BMW R1200GS Adventure vs. KTM 1190 Adventure R - Long-Term Test Intro

We couldn’t resist. As soon as we realized these two models were both coming to market in 2014, we sent a flurry of emails to each company asking if we could arrange long-term loans. Then photographer Jeff Allen piped in: “Why don’t we do a long-term, two-by-two comparison and let these bikes go head to head all year?” For a photo guy, that was some smart thinking.

Once the loans were approved by the manufacturers, we decided to spend the year trying out a variety of aftermarket parts and accessories for each, which gives us the unique opportunity of trying similar products from different companies simultaneously and getting double the work done.

To say that these two machines have been popular with our staff is a huge understatement. Even though this is the introduction for these bikes, we have already logged serious miles on both. In true ADV fashion, they have been ridden to the high desert and all over the Sierra Nevada of California for a Cycle World feature, and they went to Moab, Utah, and back with Jimmy Lewis and photographer Drew Ruiz for a big feature in our latest Travel & Adventure issue. Most recently, we rode them south to Baja California to watch Contributing Editor Ryan Dudek compete in the Baja 500. Jeff Allen and Dirt Rider Art Director Joe McKimmy even took along their surfboards (look for an upcoming feature). In just a few short months, both of these ADV bikes are hovering around 4,000 miles.

Right out of the gate, we made some choices to get them through their first couple of adventures. Tires, as always, are the single-biggest performance upgrade for these machines. Since a huge portion of our mileage has been in the dirt, we first spooned on two sets of Kenda Big Block knobby tires ($71 to $124), which were completely bald upon their return from Moab. We followed those sets with fresh Continental TKC80 knobbies ($95 to $183) before our surfers set off for Baja. In off-highway performance, it’s a toss-up between the brands, but the Contis are superior on road.

Since travel is such a huge part of any ADV bike’s life, luggage function and durability are very important. As equipped, the BMW’s aluminum side cases ($1,832.55) and top case proved far superior to KTM’s Touring bags ($1,199.98). As a matter of fact, in aggressive off-road riding, we managed to destroy two sets of KTM’s plastic bags before upgrading to its aluminum cases and bracket kit ($1,357.95). These have proven far better, even holding up to a few off-road tip-overs without issue.

What's next for these machines? To counter the navigation that our BMW came equipped with, we've obtained the brand-new TomTom Rider ($399.95) and Garmin 590LM ($799.99) GPS units to compare. We also need to address the vulnerable lower frame/engine of the KTM and have ordered an AltRider skid plate ($394.97). Other items lined up include auxiliary lighting, Fasst Company handlebars and hand guards, exhaust systems, and more. Stay tuned; the miles are piling up fast.