BMW R 1200 GS Adventure K255 versus KTM 1190 Adventure
BMW R 1200 GS Adventure K255
Adventure
KTM 1190 Adventure
Adventure
Year of construction / RRP / Test report
Built von 2006 bis 2013
Built von 2013 bis 2016
RRP
RRP 13.995 €
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Competitors
Pros:
- Load donkey
- good-natured driving behaviour
- long range
- comfortable seating position
- very good wind protection
- also suitable for long and fast motorway passages
Pros:
- Sporty engine
- Chassis tuning
- Sound
- Long-distance suitability
Cons:
- heavy, manoeuvring problematic
- vulnerable ABS
Cons:
- Weight
- Off-road capability
Dimensions & Weight
Wheelbase: 1.510 mm
Length : 2.250 mm Height : 1.470 mm
Seat : 890 mm until : 910 mm
Weight : 256 (max: 475 ) kg
Length : 2.250 mm Height : 1.470 mm
Seat : 890 mm until : 910 mm
Weight : 256 (max: 475 ) kg
Wheelbase: 1.560 mm
Length : 2.255 mm Height : 1.485 mm
Seat : 860 mm
Weight : 238 (max: 440 ) kg
Length : 2.255 mm Height : 1.485 mm
Seat : 860 mm
Weight : 238 (max: 440 ) kg
Engine
Motor design: Boxer 4-stroke 2 Cylinder
Displacement: 1.170 ccm
Cooling: Luft/Ölgekühlt
Drive: Kardan
Aisles: 6
Displacement: 1.170 ccm
Cooling: Luft/Ölgekühlt
Drive: Kardan
Aisles: 6
Motor design: V2 LC8 4-stroke 2 Cylinder
Displacement: 1.195 ccm
Hub: 69 mm
Hole: 105 mm
Cooling: flüssig
Drive: X-Ring Kette
Aisles: 6
Displacement: 1.195 ccm
Hub: 69 mm
Hole: 105 mm
Cooling: flüssig
Drive: X-Ring Kette
Aisles: 6
Performance
Maximum speed: 200 km/h
Performance: 98 HP at 7.000 U/Min
Torque: 115 NM bei 5.500 U/Min Tank contents: 33 Litre
Reach: 600 km
Performance: 98 HP at 7.000 U/Min
Torque: 115 NM bei 5.500 U/Min Tank contents: 33 Litre
Reach: 600 km
Maximum speed: 246 km/h
Performance: 150 HP at 9.500 U/Min
Torque: 125 NM bei 7.500 U/Min Tank contents: 23 Litre
Consumption: 6 l
Reach: 411 km
Performance: 150 HP at 9.500 U/Min
Torque: 125 NM bei 7.500 U/Min Tank contents: 23 Litre
Consumption: 6 l
Reach: 411 km
Chassis
Frame type:
Three-part frame concept consisting of front and rear frame with supporting engine (steel) Front suspension:
Telelever 41mm central strut (travel 210 mm) Rear suspension:
WAD strut (travel 220 mm)
Rear suspension:
Aluminum cast single-arm swingarm Paralever Tyres at the front: 110/80 R19
Rear tyres: 150/70 R17
Three-part frame concept consisting of front and rear frame with supporting engine (steel) Front suspension:
Telelever 41mm central strut (travel 210 mm) Rear suspension:
WAD strut (travel 220 mm)
Rear suspension:
Aluminum cast single-arm swingarm Paralever Tyres at the front: 110/80 R19
Rear tyres: 150/70 R17
Frame type:
Tubular space frame (chrome-molybdenum steel) Front suspension:
Upside-down fork, Ø 48 mm (travel 190 mm) Rear suspension:
Central strut, directly hinged (travel 190 mm)
Rear suspension:
Two-arm swingarm made of aluminium Tyres at the front: 120/70 ZR 19
Rear tyres: 170/60 ZR 17
Tubular space frame (chrome-molybdenum steel) Front suspension:
Upside-down fork, Ø 48 mm (travel 190 mm) Rear suspension:
Central strut, directly hinged (travel 190 mm)
Rear suspension:
Two-arm swingarm made of aluminium Tyres at the front: 120/70 ZR 19
Rear tyres: 170/60 ZR 17
Brakes
Front brake
Double disc (∅ 305 mm) Rear brake
Single disc (∅ 265 mm)
Double disc (∅ 305 mm) Rear brake
Single disc (∅ 265 mm)
Front brake
Double disc, radially bolted 4-piston fixed caliper, Brembo, floating brake calipers (∅ 320 mm) Rear brake
Single disc with two-piston fixed caliper (∅ 267 mm)
Double disc, radially bolted 4-piston fixed caliper, Brembo, floating brake calipers (∅ 320 mm) Rear brake
Single disc with two-piston fixed caliper (∅ 267 mm)
Conclusion - what gets stuck
"Excellent off-road capability with even increased road characteristics" was the press release for BMW's new adventure. By offroad, the scribes probably didn't mean the cross-piste with jumps and deep sand at that time - the GS 1200 Adventure is simply too heavy for that. Nevertheless, this motorcycle is the ideal bike for the gaaaanz long journey. Charly Boorman and Ewan McGregor provided the proof in 2007 on their "Long Way Down" journey, in which they covered 23,500 kilometers through Africa precisely on these machines.Unfortunately, even used and older GS Adventure bikes are not quite cheap. Depending on age, mileage, condition and equipment, up to 13,000 euros are required. However, it is doubtful that such prices are actually paid, but for a good GSA K255 one has to reckon with 8,000 euros. Back to the initial question: Is it worth it? Clear "YES!" on our part, because these machines last forever and still bring a lot of joy after 15 years.
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.
