KTM 1290 Super Adventure R 2024 — Specifications

What’s the ultimate test for an Austrian trail bike? Looking good on paper for off-road performance, yet being outmatched by the Bavarian neighbor who doesn’s accumulate Enduro victories… So, to finally tip the customer’s decision in its favor, KTM puts the pedal to the metal with the KTM 1290 Super Adventure by adding an R to its name.

Sporty Heart, Tractor Soul

Before delving into the hardware or the chassis, I want to address the highlight of this 1290 Super Adventure R: its engine! Bursting with torque and power, it would almost make some sports bikes pale. Now compliant with Euro5 standards, the LC8 V-Twin (which actually displaces 1301 cm3) delivers no less than 160 hp at 9,000 rpm and a torque of 138 Nm at 6,500 rpm. That’s a lot, it’s true, yet in terms of engine torque, BMW still does better with 149 Nm at the same rpm. However, the benchmark for power is widely beaten, limited to “only” 145 hp. When surfing at high speed off-road, the KTM can count on its maximum power delivered 1,250 rpm later than the BMW R 1300 GS, a sharp character? Perhaps…

For this R model, KTM has lightened the engine slightly with new crankcases, among other things. The final gain is 1.6 kg on the LC8 block. Austrian engineers have also pushed the adventure vice by facilitating access to the air filter, housed in a new enclosure that simply needs to be unscrewed to access filter maintenance. Convenient when roaming in the desert and regularly removing sand. The filter itself has also been revised to facilitate cleaning with new grooves.

The engine's interior has also been revised with new pistons or internal surface finishes (diamond-like on the camshaft bearings or a Grafal coating to reduce friction on the piston skirts). KTM announces a new, reliable engine with service intervals every 15,000 km, enough to see the long-distance riders through. The gearbox has also been optimized and can optionally receive the Quickshifter+. This shifter allows you to shift up (or down) gears at full throttle without touching the clutch.

This engine is announced for an average consumption of 5.7 L/100KM

With such energy, it’s better to have a few guardrails

KTM understood that its engine delivers a lot of power and rips up the asphalt… and that the fifty-year-old capable of affording its super trail may not have the talent of its MotoGP-registered pilots. So the Austrian engineer is nice!

The new KTM 1290 Super Adventure R receives numerous electronic riding aids. Thus, we can cite: four riding modes: Rain, Road, Sport and Offroad. A 5th mode is even available as an option. Called Rally, it allows you to push the adjustment of the aids over a wider range of possibilities (9 levels of adjustment). The two Rally and Rain modes limit the engine to more or less 50% of its capabilities to make it more docile.

The 6-axis 5D inertial unit offers traction control, stability control, and torque control on the angle, to avoid major grip losses on the angle when conditions are not optimal. The unit also assists the offroad ABS. In these off-road phases, the ABS only works on the front, releasing the rear (which can therefore be placed in the brake).

Even if it is not theoretically intended for this playground, for the long ribbon of asphalt called the highway, the Super Adventure R receives a cruise control.

Still in the gadget chapter, the Austrian beauty benefits from a keyless start system called RACE ON Remote with a data piracy prevention system to avoid copying. The 7-inch color TFT screen can also manage Bluetooth telephony.

Surprise: real suspensions!

For the chassis, KTM first took care to revise the frame. Steel is laser-cut or uses forged elements here. The steering column has been moved back 15 mm for a more compact, more maneuverable frame. Meanwhile, the new, pressure-cast aluminum open-lattice swingarm is extended to stabilize acceleration and promote traction. The rear frame loop has also been redesigned and carries the seat height to 880 mm: Snow White will therefore ride without the dwarves. Even if the whole thing resembles the Eiffel Tower, KTM has thought that it was necessary to lower the center of gravity, or at least try to contain it at an acceptable level. Thus the large 23-liter tank is in 3 parts and positioned lower.

The big grasshopper is particularly well damped with mechanical suspensions, simple and without electronics. It receives the best of the WP XPLOR range. The 48 mm front fork is fully adjustable (settings accessible at the top of the fork tubes), offering a 220 mm stroke. You can adjust compression, rebound or preload. The rear damper comes from the same range and offers the same 220 mm stroke. These stroke values are almost identical to those of a BMW R 1250 GS Adventure. The two can settle the score on broken ground to see which one climbs best. The damper is also adjustable "by hand" in rebound, compression or preload.

Important part for an off-road type motorcycle: the wheels are Alpina with 21 and 18 inch spokes shod with Bridgestone A41 tubeless (90 front / 150 rear). Its Super Adventure S sister is content with a 19-inch front rim but is more touring-oriented on the road.

At the heart of these wheels, we find a double 320 mm disc braking system, radial Brembo 4-piston calipers. The rear has a single 267 mm disc pinched by a double piston caliper. The ABS is entrusted to Bosch in its 10.3 ME version.

Nun's Habit

Stylistically, the R takes up the design codes that appeared with the Super Adventure S. The full LED headlight gives it a recognizable identity at first glance. This ultra-modern look is quite pleasant to look at and the eye will notice a few differences with the S. Thus, goodbye the large bubble, the R benefits from a small deflector. The handguards are still present and you will notice just below the generous tubular engine guards. The engine guard is more generous than the bubble and will effectively protect the bottom of the motorcycle.

Behind the fairing, the adventurer (the dormant one in you) will find a clever waterproof compartment for a telephone with a USB socket.

Prices: bring out the big check!

This makes it difficult for this exciting machine to have a great commercial career! Displayed at 22,199 euros (excluding options), the Austrian is an elite trail bike. The Austrian manufacturer did not even think of being even a little less expensive than the great rival BMW R 1250 GS Adventure.

For this price, you won't even have the choice of colors since the Super Adventure R is only available in this color that some will find flashy: blue/white/orange.

Vincent Beaucousin - Photos manufacturer