KTM 1290 Super Adventure S Review (2017)
What Is It?
The KTM 1290 Super Adventure S is a premium adventure style bike and is powered by a liquid cooled 1,301 cc 75° V-Twin engine, producing 158.2 bhp at around 8,700 rpm and maximum torque around 6,700 rpm. It's based on the Super Duke R engine and most of the torque is available from 2,500 rpm.
Specs
- Seat Height: Average (860 mm / 33.9 inches)
- Weight: Heavy (238 kg / 525 lbs)
- Economy: Average (45 mpg / 6.3 l/100km / 15.9 km/l)
- Range: High (230 miles / 370 km)
- Power to Weight: High (0.664 bhp/kg / 0.495 kW/kg)
- Top Speed: Very high (165 mph / 265 km/h)
Pros
- Electronics package
- Performance
- Handling
- Sound
Cons
- On the hot side
- Heavy
What Is It Like?
What's Good?
It's a great bike, which handles and performs like a racing bike, yet it's an adventure bike. It theoretically shouldn't, but it does!
Everything is electronically controlled to riding perfection, the power is amazing and the V-twin sounds like a V8 when opened up. It's the S version and feels so right when it hits the dirt, so imagine what the R version feels like when properly set up.
Weight wise it feels like my old BMW F800GS but with better handling. The dash is large, easy to read and can provide navigation via an app on your phone.
Niggles
It runs warm, which is great in cooler months, but might feel like you are being cooked in the Summer. The battery likes to be fully charged, if not constantly in use, or it'll throw a few false codes. Other than that I haven't had any failures.
- Dave B, 2019
Price Guide
Related Bikes
KTM Super Adventure R - Off-road version with wire spoked wheels, smaller screen, engine bars and more suspension travel.
KTM Super Adventure T - Long distance version builds on the R with a huge fuel tank, tall screen, hill hold control and heated grips.
Add Your Review
Do you own this bike? We would love to hear anything good, bad, unexpected or that you have changed plus anything that a prospective new owner might find interesting or useful.
More Info
Check out this video review from TheMissendenFlyer.