A stroke of genius I thought when the KTM 1190 Adventures were introduced, sharing the same frame and motor, but different suspension & wheel setup catering to different market segments.
The R enjoying a 21/18 wheel combination with longer (manually adjustable) suspension travel, wider handlebars, lower screen and one piece “motocross” style seat clearly the more “offroad” option. While the lower Adventure sports 19/17 wheels, shorter (electronically adjustable) suspension, narrower (by 2cm) handlebars, high screen and more pillion friendly split seat combination with height adjustment for the rider appears to be designed for more dual sport (50/50) application.
For some reason, since its introduction KTM’s 1190 Adventure has always played second fiddle to the perceived benchmark model, the 1190 Adventure R, in terms of unit sales and desirability.
Guilty of favoring the R myself, I decided to test an Adventure over terrain I know well, focusing especially on the 19inch front wheel and suspension travel. At this point I must make it clear that if I was allowed one bike in the world, it would be the 1190 Adventure R. More about this later…[My love affair with the KTM 1190 Adventure R… Coming Soon]
As it turns out we had an 1190 Adventure which had been Millered by KTM Cape Town Rider Academy Instructor, Greg Miller, a great opportunity to spruce it up with an aftermarket graphics kit and some KTM Power Parts, including the Akrapovic exhaust from the 1290 SuperDuke R using modified brackets we had previously tried on an Adventure R. I’m sure you will agree, the shorter exhaust and lower “R” screen compliment the bikes profile.
I immediately found the bike hard to steer, having to force it in any intended direction. From previous experience, I would simply increase the preload on the rear, but having already delayed the group while we waited for the last Power Parts to be fitted, there was no time for any tweaks. Or was there! At this point I realised the brilliance of the electronically adjustable suspension. So I simply changed the preload, using the very convenient handlebar mounted control, from Rider to Rider with Pillion, skipping Rider with Luggage… (only to exaggerate the improvement, not because I was carrying extra wait.) Fixed, I was riding an Adventure Bike with superb road handling!
With the bike balanced, my attention turned to the arm wrenching accelerating the 19/17 inch wheel combination offers over the 1190 R (21/18). Addictive! For once I was enjoying the N1 liaison to Du Toits Kloof Pass, even the lower screen was effective for my height.
I always knew this bike was fast, but somehow the more aggressive looks courtesy of the lower screen and rortier stubby exhaust transformed the 1190 Adventure into an Animal. I was loving it as we eased into a wet Du Toits Kloof Pass on my brand new Michelin Anakee III with Superbike precision.
After some insightful bike banter over a great traditional breakfast at Die Tolhuis just outside Ceres, the group temporarily split in pursuit of an o-ring to repair a minor fuel leak, while the others went back to Slanghoek for an unplanned Selfie! In all the chaos we neglected to refuel the bikes in Ceres, resulting in an unplanned 40km detour to Op Die Berg for Fuel. At this point I was given the opportunity to ride the new Africa Twin for 20kms of tar back to our original lesser known gravel Route. The first non KTM I have ridden in over 4 years which left me ice cold. (Apparently I need to ride the Honda in Offroad conditions.) Needless to say, the Africa Twin experience reminded me of everything I love about KTM and I was happy to be back on my Animal!
