KTM 1290 Super Adventure S: There’s something uniquely exhilarating about mounting a motorcycle that delivers power, technology, and versatility in equal measure. The KTM 1290 Super Adventure S stands as a testament to Austrian engineering excellence, transforming routine journeys into memorable adventures.
This flagship adventure touring motorcycle doesn’t just promise thrills—it delivers them consistently while maintaining impressive levels of comfort and practicality.
The Heart of the Beast
At the core of the KTM 1290 Super Adventure S sits a formidable 1301cc LC8 V-twin engine. This powerplant isn’t just about raw numbers—though its 160 horsepower and 138 Nm of torque certainly command respect.
What truly distinguishes this engine is how it delivers its power: a smooth, controllable surge that’s available from just above idle all the way to the redline.
The V-twin configuration provides a distinctive character that adventure riders have come to love. There’s an analog quality to how it builds power, with a throaty exhaust note that adds to the sensory experience.
KTM has refined this engine over generations, and it shows in the seamless delivery and reliability that makes it suitable for everything from daily commutes to transcontinental expeditions.
Technology That Serves the Rider
What sets the 1290 Super Adventure S apart in the increasingly crowded adventure motorcycle segment is its technological sophistication. The motorcycle features a suite of electronic aids that don’t intrude on the riding experience but enhance it in meaningful ways.
The cornerstone of this technology package is the advanced 6.5-inch TFT display that serves as the control center. Bright, responsive, and intuitive, this interface allows riders to access and adjust various settings with minimal distraction.
The system incorporates Bluetooth connectivity, enabling navigation and music control through the KTM MY RIDE app.
Riding modes—including Sport, Street, Rain, and Off-Road—tailor the motorcycle’s personality to suit conditions or preferences. Each mode adjusts throttle response, traction control intervention, and even suspension settings on the fly.
For those who desire greater customization, the optional Rally mode provides additional adjustability for more experienced riders.
Suspension That Adapts to Every Road
The semi-active suspension system deserves special mention. The WP APEX units feature electronic damping adjustment that continuously adapts to road conditions. This system takes inputs from various sensors, monitoring wheel travel, acceleration, braking forces, and lean angle to optimize suspension response in real-time.
What this means in practice is remarkable versatility. The motorcycle can transform from a plush highway cruiser to a sharp canyon carver with the press of a button. When venturing onto unpaved roads, the suspension provides impressive wheel control without sacrificing comfort.
The auto-leveling feature automatically compensates for varying loads, whether you’re riding solo or with a passenger and fully loaded panniers. This intelligent adaptation ensures consistent handling characteristics regardless of how the motorcycle is loaded.
Safety Through Innovation
KTM has embraced technological innovation to enhance rider safety without diminishing the thrill of the ride. The cornerstone of this approach is the Motorcycle Stability Control (MSC) system, which works in conjunction with cornering ABS and traction control.
Unlike conventional systems, these safety features remain effective even when the motorcycle is leaned over in corners—often the most vulnerable moment for riders.
The cornering ABS, in particular, allows for hard braking during cornering without the risk of the motorcycle standing up and running wide.
The 1290 Super Adventure S also features adaptive cruise control, a radar-based system that maintains a preset distance from vehicles ahead by automatically adjusting the motorcycle’s speed. On long highway stretches, this technology reduces rider fatigue while enhancing safety.
Ergonomics for the Long Haul
Adventure motorcycles must excel at covering significant distances comfortably, and the KTM 1290 Super Adventure S delivers admirably in this regard. The adjustable windscreen provides effective protection from wind blast while allowing customization for riders of different heights.
The seat strikes an excellent balance between support for long days in the saddle and freedom of movement for active riding. Heating elements in both the seat and grips extend the riding season into colder months, while the adjustable footpegs allow riders to find their optimal ergonomic setup.
Attention to detail extends to the fuel tank, which has been cleverly designed to maintain a slim profile between the rider’s knees while still offering a generous 23-liter capacity—sufficient for approximately 400 kilometers of range.
Off-Road Capability That Inspires Confidence
While the KTM 1290 Super Adventure S excels on tarmac, it doesn’t shy away from unpaved adventures. Its off-road credentials begin with a robust chassis, featuring a tubular steel frame that balances rigidity with appropriate flex for off-road conditions.
The 19-inch front and 17-inch rear wheel combination provides versatility for a range of terrains. This setup favors on-road performance while still allowing competent off-road exploration.
For those venturing further from the beaten path, the Off-Road ride mode adjusts the ABS and traction control parameters to suit loose surfaces.
Ground clearance of 220mm ensures the motorcycle can negotiate most obstacles encountered on gravel roads and moderate trails.
While it may not match the capabilities of more dedicated off-road machines, the 1290 Super Adventure S offers more than enough versatility for the adventurous touring rider.
Striking a Balance Between Form and Function
KTM’s design philosophy has always emphasized function, but the 1290 Super Adventure S demonstrates that functionality and aesthetic appeal need not be mutually exclusive. The sharp, angular bodywork isn’t merely for show—it directs airflow around the rider and facilitates cooling of the powerful engine.
The distinctive split LED headlight has become a KTM signature, providing excellent illumination while giving the motorcycle an unmistakable face.
The headlight incorporates cornering lights that activate based on lean angle, illuminating the inside of corners for enhanced visibility during night riding.
The available colorways maintain KTM’s recognizable orange, black, and white palette, ensuring the motorcycle is instantly identifiable as a product of the Austrian manufacturer. Despite its substantial size and presence, the design elements work together to create a cohesive and purposeful appearance.
The Ownership Experience
Owning a premium adventure motorcycle extends beyond the riding experience, and KTM has made strides in enhancing the ownership experience. Service intervals have been extended to 15,000 kilometers, reducing maintenance frequency for high-mileage riders.
The manufacturer offers a comprehensive range of official accessories, from luggage systems to protection components and performance enhancements. These accessories are designed and tested alongside the motorcycle, ensuring proper integration and reliability.
KTM’s dealer network continues to expand globally, improving accessibility to service and support. The brand has also embraced digital solutions, with the KTM MY RIDE app providing connectivity features and the ability to record routes and share rides with the KTM community.
The Competition Landscape
The premium adventure touring segment has become increasingly competitive, with offerings from BMW, Ducati, Triumph, and others vying for riders’ attention. In this crowded field, the KTM 1290 Super Adventure S distinguishes itself through its uncompromising performance focus.
While competitors like the BMW R1250GS may offer more refined touring capabilities and the Ducati Multistrada V4 might have a slight edge in outright power, the KTM strikes a distinctive balance that emphasizes the “adventure” aspect of adventure touring.
It retains a rawness and directness that connect the rider to the experience in a way that more sanitized alternatives sometimes miss.
A Machine for the Modern Adventurer
The KTM 1290 Super Adventure S represents a harmonious blend of seemingly contradictory attributes: it’s powerful yet controllable, technologically advanced yet intuitively simple, capable of crossing continents yet nimble enough for spirited canyon carving.
What makes this motorcycle special isn’t merely its impressive specifications or feature list—though both are certainly noteworthy. Rather, it’s how these elements come together to create an experience that elevates every ride, whether it’s a mundane commute or an epic journey.
In an age where transportation is increasingly viewed as a utilitarian concern, the 1290 Super Adventure S stands as a reminder that the journey itself can be the destination. It transforms ordinary roads into playgrounds and turns routine trips into opportunities for discovery.
For the modern adventurer who refuses to compromise on performance or versatility, who seeks thrills without sacrificing practicality, the KTM 1290 Super Adventure S offers a compelling proposition. It’s not merely a motorcycle—it’s a passport to experiences that would otherwise remain undiscovered, a key that unlocks adventures waiting just beyond the next horizon.