Motorcycle Explorer July 2016 Issue 12 | Page 140

Ergonomics Forget entry level anything when looking at KTM because I’m of a generation where entry level meant diesel car and this was when you did not have to put on a seat belt by law and fuel injection was only in science fiction. The diesel cars never got a tachometer or power steering and you just had a radio, not one of those fancy cassette players that would stop at the next song for you. That in my mind is ‘entry’ level but the KTM 1050 Adventure gives you the same top end styling for wind cutting and an adjustable windshield operated by a simple but sturdy clamp for +25mm range. At 6ft 2” or 188cm I had no issues with wind in the face and with a full-face lid plus ear plugs it was a gentle and quiet affair when plodding along. You get all the limb and posture changing options you could want with the 1050 from the twin handlebar clamps rotating +/- 10mm, the foot rests move diagonally by 10mm and your levers have 5 settings for the reach. You can of course purchase lifts for the bars if you want to take it further depending on what set up you like. All these minor adjustments add up to a huge amount of difference in the feel of your ride and it can never be over stated how important it is to set your bike up for you. The dash is easy to read with a dual screen set up and the buttons on the handlebars are nice and big for a gloved thumb to be able to adjust without any issue. Rear view is via two circular mirrors that offer a good view after some tweaking, I’d of preferred bigger mirrors to be honest but what I had was not an issue and I’ve always done lifesavers regardless of what any mirror tells me is or isn’t there.