I'm sure you've been keeping an eye on the new offering from KTM if you're into the adventure bikes. And maybe even if you're not. One thing is for sure, the KTM 1190 Adventure is not simply KTM's answer to the BMW GSA. It's a whole lot more.
An amazing amount of development went into making this beast as you will see from the review referenced here from Visor Down. Take a read through and follow the link at the end to browse the full review and first ride impressions.
via VisorDown.com
It's not often you see the word ‘mayhem’ in a
manufacturer’s press kit, let alone in the introduction to an adventure
bike but this is KTM and those orange fellas like to do things
differently.
Using the same 1195cc engine that powers the RC8R superbike, mayhem
definitely sounds like it’s a mere twist of the throttle and the
surrender of a skinny rear tyre away but KTM were keen to stress that
even though the 1190 Adventure has the highest power to weight ratio of
any bikes in this sector, outright power was never on the drawing board;
more versatility was the aim and not just in the engine but across the
motorcycle as a whole.
The 1190 Adventure is the replacement to the successful and cult 990
Adventure, which ceased production at the end of last year after almost
10 years. When you look at the growing list of Adventure bikes, the 990
Adventure is arguably still the best bike for the type of riding these
bikes pretend they get used for: unpaved roads. So it’s ironic then that
in order to sell more bikes in this class, it’s versatility not unpaved
road performance that really counts.
That versatility presents itself in many ways, from the less off-road
biased wheel sizes (19/17 as opposed to the 21/18 on the 990), to the
23-litre tank (19.5-litres on the 990), to the adjustable seat height
and the sophisticated electronics package. The 1190 Adventure features
traction control, combined ABS, power modes and optional electronically
adjustable suspension, which you’d only really expect to see on a top of
the range superbike.
Looks are subjective and I rarely mention them but it does appear
that KTM have made an effort to make this bike whisper ‘DO YOU WANT
SOME?’ and by that I mean the aggressive angular lines and the expected
bright orange have been softened off somewhat. It's not quite as brash.
It doesn’t look like it’s going to spit in your face.
Sat on the bike, it feels tall but not unwieldy. At 860mm, it’s no
higher than the 990 but 10mm taller than the 2012 1200GS and for
comparison, just 40mm taller than a CBR600RR. At 212kg wet and around
230kg fully fuelled it feels lighter than its size would lead you to
believe. KTM boast it has the best power to weight ratio in its class.
The clocks are big,
bold
and all-digital except for an analogue rev-counter; a great
combination. On the left of the rev-counter is a digital panel that
gives you in-depth readouts of everything from power and damping modes,
to consumption, trip, air temperature and your current position in the
Dakar, probably.
You can’t fail to notice how light the clutch is. The all-new slipper
clutch features a ramp-action to hold the plates in place under load,
meaning lighter springs can be used which translates into a lighter
lever action. Just one finger needed.
Although the motor is from the RC8, it’s undergone some serious
changes both in terms of hardware and software. The 1190 Adventure’s
gearbox uses different ratios to the RC8; first gear is now shorter,
making clutchless low-speed control more controlled while all the ratios
have been shifted away from the RC8’s 170mph top end. The pistons have
been redesigned too and borrow technology used in F1, the skirts use a
coating that’s designed to reduce friction and helping the engine
respond quicker.
Read the full article at:
http://www.visordown.com/road-tests-first-rides/first-ride-ktm-1190-adventure-review/22286.html
