Guys, the other woman is looking at me and I am looking back....KTM 1290 SA

[DonB]

I am conflicted. My 12 has 10k miles on it and I am looking at another. 40 more horses, 20ft lbs, beautiful suspension. I am being tempted as there is $4000 off. What say you?

 

[EricV]

I am conflicted. My 12 has 10k miles on it and I am looking at another. 40 more horses, 20ft lbs, beautiful suspension. I am being tempted as there is $4000 off. What say you?

Wow, 10k miles, that bike is used up! The 1290 is a sexy bike. I like some of the features like the cornering lights, but it's a big bike, even by Super Ten standards. More Hp doesn't mean more fun, necessarily, but if you're even thinking about the 1290 and going back to chain drive, go ride a Ducati Multistrada Enduro 1200. 160 Hp, still chain drive, but way more capable and off road oriented than all the other Multistradas. They even went to a dual sided swingarm for the Enduro. Between the Ducati Multi Enduro and the KTM 1290 SA, I found I really enjoyed the Duc more than the KTM. Just my take. I couldn't live with the chain drive again for my traveling needs, so kept the Super Ten and bought some new suspension. Not sorry I kept the Super Tenere. It's already set up the way I liked, just needed an upgrade.

You can drop $3k on upgraded suspension and still be out of pocket less money than buying a new bike. OTOH, maybe you're just ready for a change. Or maybe... you need to start planing longer trips on the Super Ten. Where would the money you would spend on the 1290 take you? A month long trip to Alaska? 3 Weeks exploring the NorthEast? A four corners tour of the US? 2 weeks in Baja?

You don't need a new bike, but it's ok to want a new bike. Consider how you use your Super Ten when you think about how you would use the KTM. If you bought your '12 new and it only has 10k on it now, you may have no issues and just as much fun with the KTM.

Have fun deciding what to do, and go taste as many other bikes as you can too. Getting hard to get demo rides in some places now, but try.

 

[Don in Lodi]

I am conflicted. My 12 has 10k miles on it and I am looking at another. 40 more horses, 20ft lbs, beautiful suspension. I am being tempted as there is $4000 off. What say you?

I barely ride my '12 and I've got 60,000 miles. What sort of riding is the extra 40 horse going to get you? This bike had 30 horse and nearly 40 pound feet more, and close to 200 pounds lighter than my old Royal Star. I can see the attraction of the greener grass, but the true in-your-hands benifits weigh a bit more in my mind.

 

[squarebore]

My experience is that once you start looking at the shiny orange machine you'll end up buying it if you have the cash. May as well just go and do it. You only live once. One of my mates just bought the 1190r and he can't stop smiling.

Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

 

[Donk]

It was up in the air before I bought my '14 S10 between that and a 1190 Adventure. Decided the rock solid dependability of the S10 was worth the trade off in power. I like to ride pretty quick most of the time and the S10 does just fine. Actually found out the harder I ride it the better it goes. KTMs are nice but they are hot bikes to sit on and dealers are few and far between. $4000 off what, retail? What model year is it? That's still an expensive bike and if it's new you'll still get hammered by depreciation. Throw a few $ into tweaking the S10 and you'll fall in love all over again.

 

[tomatocity]

Upgrade the Clutch and Cam Chain Tensioner and you will have a better, smoother, Tenere. Sync the throttle bodies and you will be happier rider. Don't know how you feel about the Tenere suspension but there is better. Correct the handlebar to fit you better, even happier. It is not how much horsepower you have though the usable horsepower you have. Tires take all of the components and and apply them to the happy place... the road. If you haven't personalized these parts you most likely are not happy with Tenere. Spend a few dollars to find out if you realy want to spend thousands of dollars.

 

[JRE]

go ride a Ducati Multistrada Enduro 1200. 160 Hp, still chain drive, but way more capable and off road oriented than all the other Multistradas.

^^^this...that engine is flat out awesome. Great bike! Although the intervals are longer than they used to be, don't look ahead to valve checks/adjustments though ???

Not sure what the maintenance is on the KTM vs the Tenere and what they charge to work on them...something to think about.

 

[RonH]

Friend of mine bought the 1190, then the 1290. I didn't see the attraction then, and don't til this day. He sold both after a couple thousand miles. The 990 was interesting and still has some appeal to me, the 1190 less, and the 1290 zero. Of course only one opinion.

 

[hobdayd]

It's a personal choice issue...

I wanted to swap from my VFR1200 to an adventure bike...I tried all the big BMW's, KTM's, Africa Twin, Crosstourer, and the new Ducati Enduro...all goodish bikes (from my perspective) but not worth changing the Honda for.

I have previously owned a Triumph Trophy, Hayabusa, GT1400, Aprilia RSV & Future, Honda SP1...I thought I would miss the power and torque of my Honda. That's why I kept it for 4 years.

I had all but given up when I was persuaded to try the ST. 1 Hour later I was looking for my new bike. I settled on a new 2016 ES.

I love it! And, I am riding the twisties just as fast...and smiling! Oh, and feeling fit and fresh at the end of my ride and feeling much safer.

And it's a shaft! And I change gear once to 3 or 4 for the VFR...much less tiring...

It did (like all new bikes) need some fit and function adjustments...but all free and only requiring some test riding. (Suspension settings, gear lever adjustment, clutch lever reshape etc.).

But again a personal choice.

If you really like something buy it!

 

[Squibb]

I'm just back from the UK Bike Show & I can see the attraction of the big SA, aside from the RHS pannier, pipe & chain.

However, my last two excursions to the Orange Side, only led to disappointment - the second was a late season special on a 2010 990 Adv. Seemed like a keen deal, but the luggage was an abomination IMHO, the lights were crap, the pillion was tight for space & of course a chain to manage. After a wet trip to the NW200 it had to go - I really struggled to even get a fair trade-in, unless I wanted another KTM, proving the martket was well aware of the front end discounting scenario.

Tough decision. I think I shall stick with my 2014 ES for now...................... KEN

 

[Andylaser]

If you are thinking of getting the KTM, spend some time practicing bending over and grabbing your ankles.
You will need to do this when you get the bills for servicing. ;D

 

[Velvet]

As a current owner of several KTM V-twins I absolutely love the brand and I can certainly see your atteaction to the 1290 SA. The 1290 and the Super Tenere were both fighting for first place on my short list. Earlier this year, a lightly used '14 ST won the fight and is now in my garage next to the WR250R and Katooms. Seven months and 8,000 miles later I couldn't be happier and I probably saved about $11,000. The Super Tenere does everything that I ask it to do and then some. Based on the absolute ton of research that I have done over the past several years, the Super Tenere is the bike that I would take to the ends of the earth and back with total confidence (as long a there isn't deep sand involved.) I really like the extensive dealer network of the Yamaha brand, however, it is comforting to know that I'll most likely not have to visit one, unless it is for some scheduled maintenance that I don't want to attempt (valve check/adjust, maybe.)

Though I bleed orange out of one arm and now blue out of the other, my advice to you is to just keep your Super Tenere and do the mods that tomatocity recommends. BUT, if you must have the extra power, cruise control, suspension, etc, then by all means buy the 1290. Just plan on keeping for quite a while because, like most European bikes, you'll lose your ass with depreciation. (Ask me how I know) If you are buying new the $4,000.00 discount that you are referring to will certainly help to a degree, but as soon as KTM offers something bigger and questionably better the depreciation will further increase.

 

[VRODE]

I too was tempted mightily by the big Katooms but no dealer was close and I really need a low maintenance bike. After riding a 1200 Multistrada I was tempted by the killer motor, but in reality big horsepower wasn't all that big for me. Coming off my FZ1 I realized I'm having more fun on the ST. It's much more comfortable and I get to wring it's neck when I want to speed things up. I 'd have to be a lot more careful doing that with 130+ ponies in hand. Of course, I spent the last 10 years with more than enough HP (for me anyway) so my perspective may be skewed.

 

[Donk]

Fact; On the Multistrada Enduro (and only the Enduro) the engine has to be removed from the bike to service the valves. Thanks but no thanks? I enjoy horsepower, I enjoy a low to reasonable cost of ownership more.

 

[JRE]

Hence my comment above although I thought that applied to all of the MS models but maybe that was for previous years models.

 

[DonB]

Ok. After thinking about it for a few days I must admit the ST is a pretty solid package. My ST is only 2 years old and I don't ride as much as I used to. I have decided to keep the 10 and forego the SA. I would certainly like the 30+ extra horses but I don't want the chain hassle or the general feeling of "is this thing reliable" today when I want to ride.
So...I am sticking around. I really need to get the clutch basket changed and the rear shock upgraded though. Therefore ::021::

 

[JRE]

::022::
Where are you in OH?

 

[DonB]

Springfield. Just up the road form you I think.

 

[JRE]

yep...if we ever get good weather you can a spin on my '14 to feel how yours should though I have to warn you it's got new tires, fresh drive and tranny oil, just synched TB's and it's spotless so performance may not be indicative of future results
Oh and damn you for puttting the 1290 SA anywhere in my mind, I had studiously been avoiding the KTMs when I go into Cycle Specialties in Fairfield.

 

[Velvet]

Ok. After thinking about it for a few days I must admit the ST is a pretty solid package. My ST is only 2 years old and I don't ride as much as I used to. I have decided to keep the 10 and forego the SA. I would certainly like the 30+ extra horses but I don't want the chain hassle or the general feeling of "is this thing reliable" today when I want to ride.
So...I am sticking around. I really need to get the clutch basket changed and the rear shock upgraded though. Therefore ::021::

Good call in my opinion. I really don't think that you'll regret it. Just do the minor upgrades and ride the absolute pi$$ out of it.