Ok so I had a test ride on the new KTM Adventure today following on from lasts weeks trip out on the Aprilia. I'm afraid it's not in the same ball park as our beloved mutly. It has some good points though, some really good points. The engine is an absolute peach. It runs super smooth at low revs, it has an extra spark plug like the new mutly. It also goes like holy stink, very fast bike this one and because it is lightweight and very lightweight in feel, it feels even quicker than the Multistrada. The seat is very comfy and the suspension is fabulous, gliding over the bumps and not a hint of vibration through the handlebars or the pegs. Brakes front and rear are great, clocks very clear and computer wizardry very easy to operate. The steering is sharp and it falls into the bends a treat. I can honestly say I thoroughly enjoyed the couple of hours I had the bike. The problems start when you have got off the thing. It looks tacky and cheap for a start. Plastics look cheap and disjointed. They had only had the bike for a few weeks and the discs were covered in surface rust, all the bolts were white with powder and the welding wasn't very neat to say the least. It's like one of those stripped down versions of sports cars, no air con, carpets, radio etc but the weight saving means 0 to 60 is quicker than the S version, hope that makes sense. If all you want is speed and handling but couldn't give a shit about how it looks and wanted to clean it twice a year at most then this is the bike for you. I know KTM are brilliant at this sort of thing and to that end they are probably very proud of it but for 13 grand, come on. I had to try this bike to make sure the grass wasn't greener so I came home, picked the phone up and ordered a brand new one with Ducati Leeds. Got a great price for my 2010 sport and they will swap all my fancy bits over including the QD for nowt. Best of all though is I know for a fact there's still nothing out there that comes even close as a complete package.
Yeahaa, that's great, I can see me swapping to the new model at the end of the year, must go ride the 2013
Just bought a 2012 Multi and looking around at the competition I'm glad I did, used post 13 Pikes Peak in a couple of years time I think!
I rode a KTM RC8R before I plumped for the 848 EC. And I'm glad I did. Stonking bike with stonking handling but a proper shit finish. Which is a shame really :frown:
I stopped reading after you said the clocks were clear and easy to read. It just turned into that fast show sketch where the guy is saying. Roundabouts there brilliant. You know peas, there're brilliant. Roller coasters there're brilliant!! Lol no offence just busting your balls.
On another thread I mentioned having a quick blast on a KTM and got the same feeling as the OP, great engine, handling, comfort etc, but the finish was akin to one of their enduro bikes. Great if you are going to do a fair bit of off roading I suppose, but all these Adventure bikes usually do as much off road work as your average Range Rover Sport in Kensington? Not got the "desire to own" bit quite right for the money, but at least it has a conventional swing arm that allows you to take the wheel out without carrying a 4ft breaker bar around like the Mutley?
