Reliability must be a factor when considering a bike used for touring . When doing hundreds if not thousands of miles at a time you don't want to spend most of your time repairing something on your bike, and strange enough, these reviewers all have the same thing in common besides promoting the European bikes, which is they hardly if ever at all put Reliability and value for money as a category in these comparison videos. If they did, you'll see the Japanese bikes destroy the European bikes.

My takeaway from watching my beloved Africa Twin do so poorly, is that we are in an adventure bike golden age. If I am happy on the 2nd worst bike, then it must be pretty hard to go wrong right now.

My pick is the Africa twin. Reliability is more important than anything else

As far as the KTM twins fuel tanks, this is only half the story. I've seen several other comp vids against the BMW and the Ducati where the KTMs MPGs were waaayyy better than the other 2. The Ducati was horrific, needing refueling after not much more 115 miles, whereas the BMW usually got nearly 200 miles of range (which is obviously much better), and the KTMs walked away from them both, easily getting between 220 and 250. That is VERY significant. Thank you for taking the time to make this video. We know a LOT goes into them. Thanks also for spotlighting some love for the Triumphs. It always seems like they dont get the live they deserve.

I bought a 2023 KTM 1290 SAS and I love it. I moved from a 2019 1260 Ducati MS Enduro that I dearly loved.

Hey V, that was a fantastic review. Thanks for your huge effort on this. So many great bikes and breaking it down to how u r going to ride and what you'll do with it 99% of the time, this comparison makes it just that much easier to make ur own short list. So, thanks again. Kind Regards.

I thoroughly enjoyed this, obviously you put a lot of work into this. Thanks V-Told

I got a 2023 v strom 1050 (non DE) for 14.5 K euros. Has an LCD now, quick shifter and cruise control from 2nd gear and about 25 kph upwards. After a battery swap for lithium and center stand removal I got it to 235 kilos, but then I put some stuff back on :) Should be about 238 now. Installed the low seat since I am a "shorty" at 1.76 and I really want 2 properly planted feet since it's still a heavy bike. And regarding the seat comfort, I installed a cheapo 3D mesh thingy for 50 euros, cut to match the v strom seat and it works amazingly. Can do over 100 kms of sporty, aggressive twisties before I feel even the slightest tingle on my but cheeks. I put an MRA wind spoiler and the OEM heated grips and bob's my uncle as it were. As a side note, I can definitely recommend the Keis heated jacket. Just came back from a ride of about 160 kms were I had even 3 degrees C and no issues, even with the jacket on the lowest level. As for the other bikes scoring higher, are they better ? sure but for how much more money... Incidentally I am really curios for you to review the newly announced gsx s1000gx and see where it stands in your list

In conclusion, the answer to, what’s the perfect bike? One of each! Motorcycles are so subjective, especially when it comes to comfort. I’m sure there are more then a few owners crying in the corner instead of understanding it’s your personal conclusions. Plus, a budget rider can’t compete with someone with an unlimited budget. Thanks for your assessment.

I had several bikes, the current is an KTM SAS ‘22. Excellent in every field - there is no perfect bikes, maintanence and good driving (and luck sometimes), now with 37600 km and 0 issues. Cheers fella

Thank you for putting in the time, care and effort for this review. This was easily the most unbiased, comprehensive and easiest to follow review and grading system I had ever seen for bikes or cars. I wish more people did it your way. I encourage you to do this for all bike styles/classes. Would love to see this for Cruisers. Great work again.

Thanks for this excellent and comprehensive comparison. It's obvious how much thought and effort went in to this video. Much appreciated!

THANK YOU! I found this video quite comprehensive and love how you broke down the analysis. This was very helpful.

Thank you for putting in the time and great quality making this video. It is a wonderful guide and will help many people

Fantastic reviews. Thank you. Your reviews are the best

Thank you, it was an awesome comparison! Please do this for the mid-sized bikes as well. Thank you!

Interesting but would have been worth to add a score on reliability what is important and what pushed me to leave KTM (still love the engine) toward my beloved AF honda standard. :,)

I bought a MS V4 Rally a fe months ago after riding a 1200/1250 GSA over the last 7 years. 2 days of testriding on the MS and I was convinced and never looked back. I put on the Akro full line ... my god that power and sound is addictive!

Superb video, thank for sharing. Salute to your efforts.

Great work! Would be nice if you could at some point integrate this video with another one on the new R 1300 GS showsing us where it would pleace in each cathegory and final chart :) Thanks

Amazing work! Thank you.

It is interesting that there is often comment about the KTM reliability. Having road thousands of miles touring around Europe (always in groups) I found that the bike that broke down most with electrical problems was the BMW. Perhaps I just happened to be with a number of the unlucky ones! Who knows.....

Informative analysis without being drawn out and boring... with good visuals and visual humor. Fantastic. You over-performed 68.9% of the time!🎉

Great review a lot of work to produce thanks

awesome video very informative and really good format. one small note, i feel it would have been better to include that it was the triumph rally explorer that has a larger tank which will most likely affect the handling and suspension geometry and you can get the explorer tank on the GT model also. otherwise really good video ill keep an eye out for you stuff in the future :)

I own a Triumph GT and prior to this bike a V Strom, I’d agree with many of your findings on those bikes. As for the others I have no idea, plenty of work and preparation has clearly gone into your presentation good job👍

I appreciate all the time and effort you’ve put into this comparison, very insightful. I live on an island that doesn’t have a Ducati or Triumph dealer, so these bikes are out for me. I’ve been undecided now for awhile whether to get the 1250 GS BMW, wait for the new 1300, or the KTM super adventure s. The V Strom and the Versys is more expensive here than the KTM right now due to the current KTM promotion. BMW is significantly more expensive than KTM here.

Thank you mate! I appreciate your work and being so open about everything! I know it's not your cookie but maybe a review of the Triumph Scrambler lineup :)? Regards from Romania!

Thanks for the content. Very entertaining and educational. I just love adventure riding.

Thank you for your insightful comparisons. I've owned the GS, Ducati, KTM and Harley over the past 6 years. I'm in the market again, so you've reminded me of things I liked and didn't like about each of the brands. Triumph for whatever reason has never excited me. I too would want the GS handling with a KTM engine. Thought having a chain was no big deal until I bought the Harley. It's a pain to clean, oil and keep everything else clean. Have a deposit down on a BMW R1300GS. Looking forward to your comparison of it to the other bikes on this list.

Wauu impresive review a lot of work 👏🏼👍🏼

Wow lots of useful information there thanks for the time and effort in putting all that together. Looks like the V-Strom looks the great all rounder. Easy to maintain, low cost ,super reliable and parts anywhere you stop ( well in Australia anyway )

Rewelacyjne porównanie!!! Dobra robota!!!

Awesome review and supremely comprehensive 👏🏻🍻

Great overview. I rode both GS1250 and Triumph Tiger 1200 GT Pro - bought Triumph.

Good job, thanks for posting. It would be interesting to see the score of the new Africa twin with the 19 inch wheel. Will have to wait until next year though.

V-TOLD; fantastic work and your enthusiasm come through in the video!!! Well, I ride a R 1250 GS and it's absolutely AMAZING!!!!! I was out ridding today, and it was 46 degrees Fahrenheit. Had my heated gear on and heated seat and heated grips. My comfort level was a 9 out of 10. ZERO interest in any other adventure bike unless a test ride of the R 1300 GS makes me change my mind. Right now my 40th Anniversary is phenomenal!!!!!

Best motorcycle comparison vid I’ve ever watched!

The low speed handling / city riding was a major factor in my decision to go with the BMW R1250GS. For X factor, I got the Triple Black variant with the Akrapović pipe. Sounds great. I suppose it would be something that I would get used to eventually but the Tiger was particularly uncontrollable to me at low speeds mostly due to throttle response. Also, the braking - much too harsh on the Tiger, and very much in control on the BMW. Thanks for the detailed review. Obviously a lot of work went into this video.

About the brakes in this sharp and clear comparison:- “ like an empty tooth paste”! Ho man, that was a spirited analogy 😂 Well done! 👌🏻

This is the best comparison, great work mate. I am also happy to see my BMW R1250 GS commanding the field. You can never go wrong with BMWs.

I’d like to know how the BMW R 1250 GS would be for two people riding plus panniers/luggage, backwoods, crossing shallow creeks, etc, for tent camping. But would need to be comfortable for long road rides as well.

Great video! Doing my research and the BMW 1250 is still in the lead for me. But still looking into more details of the BMW1300

good work my friend, love your videos

Nice comparison! Thanks for the video! Living in the Dolomites, having had many bikes, I'm a KTM addict... Absolutely on these roads the best bikes to ride so far. We also have very good assistance and dealerships in northern Italy. KTM is born in this mountains and when you meet one here, well driven, you can understand that. By the way, all those bikes are awesome! About the reliability, the only bike that abandoned me on the road, was a BMW... I don't understand the difference between the 1290SAS (my bike) and the 1290SAR in the low speed handling... About the KTM comfort, a slightly bigger windscreen and the Power Parts comfort seats can do the job. I don't need the comfort seats because I move a lot on the seat during the driving on the mountains and this help... The most popular bikes that you can meet on the Alps are BMW GS, Ducati Multistrada and KTM ADV. There are also many Honda AT, but the crazy Honda management let the Honda bikers without it for too many years...

Hi, don't forget that the Africa Twin on your review is the 23 model. You must update the review with 24 model. Change a lot. I like a lot your review. You do a good work.

Thank you for your effort in this.

This video was very well done. You put in a lot of effort and it's not easy to give scores like these on such subjective points. For example, I found the Africa Twin to be the easiest to manage in the city (only rode the BMW, Triumphs and Ducati).

Excellent review

Thanks for all the work you did for the review, i enjoy your work! After testing most of those bikes a few years ago, i went for the R1250GS and have really enjoyed it. A fabulous bike. Im thinking of trading for the R1300GS, i also bought the Ducati Desert X for a lighter and better off road bike, but its a super hot bike for Thailand 😢

I ride from 1980 and I am still alive 😁 V-Told's are best motorcycle channel on You Tube. Rock on in 2024!

I hope you can do a review of the top bikes under 1000cc. Like the new vfr, v100, Suzuki 8, triumph 9 or 890. Etc.

I really enjoyed this episode and I think you have put a lot of work and time into doing this. What I think is maybe, instead of having the S1000XR in the comparison the Super Tenere would have been a better choice to compare. My personal opinion dont really land the 1000XR as an adventure bike. Not the Versus either. The Tiger GT, Vstrom are borderline. Good job, keep it up. Liked, watched ads and comment.

Very extensive comparaison, well done! 👍 Coming to a choice, it all depends what you do with it. Personally, I went for the KTM SAR... what a beast! Way too much power, but this is addictive 😀😀😀 Despite this, it is amazing how well it goes slow as well, KTM really nailed it !

Thanks for the review. I will continue to absolutely love my Africa Twin

Great job. Thank you!

An important category is popularity in sale #s. This takes into consideration generally what the market thinks if each model.

I live on about 100kms of really rough dirt roads in Australia, including shale, mud, creeks and bulldust. I would say my suspension ratings would be opposite yours having ridden all those bikes with the exception of the Triumph GT. I ended up with KTM 1290R, KTM 1290S and an Africa Twin DCT to cope with the really rough stuff... also they are just so competant all round... I found the BMW and the big triumph just too top heavy in the mud and bulldust.

One of your best mc comparison. God work!

Hey Vytold. Good video. Could you do similar with middle weight adv?

Thank you for the comprehensive reviews, V-Told! I would be interested in Multi V2 too, after all it does fit with V-Strom, Africa Twin or Versys both price and performance-wise but I understand you didn't want to put more bikes of the same brand. After all, both Multistradas target the same customer - mostly, because my short ride on V4 and a weekend on 950 S made me think the latter wants an enthusiastic ride on tarmac while the former is simply more universal, trying to do it all. And these were the bikes I considered the last time I was buying a new one - along with "small" GS, AdvR and Tiger. However, while your videos are really informative, I would also recommend everybody to rent the bikes and do their own testing too! I did so last time and am doing so now, as I am hoping to buy a new bike, although I decided to only consider the big ones. Not because of their power, because of their physical size, as I am 195 cm tall with 95 cm (that is not a typo) inseam. That means many bikes are somewhat unpleasant and some are downright impossible, such as V-Strom thanks to horrible turbulences or Tigers (both 900 and 1200) which simply lack leg space. And I don't mean I'm crouching too much, there is literally a sharp piece of plastic designed to stab me in the knees when I try to hold the bike with my legs. Oh, and due to the fact barely anyone's as tall as me, I only saw this mentioned in a single review and sometimes Internet people do not believe me. (They're always a funny bunch, the Internet people, but I digress.) But frankly, Tiger is not that good (unless compared to HD), I was quite surprised with the suspension too - my testing track includes a "bad road", one that has been patched so much there are few bumps or holes on every meter, but still there's no gravel or anything so one can ride swiftly and test the suspension's limits without risking a crash. Most bikes handle these roads with more or less comfort to the rider, Tiger (1200 Rally Pro), however, reacted with copious amount of TC engagement. Unlike other bikes and unlike Tiger on smooth surface, so it was probably unable to keep the rear wheel engaged with the road. Sad. Tech, too, can annoy. On most bikes, changing riding modes or engine settings (on bikes like KTM that do not have modes) means easy selection and maybe closing the throttle afterwards. V-Strom doesn't allow you to - either keep the clutch pulled all the time or put it in neutral. Hard to do while riding. HD, on the other hand, turns menu off when it's in gear - which has its logic, you don't want to play with menu while riding but what if you're in gear and the engine is off? Learn to put it in neutral, says HD. Why, nobody knows. Maybe they have competition with Suzuki who can put bigger amount of annoying features on their bike. Anyway, even though I have tested (the mentioned Pan America and Tiger, as well as SAS) and am planning to test (the new GS and Multi V4) the bikes I am choosing from, I am really thankful for your video, it's really professional and you have a systematic approach to reviewing the bikes which I like. If you decide to add R 1300 GS to the scores, I will be looking forward to it too!

KTM and the AT's are amazing at what they do best....but for the majority...If you can only have one bike. Living with a 1250 GS for daily commutes, long distance two up touring and the odd gravel road combined with that beautiful effortless low down linear torque... Just SO easy to live with as an all rounder. If you're still deciding...organise to have one for a few days. There's a reason the GS is the all time top seller adventure bike.

thanks for this great video, Im still thinking about the ktm 1290 sas and bmw r1250 gs. I have atm a 890 duke R 2023. Before this I had Kawasaki z300, ER6N, Versys 650, Yamaha mt09, BMW r1200gsa, Ktm 1290 Superduke R, BMW r1200gsa and now the 890 duke R. So I had plenty of motorcycles in 9 years from now and I still dont know what I want to have. So I guess I have to try out the new BMW and KTM SAS.

Agree that this was quite a comprehensive comparo, but it just goes to show that no matter how comprehensive, it will always be totally subjective. What you love may be exactly what someone else hates and vice versa. Fun to go along with you on this video ride, but in the end everyone has to do their own subjective comparo ;)

Great review but I missed some important areas; traveling with passenger, loading capacity panning, bags and hard cases, crash protection and quality of headlights without need to add Denali’s for instance. Adding those subjects would probably change the outcome.

Muy buen trabajo, ando indesiso entre tres de estas motocicletas, la KTM1290R, la 1290S y la ATS por su fiabilidad y desing . A ver si en 2024 puedo estrenar alguna de ellas. Saludos!!

Panie Witoldzie, rewelacyjne porównanie. Jednakże na końcu zabrakło jak dla mnie (ponieważ rozważam zakup właśnie motocykla z tego porównania: BMW R1250 GS lub KTM 1290 SAS) zestawienia liczbowego. Dodanie siedziska komfortowego np w KTM-e zmienia dużo w punktacji. Bardzo cenię sobie Pana testy, opinie i życzę dalszych równie owocnych, ciekawych filmów. Mr. Witold, a fantastic comparison. However, at the end, for me (because I am considering buying the motorcycle from this comparison: BMW R1250 GS or KTM 1290 SAS), there was no numerical summary. Adding a comfort seat, e.g. in a KTM, changes a lot in the scoring. I really appreciate your tests and opinions and I wish you further equally fruitful and interesting films.

In Australia 1250GS ended up being $10k more than 1290R with all touring fittings... Also if you are climbing very steep shale roads and fire trails, I find shaft drives just do not lock in and tend to bounce the rear end around.... owned 93 bikes so far. Killed several shaft drives... chain drive is so simple and easy maintenance... takes me 30 mins to change it all. When the shaft drives went, the bike was of the road for weeks... Also I managed to crack 1 shaft drive housing... very expensive.

Great comparison! 🤓

Hi, good job and one of the best comparisons video, but why did Yamaha Super Tenere 1200 not included. Best Regards

Extraordinario trabajo. Mil gracias

high speed handling is a big plus for me, The BMW R1250GS was a surprise.

I rode GS’s for 15 years and had KTM Enduros for 10 years. I never loved the KTM ADV bikes (and I wanted to). I Bought a Ducati Multistrada Enduro 1260 3 years ago, but it was not as good as the GS, so I was going to go right back to BMW until the V4 engine came out. The Multistrada V4S is an unreal ADV bike. I can see why it was your top bike performing above average on 81% of the criteria. I think it blows the GS away on twisties and high speed handling. Also a great long touring bike…but I give GS the slight advantage. You intrigue me a little it about the Triumphs. You pointed out the ADV category is loaded with great models right now…just a matter of personal preference and the type of riding you do more of

First time on your channel, sir, and this comparison was very comprehensive and well done. Truly appreciate it. Your findings were in step with what I thought if you disregard some of the more subjective categories. I think the 2024GS is a much much better GT pro and Multistrada. A lot of riders are aging out and the weight and weight feel is important without giving up the performance. A friend of mine purchased a used SAR and replaced it with smaller wheels, grippier tires and Rottweiler goodies and it is a savage bike in the midrange and a back road terror. Reliability and resale value are minefields and we all should do our own due diligence. I have had many BMWs, KTMs and Triumphs (aall of those brands are in my current stable as well. The Triumph by far has provided the least amount of headache snd their parts are most easily avail w and at a reasonable cost. KTM has been the worse and BMW in the middle although their parts pricing is the worst by far. For me a used Gt Pro or new Bmw Gs are a good fit, with slip ons of course. Thank you for the review and I am a new subscriber! Cheers

Freaking awesome video.

Excelent Vídeo !!

Witek, świetna robota 👍 W ostatnich tygodniach stałem przed wyborem dużego Adventure po sprzedaniu Afryki 1000 i wybór padł na Tiger 1200 Rally Pro. Obejrzałem większość Twoich filmów również w poszukiwaniu inspiracji na kolejne moto 😀 Jeździłem testowymi V4S, 1290S, R1250GS no i wybór padł na Tiger. Co jest piękne to że obecnie mamy taki wybór motocykli Adventure jakiego jeszcze nigdy nie było. Każdy może sobie wybrać to co chce. Przed zakupem warto testować a nawet trzeba.

Excellent review except for one very important chapter you forgot to mention, dealing with Adv. bikes: the offroad capabilities..! It doesn’t have to be ranking the “motocross highest jump“, of course, but how good they could reach that isolated beach in those last 10kms offroad after a 200kms of road trip. That is why I did trade my beloved 1000XR second gen for a 1250GS... Now waiting for your GS 1300 scores..😎

After watching this I feel like taking a sledgehammer to my kawasaki versys one thousand. I mean I loved that bike until I watched this... I'm Primarily a pavement rider and I prefer it to the africa twin Adventure sports That I had as well as the bmw r twelve hundred gs. Well obviously there's something wrong with my head so I think I'll light my Versys on fire. I mean how could I like this thing? I must be insane. Thanks for the crisis of confidence l o l. 😂😂😂😂😂

I love the stock beefy and raspy exhaust sound of the R1250GS. I think it is by far my favorite from all the motorcycles on the market, together with the K1600GT. What I don't like is the boxer engine mechanical noise, which reminds me of an old sewing machine, but it gets compensated by the exhaust on the R1250GS. What I definitely cannot tolerate is the even louder and less refined mechanical noise from the new R1300GS.

It is a very good review. Very objektiv.

VTold, what is the plastic piece that's attached to the rear hub and covers a small section of the rear tire. I was told that it has something to do with the rear tire sticking out past the bike

Great Video

Well, I'm jumping (?) from KTM SAS to Tiger GT Explorer mostly because issues and bad quality with the unit. So overall compensated experience between them. Let's find out if it's true!

very extensive rating - love it!

When buying advanture motorcycle, reliability must be on first place

Awesome! Now I need 6 of them 😊

Thanks for the research. I would pick the triumph.

My -20 KTM 1290s with a puig touing screen has the best wind protection of all the bikes i have owned the last 30 years. I am 188 tall.

I enjoyed the comparison, although every person has their own experiences and perceptions. Apart from the Harley, Kawasaki and 1290R, I have tested all the bikes and feel very differently compared to the assessment in the video. That is what makes motorcycling such fun.

Tigers are super expensive to maintain and need to consider fuel autonomy. Planning long trips in the Rockies and being able to ride 400KMS between fill-ups is great.

Hey V, but these are ADVENTURE bikes.. where is this criteria in your so many, detailed and almost perfect charts? I don;t think the "adventurability" would have changed much the end score, but for some (like yours truly) this matters much more than touring or confort or city riding. Thanks for this fantastic review, mate!!

That 900 looks very smart , if it anything like their GS 850 it won't be far off the mark 😉

Your a brave man vtold doing this comparison , a bit like jumping into a hornets nest . It’s normal and lucky that people disagree otherwise we we would have a choice of 1 bike . Thanks for a thorough independent comparison .

Interesting, you should as well compare the cost of service maintenance. The winner should probably be the V-Strom. For me maintenance cost and reliability is paramount.

Thanks for a intresting and amazing comparison.I just agree that the 1250 GS still is a winner.

Would be interesting where you will put the Yamaha XT 1200 Super Tenere in tour list. Didn’t you forget that bike? In Europe it’s not new sinds a few years but in the USA the can buy it still as a new bike. 😊

I have a 2021 ATAS with the dct and I love it.

Tiger gt for me! Great video 👍👍

Thanks WOW THAT'S AWESOME 😎 KEEP IT UP 👍✌️👌🎯👽🧬♾️🙃😎