KTM’s touring/adventurer S model 1290 has been given a massive makeover that helps maintain its place as one of the most exciting motorcycles on any road or dirt road. With more power than mortals need and a host of new tech improvements, the Adventure S will spin beanies and make some superbikes look a bit silly.
The much talked about radar sensor to facilitate adaptive cruise control is present and, while it may seem less a flashy upgrade, the appearance of a new key fob is huge news to anyone who’s experienced the issues associated with the previous model.
2021 KTM 1290 SUPER ADVENTURE S
- Radar Sensor in the headlight for Adaptive Cruise Control
- Reworked rider-focused ergonomics
- New generation of WP Apex Semi-Active suspension
- Euro 5 compliant
- New key fob
- New pistons
- New 23 litre tank
- New trellis frame
- Updated ergonomics
- New handguards
- New 7-inch tilt-adjustable TFT display
- New 6-way switch block
- Service interval of 15,000km
- Improved cooling system
- Redesigned exhaust
- Redesigned transmission
- Slightly lower, height-adjustable seat height
- Reworked windscreen
- Steering head positioned 15 mm further back
- The engine has been rotated two-degrees forward
Joachim Sauer – KTM Product Manager
“The 2021 KTM 1290 Super Adventure S is a sporty bike designed to offer unparalleled riding fun in any terrain. With this model, KTM enters its third generation of big Travel-Enduro bikes for street and gravel adventurers. Collecting feedback from the market, we focused on enhancing rider feeling and ergonomics while introducing groundbreaking advancements, such as the Adaptive Cruise Control, the KTM way. To appreciate the magic of our ACC, you need to consider that the ideal roads to experience the thrilling performance of the KTM 1290 Super Adventure S may lie hours away. With highways in between, ACC will let you breeze through the transit keeping you ready to strike whenever possible. The new generation model will carry you as far, long and as hard as you want while keeping the original KTM DNA strong with its elevated performance potential.”
| ENGINE TYPE | 2-cylinder, 4-stroke, V 75° |
| DISPLACEMENT | 1,301 cc |
| BORE / STROKE | 108 / 71 mm |
| POWER | 118 kW (160 hp) @ 9,000 rpm |
| TORQUE | 138 Nm @ 6,500 rpm |
| COMPRESSION RATIO | 13.1:1 |
| STARTER / BATTERY | Electric starter / 12V 11.2Ah |
| TRANSMISSION | 6 gears |
| FUEL SYSTEM | Keihin EFI (throttle body Ø 52 mm) |
| CONTROL | 4 valves per cylinder / DOHC |
| LUBRICATION | Pressure lubrication with 3 Eaton pumps |
| ENGINE OIL | Motorex, SAE 10W-50 |
| PRIMARY DRIVE | 40:76 |
| FINAL DRIVE | 17:42 |
| COOLING | Liquid cooling |
| CLUTCH | PASC slipper clutch, hydraulically operated |
| ENGINE MANAGEMENT / IGNITION | Keihin EMS with RBW and ACC (adaptive cruise control), double ignition |
| TRACTION CONTROL | MTC (lean-angle sensitive, 4 modes, disengageable) |
| CO2 (GRAM / KM) | 134 g/km |
| FUEL CONSUMPTION | 5,7 l/100 km |
| FRAME | Chromium-Molybdenum-Steel trellis frame, powder-coated |
| SUBFRAME | Aluminium, powder-coated |
| HANDLEBAR | Aluminium, tapered, Ø 28 / 22 mm |
| FRONT SUSPENSION | WP SAT (semi-active technology) Upside-Down Ø 48 mm |
| ADJUSTABILITY | Semi-active |
| REAR SUSPENSION | WP SAT (semi-active technology) shock absorber |
| ADJUSTABILITY | Semi-active, electronically regulated preload |
| SUSPENSION TRAVEL FRONT/REAR | 200 / 200 mm |
| FRONT BRAKE | 2 × Brembo 4-piston, radially mounted caliper, brake disc Ø 320 mm |
| REAR BRAKE | Brembo 2-piston, fixed caliper, brake disc Ø 267 mm |
| ABS | Bosch 10.3ME Combined-ABS (incl. Cornering-ABS and offroad mode, disenengageable) |
| WHEELS FRONT/REAR | Cast aluminium wheels 3.50 x 19″; 5.00 x 17″ |
| TYRES FRONT/REAR | 120/70 ZR 19; 170/60 ZR 17 |
| CHAIN | 525 X-ring |
| SILENCER | Stainless steel silencer |
| STEERING HEAD ANGLE | 65,3° |
| TRAIL | 109,2 mm |
| WHEELBASE | 1,557 ± 15 mm |
| GROUND CLEARANCE | 223 mm |
| SEAT HEIGHT | 849 / 869 mm |
| TANK CAPACITY | approx. 23 litres / 5 l reserve |
| DRY WEIGHT | approx. 220 kg |
