The new KTM 1190 Adventure is radically different from the 990 it replaces. The complete set of chassis, electronic suspension and drive force aids makes this 150 horsepower, 230 kg motorcycle capable of offering easier-to-use features than any other KTM Adventure.
You can also drive faster than I ever imagined; in this sense, it looks more like a Ducati Multistrada, but with a much higher off-road fitness. It’s not as hard as some KTM enthusiasts would like, however, that’s why the R edition is here.
The same fundamental mechanical assembly, but with a higher seat, longer suspension, slightly longer wheelbase and more free floor space. There is also a shorter screen, a one-piece seat and a set of bolted protective bars to protect the engine, as well as more dirt-oriented 21-inch front and rear wheels to allow for more twisted tire options.
In 2013, MCN used a KTM 1190 Adventure R as a long-running bike. His doorman, Michael Guy, discovered him capable both on and off the road.
Once you’ve read this review and reviews from our owners, you may need to register online to meet like-minded people. We recommend that the KTM forum be a great position to get started.
Combining a lightweight tubular metal frame, a pressurized molded aluminum oscillating arm and a high-end WP suspension, the handling is accurate and the chassis is incredibly balanced while providing transparent feedback on exactly what’s going on.
Retaining a traditional chain rather than a power reduction tree transmission means that the motorcycle reacts much more as it should be to the driver’s throttle inputs and the first thing I touched were the cursors on my foot, not the motorcycle. The 19-inch front wheel provides a much greater sense of protection than the 21-inch R element.
The days of under-blunt/overweight adventure motorcycles are behind us: the Multistrada 1200 has noticed it and the 1190 has taken the functionality bar to a whole new level. With 150 hp and 92 ft-lb of torque and a fully forced weight of 230 kg, the KTM has a higher strength-to-weight ratio than the Ducati! The RC8 engine features a new gearbox with other gears and new internal parts compared to the RC8 sports motorcycle, as well as the new electric butterfly bodies, which are its character. If the force is abundant, it is also fluid, clean, accurate and easy to handle.
KTM manufactures motorcycles to take on the Dakar, they are sturdy and reliable.
We have 14 reviews of KTM 1190 Adventure homeowners on the MCN website, with an overall score of four out of five stars. Negative reviews basically fear reliability, and other people suffer from corrosion and electric elves in particular.
The KTM is more expensive than the BMW R1200GS Adventure, but it’s a little more unusual. Other rivals come with the Ducati Multistrada 1200 and Suzuki V-Strom 1000.
ABS, fuel and anti-skating modes are standard. Electronic suspension costs an additional 800 euros.
2013: new model, the 990 Adventure
The 1190 Adventure R costs £13799 and is more skewed off-road.
I love cycling, I take you there without challenge. More driver information is needed than with a GS, but driving is more pressing and captivating. The speed of change is the Achilles heel when wet. I also don’t like the center seal on the wheel spokes, which makes tire adjustments a bet if you use a garage ignoring the design. Another challenge is the replacement of the bulb, which is ridiculous. The last thing you need on a road trip. No one needs to undress half the way the road looks.
As a sports cyclist, I love this motorcycle. Sport motorcycle for long distances and turns with electronic suspension to replace character on off-road rural roads and hooning.
If uncomfortable, the fuel gauge paints when necessary and the luggage locks do not paint with heat.
If you need energy, you have plenty, however, if you need to sightseeing over long distances, take it or bring diaper rash cream with you.
Tired of being told to buy a Gel seat.
This is a much-loved motorcycle that Adventure wrote on the side.
So where’s the Adventure seat?
I’m sorry, KTM, but you deserve to check those motorcycles with other genuine people who spend the hard-earned money.
400 miles per day in hot weather with luggage is more of a control than a Power Ranger flying around a mountain.
I had my motorcycle for almost 2 years, I went to paint with it and I was never given to start it after painting. It was in early December, first they said it was the drums, they had changed it. Then they said it was the get starteder, they replaced it. Then they said it was the upper finish (pistons, valves, head …) that did not withstand sufficient compression. From now on, in early May, the bike is still in the KTM garage and I deserve to have it in 2 weeks. Nearly five months at the KTM dealership and workshop and seem to be looking for the problem(s). I will never buy any other KTM products, the visitor service is non-existent and the confidence I had in this motorcycle is gone.
Better parts, well the bike is fast and I like the layout of the controls. The motorcycle is also soft to move around. The worst features are the ray wheels. There are many cases of factory-deformed KTM wheels, and this is what explains the high-speed oscillation that many other people mention.
Of course, KTM says the fact of 8mm is correct, but it’s funny that the GS wheels move gently. Secondly, why don’t you put an alloy tire option?
Well, KTM says it wouldn’t sell, which is strange because they put them on the 1090, and I don’t think they’ve heard of a motorcycle called GS with alloy rim option. I wouldn’t propose a friend to buy one because the visitor service is lousy. This can be such a smart motorcycle and that’s why the BMW GS is. It all comes down to visitor service. People with 15,000 euros to spend are not fools and don’t like to be mugged. It’s very undeniable to solve a challenge rather than pretending it doesn’t exist. People who have made their way to this type of motorcycle and for those costs have been driving for years and know motorcycles and manufacturers. They know what Honda is giving, they know what BMW is giving and everyone reads criticism. KTM wants to have grip to get out of the mud, be the kings of the road.
Beautiful handling, electronic suspension, brakes and rugged motor. Good electronics with traction control, abs and tilt angle sensor (sometimes a little intrusive). Vibrations from 6 to 7k rpm and the gales around the helmet are its worst features.
Simply, the most productive flexible motorcycle I’ve ever driven.
Comfortable, fast with technology. No wonder Cycleworld called it the most productive multipurpose motorcycle ever made (until the launch of the 1290 ADV 🙂
I should also point out that I’m a wonderful guy, so I tried the 1290 ADV as well as the new GSA, but they felt fat and not like a laugh, although they’re not wonderful for touring either. The popular GS was comparable but I would have charged 40% more abroad.
KTM 1190 Adventure R
Handing very impressive can put it over to the edge on standard tyre better than my BMW S1000R engine ,brakes top notch and comfort is really good only bad point is I’m 6 feet tall and I struggle to get on and off the bike, but all said its a cracking bike I put in a BMW GS1200 2014 water cooled model for it which was a great bike but the Ktm imho is better and way more fun
Great strength and maneuverability!
It’s always wonderful to drive.
KTM has not understood the importance of intelligent visitor service for products that no one really needs. Let’s face it, they’re pieces of entertainment, even if you’re traveling every day (I do it) on your bike. No one has BESOIN (wants, YES) from a 150 BHP Adventure bike.
KTM fights with dealers over warranty parts and visitor matrix. This is the main explanation for why I can’t buy another KTM (I had 3). I love the product, continually disappointed by KTM’s inability to recognize and correct known issues.
KTM sells a high-performance product, but its visitor and product do not reflect the costs or this market segment.
Everything has been wonderful (I live in Canada). Drive like a road motorcycle and drive the SUV, nothing too serious so far. Comfortable on long trips but heated in traffic. I need KTM to get a software solution for the “illegal” error after mounting the fuel dongle.
KTM service grades are mediocre…. they are caught up in the cross bike mentality forgetting that they need to play in the most sensible on the market.
I love this bike, it makes me smile every time I drive it. But I was disappointed twice in winter.
The first time a battery was downloaded it did, they were not installed and fixed alarms the day before, everything has gone well since then. By the time it was an old stress problem, it turned out that the clean oil had collapsed. Yes, she was bloodless, but I give her time to get hot and not get too hard.
I’m on the hunt for a trustworthy summer, I don’t expect this kind of 14k bike disorders. That said, it’s probably surprising when it’s on the move, and it was the first winter for this model.
If reliability problems are fixed, it would be a great bike.
After leaving an R1200GS last summer, the KTM still excites. The engine is impressive, the few thousand turns and the extra horses make it incredibly fast. Handling is fast and accurate. Tires and brakes are rock-solid, even in rain and at single-digit temperatures. I bought it because I was looking for something a little more, but still comfortable and able to make two excursions. He had this and much more, he had an exciting daily walk with his excursion references. It’s expensive, I never thought I’d pay 15,000 euros for a motorbike, but it’s similar to other bikes in this category. The quality of the portions has been maintained during the winter or is being checked through the guaranteed corridor. The characteristics of tradition are quite intelligent of the KTM brands and the secondary market. Opt for KTM/ Touratech luggage racks instead of the traditional type, are much more robust, usable and look better.