It is finally here! Rejoice! After what feels like years of going through spy shots, trying to decipher every detail in these blurry photos the new KTM 1290 Super Adventure S is finally revealed.
KTM took their time to bring this new version to the market. Even in 2019 there were already spy photos released of a production ready bike.
KTM went over the 1290 Super Adventure with a fine comb to improve it from every angle.
But - did they really? The new bike is heavier than its predecessor, 5kg heavier which brings the dry weight to 220kg. Not lighter, heavier!
But surely they improved the engine, right?
Well, on paper it still has the same engine, producing 160 hp, still 140 nm of torque. So what took them so long?
Under the plastics significant improvements have been made - the cylinders have been redesigned to improve reliability, the engine casing is thinner than before and the internal oil passages have been reworked, there is a brand new exhaust system with a hefty end can.
The clutch has also been updated and so has the gearbox to provide smoother gear changes.
The bikes frame has also been redesigned which brings along some changes to the geometry. It remains a steel trellis frame but the steering head has been moved to the back which shortens the wheel base, translating in a more agile bike at low speed but a bit less stable at highway speed.
Seat height has been dropped with one centimeter and has added a "Paris Dakar" fuel tank - it's now a three cell fuel cell - two cells low down each side of the bike and the third cell high in the middle. This is excellent news, as the majority of the fuel is now carried way down low, further lowering the center of gravity of the bike.
KTM hasn't cheaped out at the suspension as well, you get semi-active WP suspension which calculates the damping in real time using various parameters such as throttle position and braking force.
You get three levels of automatic damping - comfort / street and sport with an additional two being off-road and auto which are unfortunately optional. This is something I don't understand, the off-road setting should be delivered as standard - seeing the bike is marketed and made to go off-road. Just look at the KTM press photos.
When it comes to electronics, the new Super Adventure comes packed with it: you get a brand new, 7 inch TFT front panel with phone connectivity, connected by newly designed switch gear which includes some quick select and favorite buttons.
Another addition to the electronic pack is the introduction of adaptive cruise control from Bosch. The radar unit is integrated at the front between the headlights. When cruise control is enabled the system will keep the bike at a certain distance of the vehicles in front. There are five distance settings to choose or you can keep the full radar system turned off and just use the "normal" cruise control. The blind spot system, as seen on similar systems by brands like BMW and Ducati is nowhere to be seen on the KTM, a real shame, as this is the real benefit of the system. This front radar comes as standard, so even if you don't want it - you still get it.
Keyless ignition comes as standard, but KTM has taken it to the next level, with ARA should theoretically protect you from thieves trying to ride away using the key-relay method.
As you have read above, KTM have not been lazy but they have redesigned their flagship adventure bike from the ground up.
It should now be more comfortable, more agile, have more toys but fatter, literally. KTM still has to announce the R version, traditionally the more off-road oriented counterpart, and who knows, maybe that one will be a bit lighter?
