Things I don’t like about my KTM 1290 Adventure R

[@Carlnewman68]

From a gsa 1250 2021 rider , omg every time I see a KTM and watch you open her up my heart is racing and my smile is 2 feet wide

[@captain_midlife]

Love the GSA too. I think that’ll be my next bike once I have all this hooligan out of me lol

[@hextunes]

i think you need a doc then

[@frankguernier2280]

That's why I bought the 1290 R . Both great bikes and the BMW'S are not without problems as well. I am 71 and wanted one last adrenalin rush. Whoopee.

[@rlovell383]

89,000 flawless KMs on my 2014 1190R.... Best bike I've ever owned.

[@psycodriver]

Hi Captain, I bought my 1290SAR two years ago, I was one of the firsts of getting one, so happy hith her and won't change it for anything else. About your "complain" to change driving+abs modes, I have both on the C1/C2 shortcuts on the right lever, so I can chage them on the fly in a few seconds, much better than other models where you must stop to do it. Cheers

[@4tech69]

The say it sounds like the engine is full of lose bolts. It's not bolts. It's the bones of other bikes it's eaten. Revel in that sound.

[@frontlinefortificationfind5636]

I'm 6'5" and my 2015 1290 S is the best bike I've ever owned. It all started in 1995 with my first bike, a 1986 GSXR 750

[@cliftonsr]

I am 6'1" also and I wear a 13 US or 47.5 EUR shoe size so I put a Puig touring windscreen not the touring plus on my 2022 1290 Super Adventure R cause it looks great and you can see over it and when you want to nock off a lot of wind just raise it up. And another thing I did was get lower rally style foot pegs that also can go down a little bit and back for my big feet helped with my legs feeling cramped and I rotated my handlebars just a little forward and now it feels perfect riding this awesome beast! Your videos are awesome Captain Midlife!

[@captain_midlife]

Thanks man I’ll check that stuff out

[@CurtisBrandt]

Nice presentation. Wicked bike. On the electronics (ABS, rally mode, etc), I prefer that the settings are "sticky" and stay the way I've set them despite cycling the key and what-not. I just leave my 890R in Rally mode, traction control 1, and off road ABS all the time. Maybe that's not the best on a 1290. I might get one and see. ;-)

[@heinbotha1278]

Super, 50 000 km on my 2017 1290 R….no issues!! As for the screen, as u noted, it’s the R, just get the S screen like I did for the more touring trips 👍🏻🍺😎

[@CurtisBrandt]

Right on. I suspect there are better screens, but I don't mind the screen on my SAS and I think they swap right over. Good place to start, but the off road screen has to be low so you can get out over the front of this beast!

[@wmc9722]

I wonder if the chain tension was correct at the time of your remark. That said, I find it interesting to reflect on the need to adjust the chain on a chainsaw as it all heats up and then to release it later. Surely they're radically different applications yet there's always going to be an unavoidable difference between hot and cold.

[@AustrisPhoto]

Rally seat + rally pegs are a must. And to make the engine sound quiter use 10w60 oil.

[@captain_midlife]

I'll look that up thanks mate!

[@william6815]

As far as reliability goes I’ve got a mate that has done 75000km on his 790 with no issues apart from a headlight issue around Australia but not sure what the 1290 is like I don’t know anyone with one to comment. But I do know what you mean with Ktm reliability I have a Ktm 350 exc-f which I actually rode to work every day for 6 months it now has 17000km on it but I have had to do rebuilds and all the fun stuff with that

[@captain_midlife]

Yeah I never had any issues with my 500 EXC

[@fishfritz1]

2013 KTM 690duke = 36k+miles of trouble free smiles, 2015 KTM 1290SDR = 49k+miles of trouble free (really big) smiles and now on a 2020 790adventure with 32k+ miles of trouble free smiles and looking forward to another 1290 this time around a SAS! I miss the power wheelies;-)

[@JaySalvoUK]

Hi, I had one last year, tried a couple of seats the most comfortable was the rally seat even more than the ergo seat I bought. Give it a try if you get a chance.

[@frankguernier2280]

Hi Captain. It's my first tme viewing and like your attitude. Re the wind screen I am 5ft 10in and with my Arai adv helmet I find it perfect as well as the peg position. It must be your extra height. Re the engine noise that's just KTM. I covered 40,000 km on my 640 Adventure without any issues. Part of that was a 11,000km out back trip Sydney to Darwin. It was pre speed limited Darwin to Alice and I certainly blued the exhaust pipe. From start it always had that " half a sheep carcss going through a meat grinder" sound. My suggestion is just ride it as you are doing and don't conjure up problems that may never happen. Cheers.

[@tavitamoors1]

Just started the process of determining if I will stay with the future 1300 GS A or change the 1290 ADV R or 890 ADV R. Small world and stumbled across this to find you have done it. I will likely test ride both KTM's, over the next two weeks.

[@captain_midlife]

I think if you test the KTM you will have to buy it haha

[@wmc9722]

I'm starting my quest toward a decision to buy the KTM 1290 or the BMW 1250, or, as you say, the 1300. Planning to travel Eurasia in 2025.

[@SillyGooseNinety]

I have the same dilemma. Currently riding a r1250gsa. Looking more and more towards KTM

[@pascalo5119]

Thanks for your video, I had high expectations when I bought a used 2022 BMW R1250GS, given its reputation as one of the bestselling bikes around. However, after six months of ownership and 5,000 miles, I ended up selling it. First, I could never get comfortable on it, despite trying all the seat adjustments and even switching to a GSA seat. Nothing worked for me. Second, I didn’t like the seating position it felt like I was sitting in the bike rather than on it which didn’t suit me at all. Finally, and perhaps most importantly, the GS didn’t give me that thrilling rush when I opened the throttle. Watching your KTM videos, I realized that’s the kind of excitement I want in a bike. I need that smile-inducing moment every time I twist the throttle, and the GS just didn’t deliver that for me. It was definitely a big disappointment.

[@captain_midlife]

@pascalo5119 after riding both I can definitely say the KTM is far more exciting

[@wmc9722]

Great review.

[@andersjohansson36]

At 13:55, what do you mean by "lean sensitive traction control"?

[@captain_midlife]

The bike adjusts the traction control depending on how leaner over it is.

[@andersjohansson36]

@@captain_midlife Oh. I had absolutly no idea about that. Thanks for the answer

[@captain_midlife]

Yeah look for bikes with IMUs. They often have lean sensitive traction control and ABS. So the bike knows if you’re mid corner and will brake accordingly

[@ChabacheTechTalk]

I'll work years and buy one, wish me good luck guys!

[@aarsenalfan]

Have you tried BMW S1000XR ?

[@kevinroark5815]

What country is this? It's beautiful

[@garymorgan2373]

Surprised you didn’t mention the shitty indicator switch

[@captain_midlife]

True forgot that one. It is rubbish

[@benkelly2190]

It’s rubbish, but you get used to it and it’s soon forgotten.

[@michaelderby36]

@@captain_midlife I just picked up a 2023 SA-R and the the indicator switch cancel functions normally like every other bike I’ve ridden in the past 30+ years. KTM must have listened to the comments of it having a vague action. I am coming from a Tiger 955i and still in run-in miles on the 1290, The tech and performance is everything I hoped it would be, short shifting my way to the first service.

[@michsky46]

Yep, awesome bike, looking fantastic but I went to honda due to better reliability. There is guy having SAR and new with engine failure!!!!!

[@canadagoose62]

Great video. I ride a Norden 901 and am considering the 2023 1290SAR. Do you have any issues with the signal switch I hear they are finicky? Cheers!

[@captain_midlife]

It’s definitely annoying haha. It’s not like a fault. It’s just a stupid design.

[@chriscleland7008]

Did you make the switch? I have a 901 and love it, but I keep watching these 1290R videos so now I am drooling over them! Be interesting to hear what you found and any advice you have. Cheers!

[@bigmikes901adventures]

I did not make the switch as it came down to 3 things: 1) Too heavy for my very out of shape Michelin man body to lift. 2) Too much power that I think of my relatively low road riding experience that I would just get into trouble and 3) Price. I will either keep my Norden or get the Norden Expedition as I plan on going off road a fair bit.

[@rocoroco5749]

That bike is Sketchy with those tires on Highway

[@theunheardprophet4315]

Yes, it was enjoyable.

[@houjous5131]

What windscreen extender do you use?

[@captain_midlife]

Givi

[@peterfulmar9116]

What is the exhaust system

[@captain_midlife]

SC Project

[@ryanmalone2681]

I don't think the reliability issues are a European thing. BMW's are very reliable. It's more a KTM thing. Such a shame because they have such cool bikes with amazing performance.

[@captain_midlife]

BMW has a fair fee issues as well. Specially with electronics. Ducati has issues. Japanese bikes are just more reliable period.

[@ryanmalone2681]

@@captain_midlife Japanese bikes are more reliable for sure, but BMW is solid and can’t be compared with KTM’s abysmal reliability. Rarely do we ever do a trip without issues with the KTM’s.

[@rocoroco5749]

U said suspension perfect u don't have any front end wobbles dealership trying telling I needed a new spring o only weigh178 I told the there full of shit come to find out steering stem was so loose along with bolts to triple clamps .

[@rogeryoung3587]

It's more fun when you're pinging :)

[@larryknight1980]

You'd have to be pinging to buy one.

[@stewartdawes617]

Too expensive, - overly expensive for dropping on gravel roads when engaging whisky throttle, messed up the colours, too heavy, messed up the front end. Don't know about high kms long life..........

[@anonymousxyz6175]

Nice review 🔥👍

[@captain_midlife]

Thanks mate

[@ausforce1]

Every KTM I have ever had suffered from the legs being too cramped 🤦🏼. It's the weirdest thing.