Here is my review of the KTM 1050 Adventure.

KTM 1050 Adventure Review | DeelipMenezes.com

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Deelip Menezes
www.deelipmenezes.com

A good write up Deelip.

The bigger KTMs don't get a lot of mention within the HUBB.
If you were to make such a post in the KTM sub-forum (link below) then,

1. More KTM riders may read it.
2. It will be found more easily in the future by anyone who is looking for information about the bigger KTMs.

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hubb/ktm-tech/

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Dave

The KTM 1050 is a bike KTM did not need to build. Perhaps future sales will prove me wrong ... but I see the 1050 as a basic sport tourer and a duplication of similar models. Both KTM's Adventure models and the SM-T overlap function and cover the ST niche quite well, all make good sport tourers and are more off road focused ADV bikes than the new 1050.
The SM-T also overlaps ... but is also ON ROAD ONLY.
So why the 1050?

The 1050 is clearly an ON ROAD ONLY bike. Fairly light weight, looks comfortable, plenty of power. But the fact is, there are several other bikes in this category that have similar abilities. Is the quirky KTM the best of them at around $17,000 USD out the door (£11,000)?

Other Sport Tourer/ADV bikes:
VStrom 1000, Aprilia Capo Nord, BMW R1200GS, Guzzi Stelvio, Yamaha Tenere', Kawi Versys 1000 and possibly the new Honda
Africa Twin. All are good sport touring/ADV bikes. All comfortable bikes designed to carry a passenger and luggage at high speed on ALL Paved roads.

The KTM 1190 and 1290 ADV bikes are even taller, more expensive but both can sport tour as well as any of the above bikes plus have off road ability.

I've never ridden bikes in India but have visited briefly a couple times. Can't imagine riding the KTM 1050 in any Urban setting ... or a Harley Fat Bob.
But in a way, the Harley makes more sense.

The KTM 1050 is clearly a smooth road Euro bike. Perfect in the Alps or Pyrennes, flying down the Autobahn at 120 mph or charging through perfectly groomed sweeping bends all day.

Traffic choked, pot hole infested India seems a like place that would simply destroy the KTM and frustrate the rider. Seems like a rugged and lightweight 250cc dual sport ADV bike would be the perfect choice.

Are no Indian companies making small Dual sports? Hero? Bajai? If not, look to the latest Chinese ones we've seen lately. The KTM 390 ADV will come, eventually. That would be a good choice too.

How many kms. of Autostrada, freeway or Autobahn does India have? And how many kms. of perfectly smooth, high speed high mountain roads?

Thanks. I just posted in the KTM sub-forum.

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Deelip Menezes
www.deelipmenezes.com

mollydog, I have a KTM Duke 390 and will continue to use it when I go trail riding. There is no way I will take the 1050 Adventure or any other big adventure bike on a serious off road trail. You really need to be a professional to ride the big heavy adventure bikes you mentioned off road.



One of the many things I liked about the 1050 Adventure was the way it handled itself on small and winding rural roads in Europe. Unlike the Duke 390, it was patient and let me ride slowly. On the other hand, the Duke is jumpy and needs to be raced all the time. Ironically, its marketed as a city bike, but you just can't ride it peacefully in any Indian city. To the patient nature of the 1050 engine, if you add the long travel front suspension, riding the 1050 through potholed Indian rural roads and even crowded cities is going to be pretty nice and enjoyable. As least that's what I think.


Hero did come out with a adv style bike called the Impulse. Unfortunately, they have it a 150cc engine which basically ensured its rapid failure. I hear they are to come out with a 250 version soon.

India doesn't have many freeways. This January I rode the Golden Quadrilateral, the network of highways joining India's four metropolitan cities - Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata and Chennai. Its a total of 6,500 kms and I did it on my Fat Boy in 14 days. It was a nice ride and the only way I could truly enjoy the cruiser in a place like India. However, I rarely exceeded 100 kmph during the entire ride. Not because the roads were bad. They were actually pretty good. But because of the traffic discipline of the people using the road. People and their cattle running across the highway at a whim. People driving trucks and buses at you on the wrong side of the road. Total chaos which makes India the "interesting" place it is.

I wanted to explore the villages along the way, but didn't dare to take my Fat Boy off the highways, for obvious reasons. But if I had something like the 1050, I would jump on and off the highway every now and then. And that would make me experience India much more closely.

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Deelip Menezes
www.deelipmenezes.com

Interesting to hear of the "nervous" nature of the KTM 390 Duke. I've not ridden one. Sounds like you really clicked well with the 1050. At your height, you can handle the tall bike well. For me, could be more a struggle, especially loaded up for travel. (5' 7" and shrinking)

Better have a look at wheel bearings and linkage bearings on your 390 after taking it "swimming". I'm betting water has got in everywhere. Time for a cleaning and regrease before bearings rust out.

I'd love to explore India on a bike one day. I saw some of the challenges you mentioned when there being driven around. Some adjustment required for biking there to be sure. But I've survived other parts of Asia, South, Cent. America ... but India is indeed a REAL challenge.

Riding through India shouldn't be much of a problem if you do it slowly. By that I mean not exceeding 100 kmph on highways and 60 kmph on rural roads. You need all the reaction time you can get because just about everyone out there is fighting for the same piece of road that you are. :-)

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Deelip Menezes
www.deelipmenezes.com

Have had our ktm1050 about 10mths and have clicked 21k up all over NZ roads from tar seal gravel mud and has performed brillant as I'm just 5'6" in my boots I had a nitron shock built and redesigned the seat my seat height is 800mm fully loaded panniers top box and wife we can go most places we care to go we can't keep off it being short don't let it stop you quoting my dealer ktm heritage is race bikes you have to change it to enjoy them love it

so the same like in any racing, nothing new there