The next chapter...KTM Super Adventure S

[Dirt_Dad]

I had the Scottoliler set to do a drop ever 3 minutes rather than the recommended every 1 minute. Even at that, hell of a mess. I've turned it off for her and for the moment, I've resigned myself to carrying a can of spray.

Beyond the chain, I do not consider the 1290 to be a high wrenching bike. The service intervals are every 9K miles, with an annual inspection to keep the warranty in place. Which basically means I'll probably let the dealer do the 9K service. Obviously I need to be monitoring to see if the bike meets that low level of maintenance expectation...time will tell. At the moment, I'm tired of wrenching on bikes and more willing to let someone else do my least favorite bike related chore.

 

[twinrider]

Mt wife's BMW has a Scottolier...she has instructed me to turn it off. Just got tired if dealing with the mess every where. She'd touch her side case and end up with black fingers. And I had it turned down to 1/3 the recommended flow rate. She likes a clean bike, and that's been impossible with the oiler.

I remember getting a little lube on my wheel but it was black and I just wiped it off when I cleaned the bike. Far better than frequently lubing by hand and going through chains and sprockets every year or two.

There are other brands available. Some that automatically adjust the flow depending on temperature, others add lube when you press a button, etc. This guy reviewed several and likes the Tuturo.

Reviewed: Tutoro and other chain oilers

Updated 2023 Although I haven’t scoured the internet to establish every possible alternative, to me the Tutoro auto luber is all you need to get the job done at a reasonable price and without…

adventure-motorcycling.com

 

[Madhatter]

so my question is , how's that back tire holding out at 2000 miles and your right hand ? lets see a picture .

 

[LJM]

Well, I test rode a 1290 S and it is a really cool bike being faster, lighter, better braking, better handling, better tech then the ST but for me not enough change from the ST to make the switch. I had a high powered light ADV bike (Multistrada) and really didn't like it the 1290 felt similar to me. I also test rode a 790 S which is enough change for me. I'm now looking for a 790 R to ride & if I can get a decent deal on one I"ll go that route. If your looking at big bore ADV bike the 1290 S should be on your list.
LJM

 

[bmac]

Well, I test rode a 1290 S and it is a really cool bike being faster, lighter, better braking, better handling, better tech then the ST but for me not enough change from the ST to make the switch. I had a high powered light ADV bike (Multistrada) and really didn't like it the 1290 felt similar to me. I also test rode a 790 S which is enough change for me. I'm now looking for a 790 R to ride & if I can get a decent deal on one I"ll go that route. If your looking at big bore ADV bike the 1290 S should be on your list.
LJM

Give the 700 Tenere a good look before you do anything. It is a fantastic bike with more power than you would think. It is a far better street bike than I thought possible. I like bikes with a lot of HP but the 700 does not disappoint.

 

[LJM]

Give the 700 Tenere a good look before you do anything. It is a fantastic bike with more power than you would think. It is a far better street bike than I thought possible. I like bikes with a lot of HP but the 700 does not disappoint.

Yeah, good idea. I've been reading the ADV forum 790 posts and some of those low mile bikes have many, many problems.
Thanks

 

[bmac]

Yeah, good idea. I've been reading the ADV forum 790 posts and some of those low mile bikes have many, many problems.
Thanks

Beginning at Daytona last year I had a chance to ride all of the bikes in the Yamaha demo fleet and continue to do so. The engine that impressed me the most was the 700 (the R6 has a hell of a motor as well but I don't fit on it). It punches way above its weight class. So much so, that I considered picking up a MT07 or a XSR700.

I am glad I waited for the Tenere. It has great torque and almost doesn't care what gear you are in. My normal routine, almost no matter what bike I am on, is to take low speed 90 degree turns in 2nd gear. The 700 can take them in 3rd gear and still pulls cleanly at corner exit.

 

[ballisticexchris]

I have not had a test ride but I will tell you the MT09 is looking like a capable lightweight rocket.

 

[ballisticexchris]

Dirt Dad, BIG NEWS!!!! No more chain maintenance!!

Bad news it's only available from the BMW dealer You can go directly through Regina and try though. Seems like BMW purchased the rights to this chain.

BMW Motorrad presents the M Endurance chain.

Lubricating your chain was yesterday.

www.press.bmwgroup.com

 

[Dirt_Dad]

Dirt Dad, BIG NEWS!!!! No more chain maintenance!!

Bad news it's only available from the BMW dealer You can go directly through Regina and try though. Seems like BMW purchased the rights to this chain.

BMW Motorrad presents the M Endurance chain.

Lubricating your chain was yesterday.

www.press.bmwgroup.com

If true, that would be a very welcomed development. I don't know what this means:

"Further BMW Motorrad models are being prepared for this feature. "

What needs to be prepared on a bike for a different chain?

While it would be an obvious selling feature for BMW, I suspect someone at BMW will realize the massive sales potential in the aftermarket and it will make its way to consumers.



I know Madhatter is wanting a tire picture. Been very busy last few days. Should be able to get one this weekend. I certainly hope I'm not thinking about tire wear at 2K miles. That makes me think back to the horrible Karoo 3 I once ran on the Tenere that was dead in 3K miles.

The Perelli Scorpion Trail II tires on the bike do get very good ratings across the board, including longevity. Now that I've pushed the bike a little in the Offroad TCS setting I don't really have any concerns about routine, dry dirt road performance. They are clearly not knobbies, and around here that's not terrible. Knobbies on hard pack dirt/gravel roads don't buy you much. You get a lot better grip using a 50/50 like an E07 for that...but I digress. The Offroad TCS setting is very nannyish which I would normally hate, but with basically a street tire back there I'm not looking to get my back tire positioned ahead of my front tire. So for now, that level of nanny, with that profile of tire is okay with me. I didn't buy this bike to be a hard core, or even a medium core, dirt beast. That's the the 690 is for.

 

[Madhatter]

good morning DD, I'm kinda poking at you , hopefully you know its in fun . my buddy who has a 1290 and no restraint it seems , has 16 k and 6 rears so far . he bought a tire changer machine and its coming in handy. im not hard on tires , I can get 5 k on a TKC 80 rear easy. im a wimp.

 

[Dirt_Dad]

No worries at all. I've seen where some say this bike is a tire eating machine. It's worth tracking the progress to see how it is for me.

 

[Dirt_Dad]

Well that was some unexpected excitement.
Instinct vs technology.
Instinct 1, technology ?

But first, the tire question.

So far, so good at 2042 miles. Madhatter, for your buddy to be on his 6th tire in 16K miles blows my mind. His riding style must make me (and my tire) look like that little old granny who only rides to church once a week.

Oh... and the tires, brakes, technology, and instincts got a work out today.

I live on a mountain, and there has been a paving project on the lower portion of the mountain for the past few days. That's the fast section of the mountain. 4-lanes and high speed. The project has been pavement stripping and laying down a new layer. It's been a mess for a few days now.

All morning was waiting for the remnants of tropical storm Laura to get out of the area. Finally the sun came out and I left to do a luggage shakedown ride. I installed all the travel cases (top and side), filled them with weight, put the bike in rain mode for the very wet roads, and headed out. Pulling out onto the lower (busy fast) section of road mh peripheral vision caught a yellow warning light. Trying to figure out the now hidden light occupied my thoughts. I decided to pull into a side road 3/4 of the way down the mountain to determine what the light had been. I had a fast car up my butt. Turn signal on and I give a right turn hand signal to get his attention. That did not get him to move over to the other lane. A-hole... I get off onto the stripped pull off lane. Bike does a competent job slowing before the turn. As I get into the turn the front end starts to wash out. Instinct kicks in and I'm off the brakes as instantly as my human brain allowed. Bike regains composure and the episode is over.

A few lessons learned and at least one question. Riding away from the washout I quickly realized the yellow light had to have been the TCS activation as I pulled out on the wet stripped mess getting onto the road. In theory, with all the tech on this bike I should have been able to keep the brakes on hard and it should have been able to ride through it. It's an interesting theory, but in that instant overriding my instinct was not something that crossed my mind.

Of course leave it to DM to address the 800lb gorilla in the room. When I told her about the expeience...I'll paraphrase, "look dumb-ass, when there's a fast car on your tail, and no immediate issue with the bike, keep going. There's no reason you have to pull off into a bad situation."

My feeble attempts to defend my less than stellar decision making were not met with approval.

 

[HeliMark]

A few lessons learned and at least one question. Riding away from the washout I quickly realized the yellow light had to have been the TCS activation as I pulled out on the wet stripped mess getting onto the road. In theory, with all the tech on this bike I should have been able to keep the brakes on hard and it should have been able to ride through it. It's an interesting theory, but in that instant overriding my instinct was not something that crossed my mind.

I was out riding several days ago in the rain, and was coming up to a curve a little too fast for the wet road. The rear washed out slightly, and unexpectedly for the amount of brakes I used, and like you, instinct had me off the brakes as fast as I could. I am pretty sure the bike was the one that corrected the situation before I did. This is with the new Triumph, with it in the "Rain" mode.

After the initial washout, and correction, you probably could have continued on the brakes, but your instinct/experience wouldn't allow it.

 

[Madhatter]

DD , a**holes abound ..... mostly its the diesel P/U crowd around here..... had breakfast with my 1290 buddy this morning and he said a wrap or have the rear down pipe ceramic coated will reduce the heat .... and invest in locktite as he is finding lots of missing bolts at times .... he told me he had to quit riding in sport mode as it was causing pain in his right arm from hanging on ..... he is a pretty stout fellow ..... and as for drivers that are dogging your ass , never speed up he will dog your ass at that faster speed , remember drivers ed. slow down and he will eventually pass you .... should he crash you slower is better than faster . and experience matters ....

 

[VRODE]

Dirt Dad, BIG NEWS!!!! No more chain maintenance!!

Bad news it's only available from the BMW dealer You can go directly through Regina and try though. Seems like BMW purchased the rights to this chain.

BMW Motorrad presents the M Endurance chain.

Lubricating your chain was yesterday.

www.press.bmwgroup.com

When the new final drive for the GS came out it was declared maintenance free. This did not turn out to be the case. And any chain/roller/sprocket interface will require maintenance at some point, regardless of what wondrous, magical material it’s composed of. Having said that, I’m glad to see the innovation and I’m sure these chains will require less maintainance, and that’s a good thing.

 

[Madhatter]

dirt dad , And by looking at my friends 1290 he not far from #7. As I was standing there his display after starting said something about illegal. Lol , only 1 front replaced on his bike..... no restraint.

 

[ballisticexchris]

When the new final drive for the GS came out it was declared maintenance free. This did not turn out to be the case. And any chain/roller/sprocket interface will require maintenance at some point, regardless of what wondrous, magical material it’s composed of. Having said that, I’m glad to see the innovation and I’m sure these chains will require less maintainance, and that’s a good thing.

I'm thinking with a Dirt Tricks sprocket set matched to the chain and frequent countershaft replacements this will be a low maintenance setup. What will be interesting to see is if there are going to be clearance issues. Regina makes beefy chains and not all of them fit into the tight clearance next to frame.

 

[LJM]

Well that was some unexpected excitement.
Instinct vs technology.
Instinct 1, technology ?

But first, the tire question.

So far, so good at 2042 miles. Madhatter, for your buddy to be on his 6th tire in 16K miles blows my mind. His riding style must make me (and my tire) look like that little old granny who only rides to church once a week.

Oh... and the tires, brakes, technology, and instincts got a work out today.

I live on a mountain, and there has been a paving project on the lower portion of the mountain for the past few days. That's the fast section of the mountain. 4-lanes and high speed. The project has been pavement stripping and laying down a new layer. It's been a mess for a few days now.

All morning was waiting for the remnants of tropical storm Laura to get out of the area. Finally the sun came out and I left to do a luggage shakedown ride. I installed all the travel cases (top and side), filled them with weight, put the bike in rain mode for the very wet roads, and headed out. Pulling out onto the lower (busy fast) section of road mh peripheral vision caught a yellow warning light. Trying to figure out the now hidden light occupied my thoughts. I decided to pull into a side road 3/4 of the way down the mountain to determine what the light had been. I had a fast car up my butt. Turn signal on and I give a right turn hand signal to get his attention. That did not get him to move over to the other lane. A-hole... I get off onto the stripped pull off lane. Bike does a competent job slowing before the turn. As I get into the turn the front end starts to wash out. Instinct kicks in and I'm off the brakes as instantly as my human brain allowed. Bike regains composure and the episode is over.

A few lessons learned and at least one question. Riding away from the washout I quickly realized the yellow light had to have been the TCS activation as I pulled out on the wet stripped mess getting onto the road. In theory, with all the tech on this bike I should have been able to keep the brakes on hard and it should have been able to ride through it. It's an interesting theory, but in that instant overriding my instinct was not something that crossed my mind.

Of course leave it to DM to address the 800lb gorilla in the room. When I told her about the expeience...I'll paraphrase, "look dumb-ass, when there's a fast car on your tail, and no immediate issue with the bike, keep going. There's no reason you have to pull off into a bad situation."

My feeble attempts to defend my less than stellar decision making were not met with approval.

Ya know the song say's "Women are smarter in every way" (in my my case couldn't be truer) glad you didn't go down or taken out by some idiot. On instinct vs Tech. is a tough call no tech will ever replace riding skills, muscle memory or common sense but I have a felling your Tech was working and you may not have even realized it your tech system will aprx. make hundreds of decisions a second and react to a problem in milliseconds, even the best throttle jockeys would be lucky to react at 1/10 I'm sure your instinct probably saved you butt, but believe me the Tech. is a life saver that human brain can't match.
I had an incendent on my Multistrada where I was really pushing it, the Duc had a TC viewer on the dash sorta like a rev counter & you could see the amount of it working. I'd set the TCS on a setting than proceede to break the rear tire loose in the twistys to see how far I could get the red light to move than set it to a less invasive setting, do it again with the speed always increasing. One time I went over limit and was crashing I lost the front than rear whole bike sliding away (I've low sided, high sided & lost the front on race tracks a number of times so I know what a low side crash feels like and when you can save it or not). Instinct kept the throttle open and miraculously the bike regained traction and made through the corner despite my dumb ass riding. It was 100% Tech that saved my butt without TC I would have been in a bad bad way. I'll never forget the feeling afterward amazed that I was crashing and didn't. Shortly after that I sold the Duc because the only time that bike was fun for me was when you pushed it. Here's a vid of the how advanced your KTM Tech is

LJM

 

[Dirt_Dad]

.... he told me he had to quit riding in sport mode as it was causing pain in his right arm from hanging on ..... he is a pretty stout fellow .....

Sounds like your buddy has some solid advice, but I hope not suffer the same pains because this is the setting I find myself in quite often.

I think of it as eager, spunky mode. When I know the road will have lots of humps I go to this setup. It allows me to easily wheelie off the hump at speed and gives me great satisfaction.

Just as the Tenere was the right bike at the right time for me when I got the first one in 2011 and again in 2015, this is absolutely the right bike for my current interest, goals, and riding attitude. I dare say this is the most entertaining street legal bike I have ever owned. I find that when I'm heading in the general direction of home, even when still 50 miles out, I'm already craving the next time I can get on the bike to ride. Today after 5 hours of riding the GPS told me I was only 8 miles from home...so I turned right and made it 28 miles from home. I just don't want to get off this thing.

The is one thing it's really bad at...it won't win any camouflage competitions.