Comparing 9 Adventure Motorcycles - Yamaha Tenere 700 T7 vs KTM 790/890 Adventure R vs Honda Africa Twin CRF1100L vs BMW R1250GS vs BMW R850GS vs KTM 1290 SA R vs KTM 1090 Adv R vs Triumph Tiger 900 Rally Pro - Scenic Skip to main content
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Comparing 9 Adventure Motorcycles – Yamaha Tenere 700 T7 vs KTM 790/890 Adventure R vs Honda Africa Twin CRF1100L vs BMW R1250GS vs BMW R850GS vs KTM 1290 SA R vs KTM 1090 Adv R vs Triumph Tiger 900 Rally Pro

By 02.11.2020December 7th, 202028 Comments

The journey of choosing my next motorcycle began more than 5 months ago when I wrote about being torn between the Kawasaki Z900 RS Cafe and the BMR R1250 GS.

Since then, my thinking has ‘evolved’. The Kawasaki was dropped from the list pretty soon, while other adventure motorcycles came to my attention. What you are about to read is the result of a 6 month process with dealership visits, test rides, watching countless YouTube videos, talking to other riders and a lot of thinking, weighing options and contemplating.

So, I quickly dropped the Kawa from the list. It’s just not the right motorcycle for the riding that I do. Living in Mexico, pavement quality is mostly bad, and having some gravel and dirt roads during a ride is more rule than exception here. The Z900 RS is just not the best bike for that.

Another thing happened since that article 5 months ago: I went on a motorcycle camping trip with some big and challenging off-road stretches in it… and loved it. Definitely something I want to do more of in the future. So, I started looking at more adventure focussed motorcycles, and over time, each of the bikes below, popped up on my radar and has actually been my first choice at one point or another.

Clearly I needed some structure to this all, and being the nerd that I am, I wanted to make a list and some sort of scoring system to compare these bikes against each other. And so, here it is 🙂.

Disclaimer

One disclaimer before we start the scoring. I’ve ridden only some of these bikes, sat on others, and some I’ve never sat on at all. Quite some input is coming from my own experience but I also got a lot of info from the countless YouTube videos I watched, comparison articles I read and forum topics I browsed. I’ve ridden on: the BMW R 1250 GS, the BMW R 850 GS, the KTM 1290 Super Adventure (the S model, not the R) and the KTM 1090 Adventure R. I’ve sat on: the KTM 790 Adventure (the standard model, not the R) and the Triumph Tiger 900 Rally Pro. I’ve not sat on: the Honda Africa Twin CRF1100L, the Yamaha Tenere 700 and the KTM 890 Adventure R.

The scoring system

Now that we’ve got that settled, let the scoring begin. I’ve scored these bikes against a bunch of categories, which are: weight, range, price, power, electronics, comfort, handling and reliability. Of course, with bikes it’s not all about numbers so I also added some comments where applicable.

Wet Weight

Obviously weight is important in an adventure bike. If you plan to do more off-road then your odd gravel road, you want a bike to be flickable and easy to handle. And when (not if) you drop it, weight will obviously make a huge difference too. Below’s chart is the wet weight with all liquids and a full tank of gas. I used measured weight where I could find it. Otherwise I used the wet weight / curb weight as indicated by the manufacturer.

Unsurprisingly, the 1250 GS loses the weight category big time, followed by the KTM 1290 SA R. The big GS is about 45 kg (almost 100 pounds) heavier than the Tenere 700 who wins this category. To put that in perspective… that’s 3 crates of beer.

Range

Fuel capacity varies a lot between these bikes. From 15 liters for the BMW 850 GS, to 23 liters for the KTM 1290 and 1090. But, fuel consumption also varies, which in its turn, is related to weight again. In the end, we don’t really care how much fuel a bike can carry, nor how fuel efficient it is (leaving environmental aspects and fuel cost aside). In the end, we want to know how far we can go on one tank of gas. In the end, we care about range. To determine this I looked at the fuel capacity of these motorcycles and the average real life fuel consumption I could find (on motorcycle fora and sites such as fuelly).

The KTM’s are clearly the winners here, because of their big gas tanks and efficient engines. The T7 and the 850 GS have a relatively low range because of their small tanks. The 850GS has 15 liters and the T7 just under 16 liters. A bit surprising is the Africa Twin. With almost 19 liters it has a decent tank capacity, but the engine is kind of a fuel hog with an average mileage of about 16.5km per liter / below 40 mpg (US). It must be said that real life mileage numbers do vary hugely depending on riding style. The numbers mentioned here are averages.

All in all, even the bikes with the lowest ranges can still go 300km / 200mi without a fuel stop. You will see the reserve light come on though as all these ranges are including reserve.

Price

For price I used the price in the United States, in US dollars, for the model with all the likely options one would get. E.g. for the 790 R this means I opted for the quick shifter and cruise control, and for the BMW’s I added the premium packages, as that makes the best comparison with the other bikes. Prices are not precise to the dollar. I made some guesstimates here and there. This is only an indication to see the relative price difference between the bikes.

As you can see, most of the bikes are around 15k /16k, with three exceptions. The Tenere 700, with its 10k, is exceptionally low priced compared to the rest. There is a reason for that, but more on that later. It’s also no surprise that the 1250 GS and the 1290 SA are more expensive than the rest. These two bikes are in a different class – the full sized adventure class – while all the others are in the mid sized adventure class, although this too could be argued for the Africa Twin and the 1090 Adventure R.

Power

Because comparing absolute power between these bikes wouldn’t be fare, I’ve opted to compare not only the absolute horsepower, but also the power to weight ratio. In other words, how many horsepower per kilo do these motorcycles provide. For power data I used the horsepower numbers as provided by the manufacturers. Of course some manufacturers report their numbers more favourable than others (I’ve written about that here), but overall they are a good enough indication for our purpose.

If you know a little bit about these bikes you are probably not surprised that the 1290 SA R, with its nearly 160 hp, is the winner in this category, followed by the 1250GS and the 1090 Adv R. The Tenere 700 is the underdog from a power perspective, although its low weight compensates for that somewhat. Perhaps most noteworthy is the comparison between the 790, the Tiger and the 850GS. They all offer 94/95 horsepower, but the power to weight ratio of the BMW is noticeably lower, due to its higher weight.

Electronics

All these bikes, except two which I’ll get to later, come with the rider aids and electronics that one might need. Rider modes, cornering ABS, lean angle sensitive traction control, some have wheelie control, others have hill hold control, yet others have electronic suspension adjustment, etc. Some have intuitive controls (Triumph, BMW, KTM), others take a little getting used to (Honda). Some have beautiful TFTs that provide very good overview (BMW, KTM) while others are less easy to read (Honda, Triumph). Some are fully equipped with all the luxury one would ever need (Triumph, BMW) while others focus more on performance and aiding the rider (KTM, Honda). There are some slight differences in the quality of the rider aids (KTM systems are the best), but all in all these bikes offer many of the same things. If you’d like to know the details please check out the many reviews on YouTube and blogs. Lastly, as the only motorcycle in this group, the Honda Africa Twin has Apple Carplay.

There are two motorcycles I would like to mention here. First, the Yamaha Tenere 700. The main reason why Yamaha was able to keep its price low, is the lack of electronics and rider aids. It only has ABS which can be turned off with a button, and that’s it. It doesn’t have a fancy color TFT, but in stead a very simple but effective old fashioned LCD display. Is that a downside? Maybe, depending on your riding skills and preference, BUT, it’s not as much of a downside as you might think. Because of the Tenere’s smooth engine and low weight it can do without these rider aids. Some even appreciate the purity of it all: no stopping to switch between rider modes, no distraction from an iPad like TFT display, just a throttle, a clutch and go! If anything I would have wished that Yamaha had made it possible to only switch off ABS on the back wheel.

The other motorcycle I would like to point out is the KTM 1090 Adventure R. It’s not as basic as the T7, but it’s less sophisticated (or more pure depending how you look at it) than the other bikes in this comparison. The 1090 has basic traction control and ABS which is not lean-angle-sensitive. There’s no wheelie control either and the 1090 does not have the modern TFT dash, but in stead an LCD dash with an old fashioned analogue rev clock. Again, not necessarily a bad thing, but something to keep in mind.

One more thing I’d like to note here. Yes you can call it ‘pure’ that the T7 and in lesser form the 1090 Adventure R lacking modern electronic rider aids, but please keep in mind that systems like traction control can save your life on the road.

Comfort

Although I’ve not ridden all these bikes I believe, based on the many reviews I’ve seen and read, that I can offer a pretty objective comfort ranking between these bikes. Nevertheless comfort is a very personal thing, so please take this ranking with a grain of salt. To get a good feel for comfort you really need to sit on-, and if possible ride these bikes yourself.

If you have any doubt about the BMW R 1250 GS having the highest comfort rating between these bikes, please go ride one and have a look at the many reviews and comparisons on the internet (I’ve linked to some of them below). There’s no doubt in my mind that the big GS is the most comfortable bike amongst this bunch.

I’ve given a shared second place to the Africa Twin, the Tiger 900 and the 850 GS. You might argue that the KTM 1290 should also be in second place, but on my short test ride on the 1290 SA S I found the wind protection a bit below par and the engine producing a lot of heat against my thighs and through the saddle.

I placed the 1090 a little bit below the 1290 because of its windscreen and fairing. I experienced quite some buffeting when I rode my friend’s 1090 R. The Tenere 700 is a light bike but most reviewers were surprised by its stable and planted feel on the road and its decent wind protection. Some complained about the saddle being too hard or narrow, while others were absolutely fine with it.

Lastly I placed the 790 and 890 at the bottom of this list. These are simply not the best machines for highway mile munching and relaxed twisty road cruising. These bikes want to be ridden hard. The engines are not made for slowly cruising along. Furthermore all reviewers complained about bad buffeting and some about wobbling at speeds above 150 km/hr (95 mph).

Handling

Like comfort, handling is very personal. Wether you find a motorcycle handles well or not depends on the kind of riding you do, the skill level you have and how hard your ride. There are a few things that stand out from all the reviews I’ve seen and read:

  • The 790 always comes out best for off-road handling
  • The Tenere 700 mostly comes in second for off-road handling.
  • The BMW 1250 GS is best on road and, as long as you keep it upright, is also very good off-road, mainly because of its low center of gravity and tractor of an engine. If you drop it though, it’s hard to pick it up without help.
  • The Tiger 900 is very good and sporty on road, and very decent off-road too. As the only 3 cylinder in this group it handles surprisingly well off-road.
  • The Africa Twin handles very well off-road and on-road, although it’s a bit top heavy at slow manoeuvring and can become a bit wallowy when you push it hard in the twisties.
  • The 850 GS is a very plush ride on the road. The front suspension eats up any bump, making you feel like you’re on a magic carpet. This softness does make it dive noticeably when breaking and it’s not the top performer off road.
  • The 1090 and 1290 handle very well on road and off-road. For some they can be a bit tall and on the heavy side in case of a drop.

Reliability

Reliability is a tough one as emotions can run high when it comes to someone’s ‘beloved’ brand. On top of that experiences can vary a lot. Some people are problem free with their bike while others with the same bike have it in the shop half of the time. Then it also depends on the dealership service and wether something is covert by warranty. KTM is notorious for not covering things in warranty, but then again, there are similar stories out there for the other brands.

Nevertheless I’ve tried to keep this as objective as possible. Here’s my reliability rating. This is mostly based on what I’ve read and seen on fora like advrider and on trustable YouTube channels I follow.

Of course the Japanese Yamaha and Honda are the winners of this category. It is well known and documented that Japanese brands are among the most reliable. In second place I put the BMWs and the Triumph. BMWs are not really known for their reliability, but based on my research and own experience I believe that you can be relatively problem free with a BMW and Triumph for at least the first 3 to 5 years, given that you keep up with regular maintenance and don’t neglect the bike.

KTM is a different story. KTM is known for bringing bikes to market fast. Their time from first idea to ‘in the showroom’ is short, not investing a lot in testing, often leaving teething problems in their first generation motorcycles. This is why I gave the 790 a lower ranking than the other KTM’s. The 1090 and 1290 are entering their 4th and 6th production year. A decent amount of time for KTM to get rid of the teething problems their customers found in the first years. For the 890 it’s hard to tell, but for now, I’ve considered it to be the next iteration of the 790 and hope that KTM has incorporated the ‘lessons learned’ from the 790, in their 890 production.

Miscellaneous things

Tubeless vs tubed

All these bikes have tubeless tires EXCEPT the Tenere 700 and the Africa Twin standard (the Africa Twin Adventure Sport does have tubeless). For some, tubed tires can be a dealbreaker, for others not. For me, tubeless is important, but not a dealbreaker though. If you’d like to know more about tubed vs tubeless and it’s advantages / disadvantages, have a look here.

Adding protection

The prices mentioned above are without any added protection. I wanted to mention this here because there is a bit of difference between the brands in how much more you need to spend on crash bars, skid plates and hand guards in order to protect your bike against drops.

Crash protection: The Tiger Rally Pro and the KTM models already come with crash bars or, in case of the 790 and 890, protective tank covers. This means you’d save money and weight as none of the other bikes have crash bars from the factory as standard. Some people don’t put crash bars on the T7, as apparently the handlebars take the hit in most cases and it’s relatively cheap to replace plastics if necessary. Especially for the 1250 GS you want to protect those engine covers. As they stick out that much it’s easy for them to get punctured in a drop, leaving the oil to drip out from your engine, ending your trip.

Skid plates: That’s an easy one. None of the factory skid plates are meant for hard off-roading. They’d have to be replaced if you’re doing hard off-roading.

Hand guards: All factory hand guards are made out of plastic and are more for weather protection than crash protection. KTM’s factory ones are apparently pretty decent, but for hard off-roading you’d want some bark busters or a similar brand with metal brackets. Especially on the T7 you’d want to upgrade your hand guards because the handlebars apparently take the biggest hit on drops as mentioned above.

Suspension

Not much negative remarks can be found on the KTM suspensions nor the BMW 1250GS suspension. The Tiger suspension is also very good, although not as good as the KTM’s. The Africa Twin suspension seems to be a bit wallowy when pushed hard in the twisties, but is excellent offroad. The BMW 850 front suspension is not adjustable, not even if you go for the adventure model (really BMW???). It feels plush and comfortable on the road, but dives when breaking and can be too soft on technical off road stuff. The suspension of the Tenere 700 is often a discussion point too.

Having said all this about suspension, please keep in mind that, for most of us amateur riders, the suspension on these machines are just fine. Most reviewers are semi-professional riders with lots of experience in the dirt, so they push these bikes hard. A lot harder than the average Joe (like me) will ever push them. If you’re not doing hard core high speed single track stuff and if you’re not jumping tree logs and rocks, I believe all of these bikes will have an adequate suspension for you. You might have to change the rear shock spring on the Tenere 700 for a spring that suits your weight better (the factory spring is for 75kg / 165 lb), but that’s a cheap (< 100 USD) mod.

Dealerships

Another thing to consider when making your choice is dealership support. I live in Queretaro in Mexico. Not all brands have dealerships in this city. For the ones that don’t I’d have to travel 3 hours (one way) for each service and reparation.

Valuable YouTube Videos

To make this comparison, I relied heavily on YouTube videos. Here are the most important ones which I believe can help you make a decision if you’re in the same boat as me.

Final Thoughts and personal choice

  • Yamaha Tenere 700 – This is the best bike for me and the amount and kind of riding I do. Good local dealer, cheap, simple, pure, light weight and still comfortable enough for some highway miles. But it’s not for sale in Mexico yet and not certain it will be sold here at all. If not, I’ll move to one of my runner up choices. Not sure which one yet.
  • KTM 890 Adventure R (or latest model year of 790 R) – My shared runner up choice. Good local dealer. Light weight. Best off road and fun in the twisties. Comfort and reliability is an issue though.
  • BMW R 1250 GS – My other shared runner up choice. Heavy and expensive compared to the two above and a bad dealer in my city. Would use other dealer further away. Great all-round bike though and most comfortable.
  • Triumph Tiger 900 Rally Pro – Very good all-round bike with lots of creature comforts. Too beautiful to drop though and no dealer in my city. Apparently delivery of parts from overseas can take a long time.
  • Honda Africa Twin CRF1100L – Only three Honda Powerhouse dealers in the whole of Mexico (not in my city). It’s relatively heavy, but reliability is the best and off road handling is very good.
  • BMW F 850 GS – Might just as well go for the 1250 in that case
  • KTM 790 Adventure R – Teething problems. Would wait for 890 to be for sale in Mexico or at least get latest model year of the 790.
  • KTM 1090 Adventure R – Might just as well go for the 1290 in that case
  • KTM 1290 Super Adventure R – If I’m going for a big bike, then I might as well spend more and get the best bike of its class. The 1250 GS.

So there you have it. My thought process in choosing my next adventure motorcycle. If you are in the same situation as me I hope this will be useful to you. If you have any questions, comments or feedback, please feel free to drop a comment below.

Ride safe and good luck with your choice,
Guido

UPDATE 7 dec 2020 – I finally made a choice… and it’s not one of the top 3 bikes. Read about it here.

Guido

Guido

Independent Developer of ScenicApp

28 Comments

  • Alan Jones says:

    I have ridden in Mexico and it’s great to get off the beaten path my choice would the the KTM 890 for everyday riding and off road .
    Triumph is beautiful .
    The bigger bikes are just way too heavy in reality .

    • Guido says:

      It depends on your riding I guess. On the highway and even in the faster twisties, the big GS will be more comfortable as the 890. But once you hit that dirt track you’re definitely better of with the 890. The question is, I guess, where do you spend most of your time and where are you willing to “suffer” the disadvantages. No perfect bike alas.

  • Marc Grossman says:

    Interesting comparison. Why no Ducati? The Multistrada Enduro is a surprisingly capable big ADV bike and probably better than either the KTM or BMW an almost all categories. No one ever gives that bike it’s due and it reall is amazing!

    • Guido says:

      I’ve seen literally every dealership in my city, except Ducati. It’s still on my to do list. I will go there and do an update to the article once I’be been there 🙂.

  • MarkS says:

    I was in the same situation as you. At the end went for a lighter weight bike and tested the KTM 790 and Yamaha T700. The Yamaha is much easier to ride and more fun. Torque curve is flat which is excellent for off road riding. Electronics can only break which proves to be true on the 790. On the other hand for a piece of mind when I am riding in the middle of nowhere I don’t want to have this little voice in the back of my mind saying what happens if the bike gives up for one or another reason.
    Bret Tkacs explains well in his video what can go wrong with the 790 and then my choice was easy to make. Having owned the T700 for several months now I had no issue at all. It puts a big smile on my face each time I take it out.

    • Guido says:

      Exactly my thinking. It’s my number one choice. Still need to sell my current bike (Yamaha Fj-09), but once that’s sold I really hope the T7 is for sale in Mexico. Currently still undetermined if they’ll ever sell it here. If not, I’ll prob go for the KTM 890.

  • Michel says:

    Nice to read that I am not the only one who had sleepless nights before buying a new bike. My biggest points are weight, reliability and easy to fix.
    With a trip to the Himalaya in India going to the highest roads I got the „off road virus“ and decided that I need an adv bike. As I plan to do longer trips in very urban areas „no electronic“ was a key for my decision. I guess you know what I bought at the end, the Tenere 700😊
    I m very pleased with my decision, did already over 4000 km and some of them off-road. Off course my T700 kissed already the earth, not dramatic, no damage and I could lift it by my own. The knly, and really the only thing I will change is the saddle. Not good for me on long roads.
    Greetings from Germany

    • Guido says:

      Good choice. Really hope they are going to make it available in Mexico too. Any concerns regarding the tubed tires?

      • Michel says:

        No, no concerns but of course without tube it would be easier to fix it if needed. As usual its a compromise.

  • d jake fry says:

    I have a 1250gs and really like it – wish it was lighter – and I would not call it pretty.

    this said I am curious how come Ducati 1260 Enduro rally never make it on to these lists

    • Guido says:

      I’ve seen literally every dealership in my city, except Ducati. It’s still on my to do list. I will go there and do an update to the article once I’be been there 🙂.

  • Alan Pratt says:

    Guido,
    Since you ended up favoring the Tenere, I have to ask why you wouldn’t consider a Suzuki VStrom 650? I know that out of the box it doesn’t have the “off road” cred of the other bikes on your list, but with a few mods it can be quite capable. Consider:
    -They are relatively cheap, have good aftermarket support, and as reliable as anything made.
    -With a seat upgrade and a Givi Airflow, it is the most comfortable bike with the best wind protection of the 24 bikes I have owned.
    -Great range and mpg
    -Smooth, Bulletproof mechanicals
    Boring, and not the latest shiny object, I know. But after 40 years of motorcycling and riding just about every brand made I am on my second VStrom and consider it one of the best all around bikes ever made, along with the BMW GS.

    • Guido says:

      You make a good case. I’m going to research this a bit more. My first thought is ‘not off-road capable enough’, but maybe I’m wrong. The off-road I’m going to do can be pretty rough. I’m talking river beds with big rocks, single track through the forest, etc.

      • Alan Pratt says:

        Ok, that is pretty rough, and a stretch for most large bikes. The VStrom is physically large, and heavy for its displacement, but I would probably choose a modified VStrom over the liter+ bikes on your list for that sort of use.
        I agree though, the Tenere is probably the winner if you can get one.

        Another thought, a Rally Raided Honda CB500x. I always stayed away because of the 500 part, but they are rumored to be a pretty fun ride, and pretty capable when set up right.

  • Michael says:

    Guido: There’s another category you need to think about/add to your reviews that’s extremely important. It’s what the car manufacturers call “NVH” “Noise, Vibration & Harshness.” Basically, the sounds and feedback you get from the vehicle (motorcycles in our case.) I own a BMW 1200gs, my first boxer engine among many other bikes. I find the BMW GS fails the “NVH” test on many points. The 1200 LC engine is a clattering, clanking, tapping excuse for an internal combustion engine in a $20,000+ modern motorcycle. The boxer engine is prone to a harmonic vibration under light loads around 3500 rpms. See https://www.r1200rforum.com/threads/2015-r1200r-engine-vibration.20881/. Mine is a terrible example. A shame in an otherwise fine motorcycle. So “NHV” is a very important consideration for any buyer. More so in a bike that will be used to travel long distances. Chose wisely.

    • Guido says:

      OK. I must say I did not notice this on the 1250 GS I test drove. Note this was the 1250, not the 1200. I did own an 1200 air/oil cooled RT and on that one it was definitely noticeable.

  • Kam says:

    Hi Guido,

    Wow! What an excellent analysis. A keeper for sure. Very scientific. Kind of like you were planning to decide where to place your oil drilling rig in middle of the Gulf 😉 You must be a science believer.

    As you know I sold my fleet of bikes after getting a test of a lighter ….actually ultralight adventure bike.. Sold my BMW F800GS and Yamaha WR250R. Although, I haven’t owned a big 12XX GS/A, I’ve tried a few GS. I just love the KTM 690 Enduro R. Weights is same ball park as my Yamaha WR250R and has more get up and go ( power and torque ) than my F800GS. I actually ride the KTM 690 Enduro R faster and more like a sports bike compared to my F800GS.

    I think a number of your bikes in study are Apples and Oranges comparison. There is no doubt the best Adventure Touring bikes is the 1250GS/A. Load it and travel on flat paved roads for weeks. Hopefully you never have to pick one up alone. The cadillac ride.

    On the other hand, the single big thumper will feel noisy, lots of vibration, and leave you tired at end of day. But, of all the bikes I listed, the KTM 690 leaves me with biggest smile. So, in my book lighter is better and Power / Weight ration is key.

    Having said that, the KTM 790 Adventure S / R feels 100 lbs. lighter due to extremely low center of gravity. If I ever go back to a big bike ( twin ), I would consider the 790 Adventure. I also rented a BMW 750GS and was very impressed. Lot more acceleration and refined that my older F800GS. I assume the F850GS is similar….but taller.

    My two cents. I think the Yamaha T7 is becoming very popular choice. Kam

    • stevecro says:

      ah, but that feeling of “lightness” when riding a bike doesn’t transfer across to picking up a dropped one

  • Rick says:

    Very well thought out and concise methodology. I used a very similar method when choosing my last bike (Buell XB12XT Ulysses). I live in Texas and we have lots of gravel/dirt roads but most riding is done on tarmac. With 105 HP, 450 lbs wet weight, the Buell has an excellent power to weight ratio. Mileage average is 50-55 mpg (US) with a smallish 4.4 gal tank. It is comfortable to ride and handles super well. The down side is now it has been 11 years since H-D shutdown the production and parts are getting very hard to find. I love the adventure style of bike so I can go anywhere (within reason) but I am 5’8″ and I have to tiptoe every ADV bike I have sat on and some that I can only reach with one foot. I am starting my msxt bike hunt and will add your info to my list of potential bikes. Thank you for a job well done.

  • Ben says:

    excellent review!

  • Srini Govender says:

    Thanks for an excellent review !
    I’ve had a 2010 1200 GS and a KTM 690 Enduro R. And have ridden the KTM 790 and BMW f800 Gs.
    I’m now a very happy owner of a Triumph 900 Rally Pro. I’ve had excellent service from our local Cape Town dealership. And have done over 5000 km in just 2 months. About a quarter of this off road. Really very happy with the Rally Pro. Super comfortable, fuel efficient, lots of usable power and very capable off road amd loads of useful gadgets- like heated seats and grips , rider modes etc.
    A huge improvement on the old 800 Tiger.

  • Rich says:

    Great review. I enjoyed it very much!!

  • MaxQ says:

    In my opinion:
    If choise These Bikes for your ADV, the point is, which is no (less trouble on your long trip) trouble, is more Valueable, especially Wild and country… somehow no thech support!
    welocme to keep talk
    thx

  • TGM*#5250 says:

    So you actually chose the bike you ranked 9th out of the 9 bikes you originally were considering. Just goes to show you how difficult it is to actually compare and then select a modern ADV bike to live with! Cheers and safe travels!

    • Guido says:

      Indeed I have. It was very logical in my mind at the time 😃. Still happy with the bike. My next bike will be middle weight probably 🙂

  • Thierry says:

    Very interesting review, thank you !!

  • Daniel Wolf says:

    “KTM 1290 Super Adventure R – If I’m going for a big bike, then I might as well spend more and get the best bike of its class. The 1250 GS.”
    the best for what? They are two totally differed bikes. The KTM is way more capable off-road and the GS is way more highway/comfort oriented.

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