revtothelimit - motorbike forum

Another bike that I've never done a thread on. I bought this bike in 2018 an it's an absolutely epic bike. It's pretty rough engine wise for a tourer I guess but it really shifts when you want to it. I've taken it off road once on salisbury plains on the gravel road and it feels pretty intimidating in terms of mass so apart from that it stays on the road. It's a great commuter apart from it uses a fair bit of fuel. I didn't enjoy taking it on track that much but I think that this was mainly the tyres. However, if you want to get somewhere a fair way away in relative comfort at some speed it's awesome.

When I bought it it had the standard exhaust and sounded pretty shit and I had no crash guards on it. It also has some weird combination of colour bodywork so I think it had had some replacement stuff at some point. It felt pretty heavy moving it around but felt great on the move.

After I dropped it on my leg (really fucking hurt) I put some crash protection on it and some time later I put a Fuel can on it. It now sounds really awesome for a tractor.



Maintenance has been pretty straight forward although doing the valve clearances was a bit of a mission.

Every now and again I get the urge to change it but I never end up going through with it. I'm taking it to the south of France in 3 weeks and can't wait.

Put a new rear tyre on it today the old fashioned way with levers. I really need to get a tyre changing device.

I had an 1190 adventure for a couple of years and loved it. Stonking engine and great for taking my lad on.
Really I only sold it because the lads got older
/ less bothered and it was a bit too tall for me (even at 5'10)

Test fit of the soft luggage for the trip to France. Easily fits in all the camping and cooking kit and food for a few days. Sleeping bag is big being a four season even compressed but I don’t like being cold. Needs adjustment and the straps tidying but will do that when I have packed clothes.

Got a new battery arriving this week as this one wasn’t able to start the bike from stone cold even after being on a trickle charger. Seems ok warm but not going to risk it for 40 quid. This one has done 4 years which is pretty good.

Have you ever tried these @dern . ?

https://basecampfood.com/collections/wa ... 10QAvD_BwE

Dodgy69 wrote: Sun Apr 23, 2023 7:50 pm Have you ever tried these @dern . ?

https://basecampfood.com/collections/wa ... 10QAvD_BwE

I haven’t yet but that’s the sort of thing I’m taking off as a back up as the use by date is so long. You can’t take meat or milk across to France so I just ordered four vegan meals along the same lines with good reviews along with a couple of breakfast meals. Ordered from the sale place that you linked to though.

Keep us posted, loving this

On the basis I presume the 1190 is just a smaller/older version of the 1290 the engine should be good for some big miles. My mate's 1290 is now over 120k miles and going strong.

My understanding is that the engine is pretty reliable but have heard of gearbox failures on occasions.

Do the newer, bigger KTM engines still guzzle oil? My 950 used a lot of oil and I think it was on target to KTMs litre of oil per 1000 miles or suchlike?

I've had a 950, 990, 1190 and 1290 and none used oil.

dern wrote: Mon Apr 24, 2023 2:11 pm I've had a 950, 990, 1190 and 1290 and none used oil.

I was warned about it when I had mine and the forums all mention it?
e.g. https://www.ktmforum.co.uk/threads/lc8- ... ion.40909/

Taipan wrote: Mon Apr 24, 2023 3:00 pm

dern wrote: Mon Apr 24, 2023 2:11 pm I've had a 950, 990, 1190 and 1290 and none used oil.

I was warned about it when I had mine and the forums all mention it?
e.g. https://www.ktmforum.co.uk/threads/lc8- ... ion.40909/

Ok, all I can say is that I didn't notice it being an issue on any of mine. The 1190 certainly didn't use any when I was commuting on it and using it to get to the north of england. None of the others got used to for the same number of miles so that could have been a factor.

Taipan wrote: Mon Apr 24, 2023 2:06 pm Do the newer, bigger KTM engines still guzzle oil? My 950 used a lot of oil and I think it was on target to KTMs litre of oil per 1000 miles or suchlike?

My mate picked some up for his 1290 given the mileage he was doing and facebook stories. So far he's not used any of it. He bought it with 50k on it and it's now on 120k as I said. It's in bloody good nick too esp considering he rides in all weathers and never used ACF, he just washes it once a week. All the leccy suspension and the like still work too.

Supermofo wrote: Mon Apr 24, 2023 4:21 pm

Taipan wrote: Mon Apr 24, 2023 2:06 pm Do the newer, bigger KTM engines still guzzle oil? My 950 used a lot of oil and I think it was on target to KTMs litre of oil per 1000 miles or suchlike?

My mate picked some up for his 1290 given the mileage he was doing and facebook stories. So far he's not used any of it. He bought it with 50k on it and it's now on 120k as I said. It's in bloody good nick too esp considering he rides in all weathers and never used ACF, he just washes it once a week. All the leccy suspension and the like still work too.

I read a bit about it and it seems the burn synthetics more than minerals, but all improve with mileage. My 950sm was frighteningly thirsty on oil but I dunno what the mileage was?

My 950 used lot's of oil and the 1290. It's always been a case of "some do some don't." Fcuk knows why.

Shake down before taking it to France on Thursday and first ride since being hot on the aprilia. Everything works well, including me. None of the luggage shifted. Will take the top box though as it gives me somewhere more secure to put stuff.

Have you tested the ration food yet.?

Dodgy69 wrote: Sun May 07, 2023 7:05 pm Have you tested the ration food yet.?

Nope

I got 5, they look nice.