Motorcycle specifications KTM1290 Super Adventure 2016 Adventure for the Avengers

Over the past few years, maxi-trailers have become a cocktail of touring qualities, off-road composure, car-like electronics and sporty performance. The 1190 Adventure, with its 150-horsepower twin, is one of the most punchy machines in its segment. Yet that wasn't enough for Mattighofen. It's as if an engineer from Katoche had dropped a crazy idea over the coffee pot:"Guys, why don't we fit the engine of the craziest roadster on the market into the Adventure? What's more, it's ours. And even if we had to put watts everywhere, we could put even more equipment on it. That would make a Super Adventure!!!"

he said it all. The motorcycling world has just got used to the fact that a trail bike is now 150 strong, so here's an even beefier version. Those who wanted a concentrated Red Bull SUV are in for a treat. The KTM 1290 Super Adventure is powered by the Superduke R's 1301 cm3 engine. Watts? Everywhere, all the time, tearing out every molar. Fortunately, electronic chips are legion. The Katoche trail bike becomes the most powerful in its category, with 160 hp obtained at a maximum rpm of 8750 - that's 10 hp more than the 1190, reached 750 rpm earlier. Torque? Hardly enough to uproot a hundred-year-old oak. The twin produces up to 14.2 mkg at 6750 rpm. The "little" brother tops out at 12.7, a figure that was already copious. Don't be afraid to put good company, luggage, fridge and caravan on this 1290 Super Adventure. At 2500 rpm, just above idle, the muscle has already reached 11 mkg.

Adventurers rest assured; freebooters calm down. Although the distiller comes from the SuperDuke 1290 R, it has not been grafted onto the trail bike as is. Instead, a few changes have been made to bring its character more into line with the Adventure's philosophy. What's unchanged: cylinders, pistons and connecting rods / What's changed: cylinder head and crankshaft. A heavier flywheel will give the Austrian engine a little more flexibility.

dac, it has the heart of a bull. But KTM didn't just want to make the most vigorous maxi-trailer. The concept is to offer the best of the best: the most powerful, the most equipped, the safest, the best in the category. To knock the Queen 1200 GS off its pedestal.
The strongest: with its 160 horses, it sends 10 more units than its 1190 version, 23 more than a Triumper Tiger Explorer, and 35 more than the BMW GS and Aprilia Caponord.
On the road: it's no easy task to unseat the Behemoth benchmark, whose homogeneity and level of satisfaction are impressive. But the Super Adventure will fuel the debate. Compared to the 1190, Inflation gains everything. It will go further with its 30-liter fuel tank (+7 l), provide better protection with its larger fairing and improved windscreen, which can be rethe list of standard equipment will put many a competitor to shame. Adaptive LED lighting embedded in the tank fenders*, off-road protection bars, offroad spoked wheels, cruise control, luggage rack and rack for suitcases, tire pressure monitoring, multi-point adjustable ergonomics (handlebars, seat height and adjustable footrests).... and there's plenty more in the way of electromechanical added-value.

a processor here, a sensor there, control software, multiply all this from one end of the wheels to the other, and you get a bike equipped like a Mercedes. KTM has pulled out all the stops for this Super Adventure. The WP suspension is the most advanced in its catalog, a semi-active model that adapts continuously. 4 damping modes (Soft / Street / Sport / Offroad) are selectable by the rider. Depending on this choice, the sensors and accelerometer, the central unit adopts the appropriate settings for the fork and shock absorber.
So much for controlled damping, which only a handful of trail bikes currently offer. KTM also offers a range of safety features for its Super Adventure. What does it take? What does it offer? ABS, now a must; traction control with 4 modes + off - choose between Sport, Street, Rain, Offroad and deactivated for the bravest **; MSC, which acts on the strength of the ABS according to the angle taken ; and in the options section, Katoche offers Hill Hold Control, a hill-starting assistance system, and MSR (Motor Slip Regulation), a kind of anti-dribble system that manages engine assistance. Basically, to prevent the rear wheel from locking up if the rider drops 12 gears at once, MSR re-balances the engine and limits the risk of skidding; it also works with MSC to take inclination into account. In short, a self-adjusting engine brake, to complement the mechanical anti-dribble fitted as standard in the twin's clutch.

With all this, you'd almost forget that there's more to a motorcycle than an engine, trendy styling, premium positioning and a ride from Monaco to Marathon. Beneath the dress, the Super Adventure is held together by a chrome-molybdenum trellis frame. Braking is monitored by numerous pieces of silicon, but it's the right hand and foot that do the work, controlling the action of Brembo calipers. Radial 4-piston calipers at the front, classic 2-piston calipers at the rear. Large 320-mm discs at the front and 1 267-mm disc at the rear should deliver segment-leading performance.
In becoming Super, the Adventure has also put on weight. A hefty fifteen kilos, or 229 without petrol on the scales.

with its 1290 Super Adventure, KTM claims to offer "the perfect bike for every outing". Without espousing the official line, we'd like to think that this bike has what it takes. A true Range Rover two-wheeled version. Active and passive safety are omnipresent, as is the desire to go very far. But suitcases are not standard. Some equipment had to be left to accessories. The only thing that will bring back our dreams of expedition and/or Sunday performance is the bill for such an adventurer.

Recall campaign (update February 8, 2019):

Austrian firm KTM has launched a February 2019 recall campaign for its 2015 and 2016 1290 Super Adventure models. The cause is a possible fuel leak in the tank. The manufacturer explained in effect that: "During the manufacturing process of the fuel tank, non-conformities appeared during the molding process, and in some cases, slight traces of fuel at the level of the tank were detected.in some cases, slight traces of fuel were found on the saddle and on the lower screw connection under the fuel tank fairing". If a leak is detected, "the fuel tank is replaced", assures the Austrian manufacturer. If no leaks are detected, a "conversion" kit will be installed to prevent the problem from recurring. Replacing the fuel tank (which is of course free of charge) "takes around an hour and can only be carried out by an authorized KTM dealer", explains KTM, which has also specified that customers affected will be informed by letter, inviting them to contact an authorized KTM dealer. You can also check whether your machine is affected on the KTM website.

M.B
Photos and manufacturer's video

* On the left and right of the fuel tank, adaptive lighting comprises three LED segments linked to an MSC tilt angle sensor. Depending on the angle of inclination, KTM's adaptive lighting can use from one to three segments, giving the rider greater visibility when cornering.

** - Sport: Only for the hotheads: Allows a high level of skidding: drifting sensations guaranteed!
- Street: smooth control for comfortable, unruffled driving with full engine power.
- Rain: early intervention and minimum skidding on wet surfaces, with engine power reduced to 100 hp maximum.
- Offroad: skidding up to 100%, i.e. wheel speeds that can double for ambitious off-road riders. Dare to skid in controlled off-road conditions, with engine power reduced to a maximum of 100 hp.
- Off: Those who think they can do better than the MTC can enjoy maximum propulsion at all times, exactly as they choose, without any electronic assistance.