As long as you got a good solid bike with no issues then it is a great bike to own, sadly there are too many gremlins for me to warrant buying another KTM.
A part of the riding experience is how the bikes makes us feel, some people forget this. Sounds like you've found one that excites you and you enjoy riding. Keep enjoying the SAS Ben. Ride safe.
31000kms on my 2018 SAS. Been a great commuter and for long trips. I've found it a fast, comfortable,reliable steed. I looked at Beemers and couldn't think of anything more bland. Looking to downsize to a 690 Enduro r for more bush fun now though.
Some serious mileage on the SAS, glad it’s been reliable for you. Wish i could get the 690 R but there isn’t enough areas for me to properly enjoy it where I live in the UK.
I have a GSA and it’s great but it’s missing the KTM LC8 motor. GS motor is fit for purpose and great diesel like motor. It’s not a excitement machine though
You don’t reduce preload to lower the seat height. Preload is set for your body weight and load. If you reduce preload too much, you ruin the geometry and can make the bike unstable, or blow through the shock travel.
1290SAS all day long. But I’m a KTM fan boy 😁👍 Not to say the GS’s aren’t good I’ve had 3 though not the liquid cooled ones. I really love the feeling you get on any KTM. Never fail to have a huge grin on every ride. Nice review vid. Buddy
The feeling of never knowing if there’s going to be an engine light :). OJ, kind of, ride what you like, someone’s got to buy KTMs to keep them afloat :)
My only fear - does it edge you on to ride fast. I’m 51 & as subdued as I am I can’t afford a bike that makes me go faster 😂 my Diavel does that. I want the KTM but a GS is calmer. I thought of e 1000 sx to slow things down. But I want a 1290 S 😂🤦♂️
@@rajindarsingh1417 KTM dont know how to make a slow bike 😆. As long as it's not broken that is. SX is a good bike if you aren't tall, being 6'1" the stock windscreen is a nightmare. GS could be classed as calmer over the SAS but if you want to shift on the GS you sure can, trust me 😄
I went 1250GS Rally>>1260 Pikes Peak Multi>>SDGT>>1290 SAS, having owned a few BMW's now, I feel the engines are somewhat muted and lack excitement, of all the bikes I've run the SAS is the keeper for me, as it combines the best bits of all, I've bought the single bench seat and intend getting it refoamed/Gel insert next week, apart from that its just a screen swap to an MRA and bar end mirrors to sort anything else, its so much bonkers fun every ride and don't feel like a passenger with the bike doing all the work for me (GS), not to mention the farty boxer sound compared to the SAS with an Arrow senora 😊👌
Hi, finding it difficult to decide between a 2022 R1250GSA & a 2023 KTM1290SAS, as I am planning to move on from an Africa Twin Adv Sports Manual 2023 model. My only main concern is the vibration from the KTM, is it that unbearable?? Any relevant advice would be appreciated, thanks
If you can get a KTM that doesn’t have issues they are a fantastic machine. My concern is over the bikes reliability and more importantly the customer service from KTM. So I’d go for the BMW. 😁🤙
holeshot need to sort there demos out. i took there superduke r out with the mirror flopping about. so far 2k miles in on my 1290sas and absolutely loving it.
Sounds like we took the same SDR out. On my review it kept spinning around as well 🤣🤦🏻 glad your SAS is still going strong. Hopefully it keeps that way.
Looks like you didn’t have the tech pack on your demo bike… makes the SAS another level with the shifter+blipper and the all important insane Rally setting with its hair trigger throttle! On the slow flicakabilty this is down to the Mitas original tyres a quick swap to some more premium rubber ( my pref Metz M9RR’s ) and you won’t want to give it back 🤪
Quite possibly no tech pack. The tyres can make such a difference i agree, shame I can’t test it with different ones on, like you said it might make it handle so much better. I used to run the M7RRs a few years ago on my MT10 and loved them, no doubt the 9RRs are even better.
SAS for me. Have a 1090 Adventure at the moment. Never had an issue. Everyone has a GS and I just can't get past those two bloody cylinders sticking out the side 😂. Test rode the SAS last week. Next bike on the spring 👍
@@DSR1YTnothing wrong with sticking out ball sacks!id like to congratulate the above commenter on breaking away from the herd(of bmw's) and carving his own path.its like vw owners,you just have to accept there may be days spent hooked up to rac trucks!😂
Interesting vid👍🏻 Im on a 1250 GS at the mo and it’s a great bike. I have been thinking that I’d maybe look at the KTM when change time comes but I just can’t get past the looks of it, or maybe to be more accurate, the headlight.
Whole world seems to waiting for the GS1300, depending on how different it is I’d probably wait at least 12 months before buying one, let BMW iron out any teething problems. Have you tried the Tiger 1200?
@@hartley383 yeah I get you, I’d also give it a little time before looking at the 1300, but some people need to buy it so bmw can work out the problems 🤣. So I’ve arranged with a triumph dealer for me to go test their bikes, only issue is it’s 2 hours from me, so waiting for some better weather where I can go and bulk review their bikes.
@@DSR1YT Be interesting to see what you think of it, I rode Triumph 1200 4 weeks ago and for me its only 80% of a GS, I need to get the back of my helmet retouched ( bashing heads with my wife) as the throttle is like a light switch either on or off not good, the vibes i got not good either. I do 90 % of my riding 2 up triumph felt like a chore, KTM was better. I cant get why Triumph just dont go and plough their own furrow, why would you jump off a twin to buy a triple that thinks its a twin. I suppose each to their own.
As long as you’ve got a solid bike with no issues then it’s a great choice. I’ve not had a great experience with KTM so that would sway my choice as well
Ive rewatched this video a couple of times and the gs/gsa vids.im not sure comparing them is the way to go.the sas is lighter,faster,more powerful and more torquey.the bmw is more robust,better build quality,more touring minded.price wise theres not much in it.they just dont seem comparable to me.thats just my opinion obviously.
@@DSR1YT no,no,no!🤣id tell you you cant compare them because the tuono is a race bike with straight bars and the streetfighter is more bespoke with a racebike engine!!🤣 Thays why i hate the sdr being compared to those bikes.ktm bothered to build something from scratch,not fudge a race bike!🤣 Ps,thankyou for rewatching my videos would have been a nice comment.🤣
Thank you for rewatching my videos 🤣🖕🏻. The Tuono is a comfortable touring option with bar risers on. You might be thinking about the factory Tuono. 😁. Side note. You are wrong. The SAS is not tourquier than the GS. SAS - 138nm torque vs GS - 143nm. Maybe you need to re watch my videos a few more times 🤣😉
@@DSR1YT yeah,you're right it does have more torque.my mistake.although with the extra weight and much lower bhp,it prob doesnt feel much different? What i meant about the tuono is its chasis and engine are from aprilias sports bike.bang on some taller fairing and riser bars et voila! Again,its just my opinion.and i watch your vids enough i think!🤣
Good review mate.i could hardly tell that you dont like ktm's😂tbf i wouldnt buy that bike,i much prefer the mulistrada if money was no object.i prefer the africa twin over the ktm still regardless of power.
Let’s face it we all let our bias views come out one way or another. I do try to hold it in sometimes 😁. If money was no object then yes multistrada. If money was tight then I don’t think you can beat the AT for its price point.
@@DSR1YT you cant like everything mate,i dont like harleys,or mv's,or benelli's,or most honda's,and nearly all yamahas.🤣thats just how it is though!ktm i dont like as a company,but i do like my sdr. Trouble is for me is i see the AT as a replacement for the drz not the sdr.and my partner wont see things that way
I've recently traded my '21 KTM SAS for a '21 1250GSA. I loved the KTM as a bike but both my local dealers packed up (Holeshot is still going but not a KTM dealer anymore) and the next nearest dealer I'd trust was 90 miles away. KTM play at being a premium brand but they really aren't and their customer service is shocking. You need to have a good dealer to fight your corner with them. As far as the saddles go the comfort and heated ergo options are a little better but not much! A recent tour to Ireland saw me nearly crippled! KTM seats are crap. The GSA isn't as exciting but it's not miles away and it's way more comfy and suits me a lot better....
KTM are getting far and few apart, that was half the problem with my broken GT, nearest dealer was over an hour away and KTMs response basically was for me to just keep taking it to their service centre for them to try and fix. This wasn't feasible of me. Im still loving my GSA and have no need to change it for now as well. Maybe after September when the new 1300 comes out ill revisit my comment :)
@@DSR1YT apparently the new Adventure model may be 1400cc? According to the salesman who sod me my GSA anyway... My thoughts were buy a 1250, hang on to it for at least 2 years, wait and see how the 1300/1400 GS goes and then maybe pull the trigger on one of them.
@@failsafebiker to be fair I’m in the same boat as you, I’ll be keeping this gsa for a few years. Let any niggles be ironed out of the new engine and then go from there. So after speaking with my BMW dealer, they say BMW keep their cards close to their chest. Even they don’t have any details of the new platform. I’ve also heard the GSA might be a 1400 engine. Also I think BMW reserved the name M1300GS a few years ago. What that might look like I don’t know. Maybe just all the goodies thrown on to it? If you look at the other bikes with ‘M’ they’ve got the better improved engine from the current S1000RR which is an easy win to take the S1000R to an M1000R. Not sure how or what they will do to the engine, if anything, to make the new GS an M package. 🤷🏻♂️
@@DSR1YT An 'M' Sport GS? The Adventure bike category is becoming the same type of 'arms race' that the sports bike catagory was a few years ago....! More power, torque, gadgets....!
World’s ugliest headlight, QC issues, reliability issues, inferior manufacturer customer support, more vibration, less refinement, less comfort, more top heavy, chain to clean and maintain during touring instead of shaft…nope, like you, GS for me. Honking engine or not.
@Hitman1962-vf2ql No, I had to pick up my KTM SAR riding buddy from the repair shop and the fugly front ends were peeking forlornly out from the garage door. 🫣
I had an older GS, went to buy a new one, luckily dealer was also a KTM dealer. Rode a 1290SAS, just couldn't buy a GS after that. Love my KTM1290SAS
As long as you got a good solid bike with no issues then it is a great bike to own, sadly there are too many gremlins for me to warrant buying another KTM.
After 7 GS’s, I’m on my second SAS 2023..I’m not going back! It’s a fantastic tourer - but most importantly, I feel alive.
A part of the riding experience is how the bikes makes us feel, some people forget this. Sounds like you've found one that excites you and you enjoy riding. Keep enjoying the SAS Ben. Ride safe.
@@DSR1YT and you mate.👍🏻
Hard to compare or even talk about a bike that even the dealers know very little about. Come September we will know more 🤞
Do you know exaxt differences between 2022 and 2023 sas they say stability improved and handlebar wider?
@@virajvroomsGS 1300 GOLDWING SPORT 😅
31000kms on my 2018 SAS. Been a great commuter and for long trips. I've found it a fast, comfortable,reliable steed. I looked at Beemers and couldn't think of anything more bland. Looking to downsize to a 690 Enduro r for more bush fun now though.
Some serious mileage on the SAS, glad it’s been reliable for you. Wish i could get the 690 R but there isn’t enough areas for me to properly enjoy it where I live in the UK.
I have a GSA and it’s great but it’s missing the KTM LC8 motor. GS motor is fit for purpose and great diesel like motor. It’s not a excitement machine though
This may be fixed with the release of the GS 1300 coming out soon.
@@DSR1YTOczywiście będzie to motocykl GS 1300 Goldwing sport 😂
You don’t reduce preload to lower the seat height. Preload is set for your body weight and load. If you reduce preload too much, you ruin the geometry and can make the bike unstable, or blow through the shock travel.
Appreciate the heads up mate, suspension is a guru’s game where i come from, the black art :)
1290SAS all day long.
But I’m a KTM fan boy 😁👍
Not to say the GS’s aren’t good I’ve had 3 though not the liquid cooled ones.
I really love the feeling you get on any KTM. Never fail to have a huge grin on every ride.
Nice review vid. Buddy
The feeling of never knowing if there’s going to be an engine light :). OJ, kind of, ride what you like, someone’s got to buy KTMs to keep them afloat :)
My only fear - does it edge you on to ride fast. I’m 51 & as subdued as I am I can’t afford a bike that makes me go faster 😂 my Diavel does that. I want the KTM but a GS is calmer. I thought of e 1000 sx to slow things down. But I want a 1290 S 😂🤦♂️
@@rajindarsingh1417 KTM dont know how to make a slow bike 😆. As long as it's not broken that is. SX is a good bike if you aren't tall, being 6'1" the stock windscreen is a nightmare. GS could be classed as calmer over the SAS but if you want to shift on the GS you sure can, trust me 😄
@@DSR1YT - I had a 1200 gs & it was great but I’m not willing to shell out 80k in Singapore. The KTM is 55k (2023 ) & the Kawasaki is 42k
did u buy one ? im selling a 35 mile one !
I went 1250GS Rally>>1260 Pikes Peak Multi>>SDGT>>1290 SAS, having owned a few BMW's now, I feel the engines are somewhat muted and lack excitement, of all the bikes I've run the SAS is the keeper for me, as it combines the best bits of all, I've bought the single bench seat and intend getting it refoamed/Gel insert next week, apart from that its just a screen swap to an MRA and bar end mirrors to sort anything else, its so much bonkers fun every ride and don't feel like a passenger with the bike doing all the work for me (GS), not to mention the farty boxer sound compared to the SAS with an Arrow senora 😊👌
Not to mention the difference in price. Like 6k cheaper than gs or gsa.
2023 BMW GS £14,999. 😁
Hi, finding it difficult to decide between a 2022 R1250GSA & a 2023 KTM1290SAS, as I am planning to move on from an Africa Twin Adv Sports Manual 2023 model. My only main concern is the vibration from the KTM, is it that unbearable?? Any relevant advice would be appreciated, thanks
If you can get a KTM that doesn’t have issues they are a fantastic machine.
My concern is over the bikes reliability and more importantly the customer service from KTM.
So I’d go for the BMW. 😁🤙
holeshot need to sort there demos out. i took there superduke r out with the mirror flopping about. so far 2k miles in on my 1290sas and absolutely loving it.
Sounds like we took the same SDR out. On my review it kept spinning around as well 🤣🤦🏻 glad your SAS is still going strong. Hopefully it keeps that way.
@@DSR1YT i did mention it to them when i got back and would only take them a few minutes to sort. fingers crossed yes 😁
Love the GS and used to own one. it's almost perfect. The problem is, it's a bit dull and just lacks that exiting power of the KTM.
I know what you mean, maybe they’ve sorted the excitement factor out with the new GS1300 coming out? Not long to wait now.
Looks like you didn’t have the tech pack on your demo bike… makes the SAS another level with the shifter+blipper and the all important insane Rally setting with its hair trigger throttle! On the slow flicakabilty this is down to the Mitas original tyres a quick swap to some more premium rubber ( my pref Metz M9RR’s ) and you won’t want to give it back 🤪
Quite possibly no tech pack. The tyres can make such a difference i agree, shame I can’t test it with different ones on, like you said it might make it handle so much better. I used to run the M7RRs a few years ago on my MT10 and loved them, no doubt the 9RRs are even better.
SAS for me. Have a 1090 Adventure at the moment. Never had an issue. Everyone has a GS and I just can't get past those two bloody cylinders sticking out the side 😂. Test rode the SAS last week. Next bike on the spring 👍
Aren’t you forgetting the ball sacks of the old 1290sas 🤣. They used to stick out aswell 😁
@@DSR1YTnothing wrong with sticking out ball sacks!id like to congratulate the above commenter on breaking away from the herd(of bmw's) and carving his own path.its like vw owners,you just have to accept there may be days spent hooked up to rac trucks!😂
Hooked up to the RAC giving him power from your leisure battery cause his batteries flat? 😁
@@DSR1YT 🤔me sensing vw owner in denial here.🤣
@@mart7798 told you, still not breakdown as of 1 year of ownership. 😁🖕🏻
Great review 👍🏻
Thanks Chris.
Interesting vid👍🏻
Im on a 1250 GS at the mo and it’s a great bike. I have been thinking that I’d maybe look at the KTM when change time comes but I just can’t get past the looks of it, or maybe to be more accurate, the headlight.
I’m looking forward to testing the new gs1300 at the end of the year. That might be your new weapon of choice. 😁
Whole world seems to waiting for the GS1300, depending on how different it is I’d probably wait at least 12 months before buying one, let BMW iron out any teething problems. Have you tried the Tiger 1200?
@@hartley383 yeah I get you, I’d also give it a little time before looking at the 1300, but some people need to buy it so bmw can work out the problems 🤣.
So I’ve arranged with a triumph dealer for me to go test their bikes, only issue is it’s 2 hours from me, so waiting for some better weather where I can go and bulk review their bikes.
@@DSR1YT Be interesting to see what you think of it, I rode Triumph 1200 4 weeks ago and for me its only 80% of a GS, I need to get the back of my helmet retouched ( bashing heads with my wife) as the throttle is like a light switch either on or off not good, the vibes i got not good either. I do 90 % of my riding 2 up triumph felt like a chore, KTM was better. I cant get why Triumph just dont go and plough their own furrow, why would you jump off a twin to buy a triple that thinks its a twin. I suppose each to their own.
I think both bikes are awesome ... however i chose the orange one because of the price difference
As long as you’ve got a solid bike with no issues then it’s a great choice. I’ve not had a great experience with KTM so that would sway my choice as well
Ive rewatched this video a couple of times and the gs/gsa vids.im not sure comparing them is the way to go.the sas is lighter,faster,more powerful and more torquey.the bmw is more robust,better build quality,more touring minded.price wise theres not much in it.they just dont seem comparable to me.thats just my opinion obviously.
Don’t you start Mart 🤣. Next you’ll be telling me I’m not allowed to compare the tuono and Streetfighter cause ones more expensive than the other 😁
@@DSR1YT no,no,no!🤣id tell you you cant compare them because the tuono is a race bike with straight bars and the streetfighter is more bespoke with a racebike engine!!🤣
Thays why i hate the sdr being compared to those bikes.ktm bothered to build something from scratch,not fudge a race bike!🤣
Ps,thankyou for rewatching my videos would have been a nice comment.🤣
Thank you for rewatching my videos 🤣🖕🏻. The Tuono is a comfortable touring option with bar risers on. You might be thinking about the factory Tuono. 😁.
Side note. You are wrong. The SAS is not tourquier than the GS. SAS - 138nm torque vs GS - 143nm.
Maybe you need to re watch my videos a few more times 🤣😉
@@DSR1YT yeah,you're right it does have more torque.my mistake.although with the extra weight and much lower bhp,it prob doesnt feel much different?
What i meant about the tuono is its chasis and engine are from aprilias sports bike.bang on some taller fairing and riser bars et voila!
Again,its just my opinion.and i watch your vids enough i think!🤣
@@mart7798 haha, Tuono is a very aggressive naked bike, they just need to put that engine in a proper tourer style bike, that would be interesting.
Good review mate.i could hardly tell that you dont like ktm's😂tbf i wouldnt buy that bike,i much prefer the mulistrada if money was no object.i prefer the africa twin over the ktm still regardless of power.
Let’s face it we all let our bias views come out one way or another. I do try to hold it in sometimes 😁.
If money was no object then yes multistrada. If money was tight then I don’t think you can beat the AT for its price point.
@@DSR1YT you cant like everything mate,i dont like harleys,or mv's,or benelli's,or most honda's,and nearly all yamahas.🤣thats just how it is though!ktm i dont like as a company,but i do like my sdr.
Trouble is for me is i see the AT as a replacement for the drz not the sdr.and my partner wont see things that way
I've recently traded my '21 KTM SAS for a '21 1250GSA. I loved the KTM as a bike but both my local dealers packed up (Holeshot is still going but not a KTM dealer anymore) and the next nearest dealer I'd trust was 90 miles away. KTM play at being a premium brand but they really aren't and their customer service is shocking. You need to have a good dealer to fight your corner with them. As far as the saddles go the comfort and heated ergo options are a little better but not much! A recent tour to Ireland saw me nearly crippled! KTM seats are crap. The GSA isn't as exciting but it's not miles away and it's way more comfy and suits me a lot better....
I trade the extra excitement of the KTM bikes for the reliability of my actual BMW 1250 GS everyday!👍🏻✌️✌️
KTM are getting far and few apart, that was half the problem with my broken GT, nearest dealer was over an hour away and KTMs response basically was for me to just keep taking it to their service centre for them to try and fix. This wasn't feasible of me. Im still loving my GSA and have no need to change it for now as well. Maybe after September when the new 1300 comes out ill revisit my comment :)
@@DSR1YT apparently the new Adventure model may be 1400cc? According to the salesman who sod me my GSA anyway... My thoughts were buy a 1250, hang on to it for at least 2 years, wait and see how the 1300/1400 GS goes and then maybe pull the trigger on one of them.
@@failsafebiker to be fair I’m in the same boat as you, I’ll be keeping this gsa for a few years. Let any niggles be ironed out of the new engine and then go from there.
So after speaking with my BMW dealer, they say BMW keep their cards close to their chest. Even they don’t have any details of the new platform. I’ve also heard the GSA might be a 1400 engine. Also I think BMW reserved the name M1300GS a few years ago. What that might look like I don’t know. Maybe just all the goodies thrown on to it?
If you look at the other bikes with ‘M’ they’ve got the better improved engine from the current S1000RR which is an easy win to take the S1000R to an M1000R. Not sure how or what they will do to the engine, if anything, to make the new GS an M package. 🤷🏻♂️
@@DSR1YT An 'M' Sport GS? The Adventure bike category is becoming the same type of 'arms race' that the sports bike catagory was a few years ago....! More power, torque, gadgets....!
The R1250GS/GSA has more torque. We ride torque not HP.
I don’t disagree, we get our fun and excitement from the Torque, there isn’t a huge amount difference between them though, only about 5NM.
Też bardzo ważna jest responsywna manetka a takiej nie ma gs w porównaniu do ktm.
Nothing is better than the 1250 gs
Hold that statement for another 6 weeks, let’s see what the GS1300 looks and handles like.
Jeździłeś innymi motocyklami dużymi adventure?
Only thing that puts me off is reliability
KTM certainly have some way to go to be on par with Honda that’s for sure.
@@DSR1YTwho would want to be on a par with honda?nowhere in racing,boring as a day at your nans!😂
Wouldn’t be boring round my nans. Not with my family issues 😁. Someone say Jerry springer.
@@DSR1YT🤣thats another video right there!cant pick your family mate,thats what gives them the free reign to be bellends!
@@mart7798 you can’t pick em, but you sure can cut them out of your life. Trust me 😁
So many Electronic issues
im surprised KTM are still in business these days with all their issues
Useless 6th gear. What???
6th gear is way to lumpy up until about 90mph where it smooths out a little. Just my opinion 😁
Shame KTM have such a 💩 reputation for reliability, the bikes look so cool.
Maybe one day they will up their reliability and customer service inline with other manufacturers 🤷🏻♂️
@@DSR1YT people should show them the errors of their ways by not buying bikes for a few months. It's the only way they would change
@kenmorrison1725 I don’t disagree mate. We should boycott them 😁
@@DSR1YTits the electronics thats the problem,not the motors.probably the cheapest chinese sensors on the market!
@@mart7798 true, don’t hear much about engine issues, more electronics gremlins at fault 😁
World’s ugliest headlight, QC issues, reliability issues, inferior manufacturer customer support, more vibration, less refinement, less comfort, more top heavy, chain to clean and maintain during touring instead of shaft…nope, like you, GS for me. Honking engine or not.
I wont say anymore, i think your comment says it all :)
@Hitman1962-vf2ql No, I had to pick up my KTM SAR riding buddy from the repair shop and the fugly front ends were peeking forlornly out from the garage door. 🫣