Anyone ridden/cross-shopped the KTM 1290 Super Adventure S? It is coming to the states for 2018, and I've lusted over KTMs from afar but never been quite sold enough due to lack of a great local dealer and a lackluster brief experience on the 1190. Seems like the S is certainly in direct competition with the Multi. Have thought about moving the GSw for one - I like the Multi too much to get rid of it. That said, if you read between the lines on the KTM forums seems they can be problematic, and as much as they love to piss on BMWs, the R1200 motor is pretty much a cockroach.
I can only speak on behalf of another (my dad) who tested the whole range when buying his adventure bike. He ended up with the BMW as it was simply the best all rounder. He rated the KTM Super Adventure second with the Multi Enduro 3rd. As far as reliability goes, the new KTMs and Ducatis seem on a par. Both have niggles but are mostly sorted now the tech has been out a few years. Early multis had numerous problems, some rather large and you’ll read about that on the forums too so both brands have had their issues. Go try one but many people still rate the BMW as the best all round bike in its class. Maybe just get an upgrade to a new GS?
I think it mostly is just the green grass across the fence syndrome. I love the Multi and it really scratches my "performance" itch. We did a fully loaded 2-up tour on it and it was ok, but you can tell the Multi really doesn't want to do that type of duty. It would rather stretch its legs. I had kinda gotten a bit sour on the GS after riding the Multi more, and having the agricultural gear box on the GSw. But it really just does everything well. Around town it is kinda like a truck, and with the engine jugs and crash bars, I feel like I've got a bit more protection from errant cages. The suspension just works, as do the brakes, and it pulls solidly from 3K. Yesterday I took it into the hills to ride it in anger a bit and was reminded how good it is no matter what you ask of it. It doesn't sound as good as the Multi, and it doesn't have the manic engine pull north of 5K. But it goes where you point it, rides almost exactly the same solo and 2-up, and has been trouble-free over the first 13K miles other than the fork recall snafu. Guess I'm talking myself into keeping the Multi/GSw pair . Still will be interested in riding the KTM just for grins. But dealer support is suspect here, despite having a bunch of them (they sell way more dirt bikes than street). I have a great Duc dealer, and there are a couple of good BMW dealers, plus finding parts for a GS is easy. I think the 1290GT buyers are still waiting for top boxes to ship after a year.
Yep, new GS is a lot better than they used to be. A bunch of friends who have them have just had them chipped too. Amazing difference. Still not a multi in terms of grunt, but so much sweeter than a non chipped bike. A friend has the KTM and reckons it is better than his GS (he has both) and his previous DVT for most things too. Mind you, his latest bike is always the best
