End of Tenure Report

[macca]

After 4+ years of S10 ownership I've decided to move on. I didn't get as many miles on it as I would have thought, only managing just shy of 12K and apart from a few niggles its been the most dependable bike I've owned.
A few things steered me into swapping it out , these were
1) my local dealer wasn't as close as I'd have liked and they weren't the best at picking up issues or keeping in touch (don't think they ever returned a call , always had to chase them)
2) CCT has started to be sluggish to take up slack during cold start
3) battery was starting to show its age (original) on cold starts
Not a massive amount to whinge about but I was also temped by the Austrian whore of a ride the KTM 1190 R Adv.
Over the time I've had the S10 the following niggles were encountered
Cold /damp weather hesitation at lower revs , dealer never fixed this but I did out of warranty when I replaced the spark plugs and lhs coilpack (corroded so bad it stuck in the head) . if you ride in damp inclement weather I'd suggest removing the coil packs and applying weather proof grease to the seals to try to keep the water out and make removal easier.
Oil leak from rhs case cover -dealer warranty fix
Corroded spokes/bolts - warranty fix (though the new ones didn't look much better after 1 winter- suggestion is to apply wheel wax to these when new/annually. (this is just a climate corrosion issue imo not specific to the s10)
Corroded front water pipe (behind headers) - warranty fix, again new one looked crap after one winter even after being dosed in ACF50.
Corroded headers- warranty fix (same issue after one winter...)
Corroded frame where coating failed at sharp edges, dealer repainted, they wouldn't entertain out of warranty replacement.

I'd been eying the KTM for a while but didn't want to be the guinea pig so happy to join in at the 3 year update stage since they have addressed the crap starter motor/poor starting issue (mine spins over and start super fast) and may have fixed the airbox leakage problem (for my climate at least) .
The bikes ride like chalk and cheese, the S10 being like a Sumo wrestler and the 1190 more like a thorough bred show jumper . That's not a complaint of the S10 as it has it advantages being sumo like but sometimes a change is as good as a rest, which is why I didn't feel a new S10 was the right choice for me. The other big plus of the KTM is the lack of bulk when shuffling it at standstill where the S10 shows its mass .
Anyways ta ta and thanks for the fish ::001::

 

[Dogdaze]

Thanks for sharing your experiences, you did not mention the 'failed to start' syndrome or the annoying clutch basket chudder, which I take to assume you never had it and or didn't bother you?
Anyway, enjoy your new ride and be safe ::008::

 

[macca]

Thanks for sharing your experiences, you did not mention the 'failed to start' syndrome or the annoying clutch basket chudder, which I take to assume you never had it and or didn't bother you?
Anyway, enjoy your new ride and be safe ::008::

I found I could avoid the fail to start by not touching the throttle or the converse I could create it . I also found that if it stalled just after starting then the cold start issue would arise, fixed on the occasions I had it with WOT start.
Clutch vibes, I think the bike had them as the engine felt quite tractor like after riding the KTM which is very smooth in comparison, but they never bothered me or caused any numbing of hands etc. I forgot to add I swapped the stock screen with the Yam accessory touring screen which I found to be significantly better at minimising turbulence/noise, though realise that can be very much down to personal preference.
Tyre wise I had 3 sets on it.
1) Tourance EXPs. Sublime road tyre even down below Zero C in Hoare frost conditions, shame they don't make them anymore.
2) K60s . Awful wet /dry grip, not that great off road for the compromised road grip, shed loads of vibes , makes it feel like final drive bearings are shot. TC light a whiff of throttle away.
3) Anakee 3. Good road tyre (shaded by EXP) better offroad than EXP. Good allround compromise.

 

[copb8]

Good luck with your new bike. I have to say I've been lurking around the ADV Orange Crush forum for some time. I really like the 1190 Adventure R from the moment it was released. I also was scared off by some of the failures of the early year bikes. You mentioned a couple of big ticket items but didn't say whether they'd significantly reduced the horrible rear cylinder heat problem. In the UK you may consider that a benefit. In Texas it becomes unlivable.

My next bike is going to have to have cruise control so if it's going to be a KTM it'll have to be the 1290 Adventure. The 1290 seems a little too close to a street only bike to me, unlike the 1190.

 

[Bushyar15]

Yeah, If I jump ship, I'd be looking at the KTM since it leans towards off-road. My two concerns was the airbox and the excessive heat that gets generated and is right at the riders....uh you know... I hear it can be uncomfortable during the summer.. My 1986 GSXR was like that..

Have they fixed the excessive heat issue?

 

[macca]

In the UK we don't normally get excessive heat ;D . I've only had got a few miles on it (due to fekked back whilst MTB'ing :'( ) but sofar have only felt a bit of warm waft up the legs, no more than the S10 used to warm my shins. I have seen that KTM have made additional heat deflectors for behind the rad/under tank and by sides of the seat but from what I can see mine isn't fitted with the additional seat panels (haven't lifted tank to check), these are cheap according to reports on Advrider so not major grief to retrofit if need be.

 

[martin_nj]

It took you 4+ years to ride 12k miles?

Or is that your mileage EACH year?

 

[Dogdaze]

It took you 4+ years to ride 12k miles?

Or is that your mileage EACH year?

Most bikes in the UK are low mileage due to the high cost of fuel and available land mass to travel without borders, etc. Also, most use their (I include myself here) bikes for weekends and pleasure rather than long distance commutes or long distance camping..... you get the picture. When I lived in the US I would travel 90 miles each way, everyday, to my office. Then moved to the UK and refused to travel more than 30 miles each way. Now, if work is longer than 15 miles or 30 mins, well.......I just don't do it.

 

[macca]

It took you 4+ years to ride 12k miles?

Or is that your mileage EACH year?

In my defence there was 3 other bikes and a TVR in the garage plus a daily driver available for use during that period

 

[Ramseybella]

Lets not forget the high concentration of Road salt used!!
Ever watch the show Wheeler Dealers?
Every car I have seen Ed China work on in the U.K. is an under belly nightmare of rot and rust!! ???

 

[Dogdaze]

Lets not forget the high concentration of Road salt used!!
Ever watch the show Wheeler Dealers?
Every car I have seen Ed China work on in the U.K. is an under belly nightmare of rot and rust!! ???

That's a really old show. They don't spend or have the money for road salt these days.... ::025:: With all the pot holes, it's like a slalom on the roads.

 

[Ramseybella]

That's a really old show. They don't spend or have the money for road salt these days.... ::025:: With all the pot holes, it's like a slalom on the roads.

Sounds like Santa Fe, NM.
Wish they would have a show with some guy rebuilding bikes and resell like WD, that would be cool. ::008::

 

[Dogdaze]

Sounds like Santa Fe, NM.
Wish they would have a show with some guy rebuilding bikes and resell like WD, that would be cool. ::008::

They did, I think it was called "The motorbike show" the presenter rode a new Norton.......

 

[Big Blu]

Macca, that's one fine KTM you've got mate!
May it keep you in smiles for many miles. ::008::

Paul

 

[shrekonwheels]

Well you are the first person I know who bought a new bike because their battery needed replacing.
Although I do have a personal friend that refused to buy new tires for her BMW so bought a new one instead, same difference.

Regardless, enjoy the new ride.