GS and KTM pro's and con's?

[fairbrother1969]

Hi guys, I'm looking at another big trailie and was wondering what you guys think the pros and cons of the bm adv both 1150 and 1200 models, and the ktm 950 adv?

I've already got a 01 AT and when I go RTW in a couple of yrs I'll be on the AT, but for normal trips away I'd like a little more top end, the only machines I can think of that are capable of cruising at a ton and not going to worry with a little off road are the bm's and the ktm.
Tried a vara back in 99 before the AT and although it was a great engine I could not get to grips with the looks so that's out sorry.

[Boris]

Well I've just bought a 1200 GS Adventure but as I've never owned a KTM I can't comment on it. The BMW is certainly up to the task. There are some reported reliability issues but it's difficult to quantify exactly how many. Like most things it those that complain that shout loudest.

Comparison wise against the Varadero have a look at 2010 GSA first ride the 2008 bike I bought seems pretty similar and I still stand by the comparison although my arse is moulding to the seat now so much comfier and the brakes feel better on my bike than they did on the demo.

[tendays]

ask chad, he's had both?

[Farmboy]

I have had all three,

A 1200GS - great bike, does everything very well but lacks something you just cant put your finger on.

KTM 950 ADV - Even better bike, Goes like a stabbed rat, wheelies are not uncommon and has true Dakar pedigree which shows out everytime you ride it offroad. Better than the BMW easily.

RD04 AT - Not as fast as either of the above but overall the most satisfying bike I will ever own.

Make sure you get a good low mileage 950 Adv with the carbs and not the 990 though, IMO the 950 is the better smoother bike by far.

If your good at spannering then Servicing is not a problem on either the BMW or the KTM, i serviced both myself. The BMW was simple but the KTM was a good 6 hours of work not easy but dooable if you have enough bottle to tackle it.

HTH

Chris

[Bonzo]

I can't comment on the KTM as a rider but I have a 1200 GS.
All I can say is its a great road bike with all day comfort and it's been very reliable.

The throttle is very snatchy and you notice it most at low speeds off-road. I can only describe that as riding a 1 ton rodeo bull.

It's only what I've heard but the 990 KTM is supposed to be the same. So if you plan to ride off-road then the 950 is a better option as suggested by Farmboy.

Oh and the GS indicator switches are a joke.

I'm off to Morocco in three weeks and I'm taking the AT.

[boboneleg]

I can't comment on the KTM as a rider but I have a 1200 GS.
All I can say is its a great road bike with all day comfort and it's been very reliable.

The throttle is very snatchy and you notice it most at low speeds off-road. I can only describe that as riding a 1 ton rodeo bull.

It's only what I've heard but the 990 KTM is supposed to be the same. So if you plan to ride off-road then the 950 is a better option as suggested by Farmboy.

Oh and the GS indicator switches are a joke.

I'm off to Morocco in three weeks and I'm taking the AT.

As the owner of a KTM 950 I second everything that Farmboy said

seriously though he is spot on with the 950 v 990 especially if you use it off-road, as for RD04's well I just wish I'd kept mine

[barftone]

As the owner of a KTM 950 I second everything that Farmboy said

seriously though he is spot on with the 950 v 990 especially if you use it off-road, as for RD04's well I just wish I'd kept mine

Will you ever find Nirvana

Go KTM!

[fairbrother1969]

Cheers for the feedback guys and keep it coming.

I've not had a test ride on either but my gut feeling tells me

The bm has a better build quality, is better equipt for plugging in sat nav, music ect... Also more comfortable seat than the ktm, and with more real world toys like the fueling switch, abs switch ect..

Wheras the ktm is a proper big boy crosser, needs a lot of modifying to bring it near the same spec for equipment as the bm, but as with all race oriantated machines they are more fragile mechanically.

The africa needed the same mods as the ktm would need, and as a mate once said it's a Go anywhere, Do anything kinda bike, just as long as your in no rush lol.

[Chad]

right

KTM 990 fast as a fast thing thats been turbo'd a reet fackin hooligan
but costly to run in terms of sevicing 11months 15k aprox £1200 and filling up every 130 did my swede in.

great bike

now on an 1150 GSA nippy enough and will hold on to the coat tails of the ktm............just

its as comfy as a comfy thing im getting to my destinations quicker and more relaxed than on the KTM due to the ability to stop every 250-300miles for fuel and i dont have the panic of finding fuel when i need it

servicing is as cheep as chips done myself 12months 19k aprox £140 winner winner chicken dinner

oh and i had to do an FD bearing £70 for the bits and hour n halfs work

what does the 12 do that the 1150 dont , bit smoother not a great deal quicker, 30kg lighter but thats not an issue for meit will gang rape your wallet when it goes wrong , but hell the KTM has that ability as well

IMHO they are all great bikes but ive said it before

give me an africa twin with 85bhp a six speed box and top draw bouncy stuff without all this electrical bollox and it will out sell all of the above in no time this sort of bike dont need 110-130-150 bhp it needs to be able to cruise at a ton if the owner so desires,attack the sand and dirt and be able to be fixed with a hammer in a field if need be



well fack me there one out there enter stage left SHARRIBEE and her F800GS if you dont count the electrics


bmw do it again ARE YOU LISTENING HONDA YOU BUNCH OF FECKWITS

[Paul-S]

Hi guys, I'm looking at another big trailie and was wondering what you guys think the pros and cons of the bm adv both 1150 and 1200 models, and the ktm 950 adv?

I've already got a 01 AT and when I go RTW in a couple of yrs I'll be on the AT, but for normal trips away I'd like a little more top end, the only machines I can think of that are capable of cruising at a ton and not going to worry with a little off road are the bm's and the ktm.
Tried a vara back in 99 before the AT and although it was a great engine I could not get to grips with the looks so that's out sorry.

I did an Eastern European trip on a Transalp and spent most of it above 100mph (Slovakia from one end to the other 1.5hrs) Total trip 8 days and spent 2 of these in Transylvania hooning around the mountains in the snow. There was an 02 AT on the trip two up with all their gear and it was accellerating and travelling faster than me most of the time

The engines never complained or missed a beat. Both of our exhausts were white though !!