BMW R 1250 GS versus KTM 1190 Adventure

Make
Model
Make
Model
Make
Model
BMW

BMW R 1250 GS

Adventure
KTM

KTM 1190 Adventure

Adventure

Year of construction / RRP / Test report

Built von 2018 bis 2023
Built von 2013 bis 2016
RRP 18.300 €
RRP 13.995 €
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Pros:
  • Motor, powerful and willing to rev
  • Resale value (as seller)
  • Chassis
  • Processing
  • Performance
Pros:
  • Sporty engine
  • Chassis tuning
  • Sound
  • Long-distance suitability
Cons:
  • Price (especially for extras)
  • Resale value (as buyer)
  • Seat
Cons:
  • Weight
  • Off-road capability

Dimensions & Weight

Wheelbase: 1.525 mm
Length :
2.207 mm Height : 1.430 mm
Seat :
850 mm
Weight :
249 (max: 465 ) kg
Wheelbase: 1.560 mm
Length :
2.255 mm Height : 1.485 mm
Seat :
860 mm
Weight :
238 (max: 440 ) kg

Engine

Motor design: Boxer 2 Cylinder
Displacement: 1.254 ccm
Hub: 76 mm
Hole: 102 mm
Cooling: wassergekühlt
Drive: Kardan
Aisles: 6
Motor design: V2 LC8 4-stroke 2 Cylinder
Displacement: 1.195 ccm
Hub: 69 mm
Hole: 105 mm
Cooling: flüssig
Drive: X-Ring Kette
Aisles: 6

Performance

Maximum speed: 220 km/h
Performance: 136 HP at 7.750 U/Min
Torque: 143 NM bei 6.250 U/Min
Tank contents: 20 Litre
Consumption:
5 l
Reach:
400 km
Maximum speed: 246 km/h
Performance: 150 HP at 9.500 U/Min
Torque: 125 NM bei 7.500 U/Min
Tank contents: 23 Litre
Consumption:
6 l
Reach:
411 km

Chassis

Frame type:
Two-part framework
Front suspension:
Telelever 37cm (travel 190 mm)
Rear suspension:
WAD mono strut with paralever (travel 200 mm)
Rear suspension:
Aluminum cast single-arm swingarm
Tyres at the front: 120/70 R19
Rear tyres: 170/60 R17
Frame type:
Tubular space frame (chrome-molybdenum steel)
Front suspension:
Upside-down fork, Ø 48 mm (travel 190 mm)
Rear suspension:
Central strut, directly hinged (travel 190 mm)
Rear suspension:
Two-arm swingarm made of aluminium
Tyres at the front: 120/70 ZR 19
Rear tyres: 170/60 ZR 17

Brakes

Front brake
Double disc, 4-piston radial brake calipers ( 305 mm) Rear brake
Single disc brake, double piston floating caliper ( 276 mm)
Front brake
Double disc, radially bolted 4-piston fixed caliper, Brembo, floating brake calipers ( 320 mm) Rear brake
Single disc with two-piston fixed caliper ( 267 mm)

One motorcycle, two opinions

And now, with so much light and so little shadow? Buy or not? Dietmar says it's too expensive for him (@Dietmar: Now among us, you won't have two years, at the latest then you've used it). ;) Otherwise, he is enthusiastic about what you can be, for all his objectivity. In any case, the recent revision would be reason enough to pay for the old model.
Of course, I see it differently. The price is an argument at first glance, and BMW is struggling, especially with the extras. But the competition from Ducati or KTM is not much cheaper, so again this does not attract. First of all, it is too big for me, with my slightly short legs I don't even come up reasonably. Apart from that, the GS is just too perfect for me. I like it when my moped has to work, when I actively lead it and always come back a bit strenuous.
If someone told me that I had overlooked the fact that the BMW would have been driving autonomously all the time during the test - I would believe that.

Our thanks to Bergmann and Söhne for the loan of the BMW.

Price / Availability / Colours / Years of Construction

  • Price: from 16.150€. Test bike: 20.870€
  • Used (3 years old): 12,000€
  • Years of construction: since 1987
  • Availability: huge offer
  • Colors: current: black metallic, white (HP design), and black-yellow

Conclusion

The KTM 1190 Adventure is rather the craftsman among the adventure bikes. Practical, useful, but not suitable for opera. It has a lot of Ducati's Multistrada, more so than from the BMW GS series. Because of the very special engine design, it is not the ideal all-rounder, nor does it want to be.
If you are looking for a sporty, rough adventure bike and bring the physical prerequisites, you have a good alternative to the model student from Germany and certainly does nothing wrong.

The test bike was provided to us by Motorrad Ruser.

Price / Availability / Colours / Years of Construction

  • Price (test bike): 8.990€
  • Used (6 years old): 8,000€
  • Years built: 2013-2016
  • Availability: good
  • Colours: orange, black, grey