Gee, I wish I purchased a KTM or BMW!

[kgfire]

Oh, and it blew a headlight bulb once.

Too bad! If it had been a lunched engine, a clutch, or ESA shocks you at least would have gotten a warranty replacement.

 

[cosmic]

In the Cycle World test they admitted that the GSA and KTM were used and abused offroad, probably more so than the average buyer would subject them to. Still, an engine rebuild for the KTM, a new clutch, two sets of cylinder heads and both shocks for the BMW is pretty lousy as far as reliability goes. Factory warranties are nice but these bikes are marketed as true * Adventure * bikes. Does that mean * not really?*
I wonder if anyone on this forum has used and abused their Tenere's in the same manner as Cycle World and what the damage has been?

I'm no Marc Coma, but I'm not sparing one bit of my S10. I probably spend >50% riding off road, cause I don't have time for really big road trips. I'm on third skid plate now, including the ACD one thrown in the garbage.
I was really considering replacing my S10 with the mighty ADV R, considering my driving affinities, and after I bought the EXC 250 my15, the local KTM dealer came up with a tempting trade proposition. Luckily I was not rushing on that one. Quick forum's research came up with less than promising results. Heat, Airbox etc. were already a deal breaker.

But boy oh boy I was not expecting this.

I was expecting that something is going to blow on the Grosse Scheisse, but this KTM breakdown really surprised me.
Unbelievable... Died by it's own weapon. What a POC.

I'am now finally 100% sure... only an S10R can and will replace my Snowflake.

 

[kgfire]

I was expecting that something is going to blow on the Grosse Scheisse, but this KTM breakdown really surprised me.
Unbelievable... Died by it's own weapon. What a POC.

KTM 1190 and BMW GS " Adventures " ( Not Really )

 

[78YZ]

Your Id has to really overpower your Super ego for you to purchase a KTM 1190 or a GS1200 over a S10. Unfortunately, most motorcycle enthusiasts pursue this hobby with reckless abandon and not an ounce of self awareness. God help us! ???

 

[Kelvininin]

I traded a 2010 KTM A990 for my 12 Super T.... I will admit, I have a stiffy for the KTM A1290. A990 was faster than the S10 and I would love to have a stupid fast motorcycle for a while. I have always had fairly practice rides, I would not mind experiencing 150+ HP on a 600 pound bike for a while.

There are aftermarket fixes for the A1190 and A1290 airbox, but that is one area where the manufacturer should have it right. Then again there were a ton of quirks on the A990 that KTM should have had right as well.

 

[BarkSlayer]

...Also look at parts prices if you have any desire to "upgrade". You think Yamaha is bad, times it by three for KTM on any part.

Have to disagree, Ron. In broad stroke terms, KTM parts really aren't any more expensive than any other brand's parts. You'll find odd exceptions in every camp, with seemingly inexplicable spikes on some items and pleasantly underpriced bits as well.

 

[snakebitten]

Been sitting stopped on I-20 for 2.5 hours. Haven't moved a car length. (weather related, of course. Snow blowing sideways)

I live safely down on the coast of Texas. My kids were sending me pics of crawfish dinner in 70F.

Why am I telling you this?

Because THIS is what a hopeless motorcycle enthusiast does to go pick up a bike to ride for just 1 day a couple of weeks from now.

And that same hopeless fool STILL says his Tenere is the best bike he has ever owned.

It's gonna be SO worth it!

 

[wfopete]

Doesn't matter. The 2014 KTM 1190 still is the winner of Cycle World's 2014 "Best Adventure Bike" category.


http://www.cycleworld.com/2014/08/01/best-adventure-motorcycle-ktm-1190-adventure-cycle-world-ten-best-bikes-of-2014/


.

 

[frez]

It's a great bike if the engine doesn't eat itself and you wear asbestos underpants.

 

[stomp347]

Doesn't matter. The 2014 KTM 1190 still is the winner of Cycle World's 2014 "Best Adventure Bike" category.


http://www.cycleworld.com/2014/08/01/best-adventure-motorcycle-ktm-1190-adventure-cycle-world-ten-best-bikes-of-2014/


.

Doesn't matter, it's all in the wrist anyway.

 

[Checkswrecks]

Been sitting stopped on I-20 for 2.5 hours. Haven't moved a car length. (weather related, of course. Snow blowing sideways)

I live safely down on the coast of Texas. My kids were sending me pics of crawfish dinner in 70F.

Why am I telling you this?

Because THIS is what a hopeless motorcycle enthusiast does to go pick up a bike to ride for just 1 day a couple of weeks from now.

And that same hopeless fool STILL says his Tenere is the best bike he has ever owned.

It's gonna be SO worth it!

Can I move into your spare bedroom?
Please?
Pretty please?
O

 

[Big Blu]

Big Blu I am not sure you get it . Why buy a bike that you need a lot of dealer support for in the first place . 56,000 and went places that only hard core off road riders go , and at speeds that scare the rest on pavement and cruise in triple digits , not in Oregon . I spend a lot of time riding buy my self in the mountains , The last thing I worry about is the bike .

With 55+ years of riding, owned 45+ bikes, riding 20-25K miles/yr. since retirement in 2002, 6-8 weeks riding the Alps for the past 6 years on my bike that I keep in Heidelberg Germany, yes, I "GET IT". I buy a bike because it puts a big grim on my face but want to know I've got dealer support when I need. Past experience with a Moto Guzzi has shaded my thinking on this.... ::007::
I'm able to do all the service on the boxer motors, not so on the ST. Local Euro bike dealers in my area are the best, with competent skilled technicians should warranty work or major repair be required. It's not like that with the remaining Yamaha dealers in the area. When I visited the Yamaha dealer for an estimate on a valve check/adj. at 26K miles he scratched his said and "I dunno, maybe 4-6 hours, we ain't never done one of these". But the major influence on my decision to move from the ST to a GSA is I like the smoother motor/clutch, the power and linear torque, near perfect fuelling/engine management, light handling and very quick turn in, lower center of gravity. Most of my riding is touring and I appreciate the 7.8gal tank and the 330- 350 mile range. The weight of a fully fuelled GAS with upper/lower crash bars, skid plate, luggage brackets, LED driving lights is just a few pound LIGHTER then a fully fuelled ST without all the farkels according to the manufactures specs.

What I also get is that we all ride our bike of choice and many factors influence our decision. Because someone makes a different decision then we have, it doesn't mean they made a bad decision or that they don't "get it". It simple means, well you know, they're different! ::008::

If I lived in your neck of the woods I'd be doing less touring and more exploring the logging roads and forest service roads.... you're a lucky guy!! ::003::

Paul

 

[snakebitten]

Checkwrecks, If I had a spare, absolutely. It's apparently first come first serve around here these days. When I get up in the morning and put on the coffee, whoever bunked here last night will come shuffling into the kitchen and reveal themselves. There is often a surprise or two.

Been that way since the kids were teens. Our place is called Brenda's B&B by the whole town. It's hilarious.
Seeing 10 cars-trucks-motorcycles parked all around the pond, in the morning, is not that unusual.

Back to the KTM mud slinging..... ::013::....if the ICE will melt off here in Abilene this morning, me and my boy (slept in the truck on the side of the road) will head on up to Lubbock to fetch that WILD beast. I'll post pics. Then we can ALL sling some more.

I'm gonna sling REAL mud at it too.

 

[Big Blu]

Been sitting stopped on I-20 for 2.5 hours. Haven't moved a car length. (weather related, of course. Snow blowing sideways)

I live safely down on the coast of Texas. My kids were sending me pics of crawfish dinner in 70F.

Why am I telling you this?

Because THIS is what a hopeless motorcycle enthusiast does to go pick up a bike to ride for just 1 day a couple of weeks from now.

And that same hopeless fool STILL says his Tenere is the best bike he has ever owned.

It's gonna be SO worth it!

That suck snake. Stay warm, be safe, awaiting ride reports on new toy.

Paul

 

[snakebitten]

That suck snake. Stay warm, be safe, awaiting ride reports on new toy.

Paul

Thanks Big Blu for the well wishes!!!
Sippin hot coffee with my youngest boy in the seat next to me. Freaking gorgeous sunrise waking us through the windshield.
I predict another blessed day indeed.

As for the toy, wait till you see this crazy beast!
I'm gonna catch grief from my Tenere Buddies world wide.
And as much as I dish it out, I'll have it coming. Lol

 

[shrekonwheels]

I cannot for the life of me understand you guys who are constantly cycling thru motorbikes.

I am not so much a motorcycle enthusiast as I am a riding enthusiast.

All that material shit means zero once you are gone, what does matter is the life you lived and how you lived it.

You can bet your ass, if I had your guys money and time, rather than wasting it on some bike with a slightly lower center of gravity or more HP I could do nothing better with with except brag about, I would be finishing riding the world.

::021::

 

[Dirt_Dad]

I cannot for the life of me understand you guys who are constantly cycling thru motorbikes.

Pretty sure this is one of those things that you either get it or you don't.

Me, I get it.

Congrats on the bike, Snake. What's next?

 

[kgfire]

Baskin - Robbins has 32 flavors and I like 'em all.

 

[Ramseybella]

With 55+ years of riding, owned 45+ bikes, riding 20-25K miles/yr. since retirement in 2002, 6-8 weeks riding the Alps for the past 6 years on my bike that I keep in Heidelberg Germany, yes, I "GET IT". I buy a bike because it puts a big grim on my face but want to know I've got dealer support when I need. Past experience with a Moto Guzzi has shaded my thinking on this.... ::007::
I'm able to do all the service on the boxer motors, not so on the ST. Local Euro bike dealers in my area are the best, with competent skilled technicians should warranty work or major repair be required. It's not like that with the remaining Yamaha dealers in the area. When I visited the Yamaha dealer for an estimate on a valve check/adj. at 26K miles he scratched his said and "I dunno, maybe 4-6 hours, we ain't never done one of these". But the major influence on my decision to move from the ST to a GSA is I like the smoother motor/clutch, the power and linear torque, near perfect fuelling/engine management, light handling and very quick turn in, lower center of gravity. Most of my riding is touring and I appreciate the 7.8gal tank and the 330- 350 mile range. The weight of a fully fuelled GAS with upper/lower crash bars, skid plate, luggage brackets, LED driving lights is just a few pound LIGHTER then a fully fuelled ST without all the farkels according to the manufactures specs.

What I also get is that we all ride our bike of choice and many factors influence our decision. Because someone makes a different decision then we have, it doesn't mean they made a bad decision or that they don't "get it". It simple means, well you know, they're different! ::008::

If I lived in your neck of the woods I'd be doing less touring and more exploring the logging roads and forest service roads.... you're a lucky guy!! ::003::

Paul

Paul,
I have to ask but do you still own a Tenere or just a BMW now?
Are all BMW service departments around the rest of the country just as good as in your neck of the woods?
Just wondering because I would like to know, even though I don't own my Triumph Tiger 1050 anymore I do at times visit my old mates on the Triumph Tiger 1050 forum (always welcomed).
They don't sell the 1050 Tig in the states anymore or I would still own one after mine was totaled.
I reside at the Tenere forum because I own a Tenere now and love it.
I wish I could find some decent Yamaha service departments in New Mexico, so far Bobby J's is one of the better out of the three but that's 52 miles one way.
We may want to have a list of decent service departments that our members know of around the country so we can find them when we need one on the fly. ::008::

 

[Donk]

Pretty sure this is one of those things that you either get it or you don't.

Me, I get it.

Congrats on the bike, Snake. What's next?

::026::

And to tell the truth there haven't been many I didn't like. Some much more than others.