Substantial digit protection

Standard KTM hand guards don't have metal inserts although these are available from the power parts catalogue.  

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Had Touratech jobs on the BMW.  Touratech advertise the fact that there is no metal support saying that the hand guard can be pushed back in place if it gets dented.

I went for the reinforced hand guards on the KTM as write ups on the old 1190R suggested that standard KTM hand guards (without metal reinforcement) might snap and would probably take the end of the lever with them.

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I quite liked the black and white colour scheme of the Barkbusters, thought it went well with the bike.

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The small black insert on the top of the hand guard can be adjusted with a low and high setting (high setting in picture).  The lower setting is lower than standard KTM and can let more draft up your jacket sleeve. Nice on a hot day.  The higher setting should give a bit more weather protection.

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July 2017 update - First fall on the 1090, boo.  Barkbusters saved the clutch lever I'm sure.  Reinforced my decision to buy something a little more substantial.

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Click image to see video.

Useful as no centre stand

1090 Adenture R does not come with centre stand as standard.  Weight and cost saving. Happy to have weight saving so didn't go for a centre stand.  Adjusting and lubricating chain easier with centre stand.  

Luckily I had an old centre stand from my sport bike days but needed some cotton reels/swing arm bobbins to use with it. 

KTM swingarm comes with pre threaded holes on either side ready for cotton reels.

R&G do a decent set for around £25.  Could have had orange or black but didn't feel the need for orange bling in this department.  

Arrived quick, easy to screw in and work well for lifting rear wheel off the ground.

Extra Weight Saving and looks good

Bit of a luxury really for the price but overall package deal meant it was achievable.  

I like the look and 4Kgs weight saving (probably offset by the tougher sump guard). Should sound a little bit different to the standard end can too (click image to see video).

Good for taller riders

Test riding the basic Adventure made me realise some bar risers would be good.  

Having tried these on the GSA and reading reviews that taller riders would benefit from risers on the KTM I opted for some KTM optional extras from the Power Parts catalogue.

Think the ones I have chosen are the tallest they do - 52mm.  Possible KTM 10mm extension blocks available and to be installed if available at first service.

Off road tyres

Not so much a modification as worth a mention that these bad boys are OE fitment for a new 1090 Adventure R.  I've ridden on them previously on a BMW 1200 GS and they seemed OK on and off road.  Reviews suggest that they should be a good dual purpose tyre with good road and off road capabilities.  

Having had chance to do a few green lanes I can say that the mix of bike and tyre all provide significant more confidence than a BMW GSA.  BM 18 inch front 110/90 and TCK70 vs KTM 21 inch front 90/90 and TKC80.  BM set up better for road use.  KTM better for off road use.  

KTM still manages well for quick road runs.  TKC80s limited to 100mph but running in and small screen mean this isn't a problem in the slightest.

and KTM support bracket

Whilst the GSA had a Navigator V attached to it I felt obliged to sell with the bike.  With it's integrated controls, BMW badging and to help sell the bike it made more sense.  So now I needed another one.  Hadn't realised quite how expensive they were !  

Bought supply and fit from the dealer who did me a better price than Amazon's best price and we managed a further discount off the whole bike purchase package which made it feel less painful....plus I have a nice new one now.  

Went with Garmin as this was the same as the Navigator 5 so hopefully my saved 'Basecamp' maps will be transferable.  Once fitted established maps are transferable which is great.  

Was hoping to get some topo maps but Garmin don't make topos for Zumo so would mean a different unit.  Garmin do a Montana 680t and topo map and whilst would fit and looks to do an excellent job of a 2nd satnav is a bit pricey at around £800 fitted.  Not been able to feel comfortable spending that sort of cash just yet.  Will have to save up !

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The KTM support bracket is good.  Nice and tidy and allows an element of up and down swivel once installed.  Handy when standing or sitting on the bike to make the screen visible either way.

Standard Fit on 1290

Got to keep my chilly digits warm!  

3 settings all obtained from right hand computer settings.  I've added to favourites and made first item on there so flicking between off, low, medium and high is quick and easy.  Seem to feel the need to flick this option around the most.  

Second on the favourites is ride mode so can quickly and easily switch between street, rain and offroad.  Haven't tried Sport yet as still running in.  Used Street the most.  

Used rain on the way home after picking bike up as tipped it down all the way home for 2 hour run. New nobby tyres in the rain, took it carefully and rain mode did the rest.  No dramas.  

Offroad gives a lower bhp, less aggressive throttle and allows bit less traction control (shame I forgot to set this before I went through the ford !, just got through before traction control in street mode ground me to a halt).

KTM Rad Guard

The bike has a single large radiator at the front.  Protected by plastic slats I thought the optional extra metal grill would provide added protection.  Didn't look too heavy either.

After dealer fit realised the plastic one had to come off to make way for the metal one. Not sure I've achieved much more as the plastic one is about as good as the metal one.

Probably not worth doing although an orange option might have been a bit more tarty if farkling required.

Off road/standing grip ensured

Wider and no plastic to OE kit.  

Reviewers say these make a big difference when standing up for any period of time.  

Came as standard on the GSA and I liked them.  

The length of runs I do mean that long riding foot peg vibrations don't really exist so a need for rubber inserts are not required.  Once fitted became apparent these are longer than standard and unfortunately stick out just where my legs dangle.  Does make a stretch to the floor marginally longer.  I'm 6'2" and depending on gradient can be on tip toes.

Orange Bling

Meant to save a bit of weight and be longer lasting but I can't lie, I wanted some orange bling ! 

KTM optional replacement for the basic plastic version

Thought a bigger sump guard would be a good idea if I was going to try a bit more rough road adventuring.  KTM optional extras included this bad boy.  

A bit more weight (boo) but better protection (thought it was well worth the trade off).  Like the KTM logo and do get a good feeling of engine sump safety.

Standard Kit

Whilst a cost saving over the 1290 Adventure R the 1090 does come with some decent kit as standard. 

The weight and cost saving were the primary objectives for me and the 1090 R provided this over the 1290.

Reviews also suggested it was the more off road orientated bike because of the weight.

The standard bike comes with WP suspension (probably the most highly praised item of the new bike according to the reviews), tougher wheels than the 1190, slightly lighter than the 1190 (no centre stand and internal engine mods), just as much torque but at lower revs, heavier crank, ABS and traction control.  

Various rider modes switch between sport, road, enduro and rain.  

Orange crash bars are a standard fit and have been a feature of the 'R' models for some time.