2017 KTM 1290 Super Adventure R

For all those tempted by experiences far off the beaten track, KTM has put the new KTM 1290 Super Adventure R onto its large, 18 and 21 inch laced wheels.

2017 KTM 1290 Super Adventure R

As the highest-performing fully offroad capable Travel Enduro on the market at 160hp (118kW), The Super Adventure R is ready to back up the promise of its breathtaking KISKA design and authentic rally looks at any time.

Wherever the tarmac ends, the 1290 Super Adventure R becomes the quickest connection between two places. That is ensured by plenty of suspension travel, a fully adjustable WP Suspension chassis and tubeless enduro tires.

At the same time, the most sophisticated electronic assistance package on the market, the Motorcycle Stability Control (MSC) with lean angle sensitive ABS and traction control, delivers maximum safety and perfect control in any riding situation.

A new 6.5in TFT display takes care of optimum rider information, and thanks to the new LED headlights with electronically controlled LED cornering lights, riders will never lack visibility even in the darkest night.

The new KTM 1290 Super Adventure R manages to pull off a feat that did not seem possible: It combines 160hp (118kW) of engine power with genuine cross-country mobility.

What might sound suspiciously like the design parameters of a hardcore, dedicated rally racer is in fact the most potent Travel Enduro to date, for riders with the highest performance expectations – riders who need to remain in control even in heavy terrain, but also wish for comprehensive levels of state-of-the-art safety, comfort and traveling equipment.

For many years, the Salzburg based KISKA design agency has been responsible for the styling of KTM motorcycles. The 1290 Super Adventure R is a prime example of Gerald Kiska’s signature style, as well as proof that the close co-operation between KTM and KISKA increasingly extends to technological and conceptual design work through the unique integration of form with functionality.

For example, the “face” of the 1290 Super Adventure R with its distinctive KISKA looks was created in an especially close collaboration with the KTM engineers.

At its core: A central aluminum carrier for the new LED lights which at the same time acts as a heat sink. Integrated into the lower part of the headlights, the LED cornering lights ensure perfect road illumination at all times, based on the data of the MSC lean angle sensor.

And from the rider’s seat, the new generation is recognized at the first glance by the sophisticated new dash – board with its bright, large TFT color display.

Large laced wheels in 21 inches front and 18 inches on the rear open up a wide range of tire choices to the rider beside the OEM Continental Trail Attack II or Continental TKC 80, all the way up to very knobbly offroad treads.

At the same time, the patented wheels with air-tight rims combine all the advantages of tubeless tires with the extreme ruggedness indispensable for tough offroad duty.

As standard, the Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) checks the tires, automatically warning the rider in case of pressure loss.

Offroad, the rider can also rely on especially rugged and fully adjustable cross-country suspension by WP with a full 220 mm of travel front and rear.

Stiffer springs in the WP upside-down front forks and a progressively damped PDS shock absorber ensure the chassis can take whatever is dished out – pure racing technology.

Extra mobility is delivered by the one-piece offroad seat. At the same time, its cutting edge 3D foam cushions combine outstanding long range comfort with a great feel for what goes on beneath those wheels. Crash bars coated in orange to match the “R” trellis frame and handguards round off the offroad hardware package.

Within the rigid steel trellis frame of the KTM 1290 Super Adventure R, there is a 1,301cc, 75° V twin based on the engine of the 1290 Super Duke R, otherwise known as the “Beast”.

Straight from Formula 1, super lightweight forged box pistons with an extremely hardwearing grafal coating make it highly resilient with a fantastic response.

Compared to the KTM 1290 Super Adventure of MY 2016, its intake has gained newly developed expansion chambers for even more refinement and smoother power delivery especially in the low and mid range.

160hp (118kW) and a dry weight of only 216kg mean the new Adventure bike offers breathtaking dynamism. Many riders will consider the torque delivery even more crucial: Already at 2500rpm, 108 of the maximum 140Nm are available, a figure unsurpassed by any other Travel Enduro which at the same delivers this kind of cross-country mobility.

The riding assistance and comfort equipment of the 1290 Super Adventure R also leaves nothing to be desired. Its core highlight is without a doubt the Bosch MSC package in its top specification with integrated, lean-angle sensitive C-ABS (combined ABS).

For absolute top levels of safe deceleration, it always automatically includes the rear brake whenever the 320 mm twin Brembo front discs in the front wheel are used. The system delivers maximum deceleration on the very limit of what is physically possible even at extreme lean angles.

The perfect complement to that is the Motorcycle Traction Control (MTC) which directly controls the engine’s power delivery, also with respect to the current lean angle.

In addition, there is the KTM ride mode technology with different power delivery characteristics to choose from. Besides the well-known modes “Sport”, “Street”, “Rain” and “Off”, the 1290 Super Adventure R is equipped as standard with the “Offroad Pack” for these electronic systems.

In offroad mode, the ABS will allow locking up the rear wheel at will for controlled slides on lose sur – faces. The ABS function on the front wheel is retained and controlled to a special set of parameters tuned to offroad riding.

On the other side of the envelope, the Motorcycle Traction Control (MTC) will allow up to 100 % of rear wheel slippage for well-controlled drifting. In addition, the new KTM 1290 Super Adventure R also has a convenient standard cruise control.

And with the cutting-edge KTM race on system, the electronic ignition key never needs to leave the rider’s pocket.Options include the “Travel Pack”, among others with the Hill Hold Control (HHC), the Motor Slip Regulation (MSR) and the quick shift+ for up and down shifting.

Also included the “KTM MY RIDE” allows to receive incoming calls on the go as well as listening to music via an audio player function.

2017 KTM 1290 Super Adventure R features:

• Highly developed LC8 V-Twin with newly developed intake expansion chambers
• Max. output: 118 kW/160 hp, max. torque: 140 Nm, Emissions: Euro 4
• Fully adjustable 48 mm PDS shock absorber and upsidedown front forks by WP Suspension with 220 mm of travel
• Brembo braking system with radial 4-cylinder calipers on two 320 mm brake discs front, 267 mm rear disc brake
• Integrated baggage carrier and case carrier for KTM luggage system
• Motorcycle Stability Control (MSC), multi-mode, lean-angle sensitive combined ABS, ride mode technology with three three street modes and one offroad mode, multi-mode, leanangle sensitive Motorcycle Traction Control (MTC), cruise control, Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
• Standard orange crash bars and matching orange coated frame
• Optional KTM “Travel Pack” with Hill Hold Control (HHC), Motor Slip Regulation (MSR), quick shift+, KTM MY RIDE (hands-free kit and audio player)
• High strength wire laced wheels in 21’’ front and 18’’ rear, tubeless type Continental TKC 80 enduro tires for USA, CAN, AUS, ARG, COL and ZAF. Continental Trail Attack II tires for the remaining countries.
• New: Race on system
• New: LED headlights with integrated LED cornering lights
• New: Multi-functional dashboard with 6.5’’ TFT color display made of bonded glass with protective coating, illuminated menu switch
• New: Waterproof mobile phone compartment with USB charger