In a liter-class ADV segment dominated by street-oriented machines, the KTM 1190 Adventure R stands apart with a clear focus on off-road performance. It leads the class in important off-road features like suspension travel, ground clearance and wheel size, and it’s also one of the lightest bikes in the top category. At 518 pounds (235kg) fully fueled it’s still a relatively large motorcycle for off-road use, but that hasn’t stopped skilled riders like Chris Birch from performing astonishing stunts on the big KTM Twin that make it appear to shrink to half its size.

Released as a new model in 2014, the KTM 1190 Adventure R offered a new level of comfort and sophistication far beyond the 990 Adventure R it replaced. The “R” model is the off-road-oriented version of the KTM 1190 Adventure with 1.2 inches (30mm) more suspension travel, a 21″/18″ wheel combination, standard crash bars, single-piece seat, a small enduro-style windscreen and fully-adjustable suspension.

While its primary mission is to perform in the dirt, the KTM 1190 Adventure R is no slouch on asphalt. Its 75° RC8 inspired 1195cc V-Twin packs nearly 150 horsepower — enough to blow away most of the competition with mid-10-second quarter mile times. A 6.1 gallon (23 liter) fuel tank, efficient twin-plug ignition system and smooth V-Twin engine make it an effective long-range touring mount as well.

The KTM 1190 Adventure R is a versatile machine that can handle anything from sport touring to trail rides.

Electronics Package

The KTM 1190 Adventure R is controlled by Bosch’s MSC (Motorcycle Stability Control) electronics package that combines Traction Control, ABS and Wheelie Control in an all-in-one system. Ride-by-wire enables four modes (Sport, Street, Rain, Offroad) that optimize MTC (Motorcycle Traction Control) and ABS (Anti-lock brakes) for different environments. Sport and Street modes unleash the full horsepower with more aggressive Traction Control intervention and softer throttle response in Street Mode.

ABS and Traction Control can be turned off with just a few clicks on the LCD dash controller.

Rain and Offroad Modes drop power output down to a manageable 100 horsepower for low-traction conditions. A small amount of wheel spin and rear wheel lock-up are permitted in Offroad Mode so that riders can steer with the rear and back it into turns. Both Sport and Offroad Modes allow modest wheelies and lean angle sensors are used to fine tune Traction Control and ABS when the tire is on edge. For those that want an uninhibited riding experience, Traction Control and ABS can be turned off completely with just a few clicks on the digital dash controller.

Standard Equipment

A fully-adjustable WP suspension offers 8.7 inches (220mm) of travel and a generous 9.8 inches (250mm) of ground clearance. Chassis stability is improved during aggressive riding with a smooth downshifting slipper clutch and a non-adjustable steering damper.

Choose to have your KTM 1190 Adventure R equipped with either the Continental Trail Attack II or TKC80 dual sport tires running on tubeless wire-spoked wheels.

Front braking on the 1190 is by radially mounted four-piston calipers with dual 320mm rotors; rear is 268mm single rotor. Moreover, KTM includes a Combined-ABS braking module that links both front and rear wheels together to help improve stability under hard braking. Choose at the dealer from either street-focused Continental Trail Attack II or off-road focused TKC80 dual sport tires, running on tubeless wire-spoked wheels.

The electronic LCD instrument cluster of the 1190 Adventure R is clean and easy to read with a home screen that can be customized with five favorite data points. Riders can keep an eye on engine revs with a large analog radial tachometer and a configurable warning light that lets you know exactly when it’s time to shift.

Ergonomics are configurable to accommodate many different body types with two handlebar clamp positions (forward/rearward), adjustable footpegs (high/back or low/forward) and adjustable brake and clutch levers. Taller handlebar clamps are available as an option for riders that want a more upright standing position off-road.

Seating is provided through a long flat single-piece seat that offers plenty of room for adjusting body position when riding off-road. Seat height is not adjustable on the “R” model but at 35 inches (890mm), riders 5’10” (1.78 meters) or taller can comfortably touch the ground. Leg room is more than adequate for 6 footers and the tank minimally splays the knees.

The 1190 R’s single-piece seat provides ample room to adjust body position off-road but feels a bit firm on long highway rides. Even so, it’s still a major improvement in comfort compared to the seat of its predecessor, the KTM 990 Adventure R.

Solid steel crash bars, a small skid plate and full wraparound hand guards complete the off-road protection for the bike. Other useful standard equipment are a hand-adjustable windscreen, centerstand, oversized 1-1/4″ bars, luggage rack and large exhaust heat shield.

Evaluation and Testing

We’ve had our long-term KTM 1190 Adventure R test bike over five months now and ridden more than 3,000 miles across California, Nevada and Arizona. From long-distance trips across the open desert fully loaded to fast technical trail rides with panniers off, we’ve pushed the bike to its limits on almost every type of off-road terrain. We’ve also had a chance to pound the pavement to see how well this “oversized dirt bike” performs on long stretches of highway and as a sport tourer on twisty backroads.

The KTM loves to be ridden fast and far, and it’s always a willing partner to go anywhere you dare to take it.

First Impressions

KTM’s mantra is “Ready to Race” and that’s the feeling you get when hoping on a KTM 1190 Adventure R for the first time. Thumbing the starter fires up the big V-Twin immediately into a rumbling idle. The hollow tone from the single exhaust lets you know the motor means business but without waking up the neighborhood. Steering is precise, throttle response is instantaneous and the riding position feels aggressive.

While most of the other liter-class ADV Bikes have a more relaxed laid back demeanor, the 1190 Adventure R wants to be ridden hard. It gives you an immediate sense of confidence to try things you might not normally attempt on other large ADV Bikes.

There’s a demon inside KTM 1190 Adventure R that tempts you to do things you wouldn’t normally do on a 500-pound motorcycle.

On the Road

The KTM 1190 Adventure R is designed to be an off-road specialist but its upright seating position and nimble handling offer advantages in an urban environment as well. Precise fueling and a butter soft clutch ensure smooth and predictable slow-speed maneuvers. Shifting through the gears reveals one of the smoothest gearboxes available on any motorcycle we’ve tested.

Powerful linked brakes enable one-finger emergency stops and there’s plenty of ground clearance to hop curbs and access shortcuts that can scrub valuable minutes off your daily commute. It easily skirts through traffic with panniers off but we did notice a bit of engine heat on our legs at stop lights on hot summer days.

Once the asphalt turns twisty, the KTM really wakes up. Put it in Sport Mode and you’ll have the full power on tap with less Traction Control intrusion. The TKC 80s grip the pavement well for a 40% street / 60% off-road dual sport tire and allow you to ride at a fast pace. Overall, the bike is a joy to ride on twisty backroads and there is plenty of torque (92.2 lb.-ft.) to just cruise along in a single gear or give sport bike riders a surprise when you appear in their rear view mirrors.

Despite riding on TKC80 40/60 dual sport knobby tires, the “R” still excels on twisty asphalt roads.

On long highway rides, the comfort level is a major upgrade over its predecessor, the 990 Adventure R. Cruising comfortably at 85 mph for hours at a time is not a problem and there’s only a slight vibration in the bars. It feels more like a true street bike on the road, rather than a dirt bike on steroids. The seat is a bit on the firm side though and after a few hours on the highway, you may need to shift positions. Cruise Control is not available on the KTM 1190 Adventure.

When the small windscreen is adjusted to full height, it does a good job of deflecting the wind from your chin down but a slightly taller windscreen could easily be mounted without it becoming a nuisance off-road. Steering is precise and effortless lane changes seem to occur through thought alone. Passing power in top gear is more than adequate and if you down shift a few times, the acceleration at full throttle is mind numbing. Even when fully-loaded with panniers, the KTM can be ridden with aggression and extra weight from luggage or a passenger never seems to dampen the bike’s enormous power.

A sophisticated electronics package allows mere mortals to ride this SuperBike powered ADV Bike with confidence. Turn off Traction Control and put it in Sport Mode only if you really want to give yourself a scare.

In the Dirt

If you think it’s nuts to ride a 150 horsepower motorcycle in the dirt, then you’re probably right. That is why Offroad Mode on the 1190 Adventure R limits the motor to a manageable 100 horsepower. The mellower power output, lower seat height, slipper clutch, Traction Control and ABS all work together to turn the 1190 Adventure R into a much less intimidating bike off-road than the 990 Adventure R it replaced.

Offroad ABS works surprisingly well even in loose choppy trail conditions. After building up confidence with the system, we realized we could point the big KTM down steep rocky trails and the ABS would control the descent of the bike better than we could with it off. The Offroad ABS does allow a small amount of rear tire slide in turns for steering input but sometimes we felt it was a little too restrictive.

We preferred to leave ABS turned on most of the time off-road, even when attempting steep slick descents.

The 1190 Adventure R negotiates loose rocky terrain with relative ease. Although, occasionally ground clearance was an issue and getting the heavy bike unstuck when perched on a rock can take a bit of effort. But our test bike’s beefy 6mm thick optional aluminum skid plate provided excellent protection for the exhaust and underbelly of the bike.

Even big whoops don’t intimidate the 1190 Adventure R, especially with the built-in steering stabilizer that helps keep the bike pointed straight. The race-bred suspension is lively and responsive but we did bottom out on a few occasions when really pushing the bike.

Loose hill climbs, deep sand and mud are the exceptions when it’s better to turn traction control off. Momentum disappears as roost is ejected and the Traction Control gets overwhelmed. With Traction Control off, the 1190 Adventure R is more than capable of powering up loose hill climbs and floating through deep sand or mud.

Traction Control in Offroad Mode allows the rear wheel to spin up to 2x the speed of the front before intervening.

Powering up loose hill climbs sometimes requires turning Traction Control off to ensure forward momentum is not stalled.

The 1190 Adventure R will hustle down a tight single track trail but it’s in its element on flowing double track where its weight disappears. Even when loaded down with luggage, the bike is incredible at covering vast distances off-road and you can ride at a fast pace without the chassis getting upset.

Final Thoughts

For those Adventure Riders that put a premium on off-road performance but still want a comfortable long-distance travel bike, the 1190 Adventure R is a clear standout in the category. It’s one of the most versatile motorcycles ever produced and its off-road chops are currently unrivaled in the class. The new 2016 Honda Africa Twin, arriving at the end of the year, might be the only bike in the liter-class with a chance of catching the “R” off-road but the jury is still out until a comparison test can be performed.

What impressed us most, was that despite the KTM’s brute force power and significant size, the bike also instilled great confidence in intermediate riders that tested the bike. With the aid of the electronics, average riders improved their pace effortlessly both on and off-road, while safety increased at the same time. We were also amazed by how seamlessly the electronic aids intervened.

The KTM 1190 Adventure R in its element, eating up the miles on flowing double track trails.

After more than 3,000 miles of heavy handed riding, our KTM 1190 Adventure R test bike has been rock solid reliable. We’ll need more time on it before we can judge its long-term durability but it is nice knowing the first major service isn’t required until 18,600 miles (30,000 km). With a base price of $16,669, it’s in the middle of the pack in terms of pricing for 1200cc European Adventure Bikes. And with some of the most advanced electronics on the market and a long list of standard equipment included in that price, we think it’s well worth it.

Off-Road-Focused Big-Bore ADV Bike Specs Comparison

 
KTM 1190 Adventure R Up Close:

Intuitive push-button handlebar controls allow easy adjustment of the electronic LCD dash even while riding. Heated grips are also a nice optional add on.

A well-appointed LCD instrument cluster includes a fuel gauge, clock, outside temp., engine temp., current gear indicator, a digital speedometer and more.

.

The windscreen is hand adjustable but takes two hands to position and lock in place.

The windscreen is positioned far forward the and stays away of your helmet shield during aggressive off-road maneuvers.

.

LED daytime running lights give the KTM 1190 Adventure a striking appearance and increases visibility to other motorists.

This large heat shield is standard equipment and helps keep your luggage from melting on the hot exhaust.

.

Our test bike came equipped with this optional 6 mm thick aluminum skid plate, which provided excellent protection for the exhaust and underbelly of the bike.

Touratech Zega Pro Panniers are available through the KTM Power Parts catalog.

.

Optional KTM Rally Footpegs offer a larger platform and more aggressive serrated edges to make stand up riding more comfortable and increase grip.

Sturdy steel crashbar come standard on the KTM 1190 Adventure R and do a good job of protecting the bike.

.

Gear We Used

• Helmet: Shoei Hornet X2 – Matte Black
• Jacket: REV’IT! Sand 2 – Silver/Black
• Pants: REV’IT! Sand 2 – Silver/Black
• Gloves: REV’IT! Sand Pro – Silver/Black
• Boots: Alpinestars Tech 8

Author: Rob Dabney

Rob Dabney started a lifelong obsession with motorcycles at the age of 15 when he purchased his first bike – a 1982 Honda MB5. Through his 20’s and 30’s he competed in off-road desert races, including the Baja 250, 500 and 1000. Eventually, his proclivity for exploration led him to dual sport and adventure riding. Rob’s never-ending quest to discover what’s around the next bend has taken him on Adventures in Latin America, Africa, Europe, Asia, and throughout the American West. As a moto journalist, he enjoys inspiring others to seek adventure across horizons both near and far.