Great comment about modern bikes making you feel invincible: crashed my KTM 1290 SA T in the rain a year back because (aquaplaned) because the bike made me feel impervious to mother nature. Best piece of electronic gear is your good judgement coupled with a pinch of fear and a dose of respect.

That thing you were saying about lobbing it due to conditions coming right out of the blue... I've had a sense that this has been a problem with cars like the Scoobie WRX for a long time. When you were pedalling an Escort Mk 1 up a bumpy B road, you knew when you were taking liberties, the car would tell you, and when you went 'over the line', it was the line of your skill you were flirting with, so the chance of just crossing it was non-zero... Do the same in a Scoobie and it's much, much faster, and all the time as you push harder in what feels like perfect safety the electronics are saying 'I have control, I am compensating for 53% loss of grip from wheel 3 and 32% loss of grip from wheel 4 by manipulating the computer controlled differential, I've got this, it's all good... and then suddenly you push even harder than the computers can deal with and the electronics go 'grip out of range error, TILT!' and chuck the whole plot back in your lap suddenly and unexpectedly. At this point you are screwed, because you only have one throttle & one brake pedal and if the computers couldn't keep the toothpaste in the tube with all their ability to manipulate the torque and the braking to each wheel individually before they gave up and the car turned sideways, you'd have no chance of unfucking yourself even if you were ready for it. Which is why Ford Escort owners were quite often going backwards through hedges, and Scoobie WRC owners always seem to barrel roll their cars catastrophically 300 yards into the trees... Perhaps both Scoobies & bikes with all the IMU/cornering ABS stuff need a 'peril meter' that tells you how hard the electronics are working when they cut in? If your cornering ABS & TCS kept everything nicely in line on a bend but was working at 90% capacity to do that, telling the rider that with a red reading of 90% on a 'peril gauge' should be just as good as a big pant-filling moment at warning them they are pushing their luck...

tried the 1290 S. liked it so much that I've bought one

One year ownership of the 1290 SAS - still in love like on day one. Done 11.000km and I don't even want anything else...

Baron Von Tumble

Friggin love you guys and 44. Great vid, wish you all the luck in the world with the channel 👍🏻

I have zero interest in these bikes or any adventure bike but I really like watching you guys bang on about bikes in general. Keep up the great work and thanks.

Great review as always. Never mind crashing - how you managed any commentary at all on that road is amazing!

Excellent review and solid points regarding the technology balance vs.rider feel/invincibility. Good stuff guys.

Thanks for the awesome review! Really love the mix between the Interview and the on the ride commenting. Keep it up guys👍😊

hands down the best review ever. ever..

I bought a 1090 today... I am so excited to get it in two weeks ... it will be a blast. Test drive was amazing, already loved it after the first 500 metres :-D

Let me get this strait... KTM won't make a full fairing full power bike due to self responsibility, but will make a naked version and a 160hp dirt bike. Wtf is their problem.

Best review i've seen so far of these two bikes! Well done chaps!

Great review really enjoyed the comments about both bikes! I’m looking to advance my riding skills with more trail riding, and given the response to the two road versions, would love to know your thoughts on the 2 R versions? I’m looking to upgrade my 1050 Adventure but not sure which to go with the 1090R it go all out with budget and get a 1290R? It is valid to say I am a novice for trail riding but this also means I spend a lot of time on the tarmac. Any help or thoughts greatly appreciated.

Great vlog guys...contemplating ktm purchase...info helped alot:

Great review, keep up the good work. I wonder if you can tell us about the heat issue from under the seat, is it solved completely? or just a little better than the previous model? thanks in advance.

Congrats for a very nice, complete and most of all honest review. Best one I watched...Peace.

Loving these kind of video's!

Great format, great review! Excellent length (time).

Baron, would you change your GS for the 1290 A?

fun to hear you laughing when riding. I've been riding for a while and its the one thing you can keep doing and the sensation is as if you're still 16 on a bike for the first time. Great job. I have a 690 and looking at the 1090 for longer trips.

Great Video: Weird question - which mirrors are on the super duke in the background?

At last you've micced yourselves! My ears are very happy :D

Just done 1500mls around Scotland on my 1090 adventure R, loved it, done it in a week with a day of on Skye, bike is superb, would i do it again yes & I'm 63 years old?

Tested both, bought the 1090. More fun and feeling of being connected. Previously owned a 1190 as well.

Excellent, factual, detailed, yet amusing review boys. Keep up the good work! I think I'd like a 1090 R, but haven't seen a proper off-road review of that yet. We wait with baited breath...

Hey guys, great stuff! Genuinely. I am repeating myself but now I am now craving for a comparison between these and S1000XR from you. Seriously can't wait!

for 100 km's a day 90% highway and some trips witch one would you recomend? confort between the 2? fuel consuption between the 2?

Nice video, thanks guys! Would have been nice to see the crash though

Hi Guys! Since your review I bought the 1090. Your description of this bike is so accurate professional and just. As usual in your reviews that I wouldn’t miss as content and shape are perfect, funny, elegant and detailed. 👏🏼👍🏼

excellent realistic review especially remark on 22:55 min , thank you

Right, so 11 grand is a 'budget' version. Got it. BRB, off to rob a bank.

Brilliant Review. Enjoyable too

Best review found of these two beauties, thanks guys. My vote for the simplicity of the 1090, even if it's a bit oudated, because it will be a bit more reliable, perhaps.

Another step up, amazing review and can see what you mean about electronics

Sharks with lasers! The expression when you said unrecoverable was priceless.

Best review I have seen so far.

Great presentation,thks again.

Still gutted I'm missing out on the trip to Spain. Have a kick ass time!

Chris, cheers for that, you've confirmed my suspicions about the 1290s and it's electrickery and it's ability to lull you into a'false' sense of security. Just returned from a mad weekend in Mallorca and it's coastal roads, plus the N260 between Ripol and Puigcerda in the Spanish Pyrenee's, on my SMT 990. 1,500km's of sheer drool, home to home. If you have one road to ride, this would be the one! Doesn't stop me dreaming about the 1290 s though. Keep it up boy's, u'r doing a sweet job.

Have you guy's ever tested the Triumph Tiger sport 1050? I'd like your opinion on that one.

Hi Baron, great video as always chaps. I have had 1190 and now ridding a 1290 sa and fancy a change for something sportier. Now you have ridden the adventure s and the super duke gt which one do you prefer ?

I love hearing Barron shout with glee as he rides these bikes. That to me, is the tell tale sign that it's a good bike!

So where do you think this fits in with the GT? There's just too many to choose from.

Hey guys great vid, as always! I need some serious help! Next year I am purchasing my dream bike and it’s between the 1290R, 1290Gt, 1290 Adventure S. I know they are all extremely different but I’m stuck, I can’t test drive a KTM here in Utah because of the dealerships being weird and don’t let you unless it’s Demo day. I love touring, riding hard at times, and love technology! How is the wind on long trips with the 1290R? If I do street only, am into loads of power, cornering, and touring which would you recommend out of the 3 mentioned? Thank you for your time guys and sorry for the long writing, I just need some help pls 🤗🤗

Another great video, keep up the good work fellas😀

So Baron, are you gonna be replacing your trusty GS with the 1290S? c:

You keep mentioning the GS, how does it compare against the Multistrada?Love the show keep it up!

Looking good guys!

wow those roads! forget the 1090 I would want my 701 on those!

Please review the 2017 S1000R!

Another cracking video :D

Hey chaps - budget-wise, would you still rate the 1290 in 2022? Great review btw

either of you guys ridden the Africa twin and if so how do you rate it to the 1090 ktm?

You two could just talk about walking a dog and I'd enjoy watching. I like watching. I'm a watcher.

Just because a man likes a set of wire wheels and a bit of hand protection on his motorcycle you assume he likes to take it up the dirt track,how very dare you........!

Would like to compare it to GS or mine XR, is it better? 1290 of course

If you were to repeat your tour of Austria would you rather be on the Superduke GT or the 1290 Adventure S? Loved the review btw.

Finally bought a new 1090 this year. This review is probably what did it.

in the end which one is better?

It looked like you were in "Street" mode for the damping on most of the video. Sport damping allows the forks to dive and should give more of a direct "less wooly" feel. How that would work for the comfort on those roads would have been interesting to know.

Great review I like the 1290 just felt I was a little too throttle happy on it rather than enjoying the cruise! I’m unsure of the back end of the bike a bit too boring unlike its naked counterpart !

Can you comment on 1090 touring comfort?

Holy shit, were you guys out there last week between Cusco and Ollantaytambo? I saw a group of brand new 1290's ride by the bus I was in while I was there on holiday.

I kinda like the Halfords handguards on the 1090... One of the best reviews I've watched: Thanks for posting, guys.

Gentlemen.......which would you take over a long term ownership experience, the 2018 V-Strom 1000 or the KTM 1090 Adventure for a little more money?

That's the downpart of electronic suspension: lack of real feedback. Altough it also depends a lot on tires. On my old 950 adventure with Heidenaus I get a warning slide before it goes. The stock scorps are just suddenly gone.... The 1090 seems to be the best bang for the buck to be honest. Also has the least electronics so makes it easyer to service the whole thing yourself.

Get a room, you two!!!

hows the 1090 comparrd to multistrada 950

Got a 1090 on test at the moment. Was thinking of changing my Africa Twin for it but i have to say I’m disappointed. Other than the extra power, it feels like I’d be downgrading. The KTM feels cheaper in build quality and the engine sounds like a bag of spanners at idle. Its the first time I’ve been on a KTM, am i missing the point?

Spafftastic.

DAaaaaaaaaamn that superduke looks epic

I'm finally at an age where I'm thinking about leaving my supersport bike for just the track and getting some kind of "touring" machine for commuting and longer rides. For me bikes like the 1200 GS and 1290 Adventure are just too big. I mean how heavy is enough for a motorcycle? Why not just get a car at that point? I had given serious thought to the S1000XR, because of its sporty appeal, yet upright position and touring capacity. I think the 1090 Adventure would fit this mold also, maybe even a Yamaha FJ-09. I grew with dirt bikes, then sport bike, maybe I'll always lean towards the side of sporty instead of all out tourer? I'm not going around the world anytime soon, maybe if I was it would change my thinking?

Adventure bikes sure are a lot of fun on shit roads - and decent on the good roads aswell - and offroad :) I rode Transfagarasan and Transalpina in Romania with a friend last summer, and the mountains were bloody good fun, but the road workers left sections of the asphalt peeled off - that would not have been fun on a racing bike

So if the S is good for touring where does the T fit in? And why isn't the T upgraded to the colour dash?

Will you ever do a review like this off the 2017 Superduke 1290 r? :)

not going to mention the quickshifter although already on the bike you have to pay 600 buck to unlock ?

I would like to see how it compares to the multistrada

what happens with the bikes that get crashed during launches? do they sell them afterwards for a reduced price?

No other bike makes you laugh like a big Ktm . I've owned almost everything and never settled until I rode my first 1290. I'm smitten . Own both 1290 super adventure and 2017 1290 superduke. Great review as always 👍🏼

Where does the 1290 Superduke GT fit in with these two bikes? Is it alot less comfortable? Cheers

How would the 1090 compare to the ducati 950 multistrada? (not sure if you guys have ridden the 950 yet?)

Hey Guys, I'd like to comment on what you were saying at the end. Paraphrasing: The 1090 is maybe more fun because it's less "computerized", more mechanical, so you have more of a connection with the bike and the road. There's not as much computer wizardry as an intermediate layer between you and the bike with the 1090 and that makes it more enjoyable. I agree in all aspects (cars bikes), the more computerized, the more digital and less analog the feel. Harder to know what's really going on with the tires and the suspension as you're not sure what the computer is doing for you. I raced an 05 zx6r for a couple seasons and so I prefer the more analog feel of knowing when the tire is stepping out, knowing how much to load the front under trail braking, etc. etc. My question though is: Can't you turn off all the traction control, abs, and computer controlled suspension on the 1290, and while perhaps losing some safety net for most riders, gain back some of that direct connection with the suspension and tires through mechanical interaction instead of the digital wizardry? Or is the system so integrated that you cannot get closer to the 1090 "mechanical feel" on the 1290? I appreciate you taking the time to read and reply. All the best from across the pond!

DL1000 V-Strom seems to be about the most direct competitor to the 1090, in terms of philosophy of use and design, wheel sizes, and the sort of 10/90% use case. DL is slightly less expensive and has less horsepower, but equivalent torque. Also has very good suspension and powerful brakes. TC, IMU, corner-ABS. The quick ADV bikes built for 90% paved are a superb all-rounder, for comfort they beat any other kind of motorcycle.

Guys you need to be on Netflix your shows r epic.

Wonder how the 1090 compares to my 990 SMT. The screen on the 1290 looks pretty decent, seems a nice interface. The gearbox sounds clever but if it breaks, especially in a dodgy country with limited dealer support it could be a disaster.

Corsica is a special place right... Best roads I've ever ridden.

nothing beats cubic capacity besides more cubic capacity of course

No offroad comparisons??

Car manufacturers could learn a thing or two from bike manufacturers about the design of the digital instruments.

Recently traded my '16 GSw for the 1290 SA-S. The GSw is a brilliant bike, and the wasserboxer was certainly better than my '08 GS. I always wanted a KTM but the stars never aligned. The SA-S ticked off most my boxes and figured I'm not getting any younger so I traded the GSw in. I thought I'd miss it - after 13K+ miles it was a great bike. But now 1500 miles into the SA-S, I don't miss the GSw one bit. The KTM is just...more. It also has an attitude when you want it, but putts around commuting without issue. And you have the motor. The motor the motor the motor the motor the motor the motor the motor the motor the motor the motor the motor the motor the motor the motor the motor the motor the motor the motor. Seriously - has to be ridden to be believed. Now my Multistrada is in peril. If the '19 SDT-GT has the anticipated changes (TFT, headlight, other nips and tucks), it'll be a pair of orange bikes in the garage.

Euro 4 compliance isn't cheap.

Noticed the dash on the 1290 jumping from white to black background. Is that some auto day/night thing going on?

it was mentioned that it looks dated compared to competition... and who is the competition may i ask?

Bikeworld could learn a lot from Al and Chris but off topic you have 3 phase leccy there chaps.

When the Baron giggles like a school girl - you know the bike is a potential jizzer! 6:10

The casual discussion of the morning bowel is a quality ice breaker - who doesn't appreciate a good $h!t in the am? Great comparo:)

So what's actually different with the menu to the 1190? It looks the same just via a different display and the switches are the same, no? Not sure why the old one is now suddenly shit. Be good to get an 1190 comparison against the 1290 rather than just the 1090. I wouldn't want anymore power than the 1190 has, especially after a map which really gives it more like what it should be delivering. BTW, even the 950 had the chain retaining thing on the guard. I guess i'm moaning at the way we're so consumerist about things and get gooey over them just because they're new. When the 1350 is out will this one be shit? Seems that bikes just get bigger. I've had the 1190 for 3 years. I wouldn't replace it with the 1090, for obvious reasons. And i don't know where it's lacking to warrant replacing it with the 1290, especially at the price (that front end is fucking mean though). Yes, it's more powerful and torquey - obviously it is -- but who needs that? Mine dyno'd 155BHP and it fuels smoothly and instantly off the bottom once all the emission shite was removed. It sounds from this video that the 1290 compromises slightly on handling. I think it'd be worth putting an 1190 up against it rather than overlooking it just because it's no longer the new thing.

But then Mr Baron, you are back on the GSA....