BMW S 1000 R versus KTM 1290 Super Adventure S
BMW S 1000 R
KTM 1290 Super Adventure S
Year of construction / RRP / Test report
Competitors
- Full of performance ...
- .. but still easy to control
- high-quality workmanship
- cool sound
- plenty of power
- lavish furnishings
- good usability
- good travel comfort for driver and pillion passenger
- successful deitails
- plenty of accessories available
- Pillion operation only for emergencies
- Sitting position for some people probably too sporty
- high, but not unusual price in this class
- somewhat idiosyncratic front mask (a matter of taste)
- for some maybe a bit overloaded with technology
Dimensions & Weight
Length : 2.090 mm Height : 1.115 mm
Seat : 814 mm until : 830 mm
Weight : 199 (max: 407 ) kg
Length : 2.250 mm Height : 1.520 mm
Seat : 849 mm until : 869 mm
Weight : 243 (max: 460 ) kg
Engine
Displacement: 999 ccm
Hub: 50 mm
Hole: 80 mm
Cooling: flüssig
Drive: Kette
Aisles: 6
Displacement: 1.301 ccm
Hub: 71 mm
Hole: 108 mm
Cooling: flüssig
Drive: Kette
Aisles: 6
Performance
Performance: 165 HP at 11.000 U/Min
Torque: 114 NM bei 9.250 U/Min Tank contents: 17 Litre
Consumption: 6 l
Reach: 266 km
Performance: 160 HP at 9.000 U/Min
Torque: 138 NM bei 6.750 U/Min Tank contents: 23 Litre
Consumption: 6 l
Reach: 404 km
Chassis
Aluminium composite bridge frame, motor supporting (aluminium) Front suspension:
Telescopic fork (travel 120 mm) Rear suspension:
Central strut (travel 117 mm)
Rear suspension:
Two-arm swingarm Tyres at the front: 120/70 ZR 17
Rear tyres: 190/55 ZR 17
Lattice tube (chromium-molybdenum) Front suspension:
Semi-active WP-USD fork Ø 48 mm (travel 200 mm) Rear suspension:
Semi-active WP Monoshock strut (travel 200 mm)
Rear suspension:
Die-cast two-arm swingarm Tyres at the front: 120/70 ZR19
Rear tyres: 170/60 ZR17
Brakes
Double disc (∅ 320 mm) Rear brake
Disc (∅ 220 mm)
Double disc Brembo four-piston radial fixed caliper (∅ 320 mm) Rear brake
Brembo two-piston fixed caliper (∅ 267 mm)
Conclusion - what sticks
The S 1000 R is basically a double R, from which the fairing has been removed and the torque curve on country roads has been optimised. It is super sporty, which can be an disadvantage and a disadvantage at the same time. If you want to sit upright on your streetfighter, you are out of place here. If you are looking for proximity to the front wheel and asphalt, you will find it here!In any case, we had tons of driving fun and did not feel overwhelmed despite the immense performance. This is exactly why you have to compliment BMW: Not all manufacturers succeed in putting such a grenade on the wheels for (almost) everyone. To anticipate misunderstandings: Of course, this motorcycle is not a beginner's machine!
The test machine was kindly provided by Bergmann & Söhne in Pinneberg - thank you!
Conclusion - what gets stuck
Well, bad motorcycles aren't actually built in this class any more. So what remains to be said? You have to look for the mistakes with a magnifying glass. But of course we have done this too and therefore mention the following criticisms: The compartment for the mobile phone is unfortunately too small for many models. From the point of view of a travel machine, a gimbal would also be nice – but clearly it's just KTM.
The optics of the front mask in particular are not for everyone – but this really falls under the category of taste question. The purchase price is quite lavish, but even with that the KTM is not alone. So let's return to the entry question of whether the KTM 1290 Super Adventure S is the new benchmark. The new benchmark is perhaps very ambitious. But the KTM can keep up with the big competing machines from this segment. And you almost get the impression that the differences are getting smaller and smaller.
The test machine was provided to us by Motorrad Ruser.
