KTM 1090 Adventure R Review - One Season Later

[@Angry-Lynx]

If you set playback speed at 1.5 you can actually listen to him without getting grey hair ; x

[@kellyabercrombie9769]

Best tip ever!

[@klxklr]

Just picked up a nicely discounted 1090r a couple of weeks ago. Super nice bike. You’re review a few months ago when you talked about how it handled like a smaller lighter bike is spot on and helped me seek one out.

[@kdemotorsports]

Glad that helped it was something I hoped for when I bought mine, but until you ride one it is difficult to understand or believe. This to me is what makes the bike so impressive. I never expected to feel so confident so quickly on a bike this big and with over 100hp. Congrats on your new bike! Thanks for watching.

[@Darkman79]

Thanks for your reviews. Helped me buy a new 1090 this year. Looking forward to next season!

[@kdemotorsports]

Me too. Congrats on your new purchase!

[@tylerharding6958]

Just got my new 1090 ! Thanks for the videos

[@kdemotorsports]

Congrats on the new bike. You’re welcome for the videos and thank you for watching

[@paul.vanhout57]

Great update. Just bought a used one and interested in real world experiences.

[@kdemotorsports]

I suspect you’ll be happy with it. Great bikes. Thanks for watching

[@ianferrier235]

Nice review 👍👍

[@kdemotorsports]

Thanks

[@MarioGranger]

Hi,may i ask you something?, Ktm 1090r vs 800xca 2018, wich one you bought if you use for going work in the city and only a couple of travels a year, and no money for upgrades, wich don you think is best buy? Thank you

[@kdemotorsports]

I had a 16’ 800 XCA and it was a really good bike too. Given the situation you’re describing I think the Tiger would be a great fit. They come really well equipped and are based on the 675 platform which is known to be a great street bike. I loved mine and the reason for my switch was due to how much I like the off-road stuff. But the XCA with heated grips, seat, cruise control and other options all in the base price offers a significant value.

[@ridewherever]

Nice update! I want the 790 ADV / R Or a used 1290 ADV / R. The air filter is 200 times easier to get to in the 790, though 95 hp...hmmm...trade offs...

[@kdemotorsports]

Yeah 95hp with less weight I would assume power to weight ratio similar to the 1090. I haven’t ridden the 1290 but when I was looking didn’t really see any benefit to the even bigger bike. Good choices to have though 😀 thanks for watching and the feedback

[@toddbenfield6546]

Just bought a 2018 with 900 miles for $10,200. Had a 2009 Vstrom 650. Completely different animal! Did you do the kickstand relocation on yours off the case? Heard the case was $8000 if it breaks from kickstand. Thanks for the review 👍

[@kdemotorsports]

I haven’t done the relocation of the kickstand I’ve heard about but haven’t decided yet whether or not I feel it’s a big enough risk to address it. I know others are very concerned about it but for me personally I’m still assessing it. Sounds like you got a great deal. Thanks for watching and enjoy the new bike!

[@Andrew-kp3ov]

Ok it’s all well and good having an adv bike but how do you all get away from the missus and kids lol. I’m petrified I’ll Buy one but never get out enough.

[@kdemotorsports]

Well for me personally my son is an adult now and my wife is very understanding of my passion for motorcycles. Others I know usually try to get out for day rides or find opportunities to enjoy the bike without it taking up all of their free time. It’s a difficult balance for sure. Also I know a lot of people that use their bike to commute and just take the long way home. 😂

[@hmadvmoto821]

Wondering what lead you to the 1090 from the tiger 800xc. Reason I ask is I'm leaning that way. I had a 2011 tiger 800 XC and now I haven ridden and considering either the 2018 Tiger 800Xcx or the 2018 KTM 1090. I do feel the 1090 is a little less refined or at least more spartan. It might not be as idea for long, multi day trips on the tarmac but it sure seems to feel better to me on anything dirt. In my decision process I narrowed down to three - the AT Adv Sport Manual, KTM 690 and the tiger 800 xcx. Rode the AT first. I liked it or at least thought I did until I rode the ktm, my first leg over on a ktm ever. I loved the response of the engine. you can feel the vibrations for sure though and a lot of long highway miles a different windscreen and perhaps seat are in order.

[@kdemotorsports]

Sounds to me like you have a pretty good understanding of the differences already but I’ll explain my choice. First of all I loved the 800XCA I had and I’ll say that if you’re doing more distance or pavement that’s still the bike to have. I decided to switch because I prefer off-road. If I have a choice I’ll take Gravel or dirt over pavement every time. So I wanted the most off-road capable bike I could get that was still able to do the big miles when situations called for it. Which led me to the 790 from KTM but I didn’t want to wait for it to come out. So I started researching the 1090 and decided it was worth the switch and then I’d reevaluate after the 790 became available. Still considering that once they truly become available and I have a chance to ride one. Again though this was due to my desire to do more off-road. I also sold my KTM 350 but wanted something I could take on trails with my nephew who has the 350 still. So hopefully that all helps and have fun shopping. I don’t think you can go wrong with any of the bikes you mentioned.

[@hmadvmoto821]

@@kdemotorsports what year tiger did you own. Whats further bringing these two bikes closer and more difficult to see a clear choice is the improvements to the 2018 tiger xcx and the shorter first gear. Also the tiger is lighter than the 1090. For me personally, and other who read these comments my find this helpful, these are the things I like on the 2018 KTM 1090 - Tubeless wheels, stock TKC80s, I prefer the simple display over the high tech Tiger TFT, a more direct feel, off road handling, windscreen options, good stock crash bars. What I don't like is there is less comfort, no stock skid plate which is a bit ridiculous given the tire and wheel spec, no 12 volt which is also ridiculous, no center stand. Things I like on the 2018 Tiger 800xcx is cost....more affordable and includes many of the things that the KTM should come with, the suspension is also WP, cruse control, heated grips, long range comfort. Don't like the windscreen at all and there don't seem to be many other options out there right now, the turn signal location being they are on the apex of the side profile and will get smashed for sure in a drop, no stock crash bars and they are needed right away so there goes 400 or so in the savings, I think the TFT is too flashy for me and I like something more basic, The tires have to be replaced right off and the wheels are tube type. I'm not sure how reliability between the two will be so thats a wildcard. I can say that I ride alone often and this makes the KTM and the tubeless wheels appealing. currently there is a deal on the KTMs 1090 where you can get a 2018 for 1300 OTD...which is actually cheaper than what you can get a new 2017 KTM for. funny.

[@wildone2163]

what do you think about side stand mounted directly to motor? Heard about cases of cracked engine when side stand hit the rock, some relocate side stand because of that.

[@kdemotorsports]

I’ve heard about this and I can see the logic behind the concern. However personally I don’t think it is a significant risk so it is one I’m accepting at the moment. So far haven’t had any issues and the COBDR did have plenty of opportunities to cause a problem and didn’t. Now if I lived in that area or a similar area and big rocks were part of my daily riding I might reconsider moving it.

[@robsonenduro3316]

does that 1290 rear rack fit straight on? no changes necessary? I have noticed as well those 1090 stock racks are flimsy a bit.

[@kdemotorsports]

Yes direct bolt on. No changes needed simply remove the composite one and mount the metal one.

[@mikebee969]

Did you ride the 1090 out to Colorado? I rode out there from Wisconsin in early June. 3000 miles round trip in 5 days on my KLR. Was awesome! I’m guessing you don’t live far from me, especially since I know where Nutz Deep 2 is. Hahaha

[@kdemotorsports]

I didn’t ride to CO the bike was trailered out there. Couldn’t get enough time off to ride there and back. I live in IL but not too far from the WI border. Nutz Deep II was just hilarious 😂 we had to go there just because of the name. Food was great though.

[@mikebee969]

kdemotorsports I would not have guessed you were from IL.

[@kdemotorsports]

Do a lot of my riding in WI well MI too. Just tends to work out that way. 😀

[@kellyabercrombie9769]

Sorry I’m a little late to the party but I have a question for you. Did you have the issue of a lot of heat from the left side of the 1090?

[@kdemotorsports]

Never had specific issues with the left side. I did have the bike overheat once in stop and go traffic and they do run warm for sure.

[@Calbertone]

Thank you for your informative videos. I put a gpr exhaust on mine, bike has better attack but slightly worse midrange. Unfortunately I understand that unlike the 1290 is not possible to alter the air mix. That's unfortunate

[@kdemotorsports]

You’re welcome thanks for watching. Interesting about the exhaust having that effect on power delivery. Personally I really like the 6k range with stock exhaust kind of a sweet spot for this bike in my opinion.

[@Calbertone]

@@kdemotorsports thank you. The attack at low revs is very useful off road though....have you tried fitting a higher performance air filter?

[@kdemotorsports]

Calbertone - holiday villa with a sea salt swimming pool - casa vacanze I haven’t and honestly probably won’t now that my focus has shifted to my 790. I love the 1090 still but the 790 is just even more amazing off-road

[@sanjaywadhwani4520]

Hi.....I am planning to buy 1090r over Africa twin. May I ask what and how have you installed cruise control on your bike.

[@kdemotorsports]

Certainly the cruise control is from motorcycle cruise control check out mccruise.com they make a fully plug and play kit. Don’t be overwhelmed when it arrives, I was but a member on advrider walked me through her install and sure enough it was easy as can be. It plugs into all the factory locations and works perfectly. It also had no issues at all when I drowned the bike in the river. High quality and works like you would expect an electronic cruise control to work. I love it! Get the under bar mount though for the controller much better than the one that goes on top of the handlebar.

[@twilightcairo101]

thanks

[@kdemotorsports]

You’re welcome thanks for watching 👍🏼

[@toddbenfield6546]

You have any air filter/box issues? What miles did you service filter?

[@kdemotorsports]

I did not do any air box mods. The air box is essentially the same design as the 1190 and therefore would carry with it the same risks. As far as the miles when i serviced mine I don’t remember exactly but it was well before scheduled due to drowning the bike during a river crossing. So it wouldn’t have been needed yet if it weren’t for that. The recommended intervals are pretty high but given the design of the air box it might be worth doing it a little early or do the mods.

[@Stoxoz]

Lovely review. I currently own a 1290 Super Adventure (2015 model) but am looking for something more off-road oriented and lighter. I’m currently looking towards a dual sport such as Husqvarna 701 enduro/KTM 690 enduro R or a 1090 Adventure R. Which one would be better? Is it a big difference between riding a 1090 and a dual sport like the husky 701?

[@kdemotorsports]

The 1090 rides much smaller than it is, but there is still a big difference between it and something like the 690. Now the upcoming 790 I suspect will be much closer to the 690/701. I haven’t ridden a 1290 but based on what I know the 1090 and 1290 share a lot of parts so I don’t expect there would be that big of a difference between the 1290 and 1090.

[@Stoxoz]

kdemotorsports sounds fair enough. And even though I know it must be a matter of personal preference, would you consider it a drawback to ride a 701 enduro as your everyday bike, since you don’t have the same power and comfort as the 1090? Would the 701 suffice as a good go-to-bike for everyday use (street and gravel up to some more technical stuff)? Or would you rather choose the 1090? What would be the deciding factor for you?

[@kdemotorsports]

Daniel Kvick primarily because of where I live it would be the 1090. I don’t have enough interesting really technical terrain to push me down in size. Since I don’t have that I wouldn’t give up the comfort and the luxury that the 1090 offers over something smaller. Which is exactly why the 790 is so interesting to me. I think the 790 would offer similar levels of comfort & luxury but then also do even better when I do trips like the COBDR. But that is speculation since I haven’t even seen the 790 in person. 😀

[@Stoxoz]

kdemotorsports I understand what you’re saying. I also live in a place where the terrain is pretty flat and not enough dense forests. I live in southern Sweden and we don’t really have the freedom of riding anywhere we want in the woods. A lot of the forests here are private property and we don’t really have that many mountains/hills (unless you live in the north). I guess the 1090 would be the right choose for me, but the reason I want something else than my 1290 is because of the size and weight. I can handle it pretty well on gravel roads but feel limited as soon as the terrain gets tougher. A 1090 still looks more Offroad worthy and more rugged. But it still weighs about 230 kg’s wet (I think). The 790 looks awesome, and I would have loved to purchase one, but I’m afraid I can’t afford it as of now. Maybe in a few years time when the used ones start hitting the market.

[@tdirtpor]

about the cruise control you installed , another viewer asked also. I can't seem to find a reply where you wrote about it. I'm begging for a link or company name

[@kdemotorsports]

Here is the link I thought I added it previously but my apologies if I did not. www.mccruise.com/collections/ktm/ktm-1090-adventure I highly recommend the underbar mounting bracket.

[@seabiscuit726142]

Hi there! What hand guards did you install? Thanks!

[@kdemotorsports]

Those are the tusk handguards from Rocky Mountain ATV. They have turn signals that go in them too but I still haven’t put them on yet.

[@DougE.phresh]

Did you add a factory cruise control like the 1290 would have ?? If so I would love some more info on that

[@kdemotorsports]

See the reply to the previous comment it has the details of the cruise control. It is a full electronic cruise control unit.

[@DougE.phresh]

Awesome, thanks a lot

[@kdemotorsports]

Kennedy for President very welcome and highly recommend it!

[@DougE.phresh]

I’ll look into it, the price is a little hard to stomach, but my 1090 only has 1800 miles, so it will get plenty of use for years to come, maybe I’ll save some pennies over the winter

[@blackr0se]

Multiple camera angles, yet didn't see you look at any of those. Felt like i was ignored the entire time.

[@kdemotorsports]

Thanks for the feedback. Will keep that in mind for future videos.

[@jasonokgo]

Hello there .im a rider from China. Really want to know how durable ktm 1090r is.

[@kdemotorsports]

During the time frame I had mine 1 1/2yrs and over 6k miles I didn’t have any issues. Put it through a lot during that time frame so in my opinion they are extremely durable. Thanks for watching!

[@jasonokgo]

kdemotorsports thxfor answer . like you video.

[@robsonenduro3316]

damn, it's not good then if you drawn this bike somewhere in wild. Who mounts air filter in such place for dirt oriented bike...

[@kdemotorsports]

Definitely not ideal. You could do it in the wild but it will take a significant amount of time to do.

[@robsonenduro3316]

@@kdemotorsports on the other hand Africa Twin, Super Tenere all have air filter under the tank, only R1200GS has relatively easy access.

[@alpap1980]

Which pannier racks are those?

[@kdemotorsports]

Those are the tusk pannier racks.

[@alpap1980]

@@kdemotorsports thank you. Those can accommodate a rotopax canistet and also protect the rear of the bike in case of a drop...

[@vargubau]

Fuel level issue?

[@kdemotorsports]

Yes forgot about that one. Fuel level is never accurate. Still need to fix that over the winter it is an easy fix. But one I do have and need to resolve.

[@TheTReed78]

Sub'd but stop talking in that cadence please lol....