VISORDOWN’s Alex completed the test this winter on two KTM 1290 Super Adventure machines and achieved a double. In his ‘1290 Double’ he rode both the KTM 1290 Super Adventure S and the rally-ready Super Adventure R version. Both models were conveniently fitted with his attractive LC8 V-Twin, and this his S model was equipped with Radar Assisted Cruise his controls.
As an update to Toad’s launch ride review, it was my turn to get in the saddle for the 1290 Super Adventure S “Live Together” review.
After a few weeks of serious fun with its off-road-minded sibling, the 2021 KTM 1290 Super Adventure R, it’s time to try the road-focused ‘S’ model, complete with the 2021 update of the 1301cc LC8 V-twin motor. rice field. , new semi-active electronic suspension, plenty of tweaks and changes, and of course radar-assisted cruise control.
If you’re a fan of adventure touring, this LC8 V-twin might be singing the perfect melody that will turn your head.With all the updates for 2021, its capabilities have been honed, so it’s time for an orange beast and It’s been a wonderful few weeks.
KTM 1290 SUPER ADVENTURE S PRICE AND AVAILABILITY
First released in 2021, the KTM 1290 Super Adventure S was originally priced at £14,999, but the recent 2023 reveal has replaced this edition with a few more updates and a price increase of £14,999. Increased to £16,699. That’s not to say this 2021 model of his is currently irrelevant.
Color options are the stunning KTM classic orange or discreet black/grey with orange highlights. As you can see in the photos, I had the orange edition for testing and I think it’s a really nice looking bike.
Some comments on social media referred to an ugly faceplate, but I think that’s completely subjective. The beauty in the eye of the beholder and all that.
KTM 1290 Super Adventure S engine
If you haven’t ridden a 1301cc LC8 V-Twin yet, do so. This is a hell of a kit that puts out a ridiculous amount of torque at any speed in any rev range. With 160 bhp and 138 Nm (101 lb-ft) of torque fully unleashed in the sportiest rider mode, you’ll find yourself zipping towards the horizon before you know it.
The 2021 LC8 is 1.6kg lighter thanks to thinner engine cases, new pistons and new oil circuit, updated PANKL quickshifter + gear mechanism and an exhaust upgrade to round out numerous mechanical tweaks and changes has been redesigned to achieve
Two radiators direct warm air away from the rider’s legs (working in conjunction with the tuned bodywork), standard 9300 mile/15,000 km service intervals apply, and 5 rain, street, sport, off-road and optional Equipped with rider mode. A rally that costs hundreds of pounds more.
The Quickshifter+ works well up and down in 6th gear, but I found the lever position to require a very positive kick up/down to fully engage the next gear. you. PASC’s Slip & Assist Clutch also worked very well, delivering a surprisingly light clutch feel.
Considering the huge number of electronic auxiliaries (Lean Sensitive Traction Control with Wheel Slip and Pitch Angle Controller, Bosch Motorcycle Stability Control with Cornering ABS and Offroad ABS, as well as Motor Slip Regulation), the electronic You are looking into a trance. It inspires you to get the most out of your motor, depending on how you like to ride.
I had an incredible amount of fun on this bike. It’s as good for touring miles with two people with luggage as it is a little silly on the local back roads. A very versatile option for adventure tourers.
Ride to Motorcycle Live – Taste of Touring
The bike arrived and after a few local spins my full ‘debut tour’ took place as Motorcycles Live 2022 at the National Exhibition Center in Birmingham. It will be fair in its natural habitat. highway.
Mostly I was looking into radar-assisted adaptive cruise control, and I’ve used it on a few other models before.
Assisted cruise is a controversial topic, but I think it’s a very useful tool. This system is where it helps you maintain a consistent pace with little to no effort. Very beneficial to make some of the tiring long distance slogs a little less tiring.
It works well as an auxiliary tool, but we recommend that you don’t leave the entire ride in your hands. I found it to be accurate. Slow down and accelerate smoothly to the vehicle in front. It also tracks bikes and smartly monitors vehicles ahead of you in your lane around bends. Engineering magic at its finest.
Passing slowing cars in other lanes doesn’t seem too confusing. Also, riding in very bad weather ‘blessed’ on the way from Birmingham and back doesn’t seem to be too disruptive. Nothing seemed to shake the lock on the radar. When the weather was bad, I happily set the tracking distance to ‘long’ and kept a stern eye on what was ahead (a layer of water when you can see beyond the adjustable screen that you seem to be holding). , therefore difficult to see through, despite doing a good job of removing most of the shock when upright),
It’s important to stay focused here as you worry about how easily adaptive cruises will accompany your ride to take some of the tiring element of the process away. so it is important to keep it switched on and don’t settle for sudden developments around you. , and the acceleration and deceleration are adjusted accordingly. But it’s peculiar why you want to “sportily” match the speed of the car in front of you “very close”, not just because you feel the cruise control works faster.
Otherwise, the KTM 1290 Super Adventure S is perfect for touring. The seat height is adjustable between 849 and 869 mm (using the lower seat from the accessories catalog) and with a dry weight of 220 kg it’s quite a heavy, tall beast. Perfect for a 6’3″ rider. If he’s less than 6 feet tall, his feet should touch the ground.
The large 23-liter tank will happily go back 200 miles (approximately 200 miles) between refuelings.
I would definitely take this bike to the European Tour. Definitely need to add grip heating (weird that it’s not standard if you have radar cruise) but instead 180 lbs will incur an additional charge.
KTM 1290 Super Adventure S frame, suspension and brakes
With a chassis overhaul for 2021, KTM engineers fine-tuned the weight distribution with a shorter chassis, new subframe and longer swingarm. Cornering is sharp and stable, partly because he’s moved the steering head 15 mm back and repositioned his section at the front of the engine.
It combines a powder-coated chrome-molybdenum-steel trellis frame with an aluminum swingarm, paired with the excellent WP Apex semi-active suspension. There is also a trick “Suspension Pro” package that allows you to dive into the settings and tweak the individual damping of the fork and shock, as well as auto-adjust preload and on/off-road anti-dive settings.
Suspension travel is 200mm and 220mm front and rear, and we found the 48mm fork to give the front end a very muted character when traveling. It offers an ‘on-rails’ feel that you would never expect from such a big machine.
Braking power is in the hands of Brembo, with twin 320mm discs at the front with 4-piston radially mounted front calipers and a 300mm disc at the rear with a 2-piston fixed caliper. Braking is impressive, and combined with the suspension setup and anti-dive settings, you can have complete confidence in its performance.
I think the KTM 1290 Super Adventure S is the complete package here. It also seems to have better riding performance than other comparable tourers in all departments for a fairly heavy bike.
Features of the KTM 1290 Super Adventure S Tech
KTM is known for delivering superior technology, and this is no exception. A wealth of rider modes, rider assists and other electronic tricks (pairing your smartphone) are all housed in a flashy new 7” TFT display that automatically switches between night and day modes depending on ambient lighting You can set
Rumors of reliability may be lurking in the background, but from a first-ride perspective, the 1290 is a very well-built and highly-specified machine.
As already mentioned, there’s semi-active suspension, a 6-axis IMU with lean-angle sensitive traction control, Bosch cornering ABS, motor slip control, and adaptive cruise. It really has it all, but this means you might spend a lot of time fiddling with rider settings via nice new switchgear. not.
Smartphone integration is possible but means I spent 15 minutes wondering why I can’t connect right away – there’s a small compartment for gadgets in the front (with USB built in) but my iPhone 12 pro max didn’t fit there and can’t be locked. So I tended to throw my keyless ignition key and Mars bar in there while I was out for a drive.
Whether you’re in the “too much tech gets in the way” or “give me all the electronic assistance” camp, KTM tends to be at the forefront of the rider tech debate. All levels of ownership, including optional Suspension Pro, Rally Pack and Tech Pack.
On the one hand, it’s nice to have a bonus feature ready to activate if you need it and not to hit your throat. But the other side is racking their brains over how a bike ships with features that are not only offered for free, but locked behind a wall of pay. All sorts of accessories and touring extras can be added to make this a venerable all-rounder.
Nonetheless, the electronic suite that comes standard here is nice and really adds to the ride. With a wide range of accessory options available, he can further spec-up his dream touring machine.
What I like and don’t like about the KTM 1290 Super Adventure S
what we like
- Excellent LC8 V-twin motor
- Rich in rider tech
- A true all-round tourer
dislike
- Equipped with heated grips as standard!
- Can be awkward for very tall, short riders
- Rumors of questionable reliability can cloud purchasing decisions – long-term testing required!
KTM 1290 Super Adventure S Verdict
Adventure bikes are great, especially for taller riders. If you’re looking for a long-distance tourer that can also let your hair down, this is worth a look.
Overall, the engine is an absolute pleasure to work with. The ride quality is outstanding, the technology is next level, and it definitely has the attitude you’d expect from a KTM machine.
While you may be plagued by rumors of long-term ownership flaws, all electronic components can go wrong, so it’s a good idea to ensure regular maintenance to keep your car in tip-top condition. To do.
But either way, at around £14,999, this is a great option for taller adventure riders. Style, demeanor, ability, I think it’s all there. It ended up being one of my standout motorcycles for 2022. I encourage anyone who can get in the saddle to try it!
Visit KTM’s website for more information (and see if the 2023 model or this 2021 version is worth the extra £1,500). At the time of writing, KTM is offering an additional 1-year warranty on newly purchased new 2023 financing models (bringing the tally to 3 years).
