BMW R 1300 GS versus KTM 1290 Super Adventure S
BMW R 1300 GS
KTM 1290 Super Adventure S
Year of construction / RRP / Test report
Competitors
- Insane engine with steam in all speed ranges
- good-natured and precise handling
- Manoeuvrable and easy-to-handle machine
- Very high level of comfort for driver and front passenger
- Top-of-the-line full-integral brake
- Very good standard equipment
- very good wind protection
- plenty of power
- lavish furnishings
- good usability
- good travel comfort for driver and pillion passenger
- successful deitails
- plenty of accessories available
- QuickShifter and gearbox a bit hard
- neither Apple CarPlay, nor Android Auto, nor full-map navigation
- Operation requires training time
- 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 : 2.212 mm Height : 1.406 mm
Seat : 850 mm
Weight : 237 (max: 465 ) kg
Length : 2.250 mm Height : 1.520 mm
Seat : 849 mm until : 869 mm
Weight : 243 (max: 460 ) kg
Engine
Displacement: 1.300 ccm
Hub: 73 mm
Hole: 107 mm
Cooling: wassergekühlt
Drive: Kardan
Aisles: 6
Displacement: 1.301 ccm
Hub: 71 mm
Hole: 108 mm
Cooling: flüssig
Drive: Kette
Aisles: 6
Performance
Performance: 145 HP at 7.750 U/Min
Torque: 149 NM bei 6.500 U/Min Tank contents: 19 Litre
Consumption: 5 l
Reach: 400 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
Two-part frame concept (steel) Front suspension:
BMW Motorrad EVO-Telelever, handlebar tilt decoupling via flex element, central shock absorber (travel 190 mm) Rear suspension:
central WAD shock absorber, spring preload infinitely adjustable (travel 200 mm)
Rear suspension:
Aluminum cast single-arm swingarm Tyres at the front: 120/70 R19
Rear tyres: 170/60 R17
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 brake, semi-floating discs, diameter 310 mm, 4-piston radial caliper (∅ 310 mm) Rear brake
Single disc brake, diameter 285 mm, 2-piston floating caliper (∅ 285 mm)
Double disc Brembo four-piston radial fixed caliper (∅ 320 mm) Rear brake
Brembo two-piston fixed caliper (∅ 267 mm)
Bottom line - check your account balance.
The new GS really is a successful adventure bike. It can do almost everything - and really well. You have to look for points of criticism with a magnifying glass and even die-hard BMW critics have to admit after a test drive: Unfortunately awesome! The price, which seems high at first glance, is thus put into perspective very quickly. And it is put into perspective even further when you compare the new R1300 GS with the competition , which are not necessarily cheaper either.The test machine was kindly made available to us by Bergmann & Söhne in Neumünster . There you will find several 1300cc GS in the exhibition and of course you are also cordially invited to a test drive. ATTENTION, WARNING: This could be an expensive afternoon...
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.
