Travelled to the Vancouver Motorcycle Show this past weekend.
Planned after seeing and checking out the fit and finish on a real bike, to return home, go to local dealer and place order.
Sadly, I can't do that.
The bike looked great in it's Red Rally colours, the silver was boring.
They had the Rally up on a bunch of fake rocks like an exhibit.
Was nice to check out components at face-level.
After I fought through the throngs of guys crowding the Honda rep, it was my turn to sit on it.
Felt great. Everything was cool. I transitioned to attack position....and instantly I found the problem: the pegs are wide apart, and the lower tank area is too narrow. You can't squeeze the bike with your legs!
KTM was only 50 feet away, I went over and mounted the 1190R, and did this repeatedly back and forth with the Honda. Without a doubt, they have seriously screwed up the geometry with the AT.
The KTM, you stand up, and your legs, (especially inner knees) rest directly on the downward extensions of the seat....they were aware of this...and obviously it informs the KTM seat design.
With the AT...your knees have to knock-in another 2 inches...and they grind right into the bottom of the gas tank...the seat does not extend downwards creating knee pads.
You would literally have to make knee pads attached to the tank/frame of the AT to ride it effectively standing up. In fact...because of the frame...it actually digs into the inner knees uncomfortably.
So not only does it hurt...but the angle in which your knees must be pushed to make contact with the frame and tank is just unacceptably bad!
I can't believe it.
Before any detractors claim it's my legs that are the problem...I am a highly active off-road rider. I spend 10 hours+ a week transitioning up and down constantly off-road. I am 5' 11", 190lbs. with no physical limitations to speak of.
Very disappointed with this aspect of the AT. It's almost a dealbreaker for me.
If I bought one this year, I would literally have to make some kind of pads to be able to control the bike standing up at speed properly.
Planned after seeing and checking out the fit and finish on a real bike, to return home, go to local dealer and place order.
Sadly, I can't do that.
The bike looked great in it's Red Rally colours, the silver was boring.
They had the Rally up on a bunch of fake rocks like an exhibit.
Was nice to check out components at face-level.
After I fought through the throngs of guys crowding the Honda rep, it was my turn to sit on it.
Felt great. Everything was cool. I transitioned to attack position....and instantly I found the problem: the pegs are wide apart, and the lower tank area is too narrow. You can't squeeze the bike with your legs!
KTM was only 50 feet away, I went over and mounted the 1190R, and did this repeatedly back and forth with the Honda. Without a doubt, they have seriously screwed up the geometry with the AT.
The KTM, you stand up, and your legs, (especially inner knees) rest directly on the downward extensions of the seat....they were aware of this...and obviously it informs the KTM seat design.
With the AT...your knees have to knock-in another 2 inches...and they grind right into the bottom of the gas tank...the seat does not extend downwards creating knee pads.
You would literally have to make knee pads attached to the tank/frame of the AT to ride it effectively standing up. In fact...because of the frame...it actually digs into the inner knees uncomfortably.
So not only does it hurt...but the angle in which your knees must be pushed to make contact with the frame and tank is just unacceptably bad!
I can't believe it.
Before any detractors claim it's my legs that are the problem...I am a highly active off-road rider. I spend 10 hours+ a week transitioning up and down constantly off-road. I am 5' 11", 190lbs. with no physical limitations to speak of.
Very disappointed with this aspect of the AT. It's almost a dealbreaker for me.
If I bought one this year, I would literally have to make some kind of pads to be able to control the bike standing up at speed properly.