MotoGP – Statements, classifications and analyzes of the Spanish Grand Prix –

Posted on by admin

1090 Adventure and 1290 Super Adventure S in the test

Much high end, little low budget

These two travel enduros may look similar, but in the details they differ like a luxury steamer from a mid-range AIDA boat. We did the comparison test.

As a real high-tech burner, the 245 kilogram heavy and externally powerful one has been jetting off this year KTM 1290 Super Adventure S over asphalt and gravel, with its distinctive headlights has not only glowed in the rearview mirror of some well-motorized company cars. Not only the data sheet suggests that its little sister, the KTM 1090 Adventure, seems to have little chance of victory in a direct comparison, but even the large MOTORRAD comparison test of high-end travel enduros. The Austrian Reiserakete won it convincingly. And that against GS and Co. That deserves respect!

Newcomers from KTM, Ducati and Kawasaki in a family comparison

Family duel

If you are less than 1.80 meters tall, it will be tight

What is in the KTM 1290 Super Adventure S can be seen even before the strong, but smooth 1301-cubic two-cylinder engine is brought to life. The great mouse cinema in the TFT display, which can be easily read from all angles, greets the driver in a friendly manner with "Ready to Race". Whether this should be understood as a question or a request? No matter. Maybe even both. So quickly clicked in the load status and the desired damping setup at the push of a button on the left handlebar, zapped the engine mapping to Sport to make sure that the measured 154 hp is really sent from the crankshaft to the rear wheel. Then check whether the foolproof cornering ABS is switched on – finally we can start. Ah, not yet, the sun not only makes the asphalt glow, it has heated seats for the driver and pillion as well as the heated grips. Phew, driving used to be easier!

r-photography.info

KTM 1290 Super Adventure S: powerful, expansive, modern. With more pressure, safety and comfort features.

A push of a button and the muscle-packed V2 engine pounds away. Honest, bassy and muffled and without rumbling the cups from the neighbors’ kitchen cupboard, it echoes from the muffler of the two-cylinder with the huge, 108 millimeter diameter pistons. Incidentally, the pilot of the 1290 should also be of an adequate size. With the two-part seat from KTM’s own range of accessories (plus 20 millimeters), the toes of the 1.78 meter rider only gently feel the ground. Ergo: stopping and driving off require a bit of concentration in order not to get too close to either the nominal 160 hp super adventurer or the asphalt. So nimble in first gear and slowly release the clutch. Surprise: From now on it’s time to relax. Why? Because the Super Adventure completely loses its horror with the first few meters. Concerns about the weight, the high center of gravity and the bulging stature compared to the 1090s are brushed aside by the light-footedness and accuracy of the 1290s from walking speed. Maneuvering through city traffic is child’s play, the ergonomics fit perfectly: the handlebars, which are not too wide, are easy to reach, the upper body remains pleasantly upright. The knee angle turns mammoth stages into a wellness vacation. What more does it take to be happy?

r-photography.info

KTM 1090 Adventure: One-piece seat, narrower rear tires, less displacement and less power.

Maybe a little less of everything? Then up to the less large, yet powerful 1090 Adventure. It is much more similar to the KTM travel enduro generation, which debuted with the 1190 Adventure in 2013, looks a bit old-fashioned despite the 2017 update. But the model revision has it all. This not only changes the name of the smallest derivative of the Adventure series – 1050 became 1090 – but also the maximum performance. And powerful! In the V2, nominally 30 HP more gallop to the crankshaft from the same displacement.

If you are surprised now, you have to know: The previous woman was electronically castrated. With the measured 123 PS and up to 104 Newton meters, it is in no way inferior to the assembled large enduro elite. She never lacks pressure on the highway. Compared to the 1290, you just have to turn the gears of the short stroke a bit longer to keep up. And that’s what the engine likes to do, just as well as to decently accelerate and to run comfortably muffled, without mocking around without character. The 1090 not only looks more delicate than its stable colleague, it also weighs eight kilograms less at 237. Subjectively, there are even more. It makes it even easier for your driver to correct the line or to wag around car parades like slalom pylons. The ergonomics are not significantly different. You feel at home on both bikes straight away, you can only take them to get bread or go to Lake Balaton.

Noticeable chassis differences

The extra weight of the KTM 1290 Great Adventure S is not only explained by the full range of comfort and safety features, but also by the semi-active chassis. In comparison, the 1090 springs with the conventional spring elements, whereby the fork cannot be adjusted at all and the shock absorber can be adjusted in terms of spring base and rebound. You will look in vain for a practical handwheel.

Can you even feel the differences on the chassis side on the road? Yes, huge. Where one is completely unimpressed on the luxury steamer, but rather decoupled over hill and dale and potholes, man and machine with the conventional landing gear rock a little stronger. But on the one hand you get a much better feedback from the front and rear wheel, on the other hand the 1090 always bravely holds the line. The fork could use a little more progression when riding the last groove, the rebound stage a touch more damping. Otherwise you can let it crack surprisingly hard with the little adventure. Every turn of the throttle makes the driver grin and challenges the traction control anew from every corner. Only the Metzeler Tourance Next would like to be exchanged for the Pirelli Scorpion Trail of the 1290s. They just offer a little more of everything.

Braking performances are close together

As is usual with semi-active chassis elements, the KTM 1290 Super Adventure S also always adapts the damping of the fork and shock absorber to the current road surface and driving conditions. In addition, you can not only choose from various engine mappings, as on the 1090, but also determine the damping characteristics in four preset modes via the TFT display. The constant valve change can even be heard while driving with a slight click from the fork. But above all the lack of feedback requires getting used to and trust. Once you’ve grooved yourself in, from then on you roast with the luxury steamer so diagonally through the curves that you never miss your old super sports car. It’s wonderful how easy and exhilarating the travel enduro folds, thanks to the excellent Pirelli tires, it can be moved neutrally and stably in an inclined position and catapulted out of the bend when fired with the help of the traction control. Her motto is also being relaxed and fast, thanks to cornering ABS, being able to pull the brake lever calmly in corners is one of her trump cards.

And the KTM 1090 Adventure? Does your job all around well, is anything but easy to drive away from the rearview mirrors. Especially since the braking performance of both bikes is very close. In the end the question remains: which one for whom? In addition to account balance, desired performance and prestige, this is primarily determined by the preference for the driving experience. If you like it honest, edgy and analog, you can choose the 1090. If you (rightly) put the necessary trust in the semi-active chassis, go to the large 1290 Super Adventure S..

MOTORCYCLE test result

1. KTM 1290 Super

Adventure S Technological spearhead is where the 1290 turns the corner. She can do anything. She just lacks feedback. It is not a bargain.

2. KTM 1090 Adventure

Honest, authentic and with enough pressure, the 1090 is hardly inferior to its big sister. It can do everything pretty well, costs significantly less, but offers less prestige and comfort.

Related articles

Related articles

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *