KTM 1090 ADVENTURE R VS. HONDA AFRICA TWIN
SHOOTOUT
P94
screen is sadly unadjustable and
deflects wind right into your face
if you're over six feet tall.
By comparison, the KTM
feels a bit like a caged animal.
The new 1050cc engine doesn't
at all feel inferior to the Honda
in terms of overall power—it'll
gobble up the miles just as eas-
ily as the Honda—but you can
tell the tarmac is not where the
KTM's heart lies.
You don't miss the extra
capacity of the old 1190 on the
road; 1050cc is plenty for this
type of machine as it's got more
than enough power to get you
out of any sticky tarmac situa-
tion, and makes you question
what the point is in having 150
horsepower on an adventure
bike (here's not looking at you,
1290 Adventure R). The 1050
also radiates a lot of heat at the
traffic lights. The Honda doesn't
suffer this issue, and we can
only put this down to the fact
the rear cylinder in the KTM's V-
configuration sits just below your
butt. The 1290 Super Duke has
the same problem.
The skinnier seat and stiffer
suspension of the KTM—one of
the primary areas of focus for
development rider Quinn Cody—
don't allow the 1090 to offer as
much comfort as the Africa Twin
when heading down the free-
way, but the shorter screen of
the KTM is a win over the Africa
Twin, as it deflects wind straight
into the rider's chest, rather
than buffetting his head to bits at
speed.
Neither bike is a standout on
tarmac twisties, especially with
the TKC tires fitted. The Africa
Twin holds a slight advantage
over the taller KTM here—it's a
bit more stable and fluid in direc-
tion changes—but it's not a big
The Honda feels
quite at home on the
tarmac and not as
edgy as the more
dirt-orientated KTM.
