BMW S 1000 XR versus KTM 390 Adventure

Make
Model
Make
Model
Make
Model
BMW

BMW S 1000 XR

Crossover
KTM

KTM 390 Adventure

Adventure

Year of construction / RRP / Test report

Built von 2015 bis 2024~
Built von 2020 bis 2024~
RRP 19.690 €
RRP 7.099 €
waveform
waveform
Pros:
  • Seating position fits small and big people
  • High-revving motor
  • Strong brakes
  • Very good standard equipment
Pros:
  • Equipment
  • Wieselflink
  • Pillion comfort
  • Low weight
Cons:
  • You just always want to step on the gas
Cons:
  • Price

Dimensions & Weight

Wheelbase: 1.541 mm
Length :
2.156 mm Height : 1.460 mm
Seat :
850 mm
Weight :
227 (max: 450 ) kg
Wheelbase: 1.430 mm
Seat :
855 mm
Weight :
172 kg

Engine

Motor design: Number 4 Cylinder
Displacement: 999 ccm
Hub: 50 mm
Hole: 80 mm
Cooling: flüssig
Drive: Kette
Aisles: 6
Motor design: 1-cylinder, 4-stroke engine 1 Cylinder
Displacement: 373 ccm
Hub: 60 mm
Hole: 89 mm
Cooling: flüssig
Drive: X-Ring, Kette
Aisles: 6

Performance

Maximum speed: 250 km/h
Performance: 170 HP at 11.000 U/Min
Torque: 114 NM bei 9.250 U/Min
Tank contents: 20 Litre
Consumption:
6 l
Reach:
323 km
Maximum speed: 160 km/h
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

Frame type:
Aluminium composite bridge frame, motor supporting (aluminium)
Front suspension:
Upside-down 45 mm (travel 150 mm)
Rear suspension:
Central strut (travel 150 mm)
Rear suspension:
Two-arm swingarm
Tyres at the front: 120/70 ZR 17
Rear tyres: 190/55 ZR 17
Frame type:
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

Front brake
Double disc brake, 4-piston fixed caliper ( 320 mm) Rear brake
Single disc brake, 2-piston floating caliper ( 265 mm)
Front brake
Single disc, 4-piston radial fixed caliper ( 320 mm) Rear brake
Single disc, 1-piston floating caliper ( 230 mm)

Conclusion - what gets stuck

Man, we had fun with the XR! The standard electronically adjustable ESA suspension really irons everything smoothly and yet this bike still gives you the necessary feedback about the road condition for sporty driving. That's the biggest difference between XR and GS: The XR is always sporty on the road, even if the 4-cylinder can purr at least theoretically like a kitten, that's not what you want as a driver! Better to throttle and loseprint like a cheetah. GS on the other hand: Rather quiet as a lion.
 
Whether the sportiness of the XR has a lasting effect or rather annoys, every driver has to decide for himself. What is clear, however, is that it travels more pleasantly on a GS, because you drive rather relaxed and there is no constant driving jerking or chain care.

The test motorcycle was provided to us by Bergmann & Söhne Pinneberg. There she stands as a guide and is happy about every test driver.

Price/Availability/Colours/Years of Construction

  • Price: 17.000€
  • Used (1 year old): 15,000€
  • Availability: since 2020
  • Colours: red, silver, colorful

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

Price / Colours / Years of Construction

  • Price: 6.195€
  • Years of construction: since 2020
  • Colours: white, orange