KTM 1290 Super Adventure S

KTM has picked the 1290 platform and has given it a suitable adventure touring personality with the 1290 Super Adventure S. This flagship adventure tourer justifies its range-topping positioning with large dimensions and bulky-looking bodywork, which looks purposeful, and the colour options in which it is available makes it even bolder in appearance.

The tall-positioned front fascia of the KTM 1290 Super Adventure S comprises an inverted U-shaped all-LED headlamp with tapered upper corners. This headlamp unit has boomerang-shaped daytime running LEDs with contrast orange accents on the upper corners, while also coming with a radar sensor in the lower central part for advanced riding assistance technologies. The huge-looking headlamp unit is complemented by a tall-mounted, X-shaped transparent windscreen, while the motorcycle also gets a compact fender over the front wheel.

The side profile of the KTM 1290 Super Adventure S is the most muscular-looking angle of the adventure tourer, with the motorcycle having a massive fuel tank that extends downwards while partially covering the engine. This fuel tank merges with the front fascia of the motorcycle via a semi-fairing, which also surrounds the front-mounted radiator. The engine and trellis frame of the KTM 1290 Super Adventure S are partially visible at the bottom, with the motorcycle having sleek-looking side body panels that flow backwards towards the tail section. 

With split seats offered as standard, the KTM 1290 Super Adventure S has a rather slimmer tail section when compared to the massive front fascia of the motorcycle. Towards the rear, this adventure tourer comes with long and functional split pillion grab rails with mounts for panniers and a compact LED tail lamp, with a top rack above it for mounting the top box. With backlit switches and handlebar crash guards on offer, the KTM 1290 Super Adventure S also gets a large and comprehensive 7-inch full-TFT instrument console behind the transparent visor which offers multiple display modes and a whole host of information while on the go. 

One of the most advanced suspension systems for adventure tourers, the KTM 1290 Super Adventure S’ WP-sourced combination – 48mm upside-down telescopic forks at the front and a mono-shock at the rear – features semi-active suspension technology with electronically-controlled magnetic valves for variable damping. This fully adjustable suspension setup can be upgraded to the optional Suspension Pro package, which allows the rider to change the settings of the suspension system from the instrument console, along with multiple riding modes. The KTM 1290 Super Adventure S also comes with a WP electronic steering damper, MITAS Terra Force-R tyres with dual 320mm front discs and a single 267mm rear disc for braking. 

The KTM 1290 Super Adventure S shares its four-stroke, liquid-cooled, V-twin, LC8 engine with the 1290 Super Duke R and 1290 Super Duke GT. However, this 1301cc engine has been tuned to match the character of the 1290 Super Adventure S, and in this detuned state, it delivers 160 PS of maximum power and 138 Nm of maximum torque. The 6-speed transmission on offer as standard is also accompanied by an assist and slipper clutch and quickshifter+.

Being a flagship adventure tourer, the KTM 1290 Super Adventure S is loaded with safety features, the list of which includes radar-based adaptive cruise control, dual-channel cornering ABS, keyless ignition with anti-relay attack, motorcycle stability control, tyre pressure monitoring system, motorcycle traction control, off-road ABS and traction control, and more.

The KTM 1290 Super Adventure S offers a full-blown adventure touring experience with its tall and muscular design, explosive performance from the V-twin 1301cc engine and a host of riding aids and premium suspension setup on offer, all of which combine to deliver a wholesome touring and off-roading experience.