KTM 1390 Super Adventure R 2026 — Specifications

What creature can fell a tree in the morning, shatter a rock in the afternoon, traverse a country in the evening, and wash itself with sand at night? That’s the ambition of the 1390 Super Adventure R. KTM pushes the boundaries and specificities of the steroid-enhanced trail bike even further. It’s as if conquering journeys is no longer enough for it; it now wants to massacre them.

This highly-vitaminized motorcycle delivers on that ambition with increased power. Why not! There was already a huge dose of muscle with the 1290’s 160 hp. Apparently, that wasn’t enough: the Super Adv’ family moves to an even more generous twin with 1350 cm3 of displacement and a variable valve timing system. The benefit is significant, with 13 extra horsepower and increased torque. The machine now boasts 173 horsepower at 9,500 rpm.

Mind-blowing. Let’s not even talk about the torque. It would knock down a sequoia before the clutch even starts to slip with its 15 mkg. But that’s not enough for this new generation. With the Camshift system shifting the intake cams at a given RPM, the large twin is designed to be more usable in the typical rev range. Then, past 6,500 rpm, the configuration changes in milliseconds to draw in more air-fuel mixture and boost the cavalry’s charge. You’re getting the picture: the Super Adventure fears nothing in its domain. Perhaps the hypersport trails like the M 1000 XR or the Multistrada V4 RS... But they only know the road or the track; the KTM strives to bring its performance off-road.

Its large crash bars show its ferocity. KTM takes the opportunity to reinforce them. They, along with the very “rally team spirit” graphics, are the main distinguishing feature from the Super Adventure S. Between the GT-oriented model and this more expansive R, a good series of elements affirm the adventurous nature: spoked wheels, Bridgestone AT 41 mixed tires, 20 mm of extra suspension travel, a single-piece seat, a shorter windscreen for better visibility of the road ahead and obstacles, and of course the frame painted orange like all Mattighofen R models.

Since the 1290, the bike has gained 3 kilos, but its formidable horsepower increase more than compensates for the weight gain. It has also gained a more complicated but no less tortured face, a luggage rack, a wider handlebar, a stiffer frame, lowered footpegs by 8 mm, a new Brembo master cylinder, and a new 8.8-inch color TFT screen that pivots 90° for a more “road-book” view.

Although the Super Adventure R and S share the same heart and identical backbone, they don’t share the same suspension setup. The Adventure is better realized with non-adjustable elements, with experience and manual adjustments. No servo motors or electronics in the WP components present here, designed for muscular use on challenging trails. The 48 mm XPLOR inverted fork with air chambers and the XPLOR PDS shock are, of course, adjustable in all directions. The wheels also think about all the difficulties to come and adopt a perfectly off-road profile, with 110 mm on 21-inch front and 150 mm for 18-inch rear. And to think this poor tire will have to absorb the impact of a hypersportive.

Although the Super Adventure R has an even more insane breath and affirmed guidelines for venturing far from paved roads, it’s important not to forget that it’s a large-format machine. With an 880 mm seat height, 231 kilos to which you must add 23 liters of fuel and power at all levels, the Austrian is clearly aimed at warriors, adventurers with a fairly defined technical level, or enthusiasts of large-format trail bikes who won’t push it to its extremes.

Before getting there, you’re going to have to thwart the efforts of the electronics. Abundant, at all levels, multi-sensitive, it monitors the Super Adventure R with traction control, cornering ABS, Riding Modes Street, Sport, Rain, Offroad and Custom (calibrating ABS, MTC, HHC, throttle response and engine braking) and features small bonuses like two USB-C ports, a cruise control system, the KTM Connect multimedia system, tire pressure monitoring and keyless ignition.

There’s even more for fans of safety and/or technology, in the options corner. Like the Rally riding mode, a quickshifter, hill-hold control, adaptive brake light and a front radar system. The latter enables adaptive cruise control, collision warning, automatic emergency braking and minimum distance alerts.

More than 15 years ago, the large Adventure has been declining in R version. Even further back in time with its S designation. The basic idea has not changed but its power has become surreal. A true machine of conquest, with a level of technology far removed from the sense of resourcefulness.

M.B. - Manufacturer photos

Announced for late 2024, the 1390 Super Adventure R will not be put into production until October 2025 – it will thus attack directly in the 2026 model year.