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Test: KTM 1190 Adventure (Baujahr 2013)

The orange castle

07.06.2019

The KTM 1190 Adventure is one of these "definitely-not-bikes". It certainly doesn't have too little power, sound or a subtle appearance. What else is in it? A used model with 38,000 kilometers on the clock from 2013 had to prove itself in our test.

A castle of a motorcycle

This Dietmar is ulkig. Always sorted by me as a boxer driver, I know that he actually likes all motorcycles and always appreciates the beauty in the respective specimen. But the KTM 1190 Adventure? This thick thing with bearish V2 is not for beautiful spirits, but would be at home in my garage. And now Dietmar has actually thought for a while to laugh at this planer.
The bike from 2013 has 38,000 kilometers on the (digital) speedometer. And according to the extras ordered by the previous owner, she did not get it behind her in short-haul traffic. The KTM power parts are to be classified in the Bling Bling department, but everything else serves the ride to the end of the rainbow: In addition to the practical mirror extension, for example, the Touratec bench or all sorts of suitcases and bags, so that a student move with the 1190 Adventure would not be a problem.
If the KTM were on the main stand and I was sitting on it, my feet would stumble helplessly in the air. But Dietmar with a light length of 184 centimetres can cope with the seat height of 860 millimetres. KTM 1190 drivers must not be smaller, otherwise support wheels must be produced.
Weak ly not either. A power bar before each ride helps to manulate the 2.25 long and therefore huge motorcycle. The orange castle also weighs no less than 238 kilos, and also looks like a thick thing. Unlike the competition, such as the BMW GS 1250, the designers have not taken the slightest effort to conceal the abundance.

Comparison to BMW

Perhaps we will stick briefly with the model student of the German motorcycles, the GS. Even if this is a KTM test, the character is best worked out in comparison. Certainly, KTM would never install a cardan because of the more direct implementation of the gas orders. Even a boxer not, much too cultivated and not as craggy as the KTM drivers appreciate. This design also suggests that the KTM engine wants to be turned, which we will check afterwards.
And yet these two giants have more in common than you might think at first glance. For example, that both are actually cheating packages. Adventure yes, but please on asphalt. Light gravel goes clear, but if you want to drive it seriously, you should buy a Honda Afrika Twin. The KTM already had an on-board computer in 2013, only the rev counter is analog. The digital companion can set what you might like as an electronics freak: loading, ABS, heating handles and also a very sensible tyre pressure control are available.
The comfortable seating position or the good wind protection also connects the competitors - and both are not for beginners, the KTM even less than the BMW.
These are neither Dietmar nor I, so let's go now.

Goes off that the suitcase is rattling

Look at one, my guess was true: Something happens down there, but the KTM shakes reluctantly and even the retrofitted Akra exhaust rumbles in front of it. Two or three thousand revolutions higher and things change - fundamentally. The thing goes like hell, obviously she hasn't lost any of her 150 hp over the years. The V2 has 125 Nm of torque, but they also wake up at the top (maximum at 7,500 umin).
The 19-inch front wheel limits the willingness to curve a bit, but it's fine for size and weight.
Don't misunderstand: You don't want to rob curves with the KTM, at least not on the last groove. It is too massive for that, and from the driver's perspective you always have a lot of motorcycles around you. The suspension is tight, but not hard. Coarser bumps spring it out well.

Conclusion

The KTM 1190 Adventure is rather the craftsman among the adventure bikes. Practical, useful, but not suitable for opera. It has a lot of Ducati's Multistrada, more so than from the BMW GS series. Because of the very special engine design, it is not the ideal all-rounder, nor does it want to be.
If you are looking for a sporty, rough adventure bike and bring the physical prerequisites, you have a good alternative to the model student from Germany and certainly does nothing wrong.

The test bike was provided to us by Motorrad Ruser.

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