KTM 1050 ADVENTURE (2015 - on) Review
At a glance
| Owners' reliability rating: | |
|---|---|
| Annual servicing cost: | £350 |
| Power: | 95 bhp |
| Seat height: | Tall (33.5 in / 850 mm) |
| Weight: | Medium (467 lbs / 212 kg) |
Prices
Overall rating
Next up: Ride & brakesThe performance might not sound earth-shattering but this is a genuinely fun machine and far more rider-friendly than its bigger siblings – and with the A2 restrictor kit it will appeal to new and inexperienced riders. The 1050 is fun, easy to ride, has traction control, ABS and rider modes but, on the down side, the power tails off a bit too quickly.
Ride quality & brakes
Next up: EngineTraction control comes as standard as does ABS. There are also four rider modes which change the throttle response, engine characteristics, power and traction control. There is some vibration at high speeds but the adjustable screen is impressive as are the overall ergonomics which can be tailored to suit. Suspension is conventional with slightly less travel than the 1190 and has rebound and preload adjustment on the rear.
Engine
Next up: ReliabilityThe 1050's engine is a downsized LC8 lump from the 1190 Adventure. While 95bhp and 79ftlb of torque doesn’t sound much, KTM intentionally decided to limit the bike to 95bhp to meet A2 licence laws. And the 70ft-lb of torque is still a class-leading figure.
Reliability & build quality
Next up: ValueKTM's generally have good reliability - they build bikes that take on the Dakar, so they know what they're doing!
Value vs rivals
Next up: EquipmentKTM's 1290 Super Adventure may be the headline-grabber, but the 1050 may yet prove more significant. Its 95bhp might not sound much but it makes gorgeous low-down torque, is light, manageable, great fun on switchback roads and, at £10,999, offers tempting value.
Equipment
Conventional traction control is standard on the 1050, as is ABS. It doesn’t have the sophisticated lean angle sensors of the Super Adventure so there’s no cornering C-ABS but you can still choose between four rider modes. The clocks are very similar to the 1190 and 1290 models and give you all the information you need for touring, including a gear position indicator. You also get the same 23-litre fuel tank and trellis frame as the 1190.
Specs |
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| Engine size | 1050cc |
|---|---|
| Engine type | 1050cc 8v V-twin |
| Frame type | Trellis steel |
| Fuel capacity | 23 litres |
| Seat height | 850mm |
| Bike weight | 212kg |
| Front suspension | WP USD forks with 185mm travel |
| Rear suspension | WP monoshock with 190mm travel |
| Front brake | 2 x Brembo discs with radially-mounted four-piston calipers |
| Rear brake | Brembo fixed single-disc with two-piston calipers |
| Front tyre size | 110/80 ZR19 |
| Rear tyre size | 150/70 ZR17 |
Mpg, costs & insurance |
|
| Average fuel consumption | 39 mpg |
|---|---|
| Annual road tax | £117 |
| Annual service cost | £350 |
| New price | £10,999 |
| Used price | £4,500 |
| Insurance group |
- How much to insure? |
| Warranty term | - |
Top speed & performance |
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| Max power | 95 bhp |
|---|---|
| Max torque | 79 ft-lb |
| Top speed | - |
| 1/4 mile acceleration | - |
| Tank range | 200 miles |
Model history & versions
Model history
Introduced in 2015 as an A2 licence-friendly advernture bike to sit alongside the bigger 1190 Adventure and 1290 Super Adventure
Other versions
KTM 1190 Adventure
KTM 1190 Adventure R
KTM 1290 Super Adventure
MCN Long term test reports
Long term update: Is the KTM 1050 worth more than a V-Strom?
It was the kind of email that cuts to the chase. Having been relatively effusive so far in my praise of the KTM 1050 Adventure, a reader got in touch with a simple question: ‘Is it worth two grand more than a V-Strom 1000?’ I should think it’s a question many potential owners of KTM’s entry-level ad…
Owners' reviews for the KTM 1050 ADVENTURE (2015 - on)
5 owners have reviewed their KTM 1050 ADVENTURE (2015 - on) and rated it in a number of areas. Read what they have to say and what they like and dislike about the bike below.
Review your KTM 1050 ADVENTURE (2015 - on)
Summary of owners' reviews |
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| Overall rating: | |
|---|---|
| Ride quality & brakes: | |
| Engine: | |
| Reliability & build quality: | |
| Value vs rivals: | |
| Equipment: | |
| Annual servicing cost: | £350 |
Year: 2016
I love my 1050 which is regularly thrashed in the twisties, goes off road and touring. It really flatters the rider. It's a keeper. Has needed some mods. Original seat is awful - have tried various including Touratech and Corbin. Best option is the KTM Ergo though it is still a bit squidgy. It is the most flat, protecting the nuts. Bike has really benefited from lowering 20mm or so with Hyperpro fork springs and a Maxton rear shock. Front end is lowered more to improve steering without becoming unstable. Avon Trailriders stick like snot and are good off road in the dry. 1 tooth less front sprocket and a Boosterplug improve driveability++ EBC HH pads and turning off the ABS on the road makes front brakes acceptable. Off road plug in (£300 rip off) and dongle needed to make ABS work properly off road. The abrupt rev limiter at 8000 revs is annoying. You learn to "short shift". Amazing torque and still very fast. Screen is poor. Tried many aftermarket tall options. Best to just cut the original as low as possible and wear ear plugs. KTM OEM crash bars and bash plate are best.
Brakes need improving
A gem apart from the brutal restiction to 95HP and 8000 rev red line.
Superb qulity components
Big service every 18000 miles. Otherwise home pol changes
Acceptable. Poor seat and screen.
Buying experience: Bargain second hand
Year: 2015
Overall impression is a bike that urges you to do more, go further, go faster, lean further, all the traits of a racing pedigree. If you think that the power is lacking, then your name must be Chris Birch, or you have just won the Dakar rally... Or maybe just think you are...
hard seat, even the "ergo" version makes it something to get used to. Suspension is fantastic. In hot weather the exhaust heat keeps your thighs at boiling point, however there are some accessories that shield this - I'm told.
Lovely engine, smooth and hugely torquey. Tickover a bit high, but that's just how it is.
Typical thoroughbred. look after it, ride it like it should be ridden and it will reward you. Ignore and neglect it and it will bite.
Servicing costs are not higher or lower than anything else comparable, and no more frequent.
all the necessaries are there, if you're into playing with electronics there's modes and settings to play with.
Year: 2016
Annual servicing cost: £350
After owning 3 R1200GS I decided to switch brands when BMW refused to acknowledge a corrosion issue despite 5 warranty claims. Went for the KTM as it's much lighter and better priced than the GS
Not as comfortable as the GS over long distance, but mostly used for commuting so lighter weight is a big bonus.
All good so far. Much better corrosion resistance than the R1200GS that I owned previously.
Expensive servicing
KTM satnav mount allows a lot of vibration. Not a great addition. Givi panniers and top box much more practical than KTM versions.
Buying experience: Good deal from the local main agent as it was a pre-reg example on the run out model.
Year: 2016
Very well balanced bike. Light for a big bike and seating height great (I'm 5,10) can get both feet down. Gearbox and hydrolic clutch are excellent, very smooth and light. Wind protection is excellent and all controls are easy to understand quickly and easy to use
Ride is excellent with well set up suspension out of the box. Handles extremely well in the twisties. Brakes are good but dosem to fade a little in extreme use
Really would benifit from another 10bhp .Having said that, never really go above 7k before chnging gear as power delivery is excellent low down in the rev range with loads of torque.
Overall very well built with nice quality components. Had a issue with sticking starter motor which the dealer "cannot see" on the diagnostics, Erratic problem but non the less concerning.
Against the Afica twin which I test rode at the same time, this bike is fantastic value. I paid 3 k less than the equivelent equipped Africa twin. MPG is conistantly above 50 - computer is saying 53 average over 4k to date of very mixed riding.
The ride modes are very useful. I thought these would be a bit of a gimmic however, when you are in town or slow moving traffic, the Street mode fuel mapping is much better suited to slow speed progress than the Sport mode. Tyres seem OK for dual purpose tyres. Much prefer a road tyre - which I will fit when nned to replace
Buying experience: 1st class buying experience from PREMIER BIKES OXON. Had tried to other dealers much nearer to home who fell well short.
Year: 2015
Not sure there is such a thing as a perfect bike - hence the 4/5 rating - but overall really happy. As an all-rounder it is as good as it comes. Great in the city, motorway riding no problem, and handles a dream in the twisties. The bike has soul; puts a smile on your face every time you ride it.
Brakes are outstanding, and the bike really inspires confidence. For me the 'real world' torque, speed and general feel is perfect - I certainly don't feel the need for anythingmore than is on offer here.
Engine is a peach.
Only had the bike a month, so a bit early to tell. So far though, no problems.
At the end of the day, it is a basic sort of bike, so I don't imagine costs will be too excessive.
Traction control and ABS great. I've added heated grips, and will probably add a skid plate and crash bars at a later stage. Tyres great, but very road biased.
