I have drank the Orange Koolaid, and it is fine

Buelligan

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So, back in January, some thieves thought they deserved my Tenere more than I did, and made off with it.
As I didn't have much hope, I started looking around for a 15+ Tenere.
A friend of mine purchased a KTM 1290 super Duke, and let me take it for a few rides. OMG! The power and handling reminded me so much of my Buell 1125CR.
While I was searching, and waiting for the insurance to settle, I made the mistake of taking a 1290 SAR for a test ride. Same motor as the Duke, with 8.9" of suspension, wow...
I loved it, but still hated the idea of dealing with a chain on a long distance ride. Fast forward 2 months, and the insurance has settled, I've sold my Hardley, and broke down and bought the KTM ???
With the exception of the chain, there is not much about this bike to not like. Power is awesome, in all gears, throughout the powerband. I've got just over 1000 miles on it now, no issues, just big grins ::001::
I took it easy the first few miles



I finally got brave and took it over the Sandia mountains the back way



On the other side, I took a quick ride down RT66


The bike is definitely lighter than my Tenere, and I'm sure it's my imagination, along with all that Koolaid, but it does seem to handle and maneuver much better.
My gas mileage so far is 46MPG, and my range is about 200+ miles per tank. I still have the original TKC80's on it for now, traction is great, I have no complaints so far.
A week ago, I participated in an Iron Butt ride called the "Tour of Honor", I rode the Beemer for the first 4 monuments, but noticed my rear tire was looking too worn to finish the last 3 monuments.
So I blasted home, switched bikes, and continued on. I was surprised how well the TKC's gripped on those mountain curves riding up through Taos to Angel Fire.
Santa Fe Veterans cemetery

Angel Fire Vietnam Veterans Memorial

I like riding this Tour of Honor every year, I'm a veteran, and I like to support fellow veterans, and I'm impressed at all the memorials big and small that are out there honoring our nations heroes.

This Saturday, I went and rode section 6 of the NMBDR from Grants to Cuba, it's a decent section of track, I didn't find it overly challenging, but I did enjoy it, nonetheless.
The bike performed flawlessly, climbing every hill and jumping every ditch like the oversized dirt bike that it is
I started off in the mountains north of Grants

Mmmmmmmm, drink deeply of my Kool-aid!


After you drop down off the mountain, you go through a couple of private ranches, always making sure to close the gates behind you

There were soft, sand, roads, and some packed dirt. I could see the ruts caused by the ranchers driving these roads after a recent rain.

Rode past some very old adobe ranches

Came across this water hole out in the middle of nowhere, that is Cabezon in the background

Then the terrain started climbing up onto a mesa, and became tougher, reminded me of Utah



So yea, Im really liking this bike, it's doing everything, and more than I anticipated.
But, I'm still thinking of a 15+ Tenere, I sure do miss my old Tenere, and am pretty sure another one will find it's way into my garage.
Hope you enjoy my little review, that orange Kool-aid sure does taste good ;)

::021::
 

Madhatter

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sorry to hear thieves invaded your peace...... I hate thieves ...... I love my tenere , but I set on a 1290 , ive been messed up since..... have no plans to get rid of tenere , but have a little lust issue over the ktm.... so how good are the headlights, and are the tires tubeless ? that bike fit me good , seemed more comfortable without any mods to start with than the tenere ( but the s10 is older in design ). since you ( buelligan ) started this and others would like to know also , whether I or anyone else would actually trade or buy the ktm. long term real revue would be cool.... how does the ktm abs compare real world to our s10, what farkles will you add and why ? so mr buelligan you get my drift ( suggestion ) .... might be helpful to get an honest report , it will be helpful..... thanks and enjoy the new ride..... looking forward to your reports.....
 

Buelligan

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Madhatter, Yea, losing the bike left me feeling violated. The Tenere is such a perfect bike in so many ways, comfort, reliability, versatile. I'm sure I will get another...
The KTM lust is real, try not to drink the Kool-aid, it's over after that ;)
So far, the only mods I've done, are a more comfortable seat, bar risers, and a GPS mount. When I bought the bike I bought the "travel pack" which is software based upgrade ($500) that gives you the KTM my ride app, (GPS capability thru your phone displayed on the front display). Also gives you the quick shift (clutchless shifting), Hill hold control (HHC), Motor slip regulation (MSR), and the displays firmware was upgraded to the latest version. the display is truly a thing of beauty, it looks like an 8" Ipad, and the color is beautiful. The information available is good, but accessing it sucks going through the buttons on the left controls. I much prefer the "wonder wheel" on my BMW to the KTM approach.
The rims ARE tubeless, although I'm not to fond of the design, as I have read of failures. Nothing like the rock solid design of the tenere's wheels which are a true tubeless wheel. The KTM design uses a conventional spoked wheel, with a rubber insert along the inside center of the rim, that slips into a bead on each side, thereby creating a "seal". Not perfect. The 1290 SAS model comes with mag wheels, which are true tubeless wheels, but they are smaller standard road sizes 19" front and 17" rear, and are prone to getting damaged in rough offroad use. I've ordered a set of mags, which I plan to mount sport touring tires on, so I can switch back and forth like I did on my Tenere.
(I still have a complete set of wheels for the Tenere, front and rear, with discs, ABS rings and bearings all ready to go, for sale, 50% of what I paid, if anyone is interested)...
The headlights are superb, they light up the road and desert very well, and the cornering lights are taking some getting used to as they come on and off at will depending on your bank angle.

Steve, Yes Christina does ride on this bike, and has given the comfort level her seal of approval, but the Tenere was/is her favorite. I do not foresee pulling the trailer with the KTM, (i wouldn't want to sling chain lube all over it), and don't think I want to try with the Beemer either. Therefore, another nod in the direction of getting another Tenere.
The KTM is certainly an improvement in offroad abilities, (for me), I've seen what YOU can do, and it is amazing the places you can get your Tenere into.
As my skill level is not up to par, the KTM will help me pretend I am like you ;) ::001::
 

greg the pole

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thieves suck..

Glad you're liking the 1290. Wasn't on my radar when I was replacing my 2012 xt.
The 1090 was. In the end the AT won out. I really enjoyed the short ride on the 1090.
The ATs 'apparent' reliability won me over. After 4k km, I've made the right choice.
 

Xclimation

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VERY sorry about your bike getting stolen! Not too much worse than a bike thief!
Semper Fi (former Doc)

Thank You for the review! A lot of great dealios popping up on low mileage 1190s around DFW Texas area! Makes me think...I plan on keeping my Tenere for a couple of years.
 

Dirt_Dad

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I didn't think people stole Teneres. This is unsettling to my world view. I feel a bit of vulnerability I've never felt before.

Gorgeous KTM you have there. I do understand how tempting that kool-aid can be. Apparently it's impossible to give us a shaft drive on a bike that is so nimble. That's unfortunate. It really is unappealing to lube a chain on my travel bike. Have you learned to ignore the PITA of that chore?
 

Buelligan

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Dirt_Dad,
No I haven't, and I hate it!
That is pretty much the only thing I dislike about this bike, and one of the reasons I almost didn't get it. I hate chain maintenance! I pretty much lube the chain on my DR650 every other time I ride it.
I've lubed this KTM about every 500 miles, and while it's not really a PITA, it's still something I'd rather not do.
The Tenere is great with the driveshaft, and I don't believe that crap about it hurting the handling, lol.
it's just extra weight. I do see the benefit of chains as far as changing the gearing, but, if done right, a good "all around bike" does not need to be re-geared ;)

My Tenere has been recovered, it was seriously abused, and now has a loud knock from the bottom end :'(
I don't think I'm going to be rebuilding this one...
 

Dirt_Dad

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Buelligan said:
I pretty much lube the chain on my DR650 every other time I ride it.
I pretty much lube the chain on my DR650 every few months. It's a rough life around here if you're a chain.

How does that work with the bike recovery? Sounds like you already received payment for a total loss. I'm assuming the insurance company owns the carcass. Did someone from the recovery process call you and tell you about the knock?
 

Checkswrecks

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Bummer to hear that the Tenere was beat but glad insurance seems to have you mostly covered.

Having had a number of KTMs, the one thing I've learned is to really adhere to their maintenance schedule. No putting off of valve checks and oil changes, like we sometimes do with the Tenere.
 

Buelligan

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Dirt_Dad,
Yes, I had already been paid by the insurance for the loss. A few weeks ago the local PD contacted me, and told me they recovered my bike, and that I needed to come pick it up to reduce impound fees.
They had busted an auto theft ring, and discovered about 27 bikes there also, mine was one of them. I had already found my Jesses bags, and corbin seat at a pawn shop, and bought them back.
I picked up the bike and brought it home and started going over it, surveying the damage, which was pretty extensive. apparently it had been stunted, and ridden off road hard. My ACD skid plate was not on the bike when it was stolen, and the oil pan is dented, cracked, and leaking. Oil is below recommenced levels, and I assume it was ran until it started to knock, then parked. After confirming all the damage, I notified the insurance company of the recovery, and then negotiated a buy-back.
The motor is toast, but the 2014 clutch basket is good, as well as the almost new barnett clutch plates and springs. I've got a nice set of wheels complete with discs and abs rings if someone wants a spare set for doing quick swaps between dirt and street tires.
It's a harsh reality looking at it on my bike lift, and remembering it sitting on that same lift 4 months ago, all gleaming and shining ready to ride :'(
 

Dirt_Dad

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Not sure why you would be on the hook for the impound fees. The bikes I've totaled had their titles turned into the insurance company. I'm guessing you're just a stand-up guy and did what you thought would be the right thing to do. Which makes you exactly the opposite of the awful people who decided they were more entitled to your bike.

Criminals suck.
 

Dogdaze

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Dirt_Dad said:
Not sure why you would be on the hook for the impound fees. The bikes I've totaled had their titles turned into the insurance company. I'm guessing you're just a stand-up guy and did what you thought would be the right thing to do. Which makes you exactly the opposite of the awful people who decided they were more entitled to your bike.

Criminals suck.
I had to laugh at the last sentence, 90% of the world governments are run/ controlled by criminals. They lead by example, unfortunately!

Carry on.
 

Sierra1

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Buelligan said:
...The Tenere is great with the driveshaft, and I don't believe that crap about it hurting the handling, lol. It's just extra weight....

::026:: Admittedly, less weight MAY improve handling. (depends on how much & where it's carried) And chain drive does have less parasitic HP loss. BUT....it all depends on what your priorities are. All that counts is that it makes you smile...ALOT! ::001::
 

Madhatter

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so a friend I've not heard from in awhile txt's me , asking if I would like to go for a ride. gonna show off his new 1290 r . I don't need this temptation my tenere is still a fine motorcycle that still is able to do the speed limit.... i'm shopping dirt bikes , wife said I could . she did not say I could trade the super 10 ….. who needs 160hp anyway. orange and white ,boring... advanced abs..... whats wrong with an older abs system.... the best thing about the 1290 is it cost 18k and that is a bit out of my budget for now..... please mr. dealer no discounting of the 1290 ……
 

Buelligan

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Well, lets see, I've got about 9500 miles on the bike, still hate lubing the chain!
I've taken it across the NM and COBDR's, I've done a couple of IronButts on it, and I've shamed many a sport bike with it.
IMG_4173.JPG
Carving the corners of Wolf Creek pass

IMG_4196.JPG
along the Crystal river, heading up McClure pass

IMG_4404-S.jpg Setting up camp along the NMBDR

IMG_4400-S.jpg
Lets see, The fuel gauge was replaced under warranty, and I often get a "key out of range" on the display, even though it's in my pocket. (Keyless Ride) I hate it! I'm on my second set of TKC 80's, and I'm still good on the PR5's I mounted on the spare SAS street wheels.
It's a gorgeous bike, comfortable for long distance, awesome in the dirt, and the power is phenomenal!
I still bitch about the chain, and I can barely reach the ground when I have the dirt wheels mounted, and during the heat of the New Mexico summer, the heat coming off the engine is unbareable! From what I've read, the only solution is a rottweiler intake system, along with a PC5, and a header system removing the Cat. Only about$3 grand, but more than I'm willing to spend at the moment. Now that the temps are in the 40's and 50's, the ride is much more enjoyable.
So winter time, I love it! Summer time, I'm riding the beemer, or Buell...
;)
 

Madhatter

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engine heat just sucks the joy right out of a ride. I notice heat from the tenere on my feet at times and mostly the left , and in the summer the pavement temperatures don't help here. other wise a non issue as you no on the tenere….
 
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