The all-new KTM 1290 Super Adventure R is here and boy are we excited. This flagship adventure bike from the Austrian manufacturer comes to the market with a host of new updates and changes. Starting with the chassis and body the fuel tank now sits quite low on the flanks similar to that of the 790 Adventure. This lower fuel tank helps with weight distribution and lowering the center of gravity this should make the bike even more nimble than before. They have also made the chassis a bit slimmer to make it easier to grip and move around in the rough stuff.
The steering has sharpened by moving the steering head back by 15mm. The swingarm has also been lengthened for stability under acceleration. That 3 part fuel tank now holds 23l of petrol. Those of you with shorter stature might be saddened to know the seat’s height of 880mm making it a stretch to the ground. The new 1290 makes use of a reworked 2021 WP suspension. It uses 48mm front forks boasting 220mm travel and a split damping function. The rear uses a WP PDS rear shock with 220mm as well.
Tech Fest.
No real surprise the new 1290 comes loaded to the hilt with fancy electronic wizardry. Firstly it makes use of a new 6-axis lean angle sensor provided by Bosch. This is used to manage traction control, motor slip regulation, stability control and the offroad ABS which great for those who have limited ability or experience. For those of you with Chris Birch like talent will be pleased to know that the systems can either be tweaked or turned off completely. There are 5 distinct riding modes – Rain, Street, Sport and the optional Rally mode. All modes can be charted using the new 7″ TFT display said to be more user friendly now. Coupled to the new connectivity unit and linked to your phone via the KTM MY RIDE app you can have access to turn by turn navigation.
The Heart of the Beast.
The new 1290 relies on the tried and tested LC8 V-twin however it has been slightly reworked to reduce weight. Weighing in at 1.6kg lighter than before the reworked version pushes out 160hp at 9000rpm while peak torque of 138nm is available at 6500rpm. Best in class power figure I might add. The motor is also Euro-5 ready now. Other changes include a new split radiator with improved airflow guiding heat away from the rider’s legs. The airbox has also been reworked making it easier to access the air filter. KTM claim a fuel consumption figure of 5.7l per 100km however I fear this will be much higher based on the way the bike wants to be ridden. Service intervals are also set at 15,000km. There is an optional quick shifter available but I felt that this should be a standard fit considering the bike’s price point.
Some of the convenience features on the bike include keyless ignition, tire pressure monitoring system. The controls on the handlebars have been significantly been reworked to make them way more intuitive to use. Overall the New KTM 1290 Super will continue to be the compelling adventure package it has always been. Sales for the new one stat on March 2021 in Europe with North America getting theirs in the Fall.
