Behind the scenes: Filming KTM's new 1090 Adventure R and 1290 Super Adventure R

There are grueling schedules and timelines with even some of the simplest productions. Things always go wrong. There are never enough hours in the day and the sun always sets too soon. Things break (although it’s easier when those things are machines and not people).

Making it look easy, however, is paramount. 

Since the release of KTM’s 1190 R, the Austrian manufacturer has been releasing videos showcasing its off-road prowess. It’s clear the genius behind KTM’s marketing is to make you to believe that riding large ADV bikes off-road is as easy as taking one to the grocery store on your way home from the office. Insider tip: It’s not.

Last week at Intermot, KTM unveiled two new 2017 ADV bikes geared toward off-road riding. The 1290 Super Adventure R will replace the 1190 Adventure R and the 1090 Adventure R will be introduced to the United States for the first time as KTM’s “middleweight” contender as it “only” produces 125 horsepower. A few days later this video was released.

What’s cool about this is the fact that it shows the audience a little bit of the behind the scenes action of what a day of filming one of these videos looks like. It also helps when you have professional riders to flog these bikes off-road like they’re riding 350 EXC-Fs.

If you’ve never ridden a big bike off-road, it’s something that takes a lot of work to master. I practice every chance I get and I still have a long way to go. The folks I know who are really good are the ones out there all the time pushing their bikes a little further and crashing a little harder every time. They’re constantly learning.

I can speak from experience when I say it’s not easy, but damn if it’s not fun. Lemmy is constantly trying to get me to buy a smaller dual-sport bike and abandon my larger ADV machine. He thinks I am making way too much work for myself, wrestling large bikes around off-road. Personally, I’m a glutton for punishment and I honestly enjoy the challenge.

But it’s also something that anyone out there can learn how to do. There might be easier alternatives, but it’s also super rewarding when it all starts to click. It just might take a lot of practice before you can ride your new KTM around like the gents in this video.

If you need some good advice on crash protection, just let me know.