KTM 1050 ADVENTURE (2015 - on) Review

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.

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.

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.

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

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.