BMW R 1300 GS Adventure versus KTM 1290 Super Adventure S
BMW R 1300 GS Adventure
KTM 1290 Super Adventure S
Year of construction / RRP / Test report
Competitors
- Endless comfort
- Space without end
- Endless performance
- Good standard equipment
- Fluffy handling
- good brakes and good tires
- plenty of power
- lavish furnishings
- good usability
- good travel comfort for driver and pillion passenger
- successful deitails
- plenty of accessories available
- Turn signals hardly visible when braking
- heavy bike, only partially suitable for off-road use
- Quickshifter a bit plucky
- nothing for beginners!
- high, but not unusual price in this class
- somewhat idiosyncratic front mask (a matter of taste)
- for some maybe a bit overloaded with technology
Dimensions & Weight
Length : 2.280 mm Height : 1.588 mm
Seat : 870 mm until : 890 mm
Weight : 269 (max: 485 ) kg
Length : 2.250 mm Height : 1.520 mm
Seat : 849 mm until : 869 mm
Weight : 243 (max: 460 ) kg
Engine
Displacement: 1.300 ccm
Hub: 73 mm
Hole: 107 mm
Cooling: wassergekühlt
Drive: Kardan
Aisles: 6
Displacement: 1.301 ccm
Hub: 71 mm
Hole: 108 mm
Cooling: flüssig
Drive: Kette
Aisles: 6
Performance
Performance: 145 HP at 7.750 U/Min
Torque: 149 NM bei 6.500 U/Min Tank contents: 30 Litre
Consumption: 5 l
Reach: 612 km
Performance: 160 HP at 9.000 U/Min
Torque: 138 NM bei 6.750 U/Min Tank contents: 23 Litre
Consumption: 6 l
Reach: 404 km
Chassis
Two-part frame concept (steel) Front suspension:
BMW Motorrad EVO-Telelever, handlebar tilt decoupling via flex element, central spring strut (suspension travel 210 mm) Rear suspension:
central WAD shock absorber, spring preload infinitely adjustable (suspension travel 220 mm)
Rear suspension:
Aluminum cast single-arm swingarm Tyres at the front: 120/70 R19
Rear tyres: 170/60 R17
Lattice tube (chromium-molybdenum) Front suspension:
Semi-active WP-USD fork Ø 48 mm (travel 200 mm) Rear suspension:
Semi-active WP Monoshock strut (travel 200 mm)
Rear suspension:
Die-cast two-arm swingarm Tyres at the front: 120/70 ZR19
Rear tyres: 170/60 ZR17
Brakes
Double disc brake, semi-floating discs, diameter 310 mm, 4-piston radial caliper (∅ 310 mm) Rear brake
Single disc brake, diameter 285 mm, 2-piston floating caliper (∅ 285 mm)
Double disc Brembo four-piston radial fixed caliper (∅ 320 mm) Rear brake
Brembo two-piston fixed caliper (∅ 267 mm)
Result
The new GSA is certainly not a bike for everyone. It polarizes in terms of appearance, performance, price and weight. That's a good thing, we think, because there are already enough monotonous motorcycles. Beginners will certainly lie on their side after a few meters with this motorcycle, but seasoned bikers will find the ultimate ship for the really long tour here. In the afternoon a short trip to the North Cape and back is no problem with the Adventure. And you don't have to refuel on the way either.The test bike was provided to us by Bergmann & Söhne in Neumünster. The GSA will be there as a demonstrator and is looking forward to test drivers. Those who want to try out the ASA will also get their money's worth in Neumünster : B&S also has a standard GS with the new automated shift assistant. So register two test drives, then order the GSA with ASA and look forward to Christmas!
Conclusion - what gets stuck
Well, bad motorcycles aren't actually built in this class any more. So what remains to be said? You have to look for the mistakes with a magnifying glass. But of course we have done this too and therefore mention the following criticisms: The compartment for the mobile phone is unfortunately too small for many models. From the point of view of a travel machine, a gimbal would also be nice – but clearly it's just KTM.
The optics of the front mask in particular are not for everyone – but this really falls under the category of taste question. The purchase price is quite lavish, but even with that the KTM is not alone. So let's return to the entry question of whether the KTM 1290 Super Adventure S is the new benchmark. The new benchmark is perhaps very ambitious. But the KTM can keep up with the big competing machines from this segment. And you almost get the impression that the differences are getting smaller and smaller.
The test machine was provided to us by Motorrad Ruser.
