS is a great road bike for sure - there are definitely limits to how offroad this bike can handle - for the most part the limit is with rider at the moment but I am getting better. I noticed that the SAS suspension can handly some offoad but hits its limit really fast and of course the weight of the bike (any big ADV bike for that matter) is limitting - really make me want to try out a much lighter enduro bike some day. I watched quite a few videos from your country men and their adventures in the Australian bush. Really amazing scenery! Enjoy your new bike & Ride Safe!
MotoVibes G’day and thanks for your reply and interesting comments. I picked up my bike today and rode into the evening (awesome lights) taking a long ride into the county to visit my 92-year-old Mum. I wished I had a camera set up like you as it was a beautiful trip west through the mountains chasing the setting sun. I did get a speeding ticket though; it's about time as I've been fortunate to to get busted for a long time. You’re right about riding in the dirt, the big adventure bikes are just to prove it can be done hehe; I've ridden dirt most of my life, and it only makes sense to go smaller, I would seriously consider the KTM 790 Adventure R for long distance adventure off-road riding or a 500exc for blazing the tighter trails; I want both plus my 1290 SAS🙈 All the best on two wheels my friend. Cheers Eddie
Eddie Hayes well, i am sure your mom is happy you have a fast bike now. Gets you there much faster 😂 I have had my share of tickets too. It’s easy to go a little too fast. Now that you have a bike pick up a GoPro and record some of your rides - even if it is just for yourself. As the R model - I actually went by the dealer today just to see if I could live with the extra seat height of the 1290 SAR. Maybe I could. Let’s see. Ride safe 😎🤙
Thank you very much - the 1190 is still a great bike - that is what my buddy Thomas rides. I curious to see what the model upgrade will bring - first indications show something similar to the 790 in design language - the funny tank design - you may be better off with this model then ;-)
@@MotoVibes Yes, that's why I'm so interested in the new model. I saw some spy pictures of it. I also don't really like the headlamp styling of the current KTM's.. But first ride my own bike for 100k's or something :)
Really good review... thank you very much. I would à liked earring you talk about the cost of the periodic maintenance, and also about your feeling of the semi-active suspensions. Cheers from France!
I have a KTM 1090r, it’s the worst bike I’ve ridden at High speed, sounds like all of the KTM range are not stable at high speed which shows in your video! Nice work,👍👍👏👏🏴
I’m actually doing all the things you’ve done with my 701 supermoto 🙂 I’m really tempted by a 1290 but I think It’s less fun to ride on mountain pass but on the other hand it’s way more comfortable on long journeys...
Sometimes it would be nice to have a lighter bike indeed. Offroad especially would be easier with a lighter bike. However, the 1290 is hard to beat on long distance rides
Huskyeleven Well, you will be surprised how nimble and agile that 1290 Super Adventure is. I do own a 2016 1290 Super Adventure (first edition, or later called T version), and I love to take corners at the mountain pass. As a little reminder, I am only 5’6” and mountain passes in my country mostly have more acute angled corners, and I can toss around that bike easily. Try ride one of them, and toss around the corner of a mountain pass, and you’ll be surprised, I gotta tell ya. Anyway, i would love to own a 701 Supermoto like the one you have. Take care and ride safely, Bro...✌🏽✌🏽👍🏼👍🏼
Tighten the fork bearings by the chassis, they are often losing on these bikes, and dealers suck on checking them in Service. My 2018 Ktm 1290 SAS fork play was upwards 15+mm even after the first Service, I tighten it and high-speed stability was soo good!
It's super easy, there is plenty of info about it. Under the handle bars you se one larger alu. nut maybe 36 mm in size, that one you tighten in till free play is gone (put bike on center stand and check if there is free play by hand move fork forward and backward) but remember first loosen the locking bolt torx M8 before you start tighning on that larger nut! When you tighten that larger 36 mm nut the conical bearings inside will tighten against the outer bearing and fork will be stable. When you tighten the bearings, and free play is gone, make sure steering moves lightly left and right, if it turns with resistance you tighten to much. Very easy procedure but anyways dealers just skips it! And costumers ride a woobelie bike. I do all my service my self can't trust any dealers these days.
@@JW-cq4ez Thank you - sounds easy enough - will have a look this weekend. I have a few other maintenance items on the list anyway. Thanks again for pointing this out. Ride Safe!
For road use try the Roadtec 01. The standard Pirelli and Conti fronts were demolished within 2k miles, just not suitable for the sort of pace the bike can handle. The Roadtec delivered 5k rear and 7k front, miles not kilometres.
Man, great extended and informative review.. was at the dealer today. Seriously considering buying this... Earlier this year i traded from a zzr1400 to a super tenere. I love the comfort on the super tenere, but i am missing the power of the zzr1400. It would cost me some pennies but this machine sure looks like the best thing when it comes to power combined with comfort... Never felt right to drive anything else but japanese. But your review is very convincing, also on the front of reliability! Thanks for your contributions. I've subscribed to your channel! Greetings from Amsterdam !
Thank you for the kind words and your support! I can see how a Super Tenere will be a tough match after riding fast and powerful ZZR1400 - The Super Tenere is a great bike but also quite heavy for the power it packs. I love the KTM V-twin - what a powerhouse of an engine - I have had the bike for 3 seasons and it never gets old ;-) If you are looking for a more upright seating position and even more punch - the Super Duke GT may also be worth looking at - I have not ridden the GT but I have ridden the 1290 Super Duke for a day but you said comfort is important and the 1290 SAS will have plenty of that at the push of a button. Good luck with your choice - let me know if you buy the KTM ;-) cheers
@@MotoVibes yes i was also looking at the GT but an upright position is very important for me. I also measure 1.92 meters, so the GT feels and fits like a minibike to me hahah... I will for sure let you know what happens! The super tenere is indeed a great bike, but like you are saying, the weight is definitely too much. Especially compared to the 1290 SAS. Only minor small point at this moment is going from a shaft drive to a chain again. But like i said, a minor point. With the SAS, i am absolutely willing to take care of a chain again 🙂 thanks for your feedback and i will definitely get back to you on the outcome! Once again, kind regards from Amsterdam!
@@erwindenengelsen8144 OK - at 192 cm it has to be the Super Adventure ;-) You may want to consider a chain oiler to minimize the hassle with the chain - it is stil more maintainance than a shaft drive (as you have to keep the chain clean) but if you are on tour you do not have to whip out the chain oil can after a day's ride - that time can be better spend - on the first beer for example ;-)
@@MotoVibes good advice! That can just do the trick. That beer sounds even better hahah.. hopefully the borders are open at springtime and corona virus in the past, so we can enjoy some perfect german Beers in your southern part of the country! I visited the Schwarzwald earlier this year, great riding, great Beers, great hospitality! Planning to visit Bavaria next year...
Just bought one! What a testdrive... Mental power!! On the way back to the dealership i drove right past it with a big smile on my face haha.. just to have another go at it! Man, what an incredible machine. Power and comfort in one machine, just what i wanted. Added QS , heated grips, MSR and some sprocket insulation guard to prevent excessive engine heat on warm days. More toys will probably follow during ownership, but this was the bottom of my wallet for now hahah... Expected delivery, mid january!
@@MotoVibes Yes, absolutely. I live in the Netherlands and currently riding a KTM 790 Duke. But a bit in doubt about choosing between 1290 Adventure S and the Superduke GT. Both amazing bikes!
@@sylvano1990 Best if you could take both for a spin - ususally it is pretty clear after that. However, I did not think I was going to get into offroad riding - the 1290 SAS will allow you to explore that part of riding if you ever want. Like you said - both amazing bikes ;-) Let me know what you end up picking ;-)
What do you think about the seat? Ergo seat is good I think little to high for me, the original seat I made 13mm holes in the foam in a "pattern" to soften up the foam, let's see, need to test it how it feels. I have 32" legs so I prefer the lower seat. But it's hard.
same here ;-) the PP seat is just a tad to tall for me. I mean it works but I cannot set the heals down fully - the original seat is way to uncomfortable for me. The PP seat is great for comfort and for the most part I am fine with taller ride height.
Thank you very much - the issue has been around for a while - some manage to get it fixed. I have the 2020 R now with similar issues - but I was expecting it to some degree - the extra suspension travel of the R does not help.
Cool review, I like the top view with the drone. Luckily I bought my GS 1250 HP last fall, otherwise I would have had doubts about the right decision after seeing this review 😉
yeah - but you had your eyes on the BMW from the first moment and GS 1250 GS is an awesome bike too. We can trade bikes for a while if the Touratech Event does not get cancelled now - hope to see you soon. cheers
I got my GS 1250 last fall as well and its just a better bike over all. better tech, more comfortable, just more superior. had a KTM before, its a great bike. more sport bike the touring
Vielen Dank Jörg! English reaches more people - it is exciting to know that fellow riders from all over the world are watching some of my content - also I like to watch content from other countries and I really appreciate if they go through the effort of allowing a international viewership to follow what is going on by speaking English or at least using English subtitles. The helmet is a Touratech Aventuro Carbon ;-)
How much milage do you have? I have the opportunitie to buy the exact same bike, but it have 45k miles on it. Currently have a bmw f800gs 2014....should i?
The latest 1290 still has the death wobble and you 100% spot on, they are very sensitive to setup. I have had it two up with full Touratech luggage at 236km/h on the Garmin with no issues then one up at 190 the wobble sets in, makes no difference on wire or cast on my old SAS. You will never truely lean it on the track unless you remove the center and side stand as they deck out, if you have wider pegs they will deck out as well. They are fun thou and eat the tyres after a few laps as the chassis cooks them so power slides are predictable...
I switched to the 2022 1290 SAR haven’t had the chance to take it to top speed yet. The S from 2021 was quite stable at top speed - it was a three day loaner while mine was in service 😉
Great video, ditto great information. Re crash, you were lucky and glad for that. I total'ed my previous bike (BMW 1200GSA) in June (gravel on pavement in a turn). Was not quite as lucky as you, or luckier, all depending on point of view. Marked the end of the season, and the beginning of hospital/rehab period of 5 months. All gone well, albeit (painfully) slow. On a whim I bought a 2019 1290SAS (with low mileage) a few days ago. Have since done a lot of research. The wobbling phenomena it seems one can, apparently, mitigate by among other things balance tires/rims. But the one single taks some claim helps, is to tighten up front fork/bearing. Then there's funneling of air in front. I've noticed is that the stock wind screen isn't shaped as aerodynamic as, for instance, the stock GS/GSA screen. Latter however, flop around and causes instability in high speeds, without additional brackets. Worse if you try high speed with the stock panniers on. Latter with absolutely zero aerodynamic props. Now, after a lot of research I put Puig touring screen with spoiler on the GSA. It made a huge difference regarding stability, specifically in windy conditions. One thing is the rigidity of the screen. Another is the shape. Puig have followed the same recipe on the touring screen for 1290. With experience from BMW 1200GSA it would seem probable the funneling of air can help on high speed stability also on the 1290. That is the theory side of it. Remains to be tested. I don't live in Germany, so high speed enjoyment will limit itself quite naturally. So therefore, a potential issue I'll try to mitigate before any experience. In any event, thanks again for lots of great contributions! Cheers.
You basically brought down to the point. See if it is even an issue for you- if I did not live in Germany I would even go for a short racing screen all the time ( which I kinda did this year anyway)
Vielen Dank für deine Videos! Sie waren in Summe ausschlaggebend, dass ich heute einen Kaufvertrag für meine SAS 1290 S BJ 07/18 mit 11tkm unterschrieben habe. Grüße aus Lörrach
Excellent review. I'm looking at getting back into biking after a 11 year break. Looking at the 1290 along with other similar bike. Just keep getting drawn back to the KTM. What accessories have you fitted to your bike as I noticed the orange rear sprocket? What ones do you have that you'd recommend? Thanks
Thank you Ian - I did 2 videos on most of the accessories that I have th-cam.com/video/r9qvKLRHJ4M/w-d-xo.html and this one for offroad use: th-cam.com/video/_yjVpDS4UqE/w-d-xo.html The orange sprocket was just some nice bling as I had to renew both sprockets and the chain as part of regular maintenance
Well - have a test ride and see for yourself. See if you can spend at least a full day with it. I was convinced after the first 15 min but needed the rest of the day to reconfirm my first impression ;-) cheers
Really enjoyed this video. Was on the fence about buying this bike 🏍. This enforces i am making a very good choice . Moving from a cruiser to this bike for long distance riding. I am hopeful it is comfortable in the seat for long distance rides as i am wanting something fun with power and storage . Great video 👍
Thank you very much Jeff. For long distance riding have a look at the powerparts seat from KTM. really makes a huge difference. I did a video on this and other accessories for the 1290 SAS that you may be interested in th-cam.com/video/r9qvKLRHJ4M/w-d-xo.html Cheers 😉
Fantastic video review. This is the type of long term ownership information I had hoped to find about this motorcycle. I have seen the price on used 1290 SAS bikes coming down in my area and have been considering upgrading from my 2015 tiger 800 XRX. The triumph has been a wonderful machine for me but I have outgrown it's touring capacity. I enjoy long distance touring and the tiger just does not have the power for a rider with 2 weeks of gear on it. Also the aerodynamics of the tiger leave a bit to be desired. It is interesting about the high speed wobble though, that is a problem that I get on my tiger only with the soft bags and fully loaded above 90+ mph. How would you rate the aero as far as wind noise/buffeting? Have you or would you make any changes to the windscreen?
Thank you very much! I am glad it is helpful. High speed wobble is usually not something you have to worry about at speeds less than 120 mph no matter how much you carry on the bike. I find the wind protection as good as on my former BMW 1200 GS - I had a an aftermarket windscreen on my BMW and I also have one for the KTM. Check out this video for more on that (and other accessories) th-cam.com/video/r9qvKLRHJ4M/w-d-xo.html
Comprehensive covering a number of topics, including embarrassing crashes but they happen! In process of purchasing 2019 Super Adventure S after owning Super Tenere which was excellent in reliability and versatility....just lacked character. Thanks for making the effort to provide insights.
@@MotoVibes I have purchased the bike and awaiting parts to arrive and be installed. Been reading about various electrical issues (fuel filler cap not opening, ignition not always working from key fob) so hope not left stranded somewhere. Had no issues with 2014 Yamaha Super Tenere this bike is replacing.
@@bruceleavitt9709 Do not make yourself crazy about all this - enjoy your new bike ;-) Congrats to your new purchase! Chances are that something will brake - but it many of the top end bikes have their issues but they reward you with an amazing riding experience!
Very good review, I have to try it first but think will be my next bike Riding a Kawa Z1000SX for some years but my knies don't like the position anymore for long distances :)
MotoVibes thanks. I used to live in Herrenberg Germany so have ridden those alpine passes. Am planning to buy a 2020 Adventure S. Could we have a short call sometime? (Long trips, Corner crash in alps). Thanks James
James White sure - please use the email address on my TH-cam channel page so we exchange phone numbers. I am about to leave for 2 week motorcycle trip Thursday this week so it may be getting harder to find a time slot for a call - Cheers
It should be just fine - I am the same height as you - 180cm! The PP seat will add another 2cm - not much but at our height noticable. I have gotten used to it now and it is worth the increased comfort
Only one question: what helmet camera did you use? The pictures are very good. I wonder whether you keep your head just as stable as it looks or what is your secret to get such low moving head cam footage?
Great review men,i am lookng at that bike and i have two questions:compering to gs does engine have that “im gonna chew you up and spit you out” feeling,is it to agresive and also in the traffic when is hot outside does the exhaust give you any heat problems?
Thank you very much - glad it is helpful. The 1290 is and feels more powerful than the GS - especially when you take it throught the entire rev range. Also, especially the 2018-2020 models have a certain grunt to them - the V-twin feels more purposeful and ready to race. I liked it but it is not for everyone - best thing is to take this bike on an extended test ride or rent it for a day. As for the heat - if you are stuck in slow traffic in a city on a hot summer day you will feel the heat coming form the engine like on most big bore motorcycles.
@@MotoVibes tnx on replay,i did not have chance to testride ktm but 1250 and 1300 feels kind of flat,like it does not enjoy in revs so much. It feels like you running with a wooden legs.
I did try a 1200 MS back when I was looking at switching from my Harley to an adventure bike - I have not ridden the 1260 so I cannot compare this bike to the KTM. I am hoping to ride the V4S this season and compare this one to the brand new 1290 SAS/ SAR but it will be a while before that happens
Another great video! I have a Yamaha Super Tenere and I am considering a 2019/2020 model Super Adventure. The only thing I am concerned about is overall reliability of the KTM
Thank you very much Mike - glad you found this useful. I was quite happy with the reliability with my S model - I now have a 2020 R model - I hope to stay trouble free with this one too ;-)
@@brunooberan2868 Ok - that should be something straight forward for your dealer to fix the alignment I would think but I am sure you have checked that option already. I do experience some steering bar movement at certain low speeds (steering bar is moving fast from left tor right and back etc). when riding with no hands on the steering bar.
Instability at high speeds is an issue that you generally have with all touring enduros. This is simply due to the long suspension travel. And I can confirm that this problem is particularly pronounced on the KTM 1290 SAS. In my experience, there is only one real exception and that is the BMW GS. I suspect this is due to the Telelever. The GS I rode was absolutely stable even at 200 km/h.
That is true - however, the 2021 models of the KTM did better than the predecessors. The BMW is pretty stable too but it also doesn't get up to the same top speeds as the KTM
Thank you very much and welcome to the channel 😉 Looks like you also like Harleys as I do - I just do not get to ride them that often anymore but this video here is from a 2-day trip through 4 States - one of my very early videos th-cam.com/video/pK2X9rpG2ys/w-d-xo.html
Your GREAT media contributed to my decision to purchase 1290 SA S, solid non-bias information. Question - what crash bars do you have? Obviously they performed well and like the fact they are not overwhelming aesthetically. Thanks Craig
wow - thank you for this feedback Craig - I am happy to hear that this review helped. The crash bars are actually the original KTM power parts. I am glad I get them - they are worth every penny 😎
I bought a 2018 Super Adventure R last April and sold it in September with only 4000 miles on it. The keyless fob kept stranding me and KTm wouldnt warranty the electronics so they wouldnt fix it. I also had to spend 2 days going through the bike bolt by bolt because everything was loose or hoses and wires were rubbing all over the place, but that may have the dealers fault that I bought it from. I got it home from the first ride and found missing bolts. it was an amazing ride and introduced me to the dirt side of things, but I just couldnt trust it. The bluetooth never worked, the KTM app was garbage, and the key fob shutting the bike off out in the middle of no where just killed it for me. When it ran fine, it was the best bike that Ive ever owned.
I am really sorry to read this - absolutely feel your pain. A high-end bike like the KTM needs to perform in order for you to have confidence and trust in it. That is a bit how I felt about my BMW R 1200 GS that kept having problems - not as severe as yours but still. As for the missing bolts - I had a few too but I think that was sloppy work of the shop for not clamping down the front axle correctly. Eventually you have to do the main maintenance of the bike yourself to be 100% sure. I did not for the first 2 years because of the warranty. I will start to do more myself now - with the limited means that I have of course ;-) What are you riding now if I may ask?
@@MotoVibes , Sorry for the late reply, buddy. I'm not riding currently. I just moved to The Oregon Coast and am researching bikes. Too be honest, I've really been thinking about my 1290 again. Maybe even looking at the previous gen, before they were with the keyless fob and the new dash. But I really love the new look of them today. I Have been keeping an eye on the KTM 790, Vstrom 1000 XT, Yamaha Tenere 700. But I've also been considering just getting a smaller dual sport like wr250r and putting it on a bumper rack of my xterra and then buying a dedicated road bike. I just watched a few videos of the KTM 390 adventure and though that it looks like a fun bike to go explore offroad with.
Best KTM Super Adventure 1290 video review ever!!! You've covered all the angles! That's exactly what I wanted and what most want, a real user long term review as impartial as possible. Congrats again and the image quality, video takes and scenery are just awesome! Best regards from Argentina!
Thank you very much for such a kind feedback! Made my day ;-) Nice to have viewers from Argentina too - Ride Safe!
@FITNESSOVER45 most of the time I used the Continental road attack 3 tires. They are also great for on road touring 😎
@FITNESSOVER45 i am not much of a wheelie expert but you should be able to bring the front up on pavement with TC engaged in sports mode
Very good, interesting, informative and realistic overview of 2 years with the beast! Great work and thanks.
Garry Crooks thank you for the kind feedback 😉
I got my full motorcycle license in February. At the end of February I took some bikes for test drive. The BMW 1250 GS, the Honda Africa Twin adventure sports 2020 DCT, and the manual version, the KTM 790 adventure S and the KTM 1290 super adventure S. I tested all the bikes in the same week. The last one that I tested was de Honda Africa Twin adventure sports manual, but the experience I had on the 1290SAS was so amazing that I've forgotten the feelings I had in the other bikes. What an experience, that bike is so amazing that it will be my next bike after all this coronashit ends.
Congrats to your full license. This is absolutely the way to go - try all the bikes yourself and see what you like. I tried the Ducati Multistrada first at the time - then the BMW R 1200 GS and even through I wanted to like the Ducati more I decided on the BMW ... until my first ride on this KTM and I have not looked back ;-)
I went from an Africa Twin AS to a 2018 KTM 1290 SA R. Both bikes are awesome in their own way. The KTM is much tighter and engaging, but I liked the torque curve of the AT more. Off road the AT has a sweet spot at around 4000 rpm that is absolutely intoxicating.
@@phoenix10452 Thank you Michael - the AT is another one of those bikes I have not been able to try out yet - need to put this one on the list too I guess ;-)
@@phoenix10452 I have a 2018 ATAS now, which I am in the process of trading in for a 2020 1290 SAR. I love many things about the AT, for sure. I think it both looks and sounds better than the 1290 SAR - but it lacks power. 95 horses get boring on the pavement (but is enough off-road). I find myself riding much more on pavement, but still want to be able to enjoy gravel roads whenever I want, so I'm hoping the 1290 SAR will be a good fit for me.
Hoping for spring as soon as possible now, so I can go get my KTM :)
Pragmatic Tornado you will love the KTM. It is so tight and engaging. You will have to get used to the standing position on the KTM. You will not be standing almost upright like on the ATAS. The standing position of the KTM is attack mode, with your body hunched forward, which is good for dynamic off-road riding but less comfortable. You could of course compromise by installing risers. I choose to get used to it :-)
I am thinking of buying this bike, & after watching this fantastic & in-depth review i am!
I have watched lots of reviews on this bike - this is the best on TH-cam. Thank you
Thank you for the kind words! I am glad to read that this video was helpful. You will have a great time with this motorcycle 😎🤘
Thank you for your honest and thorough review. Bought a 2020 KTM 1290 SA and will be picking up today! So thrill! Normally a Harley girl but this bike changed my mind toward more sport touring. Keeping the street glide so I can still hang with my friends. Looking forward to the next adventure in my life! Cheers
Thank so much and congratulations on your new motorcycle - how exciting to look forward to the very first ride with a brand new bike 😎 I actually started my bike journey on a Harley Davidson before switching to an adventure bike and eventually to the KTM 1290 SAS - I did a short video on it th-cam.com/video/-Jh1lb0Jt9A/w-d-xo.html. I wished I could have kept my HD too -lucky you 😉 - when I am back in the US I at least get to ride one for a day or two - last time I had a street glide th-cam.com/video/pK2X9rpG2ys/w-d-xo.html 😎 ride safe and enjoy your adventures - cheers 🤙
Thank you for taking the time and effort to make this for us. It's most appreciated that a real owner has given us relevant information and not a waste of time Press release (journalist ).
Thank you for your kind feedback 😎👍
Great review, just bought an identical colors used 2018 model, your video just convinces me I made the right choice!
Good choice! Still my favorite color scheme - I do not like the new colors. Enjoy your new KTM!
I have the same bike. Love it! Over 24,000 miles in 18 months! This is by far the best bike I have owned. The Alps look like a lot more fun then The Rockies are for riding. Thanks for the video! Be well! Ride fast! :)
Thanks for you comment! Good to hear you are happy with your KTM too - The Alps are amazing - come over and check them out - the Rockies are still on my list - maybe next time with an adventure bike instead of a Harley Davidson ;-)
Very thorough review especially after two year ownership. Your quality videos are much appreciated in these difficult times. 👍🏼 😎 🇺🇸 🇺🇸
Your praise is very much appreciated - I was hoping to give this review a different spin and not redo what is already online. I hope you are staying healthy in the States - the numbers are very concerning and they are rising fast - I have family in the US as my wife is American - -cheers!
Thanks friend, looks bad but we’ll get through this. 🙏
Be strong... greetings from Greece...
Best thing about the bike is, that you can do anything with it. From the track, over the alps to dirt. Just one bike that does it all 🤩
Absolutely. 😎👍
Outstanding. Well done and highly informative. I’ve had one year with my 2019 KTM 1290 SAS and, after 6k mikes, I loved learning something new and some of your objective comments. One day I’ll get to some of those Alp roads. Thank you.
Thank you so much for your kind feedback Anthony! Keep enjoying your KTM! I am about to head out the door for some afternoon riding ;-)
Thanks for the perfect review! Really appreciated watching it. I ride a 1290 SAR since a couple of years after having had a BMW R1100GS since 1995 (I still have it as a second bike). All you described is so true, awesome enginge and breaks, great riding positioning, best bike I have ridden so far
Glad you enjoyed it! Thank you for your nice comment too ;-)
My dream to ride the roads you have. The states are ok. Proud to ride KTM and love my 1090R.
Thanks for the great video man. Ride safe!
I did not know how many great roads there are until I started exploring them and I have only seen a few yet. However, depending on where you live in the US there should be plenty of legal choices of riding offroad (which is quite limited in Europe) and there certainly is no lack of beautiful scenery and nature 😉 Ride Safe!
Awesome thorough review of a complex machine, all situations, even crashes. And birds-eye views! Can't ask for more.
thank you ;-)
Very comprehensive review - enjoyed it. Not many decent mileage / time frame reviews around so made it more noteworthy. I nearly bought one several years ago but was put off by KTM reliability and poor local dealer service. Glad to hear you have had no problems. I like the fact that you invested in a set of off road wheels to truly get best value.
Thank you very much for you nice comment 😉 since I started this channel I have been reading about the hit and miss with reliability on KTMs from some owners. I know I had my fair share of issues on the BMW R 1200 GS - I also know it is not representative of all BMWs - it just really sucks when it is you.
Anyway - let's see what the offroad end will bring in the future - it is a lot of fun but I definitly need more practice to feel anywhere near as comfortable as I do on the road. cheers - stay healthy!
Had the privilege of test riding the '17 1290 sa for 4hrs (city traffic, hwy & mountain twisties (no off-road)). The bike was phenomenal. The power.....sublime. Decided at that time to go with the '17 1200 gsa as I couldn't get past the elevated engine heat & chain maintenance. Whilst I can truly appreciate some "hot buns" just not my own. Otherwise a spectacular machine. mv a spot-on review ✌️✌️
Thank you for your nice comment. 😎 Good point about the engine heat - due to the design your buns (and crown jewels) are a bit closer to the hot parts of the engine - with heavy stop and go traffic that may become an issue but nothing compared to the Harley Davidson (air-cooled) big twins that I owned 😂. The BMW is much better in this respect. Keep cool and stay healthy! 👍
Very very good review ! Best from what I have watched . This is the kind of review that people need. Keep it up ! Thank you !
Thank you very much for the kind words. Glad it was useful 😉
Very good review my friend, it’s great to hear a real time “live” riders review and not a sycophantic journalist just raving because it’s the latest bike on the block. I had a Ktm 1190 adv,r in 2014 but sadly had a number of issues, reliability wise, but the bike was a blast when in good shape... I’m with you with the locations, the Alps are a riders paradise, oh to live nearer would be a dream, but as soon as the horrific Covid 19 is gone I’ll be back....
Ride safe , great vids. Cheers ....
Thank you for the appreciation. It is not like I do not watch these reviews too (I watched a ton of them before buying this bike) - I was hoping to provide a different perspective in addition to what is already available. I am sorry to hear you had all these issues. I suppose I have been lucky so for. I had a lot of troubles with my BMW R 1200 GS - all covered under warranty but still. I am keeping my fingers crossed that life will turn to normal by the time summer comes around but until then I am doing my part and staying home ;-) stay healthy!
I purchased the 1290sas very recently, still waiting for delivery, actually. I come of a Tracer 700 and did test rides on the Tracer 900GT which made clear i like twins, and the BMW GS which felt very comfy. But the thrill you feel when you ride a motorcycle that fits you perfect, i got with the KTM. Anyway, i looked as many reviews and movies on YT i could find and i really like yours. Keep it up, you have a new follower 😉!
First of all congrats to your new awesome motorcycle! Thank you for the kind words and positive feedback - Ride Safe & Stay Awesome 😎
One of the best review of this bike!!!
Гудзь Роман thanks for your nice feedback 😎
Amazing review!
Great video editing, as usual... As I always say, you deserve way more subscribers man!
Cheers...
Thank you very much for the praise - I am glad you like it 😎👍
Paulo Soares indeed. Best review by far about the SAS (i have watched a lot) on top of that, a very likeable guy!
This review is now the reason I am 100% set on picking up the 1290 S. Was a bit reluctant, due to I ride 70/30 Street and dirt, but me and my ADV buddies do ALOT of long distances to get to our spots. Thanks for this awesome review! Has given me confidence in my upcoming purchase.
AdventureHoon that’s nice to know - thank for your kind feedback 😉
Hi there . Really loves your videos . I got myself exactly the same bike as yours, that I brought home the day confinement started . So, it sleeps in my garage since then... cannot wait to experience it. In the meanwhile , I’m relying on you to imagine what it’s alike . Many thanks for the nice videos, and review . Be safe , and Ride safe thereafter....
Congrats on the purchase - I can feel your pain - now you have that brand new beauty of a beast in the garage and you cannot take it for a spin. Your time will come. Thanks for your comment and for watching - stay healthy!
You do a great job on your content. Love watching your stuff.
Thank you Tod 👍🏼 😎 and thank you for watchig 👍
I just traded in my MT10 for a new 1290 SAS, I pick it up in a few days and I’m very excited. Thanks for the review, some of those roads are amazing
Mbal 40 very cool. Congratulations to your new ride. Keep the shiny side up 🤙
MotoVibes thanks buddy! We have a lot of great roads here in Ireland too, you should take a trip here sometime 👍 here’s a small clip of one th-cam.com/video/BiBtYu6LxpM/w-d-xo.html
Great minds think alike, congratulations mate. I traded my 1190S yesterday for 1290SAS, just waiting for it to arrive. All the best in riding!
@@EddieHayes Congratulations to your new KTM ;-) I hope you get it soon!
Got my new 1290 SAS and managed one ride before the lock down started.
I love the bike and it's a good evolution from the 1190 SA that I had. Unfortunately the dealer hadn't disabled the transport lock so it refused to start after 3 hours riding. Luckily I was back home by then!
I'm hoping for a good price for its first service after their mistake.
Great review 👍
Congrats to your new bike John! I did not even know there was such a thing as a transport lock ;-) That would have been a real pain if the bike had refused to start in a middle of a long tour. Let's hope we will get through this lock down phase quickly - it is especially hard because the weather is starting to get really nice now. stay healthy!
High quality video as usual. The KTM, ducati and BMW are all excellent bikes. I chose the r1250gs exclusive. Why ? Three main reasons - 1. BMW quality, customer service and 3 year warranty ( comes at a price !) 2.Shaft drive - I am lazy and chain cleaning, oiling etc is toilsome.
3. Stability and telelever suspension is second to none.
There is a reason the GS wipes the floor year after year in sales compared with all other bikes - it is the best all rounder in my opinion ( and it is only a personal opinion).
Gordon - thanks for your comment. The BMW R 1250 GS is an excellent motorcycle and a choice you cannot go wrong with. I do miss the low to no maintenance of a shaft drive some times ;-) btw. you can get 2 additional years of warranty (to make it 4 total) with KTM - at least in Germany. Money well spent on a little bit of piece of mind. Thanks for watching & stay healthy!
Regarding high-speed stability, I know that the jacket plays a very important role. If it is not as stiff as a leather jacket, it will start to flap in the back and make your shoulders and therefore the handlebars move. So it's more a question of wind protection and the jacket will play a role in the stability of the bike.
Absolutely - I have noticed that wearing the airbag vest helps in this regard. I was able to go quite a bit faster last weeked coming back from my day trip th-cam.com/video/AYQ7Ps02OZk/w-d-xo.html
its been 2 years as well for me! amazing bike! also around 30k kms! love it everyday! make sure to add the Rottweiler Airbox System! it will transform the bike to a new level!
Good to hear - I looked at the airbox and the Rottweile kits - really cool stuff but it would likely get me into trouble as our bikes have to pass tmandatory echnical inspection and emissions testing every 2 year.
Most enjoyable of your videos. I should have started with it. Being a Porsche mechanic and a ex AMA racer I really related to your views! Thank you!
Thank you very much for your feedback - that means a lot 😉
Cheets from Texas USA my friend. I just bought a new 2019 silver n blk. Absolutely love it, specially being 6'2.
Love your video content and fantastic commentary. Thanks for sharing your adventures and advice. Great work!
willraven7 then you very much! Congratulations on your KTM. my riding buddy Thomas that you see in the videos a lot just bought the exact same bike. Once we can travel again you will likely see your bike on this channel more often 😎 I bet you had a big grin under your helmet when you took your bike for a first ride 😁 Ride Safe ! Cheers.
@@MotoVibes yes sir!
Was raining lightly when i drove hm from the dealer. I put it in rain mode and smiled all the way home 40 miles so much my face hurt. Specially trading in a harley streetglide (hd was like sitting in a small kids chair)😁
@@willraven7 That is quite the transition from a Harley Davidson to a large adventure bike - a transition I get absolutely relate too. I started riding (again) on Harley Davidson Softail Deluxe before I moved to a BMW R 1200 GS and eventually the KTM 1290 SAS. I did a short recap of that bike journey of mine while I was riding with my brother
th-cam.com/video/-Jh1lb0Jt9A/w-d-xo.html
@@MotoVibes i watched that one too...im 51 but grew up riding dirt and crotch rockets...had a few HDs and just not the same as a bad ass ADV ...KTM ROCKS. ill never go back !!
@@MotoVibes for an off road 2nd bike, would you go for a 690 enduro or the exc 500 ??😎
Awesome longterm review, brilliant bike,i’m considering one of these this year…and the roads man THE ROADS..! how we’ve missed travelling to Europe,riden most of those roads too.10 out ten sir.
Thank you for the kind words Steve. Will you be looking at the 2021 model then which was just announced?!
@@MotoVibes Hi,i'll definitely be looking at the 2021 version, but over here in the North West of England some dealers have still got unregistered 2020 models at good prices.I tested a 1190 SA a few years back and that went very well,so the 1290 should be great.
@@stevedenny3547 same over here - they have had really good deals on the 2020 models as most manufacturers are still sitting EURO4 bikes that they need to sell soon. With up to a 4k Euro price difference to the 2021 model I would be torn too ;-)
Great review man. I really like your vlog. I too have a 1290 sas and your givi windscreen recommendation was on the spot! By the way, on insane speeds try setting the suspension on the "ride with pillion mode"while you ride alone, this will set the preload of the bike and will give you a "more to the ground" feeling of your front wheel.
Thank you very much - glad the Givi screen worked for you too. I will try the preload setting - thank you for the tip ;-)
Hi great video, i just tightened the steering head bearings about half a turn no more wobble.
Thank you - I also did that but the biggest influence seem to be the cloths for me - baggy goretex textil will be a lot worse than a tight fitting leather suit. However, wearing my airbag vest helped to keep my jacket tighter to the body which helped for top speed riding.
Also drop the fork legs down will also help lots
Excellent video! You really set the bar for editing a motorcycle video. It looks good and is easy to view. Keep it up!!
GOODLUC2U
Thank you very much 😉 glad you found this useful 🤙
Great video. Thank you I’m now convinced this is my next bike!
thank you very much for your nice feedback! I am curious - what are you riding now?
Good real world review...thanks for posting!!!! I was just at the dealer today looking at the new 2020 1290 SA..it's a beauty but I'm not sure it would be such a big step up from my trusty 1190
Keith - thanks for your feedback! The 1190 is a fantastic bike - I got to ride Thomas 1190 Adventure R a few times in past years - also for a short stretch of offroad riding and I really liked it. The 1290 refines what is already great on the 1190 but if you are happy with yours just keep it ;-) I am curious about the successor of the 1290 Super Adventure S/R which is rumored for release next year.
Also have a 1190R (love it) , thinking of upgrading to a 1290s. This review has convinced me. Thanks very much for a great video.
@@billoldreive3628 thank you very much Bill - glad this video could make a difference. If you like the 1190 R will love the 1290 - Thomas (my ridding buddy) actually bought a 1290 S in addition to his 1190 R - I guess he was sick of swapping wheels back and forth and just bought an on-road bike in addition to his off-road 1190 R ;-) He is very happy with the 1290 S - cheers
Very good review, best I have seen in a looong while!
Thank you very much for the kind words! cheers!
Very nice and interesting review you done after 2 years.
I own the "R" model and I say you covered the pro and cons I also experienced with mine.
Great that you wanted to share this with us. Keep up the hope that we ovecome this corona soon so we can start travelling again
Thank you for the nice feedback! At least we had some time over the late summer to travel a little bit before everything went back to shut down mode. I am hoping things will look better in 6-12 months ;-)
The wobble issue is common to long track/long suspension, large wheel (19”+) bikes like most adventures and harleys etc, it’s made worse with load on the back, baggy clothing, big aftermarket screens and hand guards, cameras etc, these all move the center of gravity (load) back and extend the trail/front forks, also with the extra load on your upper body from the baggy clothing means you hold the bars tighter to compensate this causes the speed wobble. BMW’s, Honda’s, Yamaha, Ducati adventurer bikes, cruisers, motard and trail bikes all do it.
Thank you for the explanation - makes absolute sense. I have to admit I have not taken a Ducati Multistrada up this speed or the BMW (just would not go that fast anyway). Clothing has made a major differene in my experience and my riding gear is extremely baggy
@@MotoVibes I had both a GS and GSA LC and the GSA doesn't have this problem because of the big tank. Especially when gassed full even with luggage. In the future i'm looking to buy a Super adventure because i like the KTM agressiveness! You can get 17 inch front wheels from Alpina. Great cost but performs and looks perfect!
Great review. I’m picking up mine next week !! Last 11 years on a BMW with several expensive mechanical problems. Looking forward to a more reliable bike.
Thank you very much. I have had issues with my BMW too but that was not the reason to switch for me. Also, read the comments if you have time - some had issues with their KTM as well and were not as lucky as me so far. Maybe pick a newer bike and get the manufacturers warranty for 2 years - you can also extend the warranty (before the 2 years run out) - which I have done for an additional 2 years just for the piece of mind. All the issues I had with the BMW were fixed under warranty and would have cost a fortune - bad enough if stuff breaks but if you then have to pay for it yourself that really can spoil the fun ;-) Now may be a good time to pull the trigger on a new bike - end of season and rumor has it that the successor of the 1290 SAS / SAR will be anounced for next season which may get you good deals on the current model - good luck
Hi there really enjoyed your clip and your experiences and honesty, for so many years now having not decided to buy a venture bike as so curious to see which companies are bringing to the table their willingness to perfect their bikes has me overwhelmed and a little confusing and so in appreciation on your lip here has boutique me one step closer to deciding which adv to buy thanks again I be looking forward to more of your clips cheers from Australia...
Thank you very much for your kind comment. There is indeed a lot happening with regards to developments in this segment - as always: if you wait long enough there will be something better down the line ;-)
Ride Safe & stay healthy! cheers
Thanks for the incredible review. I just ordered a new KTM 2020 Super Adventure S. I currently have a Super Duke R and I wanted the comfort of an adventure bike but the power of a sports bike. You just reassured me about my decision. Thanks.
Good choice! 😎 Thank you for your nice comment - Enjoy your new bike 👍
So after 2 months with it I can say that the one big disappointment from this bike is the heat. I live in Israel and we have a hot summer and a short winter and this motorcycle is producing so much heat that it is sometimes unbearable. I added any power part exist and this bike is burning. The super duke that I had was hot but not even close. It is very disappointing and makes me want to sell the bike.
Adir Traitel I am sorry to hear that. I am riding the KTM in warm conditions too but probably not as hot as you experience in Israel 😬
I love that bike but for me maybe the R version because a love offroad ride.nice vide and incredible bike congratulation.
Thank you very much - if Offroad is your thing and you are tall enough the R is the way to go - I think the R looks more badass too - I really like the big 21" front wheel and spoked wheels look more fitting to this type of bike. The S version is almost too big for me - I am 180cm ;-)
@@MotoVibes really? I'm 1.85 so I must forget the R version but I tried the S and it was ok for me
@@ViajandoconMabre well -try it for yourself - maybe it is fine for you - Also, the extra 5cm will help ;-)
I own an 18 SAR and I adore it. It's literally my daily rider, a job at which it excels at. It's also very capable offroad and a weapon in the twisties, so if you can fit (and have experience) I'd jump on one. Stay well.
Really enjoyed your review and the accompanying comments, I learned a lot from you all. I've just traded my 2014 AS and waiting for a run-out 2019 SAS to arrive here in Australia. Where I live in the wet tropics, we have mountain ranges with lots of twisties and varied terrain. In times gone by I did the demanding off-road stuff on my 990 adventure, it was a great experience and in some cases just to prove it could be done! The big adventure bikes have their limits so smaller it is for me when tackling the challenging offroad stuff. I'm just looking forward to throwing my leg over the 1290 and going for a blast mostly anywhere there's some form of pavement, it's that simple really...Thanks for sharing your experiences ...Happy Days
Hi Eddie - sorry for the late reply - sometimes I reply and it the response does not get saved for some reason. Congrats on your new 1290 SAS! The SAS is a great road bike for sure - there are definitely limits to how offroad this bike can handle - for the most part the limit is with rider at the moment but I am getting better. I noticed that the SAS suspension can handly some offoad but hits its limit really fast and of course the weight of the bike (any big ADV bike for that matter) is limitting - really make me want to try out a much lighter enduro bike some day. I watched quite a few videos from your country men and their adventures in the Australian bush. Really amazing scenery! Enjoy your new bike & Ride Safe!
MotoVibes
G’day and thanks for your reply and interesting comments. I picked up my bike today and rode into the evening (awesome lights) taking a long ride into the county to visit my 92-year-old Mum. I wished I had a camera set up like you as it was a beautiful trip west through the mountains chasing the setting sun. I did get a speeding ticket though; it's about time as I've been fortunate to to get busted for a long time. You’re right about riding in the dirt, the big adventure bikes are just to prove it can be done hehe; I've ridden dirt most of my life, and it only makes sense to go smaller, I would seriously consider the KTM 790 Adventure R for long distance adventure off-road riding or a 500exc for blazing the tighter trails; I want both plus my 1290 SAS🙈 All the best on two wheels my friend. Cheers Eddie
Eddie Hayes well, i am sure your mom is happy you have a fast bike now. Gets you there much faster 😂 I have had my share of tickets too. It’s easy to go a little too fast. Now that you have a bike pick up a GoPro and record some of your rides - even if it is just for yourself. As the R model - I actually went by the dealer today just to see if I could live with the extra seat height of the 1290 SAR. Maybe I could. Let’s see. Ride safe 😎🤙
Verry nice video again! I think I wait till the 2021/22 model comes out on the secondhand market as a successor of my lovely 1190
Thank you very much - the 1190 is still a great bike - that is what my buddy Thomas rides. I curious to see what the model upgrade will bring - first indications show something similar to the 790 in design language - the funny tank design - you may be better off with this model then ;-)
@@MotoVibes Yes, that's why I'm so interested in the new model. I saw some spy pictures of it. I also don't really like the headlamp styling of the current KTM's..
But first ride my own bike for 100k's or something :)
@@RiderMark how far are you into your 100k goal?
I agree with your opinions on the 1290sas. Nice video and nice riding.
Thanks a lot ;-)
What a great review! You deserve more subscribers.
jamo thank you very much for the kind words 😉
Really good review... thank you very much. I would à liked earring you talk about the cost of the periodic maintenance, and also about your feeling of the semi-active suspensions.
Cheers from France!
Pierre Escrivant merci. Thank you for the idea of doing a Video on the cost of owning this bike. It may be a while before i get to it 😉
I have a KTM 1090r, it’s the worst bike I’ve ridden at High speed, sounds like all of the KTM range are not stable at high speed which shows in your video! Nice work,👍👍👏👏🏴
Thank you Dave! I just got a tip to tighten down the steering head bearing - maybe that helps a bit. Will do that over Easter.
Excelent review beautiful photography and intellgent very listenable commentary.
Thank you kindly! 😉
I’m actually doing all the things you’ve done with my 701 supermoto 🙂 I’m really tempted by a 1290 but I think It’s less fun to ride on mountain pass but on the other hand it’s way more comfortable on long journeys...
Sometimes it would be nice to have a lighter bike indeed. Offroad especially would be easier with a lighter bike. However, the 1290 is hard to beat on long distance rides
Huskyeleven Well, you will be surprised how nimble and agile that 1290 Super Adventure is. I do own a 2016 1290 Super Adventure (first edition, or later called T version), and I love to take corners at the mountain pass. As a little reminder, I am only 5’6” and mountain passes in my country mostly have more acute angled corners, and I can toss around that bike easily. Try ride one of them, and toss around the corner of a mountain pass, and you’ll be surprised, I gotta tell ya. Anyway, i would love to own a 701 Supermoto like the one you have. Take care and ride safely, Bro...✌🏽✌🏽👍🏼👍🏼
Same here, doing all that stuff with a duke 690 😁 even 850 km straight on the autobahn without a problem, but next year I am going for a 1290S 😊
@@fennek2w662 Good plan 😊 - will you keep your 690?
@@MotoVibes my girlfriend will be the new owner of my 690, so I have the opportunity to ride it when I miss her 😁😁
Tighten the fork bearings by the chassis, they are often losing on these bikes, and dealers suck on checking them in Service. My 2018 Ktm 1290 SAS fork play was upwards 15+mm even after the first Service, I tighten it and high-speed stability was soo good!
Thank you for the tip - I need to see how I can do this myself. I asked for it at the dealership - pretty much had the same experience as you.
It's super easy, there is plenty of info about it. Under the handle bars you se one larger alu. nut maybe 36 mm in size, that one you tighten in till free play is gone (put bike on center stand and check if there is free play by hand move fork forward and backward) but remember first loosen the locking bolt torx M8 before you start tighning on that larger nut!
When you tighten that larger 36 mm nut the conical bearings inside will tighten against the outer bearing and fork will be stable.
When you tighten the bearings, and free play is gone, make sure steering moves lightly left and right, if it turns with resistance you tighten to much.
Very easy procedure but anyways dealers just skips it!
And costumers ride a woobelie bike. I do all my service my self can't trust any dealers these days.
@@JW-cq4ez Thank you - sounds easy enough - will have a look this weekend. I have a few other maintenance items on the list anyway. Thanks again for pointing this out. Ride Safe!
I also do this on my ktm mx bikes and excf's it's a must to make them more stable
For road use try the Roadtec 01. The standard Pirelli and Conti fronts were demolished within 2k miles, just not suitable for the sort of pace the bike can handle. The Roadtec delivered 5k rear and 7k front, miles not kilometres.
Steve Duke thank you for the tip! 👍
Excellent review - I love it!
Thank you very much- glad it was helpful 😉👍
Man, great extended and informative review.. was at the dealer today. Seriously considering buying this... Earlier this year i traded from a zzr1400 to a super tenere. I love the comfort on the super tenere, but i am missing the power of the zzr1400. It would cost me some pennies but this machine sure looks like the best thing when it comes to power combined with comfort... Never felt right to drive anything else but japanese. But your review is very convincing, also on the front of reliability! Thanks for your contributions. I've subscribed to your channel! Greetings from Amsterdam !
Thank you for the kind words and your support! I can see how a Super Tenere will be a tough match after riding fast and powerful ZZR1400 - The Super Tenere is a great bike but also quite heavy for the power it packs. I love the KTM V-twin - what a powerhouse of an engine - I have had the bike for 3 seasons and it never gets old ;-) If you are looking for a more upright seating position and even more punch - the Super Duke GT may also be worth looking at - I have not ridden the GT but I have ridden the 1290 Super Duke for a day but you said comfort is important and the 1290 SAS will have plenty of that at the push of a button. Good luck with your choice - let me know if you buy the KTM ;-) cheers
@@MotoVibes yes i was also looking at the GT but an upright position is very important for me. I also measure 1.92 meters, so the GT feels and fits like a minibike to me hahah... I will for sure let you know what happens! The super tenere is indeed a great bike, but like you are saying, the weight is definitely too much. Especially compared to the 1290 SAS. Only minor small point at this moment is going from a shaft drive to a chain again. But like i said, a minor point. With the SAS, i am absolutely willing to take care of a chain again 🙂 thanks for your feedback and i will definitely get back to you on the outcome! Once again, kind regards from Amsterdam!
@@erwindenengelsen8144 OK - at 192 cm it has to be the Super Adventure ;-) You may want to consider a chain oiler to minimize the hassle with the chain - it is stil more maintainance than a shaft drive (as you have to keep the chain clean) but if you are on tour you do not have to whip out the chain oil can after a day's ride - that time can be better spend - on the first beer for example ;-)
@@MotoVibes good advice! That can just do the trick. That beer sounds even better hahah.. hopefully the borders are open at springtime and corona virus in the past, so we can enjoy some perfect german Beers in your southern part of the country! I visited the Schwarzwald earlier this year, great riding, great Beers, great hospitality! Planning to visit Bavaria next year...
Just bought one! What a testdrive... Mental power!! On the way back to the dealership i drove right past it with a big smile on my face haha.. just to have another go at it! Man, what an incredible machine. Power and comfort in one machine, just what i wanted. Added QS , heated grips, MSR and some sprocket insulation guard to prevent excessive engine heat on warm days. More toys will probably follow during ownership, but this was the bottom of my wallet for now hahah... Expected delivery, mid january!
Absolutely amazing footage. Great review!
Thank you for the kind words - glad you liked it ;-)
@@MotoVibes Sure! I it helps a lot with making the right decision :-)
@@sylvano1990 Are you in the market for a new bike?
@@MotoVibes Yes, absolutely. I live in the Netherlands and currently riding a KTM 790 Duke. But a bit in doubt about choosing between 1290 Adventure S and the Superduke GT. Both amazing bikes!
@@sylvano1990 Best if you could take both for a spin - ususally it is pretty clear after that. However, I did not think I was going to get into offroad riding - the 1290 SAS will allow you to explore that part of riding if you ever want. Like you said - both amazing bikes ;-) Let me know what you end up picking ;-)
What do you think about the seat?
Ergo seat is good I think little to high for me, the original seat I made 13mm holes in the foam in a "pattern" to soften up the foam, let's see, need to test it how it feels. I have 32" legs so I prefer the lower seat. But it's hard.
same here ;-) the PP seat is just a tad to tall for me. I mean it works but I cannot set the heals down fully - the original seat is way to uncomfortable for me. The PP seat is great for comfort and for the most part I am fine with taller ride height.
Great video, thinking of switching my aprillia tuono for a super adventure. Think you have made my mind up.
Good choice! 😉Thank you very much! If you can take the KTM for a ride to see if it is what you are expecting.
My 1190 had the wobble, took it back, don't know what they did, but since then even with different tyres never had wiggle again.. nice review, thanks
Thank you very much - the issue has been around for a while - some manage to get it fixed. I have the 2020 R now with similar issues - but I was expecting it to some degree - the extra suspension travel of the R does not help.
They will have tightened the headstock 👍🏻
Cool review, I like the top view with the drone. Luckily I bought my GS 1250 HP last fall, otherwise I would have had doubts about the right decision after seeing this review 😉
yeah - but you had your eyes on the BMW from the first moment and GS 1250 GS is an awesome bike too. We can trade bikes for a while if the Touratech Event does not get cancelled now - hope to see you soon. cheers
MotoVibes great, nice idea. Hope the off-road events will take place and we see each other again!
I got my GS 1250 last fall as well and its just a better bike over all. better tech, more comfortable, just more superior. had a KTM before, its a great bike. more sport bike the touring
@@antonbalek2968 Congrats on your BMW! ;-)
schöne Zusammenfassung deiner Erfahrungen. But why in english? nice to see you use your phone for the Blitzer app... What brand is your helmet?
Vielen Dank Jörg! English reaches more people - it is exciting to know that fellow riders from all over the world are watching some of my content - also I like to watch content from other countries and I really appreciate if they go through the effort of allowing a international viewership to follow what is going on by speaking English or at least using English subtitles. The helmet is a Touratech Aventuro Carbon ;-)
I’ve loved my 2014 1190S, I bought another for 2nd home. Putting crash, skid, bark busters on her! 😎
That is the way to do it 😎
How much milage do you have?
I have the opportunitie to buy the exact same bike, but it have 45k miles on it.
Currently have a bmw f800gs 2014....should i?
10k and 17k, you will love the power and suspension on these KTM 😎🤙
@@DiegoGonzalez-jo5gj see below
Great review. May i ask what helmet you have ?
mikee field thank you. The helmet is a Touratech Aventuro Carbon. I did a review a while back on this. Channel if you are interested
Great review, thanks!
@@TheGudka thank you very much 😉
The latest 1290 still has the death wobble and you 100% spot on, they are very sensitive to setup. I have had it two up with full Touratech luggage at 236km/h on the Garmin with no issues then one up at 190 the wobble sets in, makes no difference on wire or cast on my old SAS. You will never truely lean it on the track unless you remove the center and side stand as they deck out, if you have wider pegs they will deck out as well. They are fun thou and eat the tyres after a few laps as the chassis cooks them so power slides are predictable...
I switched to the 2022 1290 SAR haven’t had the chance to take it to top speed yet. The S from 2021 was quite stable at top speed - it was a three day loaner while mine was in service 😉
Great video, ditto great information. Re crash, you were lucky and glad for that. I total'ed my previous bike (BMW 1200GSA) in June (gravel on pavement in a turn). Was not quite as lucky as you, or luckier, all depending on point of view. Marked the end of the season, and the beginning of hospital/rehab period of 5 months. All gone well, albeit (painfully) slow.
On a whim I bought a 2019 1290SAS (with low mileage) a few days ago. Have since done a lot of research. The wobbling phenomena it seems one can, apparently, mitigate by among other things balance tires/rims. But the one single taks some claim helps, is to tighten up front fork/bearing. Then there's funneling of air in front. I've noticed is that the stock wind screen isn't shaped as aerodynamic as, for instance, the stock GS/GSA screen. Latter however, flop around and causes instability in high speeds, without additional brackets. Worse if you try high speed with the stock panniers on. Latter with absolutely zero aerodynamic props.
Now, after a lot of research I put Puig touring screen with spoiler on the GSA. It made a huge difference regarding stability, specifically in windy conditions. One thing is the rigidity of the screen. Another is the shape. Puig have followed the same recipe on the touring screen for 1290. With experience from BMW 1200GSA it would seem probable the funneling of air can help on high speed stability also on the 1290.
That is the theory side of it. Remains to be tested. I don't live in Germany, so high speed enjoyment will limit itself quite naturally. So therefore, a potential issue I'll try to mitigate before any experience.
In any event, thanks again for lots of great contributions! Cheers.
You basically brought down to the point. See if it is even an issue for you- if I did not live in Germany I would even go for a short racing screen all the time ( which I kinda did this year anyway)
Vielen Dank für deine Videos! Sie waren in Summe ausschlaggebend, dass ich heute einen Kaufvertrag für meine SAS 1290 S BJ 07/18 mit 11tkm unterschrieben habe. Grüße aus Lörrach
Vielen lieben Dank für das nette Feedback und Gratulation zur 1290 SAS! Ich wünsche Dir viel Freude mit Deiner KTM - grüße Oliver
Excellent review. I'm looking at getting back into biking after a 11 year break. Looking at the 1290 along with other similar bike. Just keep getting drawn back to the KTM. What accessories have you fitted to your bike as I noticed the orange rear sprocket? What ones do you have that you'd recommend? Thanks
Thank you Ian - I did 2 videos on most of the accessories that I have
th-cam.com/video/r9qvKLRHJ4M/w-d-xo.html
and this one for offroad use:
th-cam.com/video/_yjVpDS4UqE/w-d-xo.html
The orange sprocket was just some nice bling as I had to renew both sprockets and the chain as part of regular maintenance
excellent review. The bike is on my top list and considered for a future upgrade.
Thank you very much! What are you riding now?
Great Review Buddy. Hopefully after this time of uncertainty, the KTM 1290 could be my next purchase👍
Well - have a test ride and see for yourself. See if you can spend at least a full day with it. I was convinced after the first 15 min but needed the rest of the day to reconfirm my first impression ;-) cheers
Really enjoyed this video. Was on the fence about buying this bike 🏍. This enforces i am making a very good choice . Moving from a cruiser to this bike for long distance riding. I am hopeful it is comfortable in the seat for long distance rides as i am wanting something fun with power and storage . Great video 👍
Thank you very much Jeff. For long distance riding have a look at the powerparts seat from KTM. really makes a huge difference. I did a video on this and other accessories for the 1290 SAS that you may be interested in th-cam.com/video/r9qvKLRHJ4M/w-d-xo.html
Cheers 😉
Great review mate...I enjoyed it! The 1290 is a real mile muncher and seems to be perfect for what you want to do!!
Thank you very much 👍 I hope now that it stays as reliable as it has been so far ;-)
Fantastic video review. This is the type of long term ownership information I had hoped to find about this motorcycle. I have seen the price on used 1290 SAS bikes coming down in my area and have been considering upgrading from my 2015 tiger 800 XRX. The triumph has been a wonderful machine for me but I have outgrown it's touring capacity. I enjoy long distance touring and the tiger just does not have the power for a rider with 2 weeks of gear on it. Also the aerodynamics of the tiger leave a bit to be desired. It is interesting about the high speed wobble though, that is a problem that I get on my tiger only with the soft bags and fully loaded above 90+ mph. How would you rate the aero as far as wind noise/buffeting? Have you or would you make any changes to the windscreen?
Thank you very much! I am glad it is helpful. High speed wobble is usually not something you have to worry about at speeds less than 120 mph no matter how much you carry on the bike.
I find the wind protection as good as on my former BMW 1200 GS - I had a an aftermarket windscreen on my BMW and I also have one for the KTM. Check out this video for more on that (and other accessories)
th-cam.com/video/r9qvKLRHJ4M/w-d-xo.html
Comprehensive covering a number of topics, including embarrassing crashes but they happen! In process of purchasing 2019 Super Adventure S after owning Super Tenere which was excellent in reliability and versatility....just lacked character. Thanks for making the effort to provide insights.
Thank you for nice feedback Bruce - I am glad the video was helpful. Let me know when you pulled the trigger on the 1290 Super Adventure ;-)
@@MotoVibes I have purchased the bike and awaiting parts to arrive and be installed. Been reading about various electrical issues (fuel filler cap not opening, ignition not always working from key fob) so hope not left stranded somewhere. Had no issues with 2014 Yamaha Super Tenere this bike is replacing.
@@bruceleavitt9709 Do not make yourself crazy about all this - enjoy your new bike ;-) Congrats to your new purchase! Chances are that something will brake - but it many of the top end bikes have their issues but they reward you with an amazing riding experience!
Very good review, I have to try it first but think will be my next bike Riding a Kawa Z1000SX for some years but my knies don't like the position anymore for long distances :)
Guy Dumont thank you Guy. Let me know how you like your first ride. Cheers mate 😎
Das war mal sehr ausführlich 😆😬klasse Video, echt schön anzuschauen 💪🏻
Vielen Dank -freut mich, dass es Dir gefallen hat 😎
Hi! I really enjoyed your video, could you tell me wich rim stickers you put on at 13:10? Keep on riding!
Thank you very much - I bought these of Amazon amzn.to/3b6iqHS
Great video but I dont see anywhere what year this bike is. What year is this Adventure?
James White thank you very much. This is a 2017 Modell first registered in Jan 2, 2018. at the time of the video recording it was exactly 2 years old.
MotoVibes thanks. I used to live in Herrenberg Germany so have ridden those alpine passes. Am planning to buy a 2020 Adventure S. Could we have a short call sometime? (Long trips, Corner crash in alps). Thanks James
James White sure - please use the email address on my TH-cam channel page so we exchange phone numbers. I am about to leave for 2 week motorcycle trip Thursday this week so it may be getting harder to find a time slot for a call - Cheers
Great video! I was wondering if the Powerparts seat is suitable for me. I'm measuring 1m80.
It should be just fine - I am the same height as you - 180cm! The PP seat will add another 2cm - not much but at our height noticable. I have gotten used to it now and it is worth the increased comfort
MotoVibes ok thanks!
Great video, sorry if this has already been answered, what type of helmet is that?
Hi Andy - it is this one th-cam.com/video/xg8RnfKu3UQ/w-d-xo.html
Only one question: what helmet camera did you use? The pictures are very good. I wonder whether you keep your head just as stable as it looks or what is your secret to get such low moving head cam footage?
This is the vlogging setup that I use th-cam.com/video/d7eh1HCxp0c/w-d-xo.htmlsi=ryue52UgDFtFQp2a 😉
@@MotoVibes Thank you, also for your prompt answer 👍
Great video!
Glad you enjoyed it
Good rewiew man 🤘
Glad you liked it - thank you very much 😎
great review👍
Thank you! Cheers!
Great review men,i am lookng at that bike and i have two questions:compering to gs does engine have that “im gonna chew you up and spit you out” feeling,is it to agresive and also in the traffic when is hot outside does the exhaust give you any heat problems?
Thank you very much - glad it is helpful. The 1290 is and feels more powerful than the GS - especially when you take it throught the entire rev range. Also, especially the 2018-2020 models have a certain grunt to them - the V-twin feels more purposeful and ready to race. I liked it but it is not for everyone - best thing is to take this bike on an extended test ride or rent it for a day.
As for the heat - if you are stuck in slow traffic in a city on a hot summer day you will feel the heat coming form the engine like on most big bore motorcycles.
@@MotoVibes tnx on replay,i did not have chance to testride ktm but 1250 and 1300 feels kind of flat,like it does not enjoy in revs so much. It feels like you running with a wooden legs.
MV, you forgot about how outstanding engine braking is on the 1290, downshifting to first gear can hel[ you save a lot on brake fading.
Modiene KANE absolutely right- I almost take it for granted 😎👍
Great video, thanks!
Did you try Multistrada 1260, what is your comparison about MS and KTM?
I did try a 1200 MS back when I was looking at switching from my Harley to an adventure bike - I have not ridden the 1260 so I cannot compare this bike to the KTM. I am hoping to ride the V4S this season and compare this one to the brand new 1290 SAS/ SAR but it will be a while before that happens
Another great video! I have a Yamaha Super Tenere and I am considering a 2019/2020 model Super Adventure. The only thing I am concerned about is overall reliability of the KTM
Thank you very much Mike - glad you found this useful. I was quite happy with the reliability with my S model - I now have a 2020 R model - I hope to stay trouble free with this one too ;-)
Hello, great video but does the bike pull on right side when you let go off you're hands?
Thank you - the bike stays straight - I actually ride with my hands of the handle bars a lot when I am coasting through towns. Do you have this issue?
Yes unfortunately....i don't know why it happened
@@brunooberan2868 Ok - that should be something straight forward for your dealer to fix the alignment I would think but I am sure you have checked that option already. I do experience some steering bar movement at certain low speeds (steering bar is moving fast from left tor right and back etc). when riding with no hands on the steering bar.
Bruno Oberan probably the camber on the road surface
Mbal 40 I don’t know what’s wrong
Instability at high speeds is an issue that you generally have with all touring enduros. This is simply due to the long suspension travel. And I can confirm that this problem is particularly pronounced on the KTM 1290 SAS. In my experience, there is only one real exception and that is the BMW GS. I suspect this is due to the Telelever. The GS I rode was absolutely stable even at 200 km/h.
That is true - however, the 2021 models of the KTM did better than the predecessors. The BMW is pretty stable too but it also doesn't get up to the same top speeds as the KTM
Nice content and informative, above all KTM ❤. If i may ask how did you find the V-Trec levers? Awesome ✌🏼
Thank you very much- I did a video on all the accessories incl the levers- links are in the description th-cam.com/video/r9qvKLRHJ4M/w-d-xo.html
@@MotoVibes cheers ✌🏼
Excellent well balanced review. 👍👍
Thank you very much - glad you enjoyed it 😎
Excellent review!! Made me subscribe.
Thank you very much and welcome to the channel 😉 Looks like you also like Harleys as I do - I just do not get to ride them that often anymore but this video here is from a 2-day trip through 4 States - one of my very early videos th-cam.com/video/pK2X9rpG2ys/w-d-xo.html
Hi,,good review, just wondering what caused you to go over the bank in your bike crash....cheers
This is my end of the analysis th-cam.com/video/LfppoCxR11I/w-d-xo.html
😉
Your GREAT media contributed to my decision to purchase 1290 SA S, solid non-bias information. Question - what crash bars do you have? Obviously they performed well and like the fact they are not overwhelming aesthetically. Thanks Craig
wow - thank you for this feedback Craig - I am happy to hear that this review helped. The crash bars are actually the original KTM power parts. I am glad I get them - they are worth every penny 😎
Well maintained bike bro after these years nice
pratheep kumar thank you- it’s been put through it’s paces which you can are from up close 😂
Nice report, will order mine ASAP 😬
Good choice 👍😂
I bought a 2018 Super Adventure R last April and sold it in September with only 4000 miles on it. The keyless fob kept stranding me and KTm wouldnt warranty the electronics so they wouldnt fix it. I also had to spend 2 days going through the bike bolt by bolt because everything was loose or hoses and wires were rubbing all over the place, but that may have the dealers fault that I bought it from. I got it home from the first ride and found missing bolts.
it was an amazing ride and introduced me to the dirt side of things, but I just couldnt trust it. The bluetooth never worked, the KTM app was garbage, and the key fob shutting the bike off out in the middle of no where just killed it for me.
When it ran fine, it was the best bike that Ive ever owned.
I am really sorry to read this - absolutely feel your pain. A high-end bike like the KTM needs to perform in order for you to have confidence and trust in it. That is a bit how I felt about my BMW R 1200 GS that kept having problems - not as severe as yours but still. As for the missing bolts - I had a few too but I think that was sloppy work of the shop for not clamping down the front axle correctly. Eventually you have to do the main maintenance of the bike yourself to be 100% sure. I did not for the first 2 years because of the warranty. I will start to do more myself now - with the limited means that I have of course ;-)
What are you riding now if I may ask?
@@MotoVibes , Sorry for the late reply, buddy. I'm not riding currently. I just moved to The Oregon Coast and am researching bikes. Too be honest, I've really been thinking about my 1290 again. Maybe even looking at the previous gen, before they were with the keyless fob and the new dash. But I really love the new look of them today.
I Have been keeping an eye on the KTM 790, Vstrom 1000 XT, Yamaha Tenere 700. But I've also been considering just getting a smaller dual sport like wr250r and putting it on a bumper rack of my xterra and then buying a dedicated road bike. I just watched a few videos of the KTM 390 adventure and though that it looks like a fun bike to go explore offroad with.
What’s the up/down buttons marked “CLS” on the right handle bar?
Adam B this is the control unit for the chain oiler
MotoVibes Thank you! Just watched your video on must have accessories, very interesting!
Adam B thank you very much. 😉