KTM 1090 Test Ride

[frez]

Took a KTM 1090 standard model out for a test ride today. The USA is not getting this model, this one is similar to the 1090R but with 19/17 alloy wheels instead of 21/18 wire spoked and front suspension that cant be adjusted.

First off I was concerned about the front forks as the standard bike does not have any adjustment, but I needn't have been, they handled the good and poor surfaces I rode on as well as my S10 that has had some work.

The power delivery is very smooth, less vibration than the S10, less agricultural. The suspension is good. It's very fast, light, can be flicked through twisties, holds a line well. The clutch lever is nice and light to use. The brakes are strong, but not linked.

The only bad point was that it was difficult to find neutral, which may have been down to them giving me a bike that had the gear lever set far too high. It was like they had dropped the pegs to their lowest position without adjusting the gear lever.

I've got another test booked on Friday for the 1290S, another model not going to the states, again similar to the R version but with 19/17 alloy wheels.

 

[Tempesc]

The only bad point was that it was difficult to find neutral

Maybe a KTM thing? An issue on my KTM 350 too, and for my pal on his KTM 250. Mine needs a very slight touch on the lever else it clicks straight on by to 2nd. Sometimes i also need to roll the bike an inch or so to get it to find neutral.

Look forward to hearing how the next test goes.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[snakebitten]

There's a KTM with non-adjustable suspension?
Seems unimaginably un-orange.

 

[Descendant]

Did you experience any excess heat from the motor?

I took a 1090 Adventure for a test ride, and the two things I noticed right away:
1. how tall it was, seat height was way up there for my medium stature
2. the engine heat.

 

[Sierra1]

My wife's TW 200 is tough to find neutral. Put it down to it being a low tech bike. I wouldn't consider the new KTMs to be low tech bikes. I remember way back in the day, bikes would be advertised with "positive neutral finder/locator". I always thought it was a BS marketing thing....maybe not. Suuuure do like my Tenere.

 

[greg the pole]

There's a KTM with non-adjustable suspension?
Seems unimaginably un-orange.

cost cutting on the 19/17 euro version only.
We don't get the 19/17 here. The 21/18 is fully adjustable (front/back) and is quality kit.

I loved that bike.

 

[Buelligan]

mmmmmmmmm, Orange Koolaid!
I have drank much of the Orange Koolaid the past month.
I've test rode the 1090, 1190, and the 1290. there is much to be excited about with these bikes, except for that chain drive!
I've also put about 160 miles on my buddies brand new 1290 super Duke. OMG! I've finally found a bike that can replace my Buell 1125, except for that damn chain drive!
I'm planning on taking a longer ride on the 1290 adventure, I'm really liking the motors in these bikes, still not sure if I can put up with chain maintenance though...
::001::

 

[snakebitten]

Abstaining from Orange is a right every human being has.

And most do, for a variety of reasons.
But not-fun-to-ride ain't one of them!

You get the feeling that everybody that works there, all the way down to the assembly line, are folks that LOVE to ride motorcycles.
They're CRAZY bikes. Like no other manufacturer.

I love every bike I have. I even love my scr950. I get it. It's my little commute buddy. I'm keeping it for YEARS.
But that 500exc that I'm staring at as I type..........it is my motorcycle heroin. And it was exactly what those Austrian dudes intended!

 

[greg the pole]

Abstaining from Orange is a right every human being has.

And most do, for a variety of reasons.
But not-fun-to-ride ain't one of them!

You get the feeling that everybody that works there, all the way down to the assembly line, are folks that LOVE to ride motorcycles.
They're CRAZY bikes. Like no other manufacturer.

I love every bike I have. I even love my scr950. I get it. It's my little commute buddy. I'm keeping it for YEARS.
But that 500exc that I'm staring at as I type..........it is my motorcycle heroin. And it was exactly what those Austrian dudes intended!

Agreed. On the upside, their street side quality control is getting better and better.
That said, you do need a XC300 in your life
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k03ocSs6I70
and more skill than the muppet on the vid ::025::

 

[snakebitten]

I've read enough to know that everything the 500exc does well off-road, the 300 does better!

And I don't doubt that in the least. No skepticism whatsoever.

But, I personally use the License plate side of that EXC substantially, if ya know what I mean. Today, I might jump on it and head for Cortez, 25 miles away on a 65mph highway. Ftech some supplies and fill the Altrider 40 liter bags. Then buzz back to camp. All on the same bike that will rock crawl up the side of Mount Helmet carrying my oversized hippy bones as if not even mildly burdened.

The bike has to be the most capable dual sport lightweight horse I've ever mounted.

 

[greg the pole]

I've read enough to know that everything the 500exc does well off-road, the 300 does better!

And I don't doubt that in the least. No skepticism whatsoever.

But, I personally use the License plate side of that EXC substantially, if ya know what I mean. Today, I might jump on it and head for Cortez, 25 miles away on a 65mph highway. Ftech some supplies and fill the Altrider 40 liter bags. Then buzz back to camp. All on the same bike that will rock crawl up the side of Mount Helmet carrying my oversized hippy bones as if not even mildly burdened.

The bike has to be the most capable dual sport lightweight horse I've ever mounted.

agreed. The smoker wouldn't do that as willingly. That said, for the single track, bush, and technical riding we do in the rockies, the 500 is too big for me. I do ride with a guy that cleans anything and everything on the 500. It's nuts.

 

[snakebitten]

Yea, to me the thing is TINY. Light as a feather.

I suppose that sensation owes to wrestling much bigger beasts!
Just one more magnificent aspect of the mighty Super Tenere. As amazingly capable as it is, it shrinks the perception of everything else. ::013::

 

[greg the pole]

Yea, to me the thing is TINY. Light as a feather.

I suppose that sensation owes to wrestling much bigger beasts!
Just one more magnificent aspect of the mighty Super Tenere. As amazingly capable as it is, it shrinks the perception of everything else. ::013::

always finding an upside Bruce...good on you man.