After a short blat last Wednesday and a slightly longer run yesterday up to the rather giddy heights of the York, I have come to the conclusion that the 1190 Adventure is rather good.
I realise that 'bikes have become refined in the last 16 years, I foolishly thought that fitting a high end rear shock and updating the front forks on the Cagiva would be sufficient. This suspension added to the Suzuki TL engine provided an entertaining if rather crude method of travel.
The KTM without wishing to sound all gushing and over-effusive just does everything the Cagiva did only better.
Much, much better.
I'll start off with the engine, the fueling is light years ahead as it should be, the throttle does what modern bikes do and delivers power in small increments smoothly. It produces 73lb/ft of torque from just over 3000 rpm with 92lb/ft at 7800 rpm. Or one can choose a different setting and have instant death. This is called "sport", I have chosen street as it hasn't been raining, the raining setting reduces power to only 100bhp. There is another one I think for "off road". In street mode it is more than quick enough, I tend to short shift for my own preservation. To date one of the most impressive aspects is the roll on acceleration, 6th gear 50mph, twist the throttle and it sets off like it's in 2nd. The throttle settings can be set with different traction control settings and I assume wheely control. I've set them to "boring" in the menu. To summarise it has more than enough power and is civilised below 7.5k. Above that it is angry and scary.
I cannot begin to imagine what the 1290 is like.
Brakes, the 2 piston sliding Nissins on VFR discs were satifactory in 2001 on the Cagiva, the KTM comes with 4 piston radial Brembos with Brembo radial master cylinder on the front and a single Brembo on the rear with Galfer discs at both ends are quite astounding. It also has cornering/lean sensitive ABS. I haven't tried that yet or the lean sensitive traction control...
The suspension is electronicaly adjustable, one sets the preload by choosing what load the bike has, rider only, rider with luggage, rider with pillion and 2 up with luggage. Depending on your mood you can then choose between comfort, street, sport and off road. I enjoyed comfort on the Motorways as a magic carpet kind of ride and then switched to street for the twisy bits. I haven't tried sport or off road yet. All the adjustments can be made whilst riding. Even with a 19" front wheel the chassis is far more direct and agile than the Nail with it's 17" front, the previous owner fitted Roadsmart 3 tyres to replace the Conti TA2's.
The only issues so far are what we all have with bikes, the screen (adjustable) and the handlebars. I've ordered a pair of bar risers and I'll continue to faff with the screen, if that fails there is always a Givi Airflow. I was almost happy with the sound until I heard Nelson the Africa Twin again. Now an exhaust is on the list...
Do I need 150 bhp? No.
Do I want 150 bhp? Yes.
