BMW S 1000 R versus KTM 390 Adventure
BMW S 1000 R
KTM 390 Adventure
Year of construction / RRP / Test report
Competitors
- Full of performance ...
- .. but still easy to control
- high-quality workmanship
- cool sound
- Equipment
- Wieselflink
- Pillion comfort
- Low weight
- Pillion operation only for emergencies
- Sitting position for some people probably too sporty
- Price
Dimensions & Weight
Length : 2.090 mm Height : 1.115 mm
Seat : 814 mm until : 830 mm
Weight : 199 (max: 407 ) kg
Seat : 855 mm
Weight : 172 kg
Engine
Displacement: 999 ccm
Hub: 50 mm
Hole: 80 mm
Cooling: flüssig
Drive: Kette
Aisles: 6
Displacement: 373 ccm
Hub: 60 mm
Hole: 89 mm
Cooling: flüssig
Drive: X-Ring, Kette
Aisles: 6
Performance
Performance: 165 HP at 11.000 U/Min
Torque: 114 NM bei 9.250 U/Min Tank contents: 17 Litre
Consumption: 6 l
Reach: 266 km
Performance: 44 HP at 9.000 U/Min
Torque: 37 NM bei 7.000 U/Min Tank contents: 15 Litre
Consumption: 3 l
Reach: 426 km
Chassis
Aluminium composite bridge frame, motor supporting (aluminium) Front suspension:
Telescopic fork (travel 120 mm) Rear suspension:
Central strut (travel 117 mm)
Rear suspension:
Two-arm swingarm Tyres at the front: 120/70 ZR 17
Rear tyres: 190/55 ZR 17
Tubular space frame, powder-coated (steel) Front suspension:
43mm WP APEX fork, adjustable in rebound and compression (travel 170 mm) Rear suspension:
WP APEX Monoshock (travel 177 mm)
Rear suspension:
Two-arm swingarm Tyres at the front: 100/90-19
Rear tyres: 130/80-17
Brakes
Double disc (∅ 320 mm) Rear brake
Disc (∅ 220 mm)
Single disc, 4-piston radial fixed caliper (∅ 320 mm) Rear brake
Single disc, 1-piston floating caliper (∅ 230 mm)
Conclusion - what sticks
The S 1000 R is basically a double R, from which the fairing has been removed and the torque curve on country roads has been optimised. It is super sporty, which can be an disadvantage and a disadvantage at the same time. If you want to sit upright on your streetfighter, you are out of place here. If you are looking for proximity to the front wheel and asphalt, you will find it here!In any case, we had tons of driving fun and did not feel overwhelmed despite the immense performance. This is exactly why you have to compliment BMW: Not all manufacturers succeed in putting such a grenade on the wheels for (almost) everyone. To anticipate misunderstandings: Of course, this motorcycle is not a beginner's machine!
The test machine was kindly provided by Bergmann & Söhne in Pinneberg - thank you!
Good, but expensive
What about the third puzzle mentioned at the beginning? What kind of bike is this? Then we get the gaaaaanz big club out. The world would be better if we all ate less meat, practiced safer sex and not just drove as an A2 driver's license holder KTM 390 Adventure. The safety equipment is convincing. Alone, the world is not like that. The problem with the KTM is that it is so wonderfully equipped that it is as safe as possible, but therefore cannot be cheap at all. Is it not, at EUR 6,195, what makes the answer to the question of classification even more complicated.
For a good 6,000 you get a good bike with the KTM, which has no development possibilities. It will always have 44 hp, that's the end of the flagpole. This is either enough for you in the long run – or you put a few hundred euros on it and move in the area of the Kawasaki Z 650 or Yamaha MT-07, which are throttled A2 compliant and later after the penitenting period with 75 hp are extremely enjoyable fun bringers.
The KTM 390 Adventure is too expensive to be used as a pure beginner bike. On the other hand, 44 hp is not enough for most motorcyclists in the long run. So a great bike is finally found between all the chairs.
The test bike was provided to us by Motorrad Ruser in Haseldorf near Hamburg
