One Day With KTM 1190 Adventure - Detailed Test Ride & Review!

How good is the KTM 1190 Adventure (2013) - Complete Review!
I had the chance to ride the old model of the KTM 1190 Adventure. I have to say that it performs absolutely great in any riding conditions. It really deserves the name adventure motorcycle!
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[@rogerchambers1309]

Good to see an older adventure bike examined. I have the 2016 model and love it, perfect for adventures in Australia. The power is addictive no doubt. Also I find the best tyres for all around are 80/20 Michelin, very stable at high speed. They’re a little scary on loose gravel though. Forgot to add no reliability issues at all and another 1190 rider @paolocattaneophoto has done 200,000 klms on his with no issues.

[@motorcycleadventures]

Good to know, thanks for adding!

[@MrPepsilon]

Had the same experience with the Anakee Adventure. Put on E-07+ now and I will never ride on anything else on this bike. Or perhaps the Dakar version if I go for a long oversea trip.

[@askomoisio]

Was it 2016 model that had 200 000km???

[@danwhalen7974]

Love the commentary - just bought a 2014 yesterday and because is winter am looking at inspirational videos like this. Bulgaria looks epic :)

[@motorcycleadventures]

Great to hear!

[@theravengeo]

Fantastic video, good review of the KTM and summed it up so well, hard to find neutral, always changing gear, loads of power, too big, warm seat and more but awesome fun. I have the 1290 Super Adventure R and love it, great for long days and still performs great off-road on dirt tracks.

[@motorcycleadventures]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@ricardocorminal6622]

Nice honest review.. I agree 100 percent.. If you can look past its reliability issues and the engine heat you'll have tons of fun. And sometimes that's enough for some spirited riders! The power is really intoxicating and the throttle response will surely bring big smile in your face.. Its usable torque is so spot on almost all kind of riding, and may very well be a hooligan adv bike!!! Oh, the suspension on this horse is honestly one of the best even with a passenger and full load in the top case and panniers.. If KTM can solve its reliability issues and make the engine less hot then I dare say this will probably the best bike on the planet!..

[@motorcycleadventures]

Yes, the reliability is still a problem and this could ruin all the fun and pleasure!

[@rowantrefz8906]

"Powerful, beautiful, great suspension, everything an adventure motorcycle needs". Thumbs up

[@motorcycleadventures]

Right on!

[@charlesgru8978]

I recently got a used KTM 1190 Adventure, and love it! I also work for a company that's a US sub-company of a Bulgarian company (So I talk with some people there a lot). Now I really want to go visit there & rent a bike to ride around that beautiful country! Preferably on a KTM. :)

[@motorcycleadventures]

Thanks for sharing!

[@9ictv2]

Thank you and your friend for doing this test ride! I hope you will be able to do more of this sort, that is rides of older bikes, not only brand new ones. This is an experienced rider just giving their honest opinion, surely the best kind of review to be shared amongst other enthusiasts. Thanks again.

[@motorcycleadventures]

You are welcome anytime! Of course I will do it when I have the chance.

[@johnpali5894]

I press the 👍 before the video started , because I know that will be one other great video. Love the Bulgarian back roads. Lovely Balkan’s roads and traffic .

[@motorcycleadventures]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@tonylayfield8750]

One suspects that any vibration / wobbles are due to the tyre balances & pressures; fwiw, I've got my 1190R clocked (via GPS) at 220 KPH and, all the way from zero to hero, it's absolutely rock steady. Imho, it's on open gravel / desert trails / red dirt roads when an 1190R, with its 21 inch front wheel plus all that horsepower, totally comes into its own (i.e. trails like you get in Africa; and which is why I live in Africa); and I defy any variant of BMW R/GS(A) to try and keep up with an 1190R when riding off-road... and perhaps I should know, wherein I also own GSA alongside my 1190R. Indeed the reason I bought an 1190R is because (when on my GSA and riding off road) I simply could not keep up with my friend whom was riding his 1190R (but I also couldn't bare to part with my GSA... and so now I've got both... plus some other bikes as well... there's no such thing as owning too many motorcycles!). I would also add that I've had LESS reliability from out of my R1200GSA than from my 1190R... go figure. For what it's worth, I've got my 1190R tricked out as follows: Rottweiler system (stage 3 kit and fuelling dongles) Scotts Performance Steering Damper

[@motorcycleadventures]

Thanks for sharing!

[@CapeBiker]

New drinking game... down a shot every time you hear the word "Power"... great video as usual Pavilin.

[@motorcycleadventures]

Don't drink too much!

[@LSD97123]

Very nice video. I'm only 14 minutes into the video and I've already subscribed. Love the simple and straightforward instruments of this motorcycle

[@RestlessRoamers]

Seat really is too hot! Had to modify a lot on my 1190 ADV (plastic deflectors and foil) to blow the heat away. For Germany it is ok but for trips South of the Alps in the Summer it is too uncomfortable, especially in the city! Thanks for your great videos!

[@motorcycleadventures]

Good to know!

[@marniholbrook6709]

Hey Pavlin The earlier models suffered from heat through the seat which was fixed in the later models. KTM make factor heated grips which is a plug and play and works through the menu switch on the left side of the bars. Yes it’s a powerful bike but switching everything off (abs, mtc) and riding it like a dirt bike off road is so much fun. Tyres play a bit part in vibration at higher speeds. Most of the off road tyres are only rated to 160km/h. Here in NZ I run the Motoz tractionators adventures off road ( same grip off and on road as the TKC 80’s but with better mileage) and the TKC 70’s on road. Can’t get the Dunlop mission tyres here at the moment. Great bike and great video. Cheers from New Zealand

[@motorcycleadventures]

Thanks for taking the time!

[@MrPepsilon]

My 1190 adv has now 80 000km on the odo. Ran it on TKC70 myself for a couple of seasons. Caused wobbles at high speed when fully loaded with alu panniers and camping gear. Terrifying! Not so when riding without load. Anakee Adventure last summer as I was heading for the Alps and mostly riding on road. Switched to Mitas E-07+ this year. It really took the bike to a new level when riding "off-road" (even when carrying gear for multi weeks of camping) without sacrificing too much on tarmac or in rain. And the are rated for 190km/h as well. Best tires I have ever had on this bike for the type of mixed riding I do.

[@vladimirisaev8894]

Good! Pavlin, u are perfect, not as usually speakers talking for motoTrip! Cool!!! Go on!!!! Very proff. content.! Thank you! Power and carefully is the best filling on the world! Be healthy!!!!

[@motorcycleadventures]

Thanks for taking the time Vladimir!

[@michaelmclarney1994]

Im thinking of getting the 1090 version but was also unsure about reliability issues. I have heard far more positive reports from owners about this model, singing its praises. The very few bad reports i have read fail to say what reliability problems they had so i ignore them as theyre not constructive. I know someone who has done over 30k miles on his 1290 without a single issue so i think i may take a chance.

[@dazzer4220]

Nice video Pavlin. I agree about KTM reliability. There is a joke that all the new KTM bikes are now coming with a free dog.....so you have someone to walk home with when it breaks down 😂.

[@motorcycleadventures]

Nice one!

[@hdjnfirnfnhdhdjjdkdk9349]

Daisy B, you are a GS owner, isn't it?😂

[@MrPepsilon]

Haha. 80 000 km on my 1190. I bought it new and never had any issue. My friend on the other hand never keeps any of his GS 1200/1250 more than three years. Wonder why? ; )

[@hdjnfirnfnhdhdjjdkdk9349]

@@MrPepsilon 55000 on mine without any problems and a friend of mine has one with 120000km. The only thing that he canged was the fuel level sensor.

[@MrPepsilon]

@@hdjnfirnfnhdhdjjdkdk9349 Wore out the ballbearings for the front wheel at 70000km. Other than that it is only the first air filter and a spring for the side stand, which were both on factory recall.

[@drewmorg.]

See this is why you need honest review's like this guy. He tells you straight up, it's almost impossible to ride this bike slowly and cruise because of the way the racey engine and the RPM's are set up. It will not lug comfortably around 4000 RPM or below, which forces you to down shift and be in the powerband, which causes the throttle to be too twitchy. I found a similar issue with my R6. This is why I think the ultimate blend of ADV bike is the Suzuki Vstrom 1000.

[@motorcycleadventures]

Thanks for taking the time!

[@JohnDoe-uc7et]

In the end I heard something about reliability. I have a 2013 model. 50K. Never gave up on me. So pretty reliable.

[@motorcycleadventures]

I think that with 50k is to early to speak about reliability.

[@C_R_O_M________]

Possible reasons for the high speed vibration/oscillation problem: Bad suspension settings for the rider, too tall windscreen, bad tires. Having owned a 2009 990R Adventure I can tell you that at 160Km/h with more street oriented tires the ride is buttery smooth. I have also ridden the 1190S model (the shorter one) and it had street tires on and it was like a train even at 200km/h. Not necessarily the bike's fault.

[@motorcycleadventures]

Could be all of these together.

[@allenhuling598]

Too much power for me, I would constantly be tempted to ride outside my skill level! Don't know why, but there are only a couple models of KTMs that look nice to me, never cared for the orange color at all, and definitely don't like the look of the over-sized fuel tanks! Nice ride, and a very fair review! Cheers Pavlin!

[@motorcycleadventures]

Fair enough! Thanks for taking the time!

[@o0Bananaphone0o]

I bought myseld a 950 S GO!!! and it is the most beautiful KTM by far

[@allenhuling598]

@@o0Bananaphone0o Awesome.....ride safe!

[@tolga1cool]

Really need to try this one... Currently on a 990. That lc8 is sooo much fun

[@motorcycleadventures]

Absolutely!

[@Advcrazy]

The 990s are just so sexy though!! If I could find a 2012/13 model with low kms and good condition id probably swap my 4 month old 1090R for it in a heart beat!! I’m in love with the 9X0 adventures though 😍

[@tolga1cool]

@@Advcrazy Honestly. That kind of is my thought as well. Currently I'm on a 990 from 2006 (so I am sadly getting abysmal fuel mileage) and the bike has a lot of km. I would love a newer 990, because for me it's the perfect bike, but the prices are just so high. I could probably rebuild my engine twice for the extra money I would have to pay to get a newer one lol I test rode the Tenere as well and liked it a lot. It rides like the 990 does, but with slightly worse front suspension and noticeably less weight. But what breaks it a bit for me is that the engine just isn't anywhere near as much fun.

[@tolga1cool]

@@Advcrazy Oh. And also for some reason the engine cover on the right side was touching my shin a lot on the Tenere. The asymmetry is kinda weird.

[@Advcrazy]

tolga1cool I Hope ktm rerelease it one day!

[@ThePlatonius]

On the power note, I just swaped bikes from a BMW F650 to Yamaha TDM 900. The Yamaha has almost 2x the power of the BMW and it is very apparent in city riding. I would still prefer to use the BMW for daily city riding over the Yamaha, but because the BMW only had 5 gears, and I mostly ride outside of city, I chose the Yamaha. I don't understand riders who ride 1000cc sport bikes in the city, not a easy thing to do daily. As for the KTM, 150 HP is just too much for what this bike will get used for, I'd be little scared going offroad on it with that much power :)

[@motorcycleadventures]

I also think that 150 HP are too much.

[@martinhewett5857]

If you are looking for a bike. It makes for a tough decision. A. Buy a used 1190 that may have lots of money spent on it or B. Buy a T7 or a 690 and spend more on the purchase and more making it what you want. I bought the 1190 and couldn't be happier. The heat isn't an issue with a guard wings or similar guard between the frame and the seat.

[@motorcycleadventures]

I don't have any plans to buy KTM. The new Tenere 700 is what will be my next motorcycle.

[@martinhewett5857]

@@motorcycleadventures and you will love it. I've enjoyed your videos and your attitude and approach. Keep it up.

[@1bikerdude]

Nice and honest review 👌I own a 2018 1290 R, and the heat problem is mostly solved by stock factory mounted heat reflective insulation under the seat. Still gets hot on +25c days in slow riding, but solid riding pants and technical underwear solved it for me 😉

[@motorcycleadventures]

Good to know.

[@wadejensen3301]

I like it man....great video....thanks for sharing!

[@motorcycleadventures]

Any time!

[@teneretraveller8980]

A beast. Too much in many ways for me. Less is definitely more. Especially as the new 700 Yamaha has been spied with a 20litre tank and bigger seat in test mule form. Happy travels

[@motorcycleadventures]

Totally agree

[@Grateful4Today]

It's a great bike for people who love the speed, the torque, the sound and the excess of power to play with ( like me ) Whether on or off roads, it does not justice ( waste of money ) If you're riding it within the range of 100kph though, so this being said, if I were you I'd stick with your good old and reliable Yamaha 660. There's no point to have a bike if you are not skilled enough to ride it hard, no to mention scared of it..:)

[@motorcycleadventures]

Yes, I will stick with my old Tenere. Reliability is number one requirement for me. No interest of speed!

[@Grateful4Today]

@@motorcycleadventures Needless to say, I agree with you Pavlin, that's why I've never had an accident (Never means NEVER ) in my past 20 years plus of riding all kinds of bikes across Europe, whether I was going fast for short blasts or slow 140 -160kph my kind of average speed or just your average touring travelling speed.. :)

[@motorcycleadventures]

Good! You have been lucky!

[@Grateful4Today]

@@motorcycleadventures I'm not entirely sure about luck, I think it's more to do with experience and knowing your limits and be able to read the traffic ahead of you..

[@vigneshmech1]

❤KTM

[@motorcycleadventures]

Cool!

[@samguapo4573]

Awww you should have included videos of the food and the scenery at the restaurant. It would have been nice to see that.

[@motorcycleadventures]

Next time!

[@restless_soulism]

Did you see the picture of a new T7 version? Unofficial internet name is the traveler, as it seems to have a larger tank. I am excited :-) KTM 1190 is too powerful for me, too much technology that can fail on the road and reliability is a long story. The 790 is maybe the better choice if it has to be KTM. But when I see the feedback on German and English speaking KTM forums, it is not the right choice for me on a long adventure trip. I need a simple bike like the T7, which a mechanic in Mongolia or Africa can fix with basic tools, no software.

[@motorcycleadventures]

No I haven't but even the small tank is okay for me. KTM never been something I would like to buy. Great to ride but not to own!

[@board.member]

Love your reviews, keep them coming please. Interesting that after all is said and done, you like the bike but you are too wary of the reliability issues - reminds me of the new Land Rover Defender (gets good reviews but already reliability issues are being reported).

[@motorcycleadventures]

For me this is number one requirement!

[@MrTone41]

Great review there thanks.

[@motorcycleadventures]

Glad it was helpful!

[@karimrishani8298]

just finished learning on a manual 200 cc Pulsar. Thinking of buying my first Manual. Found a 2013 KTM 1190 Adventure R for 7000 USD . What do you think?

[@whitedrguy6503]

Interesting review Pavlin, and interesting conclusion. Each to his own but not the bike for me, I neither have the riding ability or stature to justify having a powerful heavy bike, I much prefer to enjoy the scenery and take in the surroundings when I ride a bike now not to mention I do not have the budget to pay for the speeding fines. One thing I never see when people test ride these adventure bikes is riding in sand or mud with an extra 25 kg of luggage strapped to the back, after all you can never be 100% certain what an adventure holds in store for you, and heaven help you if get in a position when you lose your footing when you come to a stop on an off camber hill.

[@motorcycleadventures]

I absolutely agree that the power, the weight and the price are way more than I can handle.

[@davidskaggs9914]

Man those KTM bikes are awesome too rich for my blood though. Nice route

[@motorcycleadventures]

Great fun to ride it!

[@MK-mu6if]

Pavilin, great video. Can I have a question about reliability? Owner has got it for some time, can you share what problems have occurred during that time?

[@motorcycleadventures]

None! He went to Central Asia and back, almost 20,000km without any problems.

[@JohnDoe-uc7et]

I have a 2013 model adventure R. No issues. Its a beast.

[@ger13nunyah56]

That’s so Cool Mate.

[@motorcycleadventures]

Thanks for taking the time!

[@oliverfuchs4357]

Nice bike ! But you have to try the honda cub/hunter cub 125. I know its cheap and a bit crappy, but it is economic, lightweight,parts are no concern around the globe ...did i mention its legend because it´s cheap crap :D I love it,you got to test it. Thanks for the landscapes and biketest, ride safe and keep healty .

[@motorcycleadventures]

Ok thanks!

[@fatpigeonadventurerider2118]

Too powerful for me that's for sure, ive had plenty of litre sports bike, but the litre off road I couldn't handle.

[@motorcycleadventures]

It is very well designed and with off road mode it limit the H.P. to 95.

[@Grateful4Today]

Remember you control the machine, power without control is a perfect formula that leads to disasters, just dose it as and when you need that torque :)

[@fatpigeonadventurerider2118]

@@Grateful4Today very true, or I should say this power is not required for my more sedated off road riding 😃

[@sc3743]

Hope you can do a review for KTM 1290 Adventure S

[@motorcycleadventures]

R version: kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y4ulfmaDe9-gprM

[@stendermoto219]

Very nice movie.Ride safe! :)

[@motorcycleadventures]

Thanks, you too!

[@Aleksander9003]

Hello, I own a transalp 650 and while it is a lovely do it all bike, it isn't powerful enough when fully loaded with gear, and I'm looking to swap it and I have 2 choices 1 ktm 1090/1190 adv R 2 bmw 1200gs adv. I love ktm but it vibrates and the heat from the seat is just like a lava in your pants, gsa seems to be very heavy bike, which of them 2 would be a better bike for long journeys and some weekends fun?

[@vadimlevi]

Hi Pavlin. Thank you for the video. I'm looking to exchange my v-strom 650 to ktm1190 or africa 1000. Which bike you think has more all in one features and better overall? Vibrations on 150 made me a bit upset. I usually ride at that speeds

[@motorcycleadventures]

Most of the riders, myself included, do not have the skills to use the potential of this KTM, on and off-road. Also, the reliability is still an issue for the brand. Great bike to ride but not to own. The final decision is yours.

[@BK-gz2bx]

Hello Pavlin, Nice and honest video, as usual. I own the 1190 Adv R since this summer and have come to similar conclusion. It’s fun, though :) One question. You liked the suspension and have mentioned it is ‘hard’. Could you please ask your friend the owner of the bike which suspension settings he is using on his bike? In the manual there are: Comfort, Standard and Sport. Also, what preload front and rear? You seem to be about my weight and size. I would really appreciate the help. Cheers from Slovenija, Blaz

[@motorcycleadventures]

Ok, I will ask him.

[@BK-gz2bx]

Thanks!

[@harrychung3036]

Pavlin, have you ever tried the KTM 990 Adventure? Do you think either this 1190 or 90 is too much bike for a beginner?

[@motorcycleadventures]

Both are not for beginners.

[@newdayanotherride1500]

Hi Pavlin love watching your videos, the topics it is very informative as of this I have come to learn through your experience and comments about the KTM 1190. Thanks

[@motorcycleadventures]

Cool, thanks

[@mariocarvalho1189]

Sometimes I find it hard to put it in Neutral too. Seams it has an extra gear between 1 and Neutral :D

[@motorcycleadventures]

It is what it is!

[@mariocarvalho1189]

@@motorcycleadventures no complaints 👌 I love my bike 1190 S 😍

[@Supernova12034]

So that was the 1190 R with the 21" wheel? And still it was capable of sporty canyon riding??

[@mohammedmidlaj4623]

Wow. Awesome machine 🤩👌👌🔥

[@motorcycleadventures]

It sure is!

[@electron1980]

I ride 1190 Adv for few km în the town. Outstanding power, brakes and suspension. The geometry is waaaay better than my Vstrom 650. This bike is from another dimension.

[@gorgeoussmile6252]

nice ride

[@motorcycleadventures]

It was!

[@hansanders5280]

maby handy to put it in the title, its an R totally different then the an regular 1190 adventure (S)

[@motorcycleadventures]

There is difference.

[@hansanders5280]

@@motorcycleadventures thats what i say😂, in your title is does not say 'R' bur for sure its an R

[@motorcycleadventures]

Yes, it is R.

[@sujoydey8469]

Nice!

[@motorcycleadventures]

Thanks!

[@yetkinalisverisci1858]

How about the tires? Are the mitas e07 good for big & powerful adv bikes?

[@motorcycleadventures]

They are fine.

[@MrPepsilon]

Great tire! I put it on my own 1190 this season and it is the best tire I have had. 5 000 km on it so far and expect to get at least another 5 000 km out of the rear tire. Probably twice that for the front.

[@kachnakachna3885]

I am sorry, I missed the fuel consumption during this test ride.. How much it takes?

[@motorcycleadventures]

4.5 l per 100km

[@kachnakachna3885]

@@motorcycleadventures thank you, it is unbelivible low :O, I expected so 6

[@motorcycleadventures]

If you ride with speeds over 140 you can easily go to 7 l/100km

[@brucekendall52]

Time to treat yourself to the new 890 R?Cheers.

[@motorcycleadventures]

I don't have any plans to buy KTM! They are great fun to ride but not to own!

[@brucekendall52]

@@motorcycleadventures And you are probably correct.

[@motorcycleadventures]

Just my opinion.

[@avarerulman3405]

Good evenng from Turkey Ankara.

[@motorcycleadventures]

Hello there!

[@avarerulman3405]

@@motorcycleadventures I ıse bajaj pulsar 200 for 6 years,Its almost 156 kg and I make it like adv but nowadays I m looking gor a adv but I saw they are so heavy dp you have any advice.

[@motorcycleadventures]

Try a few models and you will know.

[@evansamekudzi5612]

Dashboard similar to suzuki v-strom.

[@motorcycleadventures]

Kind of

[@raimondogualazzini]

Can I ask you to review Yamaha tracer 700? Is it a good bike for motorway touring?

[@motorcycleadventures]

I already did it: kzbin.info/www/bejne/h5yalYigf7-NsKM

[@Captndarty]

They are no heat issues on these bikes. I’ve got over 30K on mine and ridden it up to 120°F fast and slow and there is no abnormal amount of heat that shouldn’t be there. I mean after all you are sitting on a fire breathing furnace. People be sensitive snowflakes.

[@motorcycleadventures]

If you say so!

[@JohnDoe-uc7et]

I have one. I will never part with it.

[@motorcycleadventures]

Good