[Dirt_Diggler]

Greetings all,

Noob lurker here looking for some steer. I know this thread has been done to death, and I've read most of them, yet I still find myself on the fence. Coming from over 10 years of GSA fairly trouble free ownership, I upgraded to the newer LC model, which then got nicked about 3 weeks later. Insurance thankfully paid out but premiums went up. I now find myself at the end of my 2 year hiatus of cheaper bike ownership and a hankering to get back to dual sport practicality and fun.

Whilst the temptation to go back to a GSA is strong, life is too short to only ride one bike. On paper the SAT looks the obvious choice (fuel tank, pillion comfort, luggage, etc), yet there's something enticing about the R and its simplicity. I'd like to think that I'll do some green-laning or more serious offroading, and the pull of the KTM Rallies (post Covid) is profound. Although I have seen quite a few SATs tackling the terrain with relative ease.

Both models used are around the same price mark (SAT clearly suffering from higher depreciation ), and obviously you get more for your money with the SAT (heated seats, electronics etc), but by the same token more to go wrong. My GSA was the non ESA version, and it was never a hindrance - you don't miss what you never had.

I'm looking to move fairly quickly on this and given current lockdown, test rides are tricky and I'm an impatient f*cker.

Thanks for listening and hope to join the community soon!

 

[desmo666]

I have a 1290 T and 5 years in still to fall in love, previously had a 990 adv and loved every second, quirks and all. I would go for the R, looks better and more fun but both are good bikes as is the BMW.


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[Kestrel R]

If I was going to be doing proper off-roading on a regular basis, I'd get the R. If it was pure tarmac the vast majority of the time with the occasional bit of dirt now and again, I have the SAT.
I wouldn't worry about extra complexity with the 1290. There are no reliability worries that I know of and there's still a lot less tech than on the SAT than the latest Adv models.
Either will make the a GS look like it's going backwards.

 

[Nin101]

The standard seats on the T are bloody uncomfortable, so budget for some ergo seats. The touring screen doesn’t work for everyone.

That aside, it’s an incredibly capable bike that I found to be a better all round option than the 1290 R or GSA that I owned.

The aftermarket luggage options, especially Bumot, are great value and good quality.

 

[Craig-SM]

If you’re just doing roads and prefer the riding position of an adventure bike then go for the SAT. If you want to go off-road the then the R is better

 

[Dirt_Diggler]

Many thanks for the replies. Some food for thought. So whilst the SAT has some off-roading capability, how good is the R on day to day asphalt riding and motorway munching?

 

[PH1969]

The 1190R is very bouncy on the road

 

[Dirt_Diggler]

The 1190R is very bouncy on the road

In a good way?

 

[PH1969]

No

 

[TrouserSnake]

Or just get the 1190 S and fit crash bars and dual sport tyres on it.

 

[nige1]

Or just get the 1190 S and fit crash bars and dual sport tyres on it.

And reach the ground more readily. Usefull when off the tarmac!

 

[PH1969]

Or just get the 1190 S and fit crash bars and dual sport tyres on it.

This is the correct answer if most of your miles are tarmac

 

[TrouserSnake]

This guy will tell you.. S is the one to have..

 

[Large]

The 1190R is very bouncy on the road

What on earth do you mean by bouncy?

 

[Large]

Owned my 1190r for nearly 2 years now, absolutely love it. Road and dirt. A lot of bike for the money. If your big and brave enough, do it!

 

[PH1969]

What on earth do you mean by bouncy?

I had the 1190S then 1190R, now 1290S. Compared to the S the R is bouncy.

 

[It's not Ginger]

The 1190S is more bouncy than the 1290S, butbin a good way, loved my 1190S, and on shitty back roads think it was better than 1290S, but situation reversed on smoother / faster roads.

 

[Dirt_Diggler]

Thanks chaps. Pulled the trigger in this over the weekend. Too good a deal - full zega pannier and toolbox system. Loads of add-ons including Rottweiler etc. 120 mile ride home today in rain and snow. Loving it.