Adaptive Cruise Control tips for the SAS... If someone just turned out of your lane, adaptive cruise thinks they're still in your lane and will SLAM the brakes as you approach. Has scared me twice. Also, don't hit resume button by accident....... Did it at 35 and cruise was set to 65, bike took off and I nearly whiskey throttled. Sport mode cruise is quite sporty! 3rd one, trust the front abs. Give it a few full-pulls in some mud, it's scarey how well it works, even in corners.
It's also possible to lower the front end to make maneuvering easier... Just lower it on the top of the suspension arms, by 1 or 2 cm.. I did it on my 500x and it is totally worth the loss of 2cm on the suspension travel.. In your case, because it is a upside-down fork, you don't lose any suspension travel... It's a win-win situation 😊
Worst motorcycle mistake I’ve made is selling my 2018 KTM 1290 SAR. It wasn’t perfect but I have never missed ANY vehicle like that one. I will get another.
Being 198 cm tall, half of the reasons you mentioned as bad, are the reasons why i would buy it. Every bike nowdays is made for people of max height 180cm .
Totally agree with the turn signal and the storage. Seems the taller people feel like they are more entitled to this bike than the shorter ones like you and me. It doesnt mean we cant ride it people. It's a great bike despite the smaller issues (I have the Adventure S). Ride on KTM lovers!!!
Easy Tiger, the Dude can drive a bike, he's made some good points , the indicator button, the lack of storage for a bike that big, the weight & size. A lot of people will go for the 890, because 1 size doesn't fit all. I'm 6ft 13 stone & looking for a bike to take me from North Western Europe to the Atlas mountains. 1290 is a Beast & a lot more fun & looks, sounds Niiiice 👌 , bit boring AT comes second place. 890 is a sick lookin ride, but size matters on them long, rough empty roads in North Africa/ Sahara, that bit a extra fuel capacity, that bit more weight & height & HP grunt, will come in handy, especially when ya start meeting the Arab Truckers 🤠
As a 2019 SAR owner, I always turn off traction control. I almost tipped it over one time turning on gravel and it kicked in and almost tipped over because it killed the throttle and weighs a ton. Never again!
I have endless frustration on the previous model's starter button and on/off button placement. For some idiotic reason, they placed the On/Off button at the same place where all other bikes have the start button. On all my other bikes I've owned in my years, my thumb's natural movement is to go slightly left and press the starter. So, if you're in a hurry and absentmindedly push the start button on the 1290, you're actually pushing the On/Off button. The starter function is positioned slightly higher on the cluster and is incorporated in the tilting kill switch. F*n, f*n, ridiculous...
Re getting the bike vertical, from the side-stand, besides turning the steering to the right, as mentioned, try mounting the bike from the right hand side.
I took a test ride on the 2022 Super Adventure S a week ago and I agree about the turn signal button. I've ridden some good bikes and some crappy bikes and that bike had literally the worst turn signal button I've ever used :D
Most likely the most overlooked yet most important thing when riding a motorcycle. If you can't turn it off quick enough at the next street that could end up in a bad situation 😅. Gotta be less then 100m cause they will stop by themselves but you know what i mean 😁
Watch you tuber (Doddle on a motorcycle) she is shorter then you. she will teach you how to ride a tall motorcycle! I have an older 1290 and yes it is a bitch to pick up. However i have never found the perfect motorcycle that does everything well. My 1290 is the swiss army knife of motorcycles. That is why I like to collect them. Motorcycles are like beer can't have just one.
The Swiss army knife of motorcycles....that's a perfect word to describe it. Will check out the channel , it's my first experiences with big boy offroad motorcycles and it's a complete different world as 100kg enduro 350's 😁
@@LifeofSmokey If your going to do more off-road adventure riding trips. Check out Lone rider moto bags. I have those and they are great off-road and all around side panniers. I also have KTM stock hard cases they are just ok. keep the locking hard top box for valuables in etc.
Agree 100%. Radar should at least have been an option on this bike. And yes the spoked wheels too. How they missed that I don't know..But then again someone in the comments said the turn signal is the same on his 2015 bike...KTM wants to compete but don't really care...BMW, Ducati, Triumph all have spoked wheel options on their more road goo g version adv...Why? Because people want it.Love this bike but not finished off properly..
I had the first version and kept it in rain mode most of the time. Once I forgot it was in street mode and I accidentally pulled a wheelie while passing a pickup filled with farmers. They watched me pass as I was screaming in my helmet. It freaked me out.
I had a Superduke R with offroad tires , and a Superduke GT with road tires....but i couldn't ride both at the same time 😂. So the 1290 Super Adventure R is like a baby from those 2. It can do all 😉
I had a Superduke R with offroad tires , and a Superduke GT with road tires....but i couldn't ride both at the same time 😂. So the 1290 Super Adventure R is like a baby from those 2. It can do all 😉
Man, I don't know why you bought this bike. I think the perfect bike for you is the Piaggio Zip. It has a lot of space, and you can choose from many colours. The price is low, and your size is perfect.
5'6" my last bike just the tip of my shoe reached the ground. Now new bike h2 sx with lower seat I can get toes. So always standing bikes up especially inclined is a jumping throwing it up lol
It is really bad for sure, but I don't have any issues turning it off If I just push it with a bit of force. Maybe I'm subconsciously pushing downwards too. Also, auto-off works very well for intersections. It looks for lean angle followed by acceleration, then will shut it off. Don't think auto-off works for lane changes, though.
@@Arman-tm1kz I busted a few buttons on the left hand control and the turn signal off button feel is very different on the replaced unit. Much clicker. >$500 unit, don't recommend breaking it... FWIW.
Yeah i'm a clutched wheelie guy. I had some issues with the first gen Superduke R when i was doing powerwheelies. At some point i got an extra boost of power and i almost flipped it a couple of times 😅. That's why i always power wheelie so i can do it in a higher gear. People learning to wheelie a 1290 in 1st or 2nd gear is very scary to watch 😂 But it's a small pinch to the clutch , doesn't need much 😌
Great review!I m gonna get the S next week,first time i buy a trail bike,,,I have no intention tu use the adaptative cruise control...This is the most boring thing they ever put on a bike
Hi, nice video😎 I have the 1290 SAS from 2021. Only did 500km so far. How did you wheely the machine in the 3. gear, I mean in which mode ? And yes, the turn indicator button is a desaster 🙈Apart from that a great bike. I traded in my R1250GS for this monster. Was a good decision 👍🏻
I have a 2015 1190 Adventure R. Has the same turn signal button. I agree...it is the worst system on ANY bike I've ever had. I would think that by 2022...they would fix this! Soooo many times I have to push it several times to get the indicator to come on! No tactile feedback to let me know the signal has been activated.
hey smokey how are ya hope good ive been looking at some ADV's like smaller once like the you know which once lol himalayan and the ktm adv 250 or 390 ,,, i sat on the himalayan it was comfy but when i sat on the scram 411 thought it was going to be light but oh man it was heavy ,,, its shorter then the himalayan so i felt the weight himalayan is heavy and the weight is not noticeable it top side is light ,,, i want a light bike and small but a ADV i sat on a duke 390 it was very light
The honda 1200 crosstourer seems like it would have the safe bet in this type of bike. But ,they quit making them (or so I hear). I have never seen one here in USA. It’s what I would buy if I took a risk on a big adventure bike. I have to play the safe route and ride a Honda st1300 or an xr650. Too scared of the exotic custom race bike stuff and all of the issues. But, I admit, my friends 1290 is a blast to ride.
The turn signal button is abysmal. Test rode the S last year and had to stop to figure out what I was doing wrong. Turns out (pun not intended) it's just shit. Maybe there's a 3D printable improvement?
I agonised over this bike vs my 2014 GSA. I’m the same height as you so would have the same issues of touching my feet down (or not). That turn switch is horrible. I tried one at a bike show in the UK and it’s dreadful. How did it happen? In the end I want for the ATAS DCT ES because I need the lower seat, skinnier bike, decent range (in the UK we allow morons to prevent fuel supplies in the name of “saving the planet” not because I’m a transcontinental adventure biker) and that DCT is perfect for me. Oh, and I’m (at least) twice your age so have less need for 160 bhp. That said, I will try a 1290 just in case if find I do. Have fun on your new bike and ride safe(ish).
2 reason I hate it 1 it's chain-driven 2 valve's not self adjusting I hate doing maintenance on a bike I got too much other shit to worry about 1 reason I like it it's a sick bike lot of fun horsepower however I've been trying to find a sick bike with shaft driven with self adjusting valves I think I'm out of luck. So far the closest thing I come up with is the BMW r1250r even though I got to check the valves at least it's shaft driven
Great video thanks. I love my 1290 SAR.... except the indicator switch (getting used to it but still a pain compared to my old Honda), the high beam switch that I keep activating accidently whenever I use the clutch, and the vague gearbox that will quite happily drop into gear 0.5 or 1.5. Also it puts out a tonne of heat around my legs, which is esp bad during a Melbourne > 35C summer day. I do wish it came with the adaptive cruise control to ameliorate the cost vs 1290 SAS.
I have a 1290SAS. I removed the rear header and wrapped it with Design Engineering 2inch header wrap. After reinstall, it has cut the heat to my legs and even better it has cut the heat to the shock which used to get wimpy after a 50 mile ride - not any more.
KTM has the worst turn signals I've ever seen too. I almost wrecked my SuperDuke a few time because I was so distracted messing with the crap turn signal.
Imo there’s no reason to sympathize with complaints about colour or luggage. There’s dozens of cheaper options and an afternoon with 4 cans of plastidip will get you any colour scheme you want.
@@LifeofSmokey An all blacked out one just popped up for sale in my area, but I’m not quite ready to buy. It looks so good there’s no way I’m not blacking mine out.
European Emissions is one of them. Also the catalytic converter is not underneath the motorcycle so it's got way more ground clearance. So the catalytic converter is inside the endpiece 😅
@@LifeofSmokey which one do you prefer? I do road riding so, after watching almost all your videos, I bought the GT, I love it. Wish i learn how to wheelie, but am afraid😅
@@daimonmt the GT is awesome , feels like a Superduke R with extra fenders and windprotection 😁. But the Super Adventure series are just Cadillacs! When you jump from a GT on a Super Adventure R or S it feels like you are floating on a cloud. Same raw power and sound , just a lot more comfy and more straight up position. The GT would always hurt my wrists after couple hours of riding. 😅 Maybe i'm getting old haha
Actually the light signal are amazing compared with GS which you can't use them as they have the comand wheel... this is the reason why I bought it instead of GS
Ta for the video. Obviously you are a good rider, it is just a pity you picked a segment and bikes that are the opposite of your height. It doesn't seem to matter once moving when you are behaving yourself though. The indicator button sucks and I hope KTM fixes it. Georgeous bike and wish I had one.
@@LifeofSmokey if you ever get a chance (as I have), throw a leg over a JDM CB1300 Bol D'or or JDM super four. They are Japan only in this format and come with a six speed and the saddle is super low...like freakishly low but a brute of a classic bike. I wish I could post a photo here.
Love my 1290 SAR, was a long time since I hade this much fun on a motorcycle. The indicator button though is shit, havent heard anyone saying they like it 😁 What knobbies did you get? Still waiting for my knobbies so I can take it offroad.
Had a couple knobbies planned but couple months ago the world was out of rubber. It wasn't about what i wanted , it's what i could get my hands on 😅. After days of looking i found a pair of Mitas E10's Dakar🙈
@@LifeofSmokey The Mitas E10's are pretty good. I think they are a bit better on everything compared to a TKC 80. If you can get your hands on Motoz Tractinator Adventure tires go for it. Too bad they are very difficult to find and they sell out quick.
Why bother complaining? Did you not do your research before buying this bike? No storage for your phone…? Don’t you have a pocket on your jacket? Whining about it being too tall…why did you buy it then? Expensive for luggage…is this really the bikes issue? Sounds like you really haven’t a clue, this has to be the worst review ever
@@lbever454 Big fan of Chris Birch. And i have been riding dirtbikes for over 20 years. Motorcross , enduro....this bike is perfect for me and i can handle it pretty well for my first adventure bike 😁
You know, I never really understood spending almost a $1000 to buy some aluminium panniers, sure it looks nice, I just bought a r3ally big duffel bag off Amazon and tie a net over it to keep it tight, and I can say not only is it cheap, it is light ad well
I don't like it also 😅. Can take it off in 5seconds. Got a brand new carbon fiber helmet. If i go swimming in a lake or something i wanna lock it inside my topcase 🙈. When i go offroading for a day i'm not planning on using it. It's only for travels 😁
Any tips or tricks on your Adventure motorcycle i should know? 😁
Adaptive Cruise Control tips for the SAS...
If someone just turned out of your lane, adaptive cruise thinks they're still in your lane and will SLAM the brakes as you approach. Has scared me twice.
Also, don't hit resume button by accident....... Did it at 35 and cruise was set to 65, bike took off and I nearly whiskey throttled. Sport mode cruise is quite sporty!
3rd one, trust the front abs. Give it a few full-pulls in some mud, it's scarey how well it works, even in corners.
It's also possible to lower the front end to make maneuvering easier... Just lower it on the top of the suspension arms, by 1 or 2 cm.. I did it on my 500x and it is totally worth the loss of 2cm on the suspension travel.. In your case, because it is a upside-down fork, you don't lose any suspension travel... It's a win-win situation 😊
@@Rafatrompa gotta check that out thx 😁👌
Yeah watch englishbikerdan's review.
@@Michael_Lak Can't find his Super Adventure R review. Only the S...is he an offroad rider to?
In this video: Guy buys big, heavy, powerful and expensive bike then proceeds to complain that it's... big, heavy, powerful and expensive?
😂😂
Soy Boy😅
Worst motorcycle mistake I’ve made is selling my 2018 KTM 1290 SAR. It wasn’t perfect but I have never missed ANY vehicle like that one. I will get another.
I pick up my new 2024 SAR next week and I am actually quite sad to be giving up my 2018 SAS..
Try suzuki GSX1000S GX
This has got be the crappiest review ever! Why did u buy the bike when u knew the weight, the height and colour options, exhaust size etc
Little tip, to take the bike off the side stand, just turn the steering full lock to the right... It will make it at least 60% easier.. 😉
That is some good info 😌👌. Thx
Yep, totally agree with you for any bike
So many people don’t do this!
Trade it in for an electric skateboard you be able to touch the ground! 😅
😂😂😂😂
That Wheelie from 80 to 150km/h makes a real point 😂🤟
Being 198 cm tall, half of the reasons you mentioned as bad, are the reasons why i would buy it. Every bike nowdays is made for people of max height 180cm .
Exactly! please don't complain about tall bikes when you are 176cm
Totally agree with the turn signal and the storage. Seems the taller people feel like they are more entitled to this bike than the shorter ones like you and me. It doesnt mean we cant ride it people. It's a great bike despite the smaller issues (I have the Adventure S). Ride on KTM lovers!!!
Haha had a bigger friend of mine with long legs come over yesterday , both feet flat on the ground. He was like " Sits perfect" haha.
Like it' s pure geometry. You can't have long travel suspension and a correct seating position without having a tall seat hight.
KTM is not to blame for you being short😉 - thank you for the details / the other half of the video😈😈😈
I should stick to my pitbike i guess 😅😁
@@LifeofSmokey or learn how to ride. im 5 '7 and ride vstrom. i know beter to even consider this kinda bike because im not a pro off road rider.
Easy Tiger, the Dude can drive a bike, he's made some good points , the indicator button, the lack of storage for a bike that big, the weight & size. A lot of people will go for the 890, because 1 size doesn't fit all. I'm 6ft 13 stone & looking for a bike to take me from North Western Europe to the Atlas mountains. 1290 is a Beast & a lot more fun & looks, sounds Niiiice 👌 , bit boring AT comes second place. 890 is a sick lookin ride, but size matters on them long, rough empty roads in North Africa/ Sahara, that bit a extra fuel capacity, that bit more weight & height & HP grunt, will come in handy, especially when ya start meeting the Arab Truckers 🤠
If you are afraid of the bike, turn on the traction control. That will remove the wheelies. If it's still too much, ride it in off road mode.
As a 2019 SAR owner, I always turn off traction control. I almost tipped it over one time turning on gravel and it kicked in and almost tipped over because it killed the throttle and weighs a ton. Never again!
Great video. 1st time viewer. Liked, subscribed and notifications.
I have endless frustration on the previous model's starter button and on/off button placement. For some idiotic reason, they placed the On/Off button at the same place where all other bikes have the start button. On all my other bikes I've owned in my years, my thumb's natural movement is to go slightly left and press the starter. So, if you're in a hurry and absentmindedly push the start button on the 1290, you're actually pushing the On/Off button. The starter function is positioned slightly higher on the cluster and is incorporated in the tilting kill switch. F*n, f*n, ridiculous...
My 2015 1190 (150 hp) will stay. Never change a good bike. Safe ride.
Re getting the bike vertical, from the side-stand, besides turning the steering to the right, as mentioned, try mounting the bike from the right hand side.
When getting it vertical of the side stand turn the handlebars to the right this will make it easier to get upright. 😜. Bike does look nice 👌
I took a test ride on the 2022 Super Adventure S a week ago and I agree about the turn signal button. I've ridden some good bikes and some crappy bikes and that bike had literally the worst turn signal button I've ever used :D
Could't agree more 😂👌
None of that seems expensive compared to every other big ADV, but this bike is so much cheaper than my GSA.
The turn signal button?! First world problems. That being said, you are totally right, so annoying!
Most likely the most overlooked yet most important thing when riding a motorcycle. If you can't turn it off quick enough at the next street that could end up in a bad situation 😅. Gotta be less then 100m cause they will stop by themselves but you know what i mean 😁
Watch you tuber (Doddle on a motorcycle) she is shorter then you. she will teach you how to ride a tall motorcycle! I have an older 1290 and yes it is a bitch to pick up. However i have never found the perfect motorcycle that does everything well. My 1290 is the swiss army knife of motorcycles. That is why I like to collect them. Motorcycles are like beer can't have just one.
The Swiss army knife of motorcycles....that's a perfect word to describe it. Will check out the channel , it's my first experiences with big boy offroad motorcycles and it's a complete different world as 100kg enduro 350's 😁
@@LifeofSmokey If your going to do more off-road adventure riding trips. Check out Lone rider moto bags. I have those and they are great off-road and all around side panniers.
I also have KTM stock hard cases they are just ok. keep the locking hard top box for valuables in etc.
I agree on the turn signal button.
It sucks lol. What gps you running? Ive been looking into buying one
It's the Zumo XT from Garmin
How much weight can the top box rack carry in real world ?
Can you do a comparison of the 890 Adventure R and your bike?
Do another on the new Husky 901.
Asked KTM for those 2 bikes soon yep 😁.
@@LifeofSmokey awesome. It will be interesting how the Husky 901 compares.
I still like your bike better.
I don’t like that the ”R”ace software is an option.. you buy an ”R” without the ”R”
SAR 1290 is cool, but a SAS 1290 is for daily use more interesting. A smaller KTM is better for off road instead of the heavy and chunky SAR.
Agreed 😎
They really missed a market segment not having a S model with spoked wheels or R with radar. Ducati has such a model but $7k more
Agree 100%. Radar should at least have been an option on this bike. And yes the spoked wheels too. How they missed that I don't know..But then again someone in the comments said the turn signal is the same on his 2015 bike...KTM wants to compete but don't really care...BMW, Ducati, Triumph all have spoked wheel options on their more road goo g version adv...Why? Because people want it.Love this bike but not finished off properly..
I had the first version and kept it in rain mode most of the time. Once I forgot it was in street mode and I accidentally pulled a wheelie while passing a pickup filled with farmers. They watched me pass as I was screaming in my helmet. It freaked me out.
hahaha yeah that's why I don't prefer doing long wheelies with that bike. It's sooo strong and fast :-)
You belong in a car
Why did you get rid of the GT Smokey?
I had a Superduke R with offroad tires , and a Superduke GT with road tires....but i couldn't ride both at the same time 😂. So the 1290 Super Adventure R is like a baby from those 2. It can do all 😉
I had a Superduke R with offroad tires , and a Superduke GT with road tires....but i couldn't ride both at the same time 😂. So the 1290 Super Adventure R is like a baby from those 2. It can do all 😉
@@LifeofSmokey I have a '19 GT (Gertrude) and recently scored a '22 Evo R (Beatrice). I love them both. Different beasts, both ridiculous fun!
Good video. Glad I watched it until the end.
I'm the same as you you on your thoughts its still an amazing bike, the indicator is absolutely useless no feel at all to it cheers Chris
Man, I don't know why you bought this bike. I think the perfect bike for you is the Piaggio Zip. It has a lot of space, and you can choose from many colours. The price is low, and your size is perfect.
1:67 MTR... just grow and stop complaining. I'm 6"8....I need the seat height not to be cramped
Did you experienced jerky acceleration issues with this bike? mine does very usually….
Jerky acceleration? That's new to me 😁👌
@@LifeofSmokey is a headache in my case…. KTM local dealer trying to solve it….
Congrats for your Chanel !! Big fan of it
Just for the comment, the ACC can only be present with semi-electronic suspension, this is why it isn't in this SAR.
Here in Mexico they offer the 1290 Spr Adv S instead and comes in orange/black & black/orange
That 1290 actually has self canceling blinkers.
Can you do a short, high-speed, onroad video with this beast?
Any reason why you chose the luggage racks on the side over a more minimalistic solution like the sw notecards solution?
Protecting a 1200€ Akrapovic exhaust is the main reason 😅
5'6" my last bike just the tip of my shoe reached the ground. Now new bike h2 sx with lower seat I can get toes. So always standing bikes up especially inclined is a jumping throwing it up lol
What’s top speed of bike 🚲
Turn signal, push it diagonally downand in. Not straight in. If that makes sense
It is really bad for sure, but I don't have any issues turning it off If I just push it with a bit of force. Maybe I'm subconsciously pushing downwards too.
Also, auto-off works very well for intersections. It looks for lean angle followed by acceleration, then will shut it off. Don't think auto-off works for lane changes, though.
@@DaneE66 Hahahha you said exactly what I came to say! It's really stupid but once you know how to use it you really shouldnt have a problem with it
@@Arman-tm1kz I busted a few buttons on the left hand control and the turn signal off button feel is very different on the replaced unit. Much clicker. >$500 unit, don't recommend breaking it... FWIW.
is the high speed wheelie mostly clutch work? my 1290 SAR should have been here 3 weeks ago....
Yeah i'm a clutched wheelie guy. I had some issues with the first gen Superduke R when i was doing powerwheelies. At some point i got an extra boost of power and i almost flipped it a couple of times 😅. That's why i always power wheelie so i can do it in a higher gear.
People learning to wheelie a 1290 in 1st or 2nd gear is very scary to watch 😂
But it's a small pinch to the clutch , doesn't need much 😌
Impressive wheelie! Cool
I can't wait to do the center stand lunge and go thing, to get my 1190 Adventure going... why didn't I try that before???
Great review!I m gonna get the S next week,first time i buy a trail bike,,,I have no intention tu use the adaptative cruise control...This is the most boring thing they ever put on a bike
You should buy Honda Gold Wing. It will fit your needs and doesn't have such flaws.
1290r is the doublesport bike, not a cruiser.
Have you had any problems with it? I hear upgrading to a higher amp battery wipes out all the little electrical gremlins they sometimes have.
Nope no problems so far ☺️
Black with orange details 👌
Hi, nice video😎 I have the 1290 SAS from 2021. Only did 500km so far. How did you wheely the machine in the 3. gear, I mean in which mode ? And yes, the turn indicator button is a desaster 🙈Apart from that a great bike. I traded in my R1250GS for this monster. Was a good decision 👍🏻
I always ride in Sport mode with the MTC turned off 😁👌. Good to see you love it as much as i do 😎
500k what a waste.
I can still wheelie in 3rd in street mode with no clutch, such a beast of a bike👌🏻
@@shanecrofts2629 yep 😁.
I have a 2015 1190 Adventure R. Has the same turn signal button. I agree...it is the worst system on ANY bike I've ever had. I would think that by 2022...they would fix this! Soooo many times I have to push it several times to get the indicator to come on! No tactile feedback to let me know the signal has been activated.
Should have bought a Super Tenere.
is this bike price you can buy house and land in India and nepal
A few of those problems where just due to you being short 😬 not much KTM can do about being 5”8 👀
You didn't think i was gonna make ktm , my mediapartner look bad right 😁.
hey smokey how are ya hope good ive been looking at some ADV's like smaller once like the you know which once lol himalayan and the ktm adv 250 or 390 ,,, i sat on the himalayan it was comfy but when i sat on the scram 411 thought it was going to be light but oh man it was heavy ,,, its shorter then the himalayan so i felt the weight himalayan is heavy and the weight is not noticeable it top side is light ,,, i want a light bike and small but a ADV i sat on a duke 390 it was very light
I'm picking up a 390 ktm adventure somewhere next month 😌
@@LifeofSmokey omg hope its gonna be fun lol hope you like it you like your ktms keep going but be safe ride safe 💙💙💙
Why doesn't KTM or some other smart person sell a awesome baja light to fit into that adaptive cruise control space?
You are 5"8? 😅, i am 5" 8 also, i thought i was too short for a bike like that, so can i manage this bike at stops, mounts & dismounts?
It's tipy toes for me haha with my 176cm :-)
The honda 1200 crosstourer seems like it would have the safe bet in this type of bike. But ,they quit making them (or so I hear). I have never seen one here in USA. It’s what I would buy if I took a risk on a big adventure bike. I have to play the safe route and ride a Honda st1300 or an xr650. Too scared of the exotic custom race bike stuff and all of the issues. But, I admit, my friends 1290 is a blast to ride.
The turn signal button is abysmal. Test rode the S last year and had to stop to figure out what I was doing wrong. Turns out (pun not intended) it's just shit. Maybe there's a 3D printable improvement?
Same here , stopping to figure out how to make it work perfectly 😅
Yeah, it is. After 1000km I still have to look down at times to guide my thumb. What were they thinking??
I agonised over this bike vs my 2014 GSA. I’m the same height as you so would have the same issues of touching my feet down (or not). That turn switch is horrible. I tried one at a bike show in the UK and it’s dreadful. How did it happen? In the end I want for the ATAS DCT ES because I need the lower seat, skinnier bike, decent range (in the UK we allow morons to prevent fuel supplies in the name of “saving the planet” not because I’m a transcontinental adventure biker) and that DCT is perfect for me. Oh, and I’m (at least) twice your age so have less need for 160 bhp. That said, I will try a 1290 just in case if find I do. Have fun on your new bike and ride safe(ish).
That's awesome , thx for your honest opinion. I do believe there are options to lower the bike pretty fast. Gotta look into that someday 😌.
Thx for the balanced honest review. Rare to see these days, keep it up.
Collecting mine in three weeks.. Whoop Whoop 👍
I have to say the colour scheme really suits the bike
I would truly love to buy this bike. Unfortunately, reliability anxiety stops me.
How tall are you?
176cm but i guess it depends on how long your legs are. I can't even have both my feet on the ground on my 350 Husqvarna enduro 😅
2 reason I hate it 1 it's chain-driven 2 valve's not self adjusting I hate doing maintenance on a bike I got too much other shit to worry about 1 reason I like it it's a sick bike lot of fun horsepower however I've been trying to find a sick bike with shaft driven with self adjusting valves I think I'm out of luck. So far the closest thing I come up with is the BMW r1250r even though I got to check the valves at least it's shaft driven
Great video thanks. I love my 1290 SAR.... except the indicator switch (getting used to it but still a pain compared to my old Honda), the high beam switch that I keep activating accidently whenever I use the clutch, and the vague gearbox that will quite happily drop into gear 0.5 or 1.5. Also it puts out a tonne of heat around my legs, which is esp bad during a Melbourne > 35C summer day. I do wish it came with the adaptive cruise control to ameliorate the cost vs 1290 SAS.
No heated legs here , but i live in shitty Belgium and it's always cold here 😁.
I have a 1290SAS. I removed the rear header and wrapped it with Design Engineering 2inch header wrap. After reinstall, it has cut the heat to my legs and even better it has cut the heat to the shock which used to get wimpy after a 50 mile ride - not any more.
With you on the badly placed high beam switch. Awful
@@LifeofSmokey nice fries though
KTM has the worst turn signals I've ever seen too. I almost wrecked my SuperDuke a few time because I was so distracted messing with the crap turn signal.
Anyone here riding one of these in the US?! He says it all @ 5:40 in this vid!
Imo there’s no reason to sympathize with complaints about colour or luggage. There’s dozens of cheaper options and an afternoon with 4 cans of plastidip will get you any colour scheme you want.
It's so hard making a video why i hate this bike , can't find anything :-)
@@LifeofSmokey An all blacked out one just popped up for sale in my area, but I’m not quite ready to buy. It looks so good there’s no way I’m not blacking mine out.
Who knows why that exhaust is so big , my Termignoni on my Multistrada enduro is tiny.
European Emissions is one of them. Also the catalytic converter is not underneath the motorcycle so it's got way more ground clearance. So the catalytic converter is inside the endpiece 😅
It is an amazing monster, love him, have fun, enjoy him, there is nothing perfect in this den
There's a Statue of Liberty in your garage?
Yeah but it's not real size 😅
They do a black one with some orange, its called the super duke gt :)
Oh no 😂🙈. The difference between the SAR and the GT is crazy 😁
@@LifeofSmokey which one do you prefer? I do road riding so, after watching almost all your videos, I bought the GT, I love it. Wish i learn how to wheelie, but am afraid😅
@@daimonmt the GT is awesome , feels like a Superduke R with extra fenders and windprotection 😁. But the Super Adventure series are just Cadillacs! When you jump from a GT on a Super Adventure R or S it feels like you are floating on a cloud. Same raw power and sound , just a lot more comfy and more straight up position. The GT would always hurt my wrists after couple hours of riding. 😅 Maybe i'm getting old haha
Buy your self a pair of off road boots ,they'll give you extra length so you don't have to tip toe.
Actually the light signal are amazing compared with GS which you can't use them as they have the comand wheel... this is the reason why I bought it instead of GS
Ta for the video. Obviously you are a good rider, it is just a pity you picked a segment and bikes that are the opposite of your height. It doesn't seem to matter once moving when you are behaving yourself though.
The indicator button sucks and I hope KTM fixes it. Georgeous bike and wish I had one.
The Honda CRF110 fits me better 😁
@@LifeofSmokey if you ever get a chance (as I have), throw a leg over a JDM CB1300 Bol D'or or JDM super four. They are Japan only in this format and come with a six speed and the saddle is super low...like freakishly low but a brute of a classic bike. I wish I could post a photo here.
*Question* : what is the best looking top case for the new KTM Super Adventure SA 1290?
Bumot? Givi? Shad? Touratech? …
I am clueless.
I have gone with the Touratech. Quick release system and a good lock to keep your stuff from being stolen 😁
What is lacking on a 2105 compared to a 2022?
Looks pretty damn fun !
Is it because of the reliability problems .. and you can’t ride any distance off-road without worrying it will crap itself.
You are lucky. No wobble problems.
Thanks you for sharing
Great work
I'm 5' 9" 155 lbs and I absolute love mine.
Always trust a tiny Dutch guy who confuses vertical and horizontal with his opinion on humongous offroad bikes!
😂😂😂
Love my 1290 SAR, was a long time since I hade this much fun on a motorcycle.
The indicator button though is shit, havent heard anyone saying they like it 😁
What knobbies did you get?
Still waiting for my knobbies so I can take it offroad.
Had a couple knobbies planned but couple months ago the world was out of rubber. It wasn't about what i wanted , it's what i could get my hands on 😅.
After days of looking i found a pair of Mitas E10's Dakar🙈
@@LifeofSmokey The Mitas E10's are pretty good. I think they are a bit better on everything compared to a TKC 80.
If you can get your hands on Motoz Tractinator Adventure tires go for it. Too bad they are very difficult to find and they sell out quick.
What's wrong with the indicator button?
@@kepler240 Weird pointy shape and it feels a bit loose. Just feels wrong.
If you get the chance to feel one you will understand.
@@Notchpedro I own a 2019 SAR
One more thing to add to your list of things to hate about KTM: Customer Service. Truly horrendous.
such a great video bro !!!
the weight? I know you're just making a video but come on. what other adv bike of that displacement is lighter?
It's just a video don't worry about it 😁. The titel should be more something like "what are the downsides of heavy adventure bikes" 😅.
Why bother complaining? Did you not do your research before buying this bike? No storage for your phone…? Don’t you have a pocket on your jacket? Whining about it being too tall…why did you buy it then? Expensive for luggage…is this really the bikes issue? Sounds like you really haven’t a clue, this has to be the worst review ever
I do hope you are gonna watch my "101 reasons why i love it" video 😁
Exactly, Smokey, this bike is for experienced riders not an amateur such as you. Check out Chris Birch riding a 1290, it might help you understand.
@@lbever454 Big fan of Chris Birch. And i have been riding dirtbikes for over 20 years. Motorcross , enduro....this bike is perfect for me and i can handle it pretty well for my first adventure bike 😁
I really appreciate your honest review. Thanks.
Totalmente de acuerdo!!! Muchas gracias y saludos
Eat an extra stuutje in de morning to lift it. Buy an iPhone mini to solve the tiny storage thing.
Don't attack the turn button that much, it's 450€.
😂😂😂
You know, I never really understood spending almost a $1000 to buy some aluminium panniers, sure it looks nice, I just bought a r3ally big duffel bag off Amazon and tie a net over it to keep it tight, and I can say not only is it cheap, it is light ad well
Might have to stand on the seat when you wheelie 😜
You forgot the manly horn sound
Mount the bike by standing on the foot peg. Simples.
Yep. Do that everytime.
Is it because KTM quote 118 KW for 1290R but on actually only put out around 96 KW .. KTM never let the truth get in the way of a good story.
I gota air cooled carbed atk 605. rotax parts relaible fast normal price. mines 280lbs mx/enduro
I’m in love with mine hehehehe I don’t like the topcase , give it back :))))
I don't like it also 😅. Can take it off in 5seconds. Got a brand new carbon fiber helmet. If i go swimming in a lake or something i wanna lock it inside my topcase 🙈. When i go offroading for a day i'm not planning on using it. It's only for travels 😁
Is it that quick to take it off ?? I miss storage too :(
I got a ktm bag , very nice but very small
@@lucasantos1231 yeah just another lock to unlock it and take it off 😁. Will time it next week haha
I can see some of your complaints but the bikes too big for you, go trade it for the 890 or whatever it is.
Pres the indicator button downwards!! :)