Crf1000 or ktm 1190

[Dodgy69]

Now then...my good lady has renewed her interest in going pillion. So my thoughts have moved from V twin sporty to pillion machine. GS ruled out obviously.

Have narrowed it down to two bikes. I'm liking the honda for its size and reliability. I'm liking the ktm because there supposed to be ace.

Question is, what are the pro's and con's of both bikes?? Every 1190 owner says they are a brilliant bike, but I don't know any crf owners.

Your thoughts appreciated.

[Tricky]

@Couchy has had both ( "Quelle suprise" I hear you say )- he'll give you a view I would think, albeit probably not as a two-up bike

[Couchy]

Both looked good two up but didn’t use either of mine that way. If I was to buy again it would be the Honda. KTM was more ‘sporty’ and faster but Honda better on light off road. I also like the ease of use of the Honda. Can’t go wrong with either though

[Dodgy69]

There's ownership...and there's ownership.

[Dodgy69]

No off road requirements.

[Bigyin]

The KTM 1190 is the sporty option of the 2 you gave as you seem to have missed out the obvious Multistrada but hey ho ...... unless you buy the aftermarket "comfort" seat the regular KTM seat is hard as a plank and your other half may not thank you for it after some miles on it

Both are on the off road end of the ADV range so if you havent got any off road requirements why not look at the more sporty options or even non ADV bikes ideal for 2 up like the R1250RS. The 1290 KTM you used to have would have been spot on for both 2 up and track time as well as would the Tracer 900 you also used to have

[Dodgy69]

I've not ruled out the multi but have been looking recently at the other two and I'm leaning that way. I've never ridden any of the three.

Main requirements are , light as possible, enough go 2up, pillion comfort. Luggage friendly. But knowing me, I'll get something not mentioned.

[KungFooBob]

The wife refused both based on pillion provision, I now have a GS.

[dern]

I can’t offer a comparison having only owned an 1190. As much as I love it there’s no way I would describe it as light and the crf is even heavier.

[Dodgy69]

Jeez, I thought the crf would be lighter.

[G.P]

Why not a GS?

[Dodgy69]

Why not a GS?

Because I've took the piss out of my mate who has one and there's too many on the road. It's all a bit Harley for me.

@dern Whats the seat height like on the 1190. ? I think the R is even taller. I'm 5 9 these days.

[G.P]

Why not a GS?

Because I've took the piss out of my mate who has one and there's too many on the road. It's all a bit Harley for me.

@dern Whats the seat height like on the 1190. ? I think the R is even taller. I'm 5 9 these days.

There is a reason there are so many out there. If your not looking at off road, why not an RT Beemer or Goldwing Bagger? both can hustle.

[Dodgy69]

Too many on the road means I don't want one, but yes, I believe they are a great bike. I'd prefer something I don't see many off. Don't think many of these big adventure bikes go off road, but it would still be something different in the garage. We will see.

[dern]

Why not a GS?

Because I've took the piss out of my mate who has one and there's too many on the road. It's all a bit Harley for me.

@dern Whats the seat height like on the 1190. ? I think the R is even taller. I'm 5 9 these days.

I’m six one and have it on the highest setting. The lowest drops it by an inch or so. The seat isn’t that wide so touching the floor isn’t a problem. I don’t think that it’s much higher than your Yamaha but you’d need to sit on one to be sure.

[dern]

I had an 1150gs and that felt lower and easier to low speed manoeuvre because the weight was lower. Still hated it though. The KTM is a lot more fun.

[Taff]

if there's no offroad requirement, then you could take a look at the NT1100, same engine and frame from the AT and pretty well specced for the price

[Dodgy69]

Test rode a 1190 adv on Sunday. My thoughts...

Not too heavy and I was pushing it on gravel, backwards and forwards, so weight is OK. It is fairly tall, as tall as I would be happy to go, no flat feet but plenty of ball, that's OK. I'm about 5 9.

On the move it's ace. Sounded nice with the akra and the all important acceleration is superb, very strong motor. Very comfortable riding position, nice and high, plenty of visibility. This one was grey, my favourite, had 3 ktm boxes, bash plate and engine bars.

I noticed straight away the gear lever was high, probably because of his boots. So when I got back to look closer at lever adjustment, chain lube gunge everywhere, but chain looked fairly dry, he said he used dry lube. Took sprocket cover off and full of gunge, common I know, but there was an oil running through the gunge aswel and running down the side stand. I couldn't even see any screw or whatever for loosening lever, was all buried in gunge.

Doubts were creeping in, private sale. Plenty of rusty bolts visible, plastics all good. Box locks were all a bit dodgy, probably needing lube, not much use I imagine.

The bike is exactly what I want but the gunge had put me off. When I sell a bike it's cleaned and polished and looking it's best for potential buyer, this bike wasn't and that was putting me off, oh, chain didn't look good either.

His best price was 7400, MY 16 10k. not a bad price but not far off 1290 money?? Anyway, it's a no from me on this one but I now know what I want, I think.

[KungFooBob]

Have a go on an LC GS, you might be pleasantly surprised.

Make sure it's got ESA and Gear Change Assist tho'

[Dodgy69]

What's esa and gear change assist, just incase I need to know. ☠