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ADV BikesMystery Bike Revealed – KTM 1290 Super Adventure

Mystery Bike Revealed – KTM 1290 Super Adventure

A new KTM Adventure Bike model offers more horsepower and longer range.

Published on 08.08.2014

Earlier in June of this year, spy photos were captured of a new KTM Adventure Bike at the KTM factory in 
Mattighofen, Austria. More spy photos of what appeared to be the same bike were taken in the Canary Islands by motorcycle rental firm Canarias Moto Rent.

Many assumed that the updates shown in the pictures were minor changes for the 2015 KTM 1190 Adventure. Photos revealed a larger fuel tank, new bodywork and a more robust set of crash bars.

New KTM 1290 Super Adventure

Spy Photo of a new KTM 1290 Super Adventure captured at the KTM factory in 
Mattighofen, Austria. (Courtesy motorcyclenews.com)

New KTM 1290 Super Adventure

Spy Photo of the new KTM 1290 Super Adventure captured at the Circuit of San Miguel in the Canary Islands by Canarias Moto Rent (Facebook)

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A new spy photo has been captured by mentounasc, a member of the French language forum KTMMania.net. Apparently, KTM was in the middle of a video shoot in Monaco when the photo was taken. For the first time we can see the model name of this mystery bike displayed on the fairing graphics. It appears this is actually a new KTM Adventure Bike model called the 1290 Super Adventure and not just an update to the existing KTM 1190 Adventure.

We can assume from the model name that the 1290cc engine will be borrowed from the KTM 1290 Super Duke, a powerplant that outputs 178hp. That would be a 30hp boost over the current 148hp KTM 1190 Adventure motor. However, final horsepower numbers will probably drop in favor of torque for an Adventure Touring application.


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It seems like overkill to add more power to the 2nd fastest Adventure Bike ever made, but if KTM is able to keep weight down and retain good off-road handling, the 1290 Super Adventure could pose a major threat to the big GSA. The BMW R1200GS Adventure weighs in at 573 pounds wet, a full 66 pounds heavier than the KTM 1190 Adventure, so there is plenty of room to grow. An engine displacement increase could make the KTM 1290 Super Adventure a very smooth touring bike and the larger tank could help the bike achieve a range closer to 300 miles.

The KTM 1290 Adventure is yet to be confirmed by KTM, but the machine appears to be fully developed and we would expect it to be released as a 2015 model. KTM will likely reveal the new bike at the INTERMOT or EICMA show later this fall.

News Update – 8/20/2014:
KTM has confirmed they will in fact release the 1290 Super Adventure as a 2015 model and provided us with the first official photo of the bike.

2015 KTM Super Adventure Official Press Photo
Official press photo of the 2015 KTM 1290 Super Adventure (Courtesy R. Schedl, KISKA)

KTM says that the 1190 Adventure and Adventure R will remain in the lineup, but the Super Adventure will be positioned as a more high-end option. The bike will offer a new level of comfort, luxury and refinement.

The larger engine capacity will provide more power and torque than the 1190 Adventure models. A larger fuel tank will allow for longer journeys with fewer stops. KTM will include their Motorcycle Stability Control (MSC) that provides lean angle aware ABS and a range of selectable presets. In addition, the new 1290 Super Adventure will feature its own unique electronic rider aids.

KTM confirmed they will officially launch the 2015 KTM Super Adventure at the INTERMOT show in Cologne, Germany on the 30th of September.

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.

Author: Rob Dabney
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4 Comments
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Justin M.
Justin M.
August 11, 2014 5:47 pm

Why aren’t manufacturers listening? People want smaller and more dirt-worthy ADV bikes, yet manufacturers keep giving us the opposite.

Nik
Nik
August 12, 2014 12:37 am
Reply to  Justin M.

That’s the difference between what people say they want and what they buy. They buy huge heavy ADV bikes. Don’t blame the manufacturers. KTM in particular makes lots of great smaller displacement bikes.

Stephan Eichenlaub
Stephan Eichenlaub
August 23, 2014 3:28 am

KTM builds awesome bikes. But I will not buy a new KTM bike so soon because .. well … which bike could top my KTM 950 SuperEnduro? So sad that KTM has moved from nimble bikes to SuperTankers.

trackback
New Details from Intermot on KTM 1290 Super Adventure » ADV Pulse
September 30, 2014 1:03 pm

[…] their new 1290 Super Adventure today at the Intermot show in Cologne, Germany, after officially announcing the model in August. New details reveal a long-distance touring motorcycle with a no compromise approach […]

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