KTM 1190 Adventure

KTM 1190 Adventure SPECIFICATIONS, PRICE & IMAGES

Surj Gish: 40 years old, shirt size:Muy Grande, Favorite Von Trapp:Selena
(obscure lesser-known one, but I was totally into her before anybody)

along with a warning: “Be careful, you’re going
to want one!” I rode it back to my house, thinking how it seemed like a
perfectly good bike, but a little underwhelming considering it puts out 150
horsepower. The sound of the stock exhaust is also not very exciting; in fact,
my wife said, “It doesn’t sound like anything.” Hmph.

this: anyone who has a hard time with these menus probably shouldn’t be riding a
motorcycle, or even using a fork and spoon at the same time.

world test: some lane splitting, some freeway, some funky surfaces along
the way. The bike was again flawless, but no angels came out of the sky to
proclaim, “Glory unto the KTM, for it is the greatest bike of all time!” I did
notice that I was catching myself at what some (the fuzz) might call
unnecessarily high speeds a little more quickly than usual. I also really liked
the adjustable windscreen, which although not particularly big, did an excellent
job of smoothing out the airflow and eliminating buffeting.

s how: I kept catching myself whacking the throttle
open while exiting corners in an idiotic attempt to find the insane acceleration
that I just knew must be hiding in there somewhere. So I put it in “rain” mode.
Yep—I detuned it.

Even better: now that
I had made a love connection with the bike, I pulled over, switched it back to
sport mode and tore off, fully engaged with the machine and practically giggling
inside my helmet.

s what it comes down to: the 1190’s fueling and power delivery are so
buttery smooth that it sometimes doesn’t even feel like it’s doing much, when in
fact it’s really moving. Maybe that’s why it took me so long to realize how
great it is. The electronics are incredibly refined—I rode it on some messy,
gravel strewn goat trails and couldn’t get it to miss a beat.

Alan Lapp: 50 years old (feels 80), Shirt size:XXL, Favorite Von Trapp:Rupert

I am one of the KTM faithful: I own an ’08 690 Enduro and an ’06
300XCW. I have wanted a 950 Adventure since they came out in 2003. However, a
career in graphic design is a sentence of monkish privation for most, so I have
never owned one. For long rides, I also have a V-Strom1000.

verify it from multiple sources: I simply didn’t believe it possible (not sure
the 40 pound figure is correct as manufacturer claims are confusing … dry weight
might be similar between the two – ed.).

The range of adjustment is amazing: touring plush to sportbike
taut at the click of a button.

that we consumers have put them in a bind: we vocally desire, and vote with our
wallets for faster, more capable machines. However, just because we can purchase
a ridiculously fast bike doesn’t mean that everyone who can afford one is
actually skilled enough to operate it. So manufacturers put in these nanny
devices, which, in liberal fashion, protect us from ourselves. This is the
irony:the 1190 is so very capable, but we are so very protected from using it
to its full potential.

Bob Stokstad: three score and 13. Shirt size:17.5″ collar, 37″ sleeve, “tall”
size (i.e., long waist). Favorite Von Trapp singer:Julie Andrews (heartthrob)

in the sense of short: down Redwood Road beginning
at Skyline, all the way to the golf course and back. It’s a wonderful, curvy
trip on a bike, so good that many years ago the police posted the best parts at
25 mph.

Vibration: there’s a big difference between a Big Twin and the triple-powered
Tiger. But it wasn’t an unpleasant difference. The KTM just tells you that
you’re sitting on top of two very big pistons.

Handling: it’s confidence inspiring. In spite of the soft suspension setting,
the KTM hugged the road and begged me to go faster. I was able to control
myself, though with difficulty.

and acceleration: I couldn’t believe it! Twisting the throttle
even a little produces a pull that shows these1195cc have been tuned for
performance. Turning around at the golf course and starting back on that
straight section I lost control (self-control, that is) and yanked the throttle
open in first gear, upshifting whenever a red light flashed on the instrument
panel. The big KTM took off like a scalded cat. I don’t know what gear I was in
when I backed off, but the old juices were flowing like they hadn’t in a long
time.

KTM 1190 Adventure For Sale Specifications, Price and Images