New Long-Range Touring KTM 1190 Adventure Spied
The new KTM model would be a direct competitor of the BMW R1200 GSA.
Spy photos have surfaced online revealing what appears to be a new KTM 1190 Adventure model. The visible changes consist of a larger fuel tank, revised side panels and cowling, more robust crash bars and a larger windscreen with a touring lip.
The new features would improve fuel range, comfort and crash protection, transforming the KTM 1190 Adventure into a more capable round-the-world long-distance tourer. This suggests KTM may be building a direct competitor to the BMW R1200GS Adventure.
Increased fuel range can be a significant advantage when touring in the remote corners of the earth. Only the BMW R1200GS Adventure offers long-range touring capability right off the showroom floor in the liter class Adventure Bike category. With a 7.9 gallon (30 L) tank and a reported average of 38 MPG, the GSA has a range of roughly 300 miles. The current KTM 1190 Adventure with a 6 gallon (23 L) fuel tank and average 34 MPG, is only able to achieve a range of about 200 miles.
There is some speculation that this new model in the spy photos is a replacement for KTM’s upright sport tourer, the 990 SM-T. But the wire-spoked wheels, crash bars and large tank seem to point towards an off-road oriented bike.
The BMW R1200GS Adventure is the more off-road focused model of the big GS line with a larger front wheel and more suspension travel. We would expect this new KTM to follow the same pattern and utilize the 21-inch front wheel and longer suspension travel from the 1190 Adventure R. But the spy photos show the 19-inch front wheel found on the standard 1190 Adventure. It’s possible KTM feels that the standard 1190 Adventure is already superior to the R1200GS Adventure off-road and the larger front wheel and increased suspension travel of the Adventure R is unnecessary.
KTM has not confirmed or denied that this is a new 1190 Adventure model set for release. We will have to wait and see, but it does demonstrate the impressive versatility of the KTM 1190 Adventure. With a few simple changes, a bike that competes with the Ducati Multistrada can become a direct threat to the BMW R1200GS Adventure. Let’s hope that KTM goes through with building this new 1190 Adventure model and creates a lighter more off-road capable competitor to the BMW R1200GS Adventure. We all benefit when there is more choice and competition in the industry.
For more details and additional pictures go to motorcyclenews.com
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