KTM990 Adventure vs BMW1200GS

[ZReX12]

Now here's the question......KTM990 Adventure or BMW1200GS?
Anyone ridden both?
Which one do you prefer and why?

Have a spot in the garage that needs filling and can't make up my mind.
Finding these things to test ride seems distressingly difficult.

[NordieBoy]

Depends what type of riding you're looking at doing.

Get the one that's done the Dakar, oh wait.
Get the twin, oh wait.

The GS is shorter and better 2-up.
The GS is the more road biased of the two and the KTM more dirt biased but they will both do both.

What's the price difference?

[skelstar]

I know this isn't really what you were asking, but saw a KTM990 in a dealer today and FARK ME that must be the most ugliest bike ever!

Having said that the fastest rider I've ridden with sat on it and it looked better. Not sure what that says about you J....sorry!

[windboy]

Now here's the question......KTM990 Adventure or BMW1200GS?
Anyone ridden both?
Which one do you prefer and why?

Have a spot in the garage that needs filling and can't make up my mind.
Finding these things to test ride seems distressingly difficult.

Difficult one...

I reckon the GS has been the "industry standard" of adventure riding for a while now. They are more comfortable for touring than actual touring bikes. They are built to take drops and not hurt, they're built to last.

The ktm is more performance oriented, more acceleration, more rally driven. I've heard the standard seat isn't the most comfortable out there.

They both more than handle gravel and a bit more (if you're strong and brave enough). May be a visual impression but the GS seem to carry the weight lower down, which makes it instantly better for loading her up on a big trip.

Shaft drive, ummmm bloody appealing especially for the dirt. However the penalty is the extra weight... low down though. For me, a big plus on the ktm is the water cooling... call me a luddite but I ain't gonna pay more than $20k for something that's not water cooled. Luckily (or unluckily) They're both too big form me, I'm glad I'm not in your boots... At the same time I'm jealous!

There's a 2 wheel magazine comparison report (Jul-06), you're welcome to borrow it if you're around jafaland. They rate them very similarly, they praise the injection mapping of the beamer and slag the ktm one a bit on lower revs (injection first year release hiccups, may be fixed by now).

Otherwise just check the attachement, good luck and let us know what you get...

[clint640]

www.advrider.com has GigaBytes worth of discussion on such topics, some of it even informed & sensible.

I've only had a brief ride on a KTM950, I'd buy one over the beemer cos it would suit the riding I do & cos it gives me wood. For more road & 2-up there's no doubt the R12 is the more sensible option.

Cheers
Clint

[pritch]

BIKE mag did a comparison back in November 2005, and gave the decision to the KTM. I'd like one, my only reservation is the problem they had (with more than one bike apparently) where the starter just goes on strike for no reason.

All four testers went for the KTM:
"The winner is the KTM, smooth power through the rev range, loads of torque. Handling on the road is unbelievably good. "

"The BMW will do pretty much anything you want, the trouble for BMW is that the KTM just does it all just as well or better. ..a crisper sound and more together feel"

" The KTM is the best giant trailie out there."

Of course, KTM was first choice of the "Long Way Round" crew.
KTM must still be kicking themselves over that...

[NordieBoy]

Otherwise just check the attachement, good luck and let us know what you get...

22L tank on the KTM?

[magicfairy]

Of course, KTM was first choice of the "Long Way Round" crew.
KTM must still be kicking themselves over that...

Well it was Charlie's choice, Ewan wanted the Beemer but went along with Charlie till KTM pulled the plug.
I read somewhere that LWR increased BMW sales of Adventure bikes by something like 25%

[warewolf]

Finding these things to test ride seems distressingly difficult.

As they say on advrider.com, FILL IN YOUR PROFILE, N00B!! If we knew your location, we just might be able to commend to you a local dealer stocking demonstrators. For example, Thunderbike in Nelson have a new 990 Adventure demonstrator.

Personally, the Beemers don't ring my bell. I've ridden the R100GS, the R1100GS, and the R1150GS. The 1200 is supposed to be miles better (lighter, for one, and weight is an issue for me) but I've not ridden it.

KTMs are extremely competent and satisfying to ride. In comparison the Beemers are just... dull. Better than a car, but only just.

[warewolf]

22L tank on the KTM?

Yeah it's one of the downers on the v-twin series. One of the Aussie tank manufacturers have just released their after-market big tanks, 42L or something. They look real flash, too.

[Dazza]

22L tank on the KTM?

Yes it has, mates 640 Adventurer even has a 30ltr tank. Cannot give you a comparison with the Beemer but having spent Monday arvo & Tuesday morn on one. Bruce @ AMPS lent me a recently traded 2005, just serviced(was getting 30,000k service done on the Super Duke) with now 20,600k's on the clock with a new scorpion fitted to the rear. Bruce gave me a good piece of advice, because of the tyres, be smooth when cornering. This was most rewarding even on unfamliar roads around southern northland (if that makes sense).I really liked the power it made (07 990 injected now, but you'd be onto that) and was most impressed with the carburation (sp), no snatchyness whatsoever, was a pleasure to cruise in top @ 110kph (which is essential with the no. of points left on my licene) & the odd strop out to faster speeds as you pass those three dawdling cars, most impressed at how stable she was @ these speeds, did about 60k's of gravel roads out the back of Tokatoka & was impressed again having to remind myself that I'm a long way from home & nobody know's where I am.Back through Dargaville, Whangarei & stayed with friends @ Mangapai. Next day came out @ Paparoa then back around the west coast back to Auckland. Only had one moment as I saw the Woodhill/beach sign post so made my way to the beach where a sign said 4WD's & bikes only, so made my way down the whoopdy doo's but got 3/4's to the beach & chickened out (didn't fancy explaining to the salesman how I got their bike booged), it was abit of a mission trying to turn her around in the soft sand. Managed to get her back to the hard without bogging/dropping her.Long story short, an f'n great motorcycle, ideal for going around our fine country checking out roads I wouldn't generally hunt out. Cheers to Bruce @ AMPS for the loaner, even if it did have over 500k's more than when he gave me the keys !!

[mickeyboy]

Dude, You want an Adventure Bike that can pull wheelies on the power in 2nd can deal do GSXR's on twisty pavement, can handle the roughest adventure roads , has side mounted low centre of gravity fuel tanks so when you have full tanks you don't feel like someone has put a pallet of bricks between you and the handlebars , has won the Paris Dakar 6 times , Runs white power suspension and brembo brakes , has 18 inch and 21 inch wheels, sounds like a motorcycle should (with aftermarket mufflers) can do 220kph on the road, is mega fun ,wow's your mates at it's ability, makes you a better rider, the list goes on, then get the KTM 950 ! , not 990. My mates who have traded up to 990's from 950's don't like the injection or abs and all say the 990 uses more gas. There are 950's for sale on trademe. If you want an old mans bike and enjoy mashed bananas as your staple diet then the BMW is your bike.

Mickey

[chris]

I've done quite a few KM's on both. I'm guessing that at the end of the day, you'll be doing way more road than off-road in which case buy the BMW. This is part of what I wrote for the mag:

"Arriving back home we both step off the bike feeling as though we could turn round and do the journey again, proving that comfort hasn’t been forgotten by BMW’s design team. New Zealand has approximately 90,000 km of road, both sealed and unsealed and the BMW R1200GS Adventure could deal with every single kilometer in a completely effortless manner. With the excellent panniers fitted, I would go so far as to say that it’s the ultimate bike for New Zealand and would make touring this wonderful country an absolute breeze. Excellent handling, more than adequate power, superb ergonomics, a 33 litre fuel capacity giving a theoretical 750km range and the prospect of bullet proof reliability all combine to make the riding experience a delight.

BMW’s new R1200GS Adventure is a significant step forward from its predecessor, the 1150GS, and fully deserves any credit thrown its way. Criticisms of the machine are few and far between (a weak high beam and front brakes that don’t offer as much feel as they could) and won’t put off potential buyers. To own one would make sense in so many ways that it’s a no-brainer. It’s great. I love it. Buy one. It is that easy."

[Dazza]

Dude, You want an Adventure Bike that can pull wheelies on the power in 2nd can deal do GSXR's on twisty pavement, can handle the roughest adventure roads , has side mounted low centre of gravity fuel tanks so when you have full tanks you don't feel like someone has put a pallet of bricks between you and the handlebars , has won the Paris Dakar 6 times , Runs white power suspension and brembo brakes , has 18 inch and 21 inch wheels, sounds like a motorcycle should (with aftermarket mufflers) can do 220kph on the road, is mega fun ,wow's your mates at it's ability, makes you a better rider, the list goes on, then get the KTM 950 ! , not 990. My mates who have traded up to 990's from 950's don't like the injection or abs and all say the 990 uses more gas. There are 950's for sale on trademe. If you want an old mans bike and enjoy mashed bananas as your staple diet then the BMW is your bike.

Mickey

What this man said

[NordieBoy]

Yeah it's one of the downers on the v-twin series. One of the Aussie tank manufacturers have just released their after-market big tanks, 42L or something. They look real flash, too.

That's right, it's only a couple of cm wider each side but adds a huge amount of capacity.