BMW R 1250 GS 2021 vs. KTM 1090 Adventure 2017

BMW R 1250 GS 2021

BMW R 1250 GS 2021

KTM 1090 Adventure 2017

KTM 1090 Adventure 2017

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Overview - BMW R 1250 GS 2021 vs KTM 1090 Adventure 2017

In terms of engine and drive train, the BMW R 1250 GS 2021 is equipped with a Boxer engine, while the KTM 1090 Adventure 2017 features a V engine. The bore of the BMW is 102.5 mm, while the KTM has a bore of 103 mm. The stroke of the BMW is 76 mm, while the KTM has a stroke of 63 mm. The BMW has a higher engine power of 136 HP compared to the KTM's 125 HP. The torque of the BMW is also higher at 143 Nm compared to the KTM's 109 Nm. Both motorcycles have an electric starter, but the BMW has a transmission with a prop shaft, while the KTM has a chain transmission. Both motorcycles have 2 cylinders, but the BMW has a larger displacement of 1254 ccm compared to the KTM's 1050 ccm.

In terms of suspension, the BMW R 1250 GS 2021 has a front suspension with Telelever and a diameter of 37 mm. The travel of the front suspension is 190 mm. The rear suspension is a single swing arm with a monoshock and a travel of 200 mm. On the other hand, the KTM 1090 Adventure 2017 has an upside-down telescopic fork front suspension with a diameter of 43 mm and a travel of 185 mm. The rear suspension is a swing arm with a monoshock and a travel of 190 mm.

In terms of chassis, the BMW R 1250 GS 2021 has a steel frame with a load-bearing engine. The rake of the chassis is 62.9 degrees and the trail is 109 mm. The KTM 1090 Adventure 2017 has a chromium-molybdenum frame with a tubular design. The rake of the chassis is 64 degrees and the trail is 120 mm.

BMW R 1250 GS 2021

BMW R 1250 GS 2021

Both motorcycles have double disk brakes at the front. In terms of advanced rider assistance systems, both motorcycles are equipped with ABS, riding modes, and traction control. The BMW R 1250 GS 2021 also has additional features such as anti-slipping control, hill start assist, cornering ABS, ride by wire, and cornering lights. The KTM 1090 Adventure 2017 has the advantage of being able to switch off the ABS.

In terms of dimensions and weights, the BMW R 1250 GS 2021 has a front tire diameter of 19 inches, a rear tire width of 170 mm, and a rear tire diameter of 17 inches. The wheelbase is 1525 mm and the seat height is 850 mm. The kerb weight with ABS is 249 kg and the fuel tank capacity is 20 liters. On the other hand, the KTM 1090 Adventure 2017 has a front tire diameter of 19 inches, a rear tire width of 150 mm, and a rear tire diameter of 17 inches. The wheelbase is 1560 mm and the seat height is 850 mm. The kerb weight with ABS is 228 kg and the fuel tank capacity is 23 liters.

KTM 1090 Adventure 2017

KTM 1090 Adventure 2017

In terms of equipment, both motorcycles have an adjustable windscreen. The BMW R 1250 GS 2021 also features cornering lights and LED headlights, while the KTM 1090 Adventure 2017 does not have these features.

In terms of strengths, the BMW R 1250 GS 2021 offers great ride comfort and ergonomics, a powerful engine, a great connectivity app, an easy-to-read display, a confident feel in the saddle, practical riding aids, and a versatile chassis that can accommodate every route. It is also described as easy to ride. On the other hand, the KTM 1090 Adventure 2017 has a very powerful and cultivated engine with a wide rev range, performance modes, the ability to switch off ABS, adjustable traction control, agile and safe handling, adjustable ergonomics, a height-adjustable windshield, low weight, and a comparatively low price.

In terms of weaknesses, the BMW R 1250 GS 2021 has a rough overall appearance and gearshifts at low revs can be somewhat clumsy. The KTM 1090 Adventure 2017 is criticized for its outdated optics compared to the new 1290 Super Adventures and its non-adjustable suspension fork.

Technical Specifications BMW R 1250 GS 2021 compared to KTM 1090 Adventure 2017

BMW R 1250 GS 2021
KTM 1090 Adventure 2017

Engine and Drive Train

Engine typeEngine typeBoxerEngine typeV
BoreBore102.5 mmBore103 mm
StrokeStroke76 mmStroke63 mm
Engine powerEngine power136 HPEngine power125 HP
Rpm at Max. PowerRpm at Max. Power7,750 rpmRpm at Max. Power8,500 rpm
TorqueTorque143 NmTorque109 Nm
Rpm at TorqueRpm at Torque6,250 rpmRpm at Torque6,500 rpm
Compression RatioCompression Ratio12.5 Compression Ratio13
Fuel systemFuel systemInjectionFuel systemInjection
Throttle BoreThrottle Bore52 mmThrottle Bore52 mm
StarterStarterElectricStarterElectric
Clutch TypeClutch TypeAntihoppingClutch TypeMultiplate in oil-bath
TransmissionTransmissionProp shaftTransmissionChain
Transmission TypeTransmission TypeGearshiftTransmission TypeGearshift
Number of gearsNumber of gears6Number of gears6
CylindersCylinders2Cylinders2
StrokesStrokes4-StrokeStrokes4-Stroke
Valves per cylinderValves per cylinder4Valves per cylinder4
ValvesValvesDOHCValvesDOHC
CoolingCoolingliquid-airCoolingliquid
DisplacementDisplacement1,254 ccmDisplacement1,050 ccm

Suspension Front

Front suspensionFront suspensionTeleleverFront suspensionUpside-Down telescopic fork
DiameterDiameter37 mmDiameter43 mm
TravelTravel190 mmTravel185 mm

Suspension Rear

SuspensionSuspensionSingle swing armSuspensionSwing arm
Shock absorberShock absorberMonoshockShock absorberMonoshock
TravelTravel200 mmTravel190 mm
MaterialMaterialAluminiumMaterialAluminium

Chassis

FrameFrameSteelFrameChromium-molybdenum
Frame typeFrame typeLoad-bearing engineFrame typeTubular
RakeRake62.9 degreeRake64 degree
TrailTrail109 mmTrail120 mm

Brakes Front

TypeTypeDouble diskTypeDouble disk
DiameterDiameter305 mmDiameter320 mm
PistonPistonFour pistonsPistonFour pistons
ActuationActuationHydraulicActuationHydraulic
TechnologyTechnologyradialTechnologyradial

Brakes Rear

TypeTypeDiscTypeDisc
DiameterDiameter276 mmDiameter267 mm
PistonPistonDouble pistonPistonDouble piston
Shock mountShock mountFloating caliperShock mountFixed caliper

Assistance Systems

Advanced Rider Assistance SystemsAdvanced Rider Assistance SystemsABS, Anti-slipping control, Hill start assist, Riding modes, Cornering ABS, Ride by Wire, Traction controlAdvanced Rider Assistance SystemsABS, Riding modes, Traction control

Dimensions and Weights

Front tyre widthFront tyre width120 mmFront tyre width110 mm
Front tyre heightFront tyre height70 %Front tyre height80 %
Front tyre diameterFront tyre diameter19 inchFront tyre diameter19 inch
Rear tyre widthRear tyre width170 mmRear tyre width150 mm
Rear tyre heightRear tyre height60 %Rear tyre height70 %
Rear tyre diameterRear tyre diameter17 inchRear tyre diameter17 inch
WheelbaseWheelbase1,525 mmWheelbase1,560 mm
Seat HeightSeat Height850 mmSeat Height850 mm
Kerb Weight (with ABS)Kerb Weight (with ABS)249 kgKerb Weight (with ABS)228 kg
Fuel Tank CapacityFuel Tank Capacity20 lFuel Tank Capacity23 l
License compliancyLicense compliancyALicense compliancyA

Equipment

EquipmentEquipmentCornering lights, LED-Headlights, Windscreen adjustableEquipmentWindscreen adjustable

Pros and Cons in comparison

Pros and Cons in comparison

BMW R 1250 GS 2021

BMW R 1250 GS 2021

The GS also impressed us with its versatility during the test in November 2021. We rode the bike on a wide variety of terrain and were once again very satisfied. The motorbike convinces in every situation with its easy handling and practicality. On the other hand, it can also be ridden delightfully irrationally.

Great ride comfort and great ergonomics

Powerful engine

Great connectivity app

Easy-to-read display

Confident feel in the saddle

Practical riding aids

Versatile chassis accommodates every route

Easy to ride

Rough overall appearance

gearshifts at low revs somewhat clumsy

KTM 1090 Adventure 2017

KTM 1090 Adventure 2017

The KTM 1090 Adventure is a huge step away from its predecessor, the 1050 Adventure, towards its bigger sisters. The electronics package with adjustable riding modes, traction control and ABS remains at the already high level, but the engine now has 125 hp, around a third (!) more than the 1050. Almost more importantly, it can now rev freely to over 10,000 rpm and thus offers a more usable rev band. You will hardly find a more balanced bike in the class of still reasonably priced large touring enduros.

Very powerful, cultivated engine with wide rev range

performance modes

ABS can be switched off

adjustable traction control

agile and safe handling

adjustable ergonomics

height-adjustable windshield

low weight

comparatively low price.

Optics seem outdated by the new 1290 Super Adventures

suspension fork not adjustable

Price Comparison Avarage Market Price BMW R 1250 GS vs KTM 1090 Adventure

There are a few key differences between a BMW R 1250 GS 2021 and a KTM 1090 Adventure 2017. In terms of price, the actual average price of a BMW R 1250 GS 2021 is about 102% higher. Compared to KTM 1090 Adventure 2017 there are more BMW R 1250 GS 2021 bikes available on the 1000PS.de Marketplace, specifically 66 compared to 8. It takes less time to sell a BMW R 1250 GS with 55 days compared to 77 days for a KTM 1090 Adventure. Since model year 2019 1000PS.de editors have written 50 reviews for the BMW R 1250 GS and 7 reviews for the KTM 1090 Adventure since model year 2017. The first review for the BMW R 1250 GS was published on 19/09/2018 and now has more than 305,600 views. This compares to more than 32,200 views for the first review on KTM 1090 Adventure published on 12/10/2016.

Price BMW R 1250 GS

Model year
Current average market prices

Price KTM 1090 Adventure

Model year
Current average market prices

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