Top of the game: KTM 1290 Super Adventure S review
If any manufacturer should be a leading expert on adventure-style bikes, it must be KTM.
The Austrian outfit has won an amazing 19 of the last 22 editions of what is surely the world’s most challenging and demanding off-road race – the Dakar Rally.
Europe’s largest motorcycle manufacturer currently numbers six different models in its adventure-bike line-up – all helpfully including the moniker “Adventure”.
These include engine sizes of 390cc, 790cc, 890cc and 1290cc, the latter featuring in the model we are looking at here – the Super Adventure S.
A majority of adventure bike owners are unlikely to take to the rough stuff very often, if at all, and if they do it it will probably be some fairly gentle green-laneing.
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Riders who fancy anything more serious should look at the more off-road oriented Super Adventure R, as this S model, while cross-country capable, is more geared to the tarmac.
Great looks - Aggressive but classy linesIt certainly looks the part, with a solid, muscular stance and angular, no-nonsense lines.
Although it appears quite high, clever ergonomics and a narrow seat mean, at 5ft 11in, I was easily able to get boots on the floor.
The height is also adjustable and there are lower options available as accessories.
The ride position is upright, commanding and comfortable, with wide, upswept (adjustable) bars.
Nifty - Tilt-adjustable 7in colour TFT dashThe cockpit features a very fancy tilt-angle adjustable 7in colour TFT dash, which you use to control and monitor an impressive range of electronic trickery.
It includes rider modes, semi-active suspension, motor slip control, Bosch cornering ABS and stability control, traction control and tyre pressure monitor.
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The bike also features radar-controlled adaptive cruise control.
This is a major boon on longer, motorway journeys, allowing you to lock on to the vehicle in front, setting the appropriate gap in-between, which the system then accurately maintains.
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It takes a little while to get used to putting your trust in it, but it actually works superbly well and really takes some of the strain out of distance riding.
Superb engine - Sportsbike power with loads of torqueThe 1290cc V-twin is an absolute beauty, sportsbike powerful, with loads of low and mid-range torque and silky smooth ride-by-wire delivery.
The trellis frame and excellent WP Apex semi-active suspension combine to provide superb control and feel through the bends.
Adventure ready - Off-road capable but better suited to the tarmacBraking via Brembo calipers and twin 320mm discs up front is progressive yet super-powerful and the anti-dive function just adds to the already high level of confidence in the KTM’s abilities.
KTM can still be a bit underrated in the UK, but the Super Adventure S proves once again that the Austrian outfit is at the top of the game
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