Hey Mario - Im 52 and have been riding since I was 16 - with about a dozen different dirt/street bikes over the years. Im finally going ADV and decided on a used 2015 KTM 1290 SA (in excellent condition) - and mostly because of all your vids. Thanks again for taking the time to make great videos with a great attitude - makes all the difference. Happy riding to you and your family.

Excellent. Well done.

Good job Mario. It is interesting seeing different approaches to staying comfortable on a long ride. Kudos to Kristen for riding pillion on a cross country trip. It is one thing to sit on the back of a big touring bike and quite another to sit for long periods of time on a adventure bike. I would be squirming long before 400 miles.

...a late comment, I can’t recommend higher fitting the Pro Oiler from the Netherlands. Its electric micro pump delivers a metered dose of oil according to the distance you travel as measured by the internal gps. The oil is delivered to where the chain and sprocket meet on the lower rung. I haven’t cleaned my chain in 26 months and it looks brand new. This system routinely delivers 60,000 Miles + per chain, and you never need to clean it, or lubricate it beyond what it gets automatically. It comes with a handlebar controller so you can increase the dose slightly if it’s raining, but otherwise the supplied calibration tables are spot on. As you’re not using tacky spray, but common engine oil, it simply doesn’t get dirty. Set & forget. Vastly longer mileage, and much less frequent chain adjustment because of the superior lubrication.

Another great video, thanks for sharing mate

I wish I could like a million times. Excellent video Mario. Thank you.

Used a sheep skin for years on an old Moto Guzzi I had. Worked great!

Great video as usual. I will definitely be swapping out my 2014 Vstrom 1000 for the 1290 SA-T(new model designation for 2017), when my wife lets me! A mate of mine recently bought the SA, and he is stoked with the performance and ability of the bike. All the best to Kristen and yourself. Keep it safe mate.

SheepSkin. Cool in summer, warm in winter, comfortable on long distance, also if it rains on it, a couple of brushes with the hand, and almost dry. I got mine from Alaska Leather. Great series, enjoyed the work you put into your VLogs.

One of the best reviews I have seen. Nice job!

Don't give a thought about ADV riders busting your chops on the hwy pegs - I'm 71 (yoa) & live in Florida & was in Alaska on an FJR in July of 2015 with hwy pegs & will be going back this June on a Super Tenere also with hwy pegs - I'm also an Iron Butt rider - add the fact I also have two totally replaced knees & a hip so at my age with my issues hwy pegs help - to each his own - if it helps in one's comfort then there should be no questions - some riders are into their ego's alittle too much - i say go out & enjoy the ride - which it seems you do - excellent video's by the way.

Looking forward to learning the fix on the fuel gauge btw.

Awesome guys . Thanks for all the info and more importantly the inspiration to get out and travel.

Great Video Mario, and Kristen.

I think the thing that saves me more on long days is bicycle shorts under my jeans. The extra padding in the shorts as well as the compression is a lifesaver.

Good video, I have the same bike now with ~47,000km with rides to Prudhoe Bay Alaska and New Orleans both from Calgary. Not had the same issues with the fuel gauge or the trip counter and do the same as you, 1 trip for overall trip and one for daily so maybe a different issue with your software. Impressed how you get so much distance out of your tires. I am on my 7th set. 2 things I have had : replaced the chain and both sprockets at 30k and front fork seals failed at 35k.

Keep it up brother (and sister), I've learned so much from watching your videos and appreciate your editing time and commentary. I have a 15 KTM SA, it has been my favorite do-all scooter yet. I've had the big GS, and Duc, and some other exotics that just do not compare. Maybe we will meet on the road one day. Keep it up!

Thanks for the very helpful information and recommendation. Best regards from Germany

Great overview!

Very comprehensive, thanks so much!

i just run 87 and have not heard any pinging and mileage is the same so the computer isn't hearing anything either and im not worried. my college had a recherch engine for testing octane, for a projet it couldn't tell the difference between regular and premium from the same station. but it could tell the difference between stations, valero regular had more octane than chevron premium, crazy. the cheaper gas turned out better, we surmised all comes from the same place so cheaper gas -> more people buying it -> more turnover -> overall fresher it ends up in your tank. cheaper gas also did better with lower water content. also midgrade isn't a thing, there is no tank for it, just regular and premium and its mixed in the machine to give you midgrade. if they were out of premium that means you were buying regular for midgrade prices. whoever running the station probably didn't know what they were doing.

Great video!!

Great Video, Mario.

Had the same bike but hated the standard seat on long distance ,end up trading bike in for 2016 GSA 1200 changed that seat for Sargent seat best seat i have used on long distance.

Great video. Know that you can pick up a small sheep skin from ikea (if you have one nearby) for $30 dollars. It fits the SAR seat almost perfect (no cutting required) just attach a strap and go.

No, I didn’t realize I said Bridgestone Continental tires at 10:50 until my uncle just called to call me out on it. My bad.

Do you know of anyone making a front fork brace for a 2017 KTM Super ADV. T bike, I've Ridden a Harley all my life and a front fork brace on that bike gave me great front end stability and never any issues with front fork seals. This is a whole new segment for my riding and motorcycle obsession. I can hardly wait to get started. Thanks again for your videos, My research of about 8 Motorcycle brands ended with A KTM !! I hope I wont be disappointed.. :)

Hey Mario( 2 Wheeled Rider) awesome review of your bike on the cross country trip I like the sheepskin idea ( I cut a piece of memory foam for long trips )WR250r seat gets hard after a while was reading octanes comment ( he would be a trip to travel with ) LOL looking forward to the rest of the trip video's ,,ride safe my motorcycle brother ,,,liked ( thumbs up )

You'd really benefit from a Scottoiler - take an hour to fit then just refill the reservoir every 1,000 miles and your chain is perfectly lubbed for the duration. Bonus is the chain and sprockets last longer also so it pays for itself.

Did you ever find a solution for larger passenger pegs?

Have you done a video on your tool kit? if not could you do a video on your full tool kit for long rides / offroad adventure rides? specific to the 2016 1290 SA. im building my tool kit and would like to compare.

I have a 2015 KTM 1290 SA. Adjusting the windshield up at speed is manageable, down is almost impossible at speed using the knob. Easy fix is to flip the lever to unlock the mechanism then just push down on the top of the wind screen. Easy fix!

Oh my GOD, I can't imagine riding passenger across the country. I'd go insane with boredom!!!

Excellent video, 2 Wheeled Rider! Is that WV sheepskin, c'mon? That trunk can pack a lot of Starbucks coffee cups. Be safe!

merry christmas to you!! I like your video very much. Since I live in US and I sold my KTM in Germany, I am dreaming about to buy a new KTM asap. From my opinion the KTM 1290 SA is the best enduro bike, that you can currently buy on the market.

Great vid. I recently bought a 2015 1290 SA and love it but there is a clunking noise coming from inside the forks. Doing some research it seems to be an issue with these bikes. Have you noticed that on yours and any idea on how to fix it? I already adjusted the steering head nut which wasn't loose so that's not the problem. It's most noticeable when the forks rebound to the top. Thanks again for such great vids.

How many miles on bike? Any mech issues?

wow 121 degrees ...thats roasting hot..good vid

Nice video.

Great video--in fact, I'm thinking of trading my FJR and Speed Triple in on a 2018 Super Adventure S. Love your thoughts about the FJR vs. the SA--think sport touring (not really into off-road). I've done a test ride on it (and on the Tiger XRt)--so having your long-term perspective and comparison is great. Thanks!

I love the highway pegs on my bike...I get more crap about my cup holder :) :)

Do you think bringing along octane boost for theses long trips would be worth it?

This bike rides better than my BMW R1200RT. No comparison. What is the dark plastic behind the windscreen? I don't have that.

G/day mate I`ve recently bought a 1090 ADVr, my only complaint so far is the amount of heat given off by the engine. Especially when riding in traffic , daytime temps have been in the high 30`s Celsius lately. Have you had similar with your bike ?

Great video Mario, just got back from Dawson City. I did 5200km in 6 days. Wish I would of got the sheep skin before I left as I'm paying for it now. Ha. Hey just curious how many Miles you get or have gotten on chain and sprockets with proper maintenance. I am driving 2017 1290 Adventure R. Love it. Thks.

2 wheeled rider, Personal question for some, but what's your inseam, reason why is some of us giants have a 32 to 33 inch inseam. I'm 6'08" Tall and am close to you & partner , but a plus for me is that it's just me will on bike.

Good video! I have a 2016 V Strom 650 and use sheep skin on my seat too its very nice. I did a test ride on 2 KTM Super Adventure S now and love them however they are pretty tall for 5'8 me. Have you heard of a way to lower them about an inch or so?

I was wondering if you had a fuel filter issue when your bike turned around 10.000 miles. I had to change the filter bike wasnt revving when you applied more than half throttle.

Where did you purchase the cruiser pegs?

Hi Mario, by any chance, do you have a link for the foot pegs? I want to install them on my bike. Thanks

Hi Mario, I know you probably had to respond to similar questions since you own the KTM Adventure. But I am contemplating to trade my Speed Triple for a 2015 Adventure like yours with only 1500 miles. What would be your advice and overall opinion of the bike since you own it. I am coming from a 4 years of free trouble of any kind on the Triumph. I commute every day and would like now to expended my riding distances to explore the mountains roads of my state ( Colorado) Thank you in advance. Pascal

Hi, At one point you mentioned only being able to get lower octane gas in a few places. Did that cause you or the bike any grief?

Hello, I discovered your channel last night & you do a really nice job! I am a BMW guy. I have never intentionally ridden on dirt but would like to have a touring bike that is as capable on the highway at 85mph as it is on a old logging road. I have been drooling over the BMW GSA but my local dealer has a Super Adventure & it definitely caught my eye. I have been riding a BMW GTL & found that it doesn’t love gravel & it doesn’t have enough leg room for me (6’4”) otherwise it’s awesome. I feel the GSA & Super Adventure would better meet my future plans. Also, I’ve only ever ridden shaft drive. I used to ride a bicycle 400 plus miles a week and went through a lot of chairs and sprockets, is that an issue on a motorcycle as well? Do you have thoughts about GSA versus Super Adventure? I really appreciate your input & thanks for having a great channel about the Super Adventure!

Hey 2 wheel, What kind of RPM's were you running consistently on Hwy, Did it seem to affect fuel mileage? or have more or less vibration and certain speeds?

Hi, do you any plans to review KTM 1290 SA T 2018? I feel KTM introduce it in Milan in autumn!

I am curious ... did yamaha or ktm help financially ?

On the sheep skin cover. Short or long hair variety?

Great informative vid Mario, I 100% agree on the wind screen & for a £15,500 bike you'd have thought it would have been electric eh, I've been looking UK side for 1 of those chain adjusting guides but at the mo to no avail, I've got the powerparts 1 piece ergo seat & it's hell of a different from the standard seat, keep up the good work man . P.s.... do your temperatures in Celcius too, saves me converting all the time. lol.

on rain days, do you use the sheep skin, or what do you do if it gets wet?

I'm a recent subscriber after recently discovering this bike (KTM Superadventure 1290 T edition). Is it really as good as it sounds? I've got a 2001 Honda Blackbird which is great but I'm thinking more along the lines of this the older I'm getting (47). There is one locally fully loaded with luggage and akropovic pipe, radiator guard and carbon fibre front mudguard for $18536 second hand…….Just wondering if its worth the cash. Cheers bud, great videos.

Where did you get the highway pegs at ?

Hey Mario I'm really enjoying a lot of your how to videos. I ride a 2015 1290 Super Adventure and the videos are sure confidence builders for a non monkey wrench guy like me. Keep up the good work.

I'm going to wrap my entire body in sheepskin. I'll never be uncomfortable. 😎

For Christ's sake super Mario! Get that woman what ever the hell she wants! If she want's some foot pegs that will get her more comfortable on the long haul, you better be getting em! Why the hell she put's up with your shenanigans is beyond me! Still, it's all about the ride! Still, you have a great insight to this bike! I'd seriously consider this as a "do-it-all" bike! My only reservation of this bike is the chain drive. Yea...It's a minor issue for most people. For me however Ive ridden both chain and shaft, "I" prefer the shaft drive but it also costs more, except for the moto-guzzi model, I really love the stelvio model of the Moto-guzzi! If you haven't ridden one Super Mario, you need to ride it before you dismiss it!

Hey I’m not the only one who uses diaper cream!!😉😭... that sheep skin looks perfect!! I love it!! Put some GMC running boards on that pup and all will be good!! ✌️😉

how this sheep skin do on rain...