The next chapter...KTM Super Adventure S

EnnK

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Very interesting reading indeed. What about the vibes?
I remember taking a a full day test drive (over 500 km) on the same model before I bought ST. The first 2 hours I was in full extasy, the bike behaved fantastically and it suspension was super smooth even on very bad gravel road, I was about to buy it right on spot. However, the last 100 km was pure suffering. Engine somehow created vibrations that were pretty rough in their nature and though they were not big, my hands, toes and butt hurt real bad. In the end, even the mirrors started to lose their position and needed to be adjusted few times. When I returned the bike and sat on my then FJR, it felt like sitting from Caterpillar into a Mercedes S class....
Although ST is by no means vibe-free, the nature of vibes is very soft and at least for me not hurting at all.

Not meaning to ruin your honeymoon, just curious how your bike feels.
 

Longdog Cymru

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Elsewhere on this Forum, I wrote that I had been thinking of changing my SuperTen for either a BMW S1000XR, a Ducati Multistrada 1200S DVT or a BMW F900XR. Lots of people on here understood although some behaved as if I had just killed and eaten their favourite grand child.

Since I posted, Lockdown in U.K. has eased and I have got back to riding my SuperTen on a more regular basis. This in turn has given me opportunity to reflect on how I ride and where I ride. My conclusion is do I need a 160bhp motorcycle? No, not really, I’d never get to use the power on the roads and tours that I enjoy. Do I want a 160bhp motorcycle? Hell yes! Will I be changing my SuperTen for one of these motorcycle? Probably not now although there are other bikes that could yet tempt me. However, my SuperTen pretty much fits my needs and I enjoy riding it.

So, to the OP, congratulations on your KTM Super Adventure S, I would love to have one and I am envious of you and yours, but in a good way. Enjoy your motorcycle and ignore anyone who tries to pi$$ on your chips and plough your own furrow. I hope you continue to contribute to this Forum and I look forward to reading more about your KTM.
 

Dirt_Dad

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another new weekend to really get to know that bike DD. load it up as on a trip and see how it acts .
...funny you should mention that.
20200807_101742.jpg

2 weeks of ownership as of today. A bit over 1250 on the odometer. Not bad for someone who has worked full-time both those weeks...and never rides to work.

Lots to report... for now I'll just say 33-72-250-28-220

More later
 

Dirt_Dad

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...
So, to the OP, congratulations on your KTM Super Adventure S,
...
I hope you continue to contribute to this Forum
Thank you, and I'm not going anywhere.

This forum has been in the number one tab position on my browser for about 10 years now. I've had the pleasure of meeting, riding with, sharing a meal with and/or sharing a campfire with a good number of members here.

I've seen their generosity, their character, and their thoughtfulness. I've witnessed their humanity as the bikes were setup to host mentally challenged children to sit on and dream a different dream that night. There are so many truly great people here that I have the honor of calling my friend.

There's no way I'm leaving just because I ride a different bike.
 

Mak10

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I bought a Super Tenere without ever having taken a ride on one after finding this forum. I have ridden, camped, and shared a meal with the nicest and most genuine people I’ve ever met.
It is so nice to share a love of the joy we have riding a motorcycle.
You meet the nicest people riding an ADV bike!
 

Dirt_Dad

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Did take the bike out on the first trip.



This was a last minute change from trailering the dirt bikes to Canaan, to DM wanting to ride her big bike out there. Okay, I'm good with that.

Gave us a chance to hit some of the very best twisty roads WV has to offer. Basically, the anticipated stomping grounds of the SAS. Also gave us a chance to simulate riding out west, where we were able to ride an extended period of time at sustained speeds of 83ish MPH for a few miles. The wind management at the high speeds is fantastic. No problem of any type. The new Puig windscreen is a winner.

Heat management was a non-issue all weekend. I zipped closed the size and back vent zippers on my Badlands pants and no more issue. I do hope that is the last you hear from me on heat.

Ennk asked about vibes...there are none. Or at least they are so mild that I can't really tell. For the last 14 years I've ridden with a product similar to Grip Puppies, but I'm now straight grips on the SAS. Vibs and comfort is great. Don't anticipate installing the foam.

My entire goal when riding the twisty stuff is that sensation you get when nailing your corners and the satisification of a well executed run. Just getting in the zone and really feeling it. I've never cared about high speed, just high satisfaction. I absolutely love that this bike delivers that wonderful feeling at speeds not really any faster than the Tenere. I'd be making a run in the great stuff and I'd look down and I'm still only doing 62 MPH...I was shocked. That run would have forced me to get into significantly higher speeds on the FJR. The SAS rides like an Adventure bike, not like a sport bike. You still have to have decent skills to ride the thing. It's not easy like the FJR...and I greatly appreciate that. That has been one of my biggest concerns before buying the bike...yep, I'm still needed.

Speed shifter, speed shifter, speed shifter...I can't say enough how much that dramatically increases the entertainment of riding. DM was using her's on this trip and she loved passing using the speed shifter...just makes things fun. Can't explain it, got to experience it. Don't pass it up as a nice to have...it's a must. By the way, KTM has a much better engineered speed shifter than the BMW...at least at low speeds and gears. Higher up and faster they are about the same. Down low, the BMW clunks, KTM doesn't.

Stayed in a place that is in desperate need of updating...but who cares, there to ride.



After 1400 mile of riding this bike I have come to recognize it is exactly what I needed. It is as gentle, or as speedy as I choose. It is comfortable and competent and able to do anything I want. I've gone from day one, first 100 miles, thinking I made a bike mistake and settled for something I shouldn't have, to realizing this is the perfect match for me. I can't wait for my next ride.

Sure, the chain is a chore, but the bike is worth the effort and I'm trying to keep that in mind.

KTM navigation leaves a lot to be desired. It works okay, but not truly ready for prime time. Amazing that a company putting out a premium bike, and charging for their navigation app is not embarrassed to put this out as their product. As one reviewer say, "every one involved in creating this app should be fired." I get that.



After riding home today I spent a few quality minutes in the reading room, then got on the 690. Wanted to see if I still knew how to use a clutch. I do, but definitely caught myself trying to speed shift it. Told DM I was just going around the "dirt" block. She looked sceptical. 40 miles later, I had to admit it was a warranted look. She knows me.

After riding the 690 I gained some perspective. The SAS is my grow up, mature minding bike (how do you like that), the 690 is great for my hooligan side. I was good staying all pavement on the SAS, then using the 690 to get the power-sliding and wheeling fix I still need. My current bike inventory is well balanced and ideally matched for my current attitudes.
 
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ballisticexchris

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Right on my man!! You have your bikes dialed in just how you like them.
 

Boris

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My entire goal when riding the twisty stuff is that sensation you get when nailing your corners and the satisification of a well executed run. Just getting in the zone and really feeling it. I've never cared about high speed, just high satisfaction.
A non biker, or a plodder type biker, would never be able to make sense of this. I completely get what you mean, and completely agree. It’s hard to explain what it is, but getting a section of bends just right, is where it’s at. Well it is for me anyway.
 

eemsreno

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LJM

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A question for Dirt dad, but 1st congrats on your new ride It's always fun to get something new & different & I'm thinking I might be due for a change I've owned many KTM's all dirt except a 690 SMC that they all were fantastic bikes. Road wise my ADV bikes have been BMW GS, Ducati MultiStrada & the ST.
Couldn't stand the Duc it was absolutely no fun to ride at anything near the speed limit it was a de-tuned superbike and horrible in the dirt sold it after a year, The GS was great when it ran had me stranded more than a few times same experience with an RT. So back in 2014 I was shopping for a new ADV bike test rode KTM & a GS the KTM dealer had this Grey looking thing tucked away ( a 2014 ES ST) I noticed I never saw one before rode it really liked it and took it home. At that point my ADV rides were mostly commute & highway miles & the ST was and I still think perfect for this I never worry about the ST stranding me & even loaded up it rides nice. But after 6 years with it & reading your experience I start lookin at KTM Adventure. One thing that has me going that way is the weight difference from what I've seen the KTM is about 100lbs less than the ST (may be the reason you find it so different with a top box) The ST weight I think helps it at highway speeds & windy conditions for comfort and stability which is a plus for me.
My question is how do you compare/notice the weight difference on the highways at 70-80 mph ? I know the advantages of less weight when it comes to cornering or picking the damm thing up just cruious of a ST rider to KTM rider perspective.
Thanks
 

Dirt_Dad

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My question is how do you compare/notice the weight difference on the highways at 70-80 mph ? I know the advantages of less weight when it comes to cornering or picking the damm thing up just cruious of a ST rider to KTM rider perspective.
Thanks
So far, with no cases of any type installed, I have ridden the bike as high as 83 MPH sustained over a several mile stretch, including today at 80 MPH for about 5 miles. Behind the new PUIG touring windscreen the bike as comfortable, and perceived to be as stable as the Tenere, which is truly outstanding. I say perceived because I once totaled a Tenere when hitting a deer while I was riding at 75 MPH, and the bike stayed up. That's a 10 out of 10 perfect stability for the Tenere that I don't want to test on the KTM. But so far, I have never ridden at those speeds on the KTM and wished I had my Tenere back.

I suspect adding my side and top cases will only plant the bike even more. That theory is still to be proven. Adding the top case for a few quick rides did slow down the turning, so my hunch is it will be more stuck to the road. I have not had much cross wind yet, so can't speak to that.

There is a pretty well known issue with this bike becoming unstable above 120 MPH. People doing tank slappers and high-siding...scary stuff. That has never been my interest in riding an adventure bike, and I don't consider that issue to have any relevance to how I will ride the bike 100% of the time.

You mentioned speed...this bike is very fun to ride at near legal speeds. I'm constantly shocked to be coming out of a set of twisties, hammer the throttle, then look down and think..."that's all I'm doing?" At one point today I did that, and the number was only 57 MPH. I would have sworn I had to be much higher, but nope. I don't give a #@!% about high speed, only high sensation and satisfaction...and I was getting it at at just 57 MPH...winner in my book.



Completing my 3rd week of ownership this weekend. I stand behind every good thing I've said about it. Funny how I've gone from a touch of buyer's remorse in the first 100 miles, to now having to keep myself from declare my undying love for the bike too soon. I still need to see how the reliability thing goes. But I am completely, utterly, enthusiastically entertained by this bike. I'm chomping at the bit for the next ride...can't happen soon enough.

Without a doubt, this is the most fun big bike I have ever ridden. I hated giving up the shaft drive. I was nearly kicking and screaming about giving up the massive benefits of the shaft. But I have to admit my sacrifice has been rewarded with an extraordinary increase in the level of fun and excitement. I'm sure some of that is just riding something new, but I do feel my clinging to a shaft drive was keeping me from discovering a whole new riding experience. If a chain is the price of that...well...hand me the chain lube, let's go ride.

It's not all perfect.
-) The lawyers in Austria are not as powerful as Japanese lawyers, but they still have their say. Changing settings can be done on the fly, but causes some awkward moments of push this, then hold that, then release this...less than Ideal.
-) Still trying to keep the warning for "The Key is Not In Range" from coming up at seemingly random times. Still not ready to declaire that a bike problem. I did have the key in a pocket that had foil wrapped packets. Moving the packets helped. But changed jackets today and the issue was back.
-)Roll-on wheelies at speed are pretty much impossible. It's not published anywhere I've found, but even with traction control off, there is wheelie control on this bike. If you try to bring up the front when riding over a hump at 4K RPM or above it comes up about as much as a Tenere in TCS 2 and then you find yourself back on the ground fast. It makes for some uneasy moments. I have a road with a nice hump I could jump on the Tenere with TCS off. It was a downright bizarre moment doing that spot on the KTM today. I really, really don't want wheelie control when I turn off traction control.
-) heat is much more than the Tenere, but completely tolerable with vents closed.

Overall, I'm nit picking, and I can live with all of the above for the fun this bike is giving me.

I do realize I've lost credibility with my wife. I tell her I'm going out for a ride around the block. That about a 25 mile ride when I do it...yesterday it was 70 miles around the block. It is so damn challenging to get this bike heading back home without thinking up yet one more way to make it take longer.

The bike has developed a theme-song (at least the chorus fits) .
 
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LJM

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Thanks for info. Dirt Dad, stable & comfortable as the ST minus 100lbs. pretty cool. Looks like I'm gonna start my search 1st a test ride at dealer & if all good see what the used market has available from what I've seen there is no difference between the 2019 & 2020.
The speed thing ! For me my favorite ride is on my 1973 Moto Guzzi 850 Eldorado about 60hp and torque like a tractor it's simply a blast to ride it will cruise at 75-80 mph all day & handles amazing in the twistys and will start scraping parts to keep me honest. These days on public roads I'd much rather ride a slow bike fast than a fast bike slow, it's nice to hear your fast bike is fun at slower speeds.
2 things you mention that I'm not liking is the wheelie control system it seems very odd that you can't turn it off ?? On the Multistrada there was no WC but if TCS detected ANY rear wheel slip it cut power and front end would come down hard & fast on a 70 mph wheelie it was not cool, you had to make sure the TCS was off for that kind of bone head riding. The other is those damm key fobs hopefully it's not some type of immobilizer or if it is KTM made it user friendly where reprogramming is possible vs. having to buy a new ECU, ignition switch & keys this happened on my BMW one part failed & you had to buy everything as a set it was almost 2K for those parts. The chance of having that system go bad is. very very slim but one reason I bought the ST was it's very old school key !. FYI on the BMW problem it was a 2009 with over 65K hard miles on it, rain, mud, sun & left outside a lot
Thanks again for info.
LJM
 

Dirt_Dad

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These days on public roads I'd much rather ride a slow bike fast than a fast bike slow, it's nice to hear your fast bike is fun at slower speeds.
Agreed, that is the thing that so amazes me about this bike. I love that it's fun at non-stupid speeds. It will do stupid speeds effortlessly, but you don't have to do those speeds to enjoy the ride.

2 things you mention that I'm not liking is the wheelie control system it seems very odd that you can't turn it off ??
I've seen no acknowledgement that wheelie control is on the bike when TCS is off. But I know beyond any shadow of a doubt, it's there.

The other is those damm key fobs hopefully it's not some type of immobilizer or if it is KTM made it user friendly where reprogramming is possible
A common mod on this bike is to change to a non-locking gas cap. Too many people have spent too long trying to get the gas cap open at a fuel stop. I'm hoping that one has quietly been fixed. Haven't see it yet. Just the annoying light telling me I dropped my key in that last corner.


Good luck in your search.
 

spklbuk

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:eek:Mercy sakes! What is Larry spiking the orangeade with Jon?
Congratulations.
 
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ballisticexchris

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Well Dirt Dad you missed the boat with this bike. I think the 1190/1290's I rode had the Track Pack software installed so the bike would lift the front end and wheelie in sport mode. Unfortunately I'm pretty sure that software upgrade is no longer available here in the US.
 

Dirt_Dad

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:eek:Mercy sakes! What is Larry spiking the orangeade with Jon?
Congratulations.
Thanks Jim. It was good of Larry to switch brands in time for me to keep buying from him. 8 or my last 10 power sport purchases have been through him.

Well Dirt Dad you missed the boat with this bike. I think the 1190/1290's I rode had the Track Pack software installed so the bike would lift the front end and wheelie in sport mode. Unfortunately I'm pretty sure that software upgrade is no longer available here in the US.
The bike definitely has no restrictions lifting the front at slow speeds/low RPMs. It's the high speed, high RPMs where the restriction kicks in. Have not figured out where that starts. But you've sparked an interesting thought...I almost never have the bike in Sport suspension mode. I'm sure I've not tried a high speed wheelie in sport suspension. Need to see if that makes a difference.
 

Dirt_Dad

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This weekend will complete the first month of ownership. Sitting just a bit under 2K miles. Nothing really to add about the ride experience. But a few notes about how KTM thought out the bike and how it's going to be used.

First, they realize that many of us are going to wire some electrical stuff into the bike, so they provided two sets of wires up front and under the back seat. One set is always hot, the other set operates like a relay and is only hot when the bike is on.



All four sets are fused to the same 10amp fuse in the box.

Add in the KTM GPS mount.


Allows for some clean wiring jobs without having to lift the tank.





They have also given a powered phone box near the TFT (bottom right picture below)








The local day ride setup is basically complete.



Still waiting for the HB quick lock side case racks to come in. I'm told that will probably be within 2 weeks. Only plan to install those when on a trip.
 

Dirt_Dad

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...I'm sure I've not tried a high speed wheelie in sport suspension. Need to see if that makes a difference.
Yep, that makes a difference. Bike with TCS off, in Sport mode,, and Sport dampening setting does not artificially put the front wheel on the ground at high speed/rpm. Now it's just rider skills that puts the wheel down too soon. :rolleyes: That's on me now.

Also tried to push a little harder in Off Road mode and Off Road suspension. It claims to allow you to "power slide" like a pro. Well I sure ain't a pro, but what they call a power slide is a bit laughable. Not a bad thing considering the tires are very, very street oriented. Keeps you from getting into any trouble. Bike is very Tenere'ish in power when you knock it down to Off Road mode.

Finally had to ride it around my driveway for the last tenth of a mile today to get this picture. Bike will be a month old this week.

 
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