P94
COMPARISON I 2024 BMW F 900 GS VS. KTM 890 ADVENTURE R
I have zero complaints about any-
thing else. Well, maybe the looks—also
getting old for me. However, the bike
is ergonomically perfect for me (5'10"
and 180 pounds) and balanced better
than anything in the class. The engine
power and electronics package are su
-
perior in delivery and function. Brakes
are good. Range is fantastic. There's
nothing else to compare.
Then there's the new BMW F 900
GS. I've admittedly had zero desire to
ride a mid-sized BMW ADV bike for at
least 10 years. They have all let me
down. Give me the big guy boxer twin
and all that torque or leave me out of
the BMW conversation, thanks. But this
bike. This bike looks good. Just look at
the gold rims! And with the electronics
package and performance potential be
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hind those good looks, I was intrigued.
The motor misses the 890 smooth-
ness and torque for me and signs off
sooner than I'd like. It needs revs and
then doesn't deliver on those revs in
comparison. But it is smooth and easy
to ride without a doubt. Ergonomically,
it's off for me. Comfortable standing,
sure. But with a crotch-jamming seat an
-
gle towards the street and footpegs set
too far back, I was not looking forward
to long testing days in the saddle. Slap a
flat seat on this thing, and I think we're in
business. Also, the handlebars are high.
Really high. Again, great for standing if
you want your hands at your belt line, but
for those of us just under six foot tall,
they are gangly. If you're 5'6" or so, this
bike is going to be a handful.
However, when she moves, the bike
is butter smooth. It gobbles road chat
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ter up with ease and gives the rider a
sense of stability and predictability that
I long for in the KTM. Off-road it is fine.
It handles all but the most aggressive
impacts great but handles all the small
-
er ones better. It is also much more
stable across varying surfaces. From
