2018 KTM 1290 Super Adventure R

Brakes

• BRAKES: Precise. Powerful. Stunning. Just as you would expect from a set of Brembo brakes. Up front you’ll find twin 320 mm discs, radially mounted, 4-piston fixed calipers and a radial master cylinder. At the rear, excess speed is taken care of by a generously dimensioned 267 mm disc. And in case of an emergency, Bosch’s two-channel 9ME C-ABS speeds to the rescue.

Chassis

• CHASSIS: In adding the ‘R’, we add a promise: excellent offroad abilities. So you get a 21 inch wire-spoked wheel at the front, 18 inch at the rear, floating on 220 mm of fully adjustable WP suspension. On top of that, KTM’s signature tubular trellis frame, steel crash bars and a high strength, die-cast, open-lattice swingarm are more eager than ever to earn their stripes. And that’s just the chassis side of things.
• FRAME: The chrome-molybdenum steel trellis frame makes a major contribution to the bike’s excellent chassis geometry. It’s a rugged, laser-cut, robot-welded thing of beauty with a glorious surface finish. And at only 9.8 kg, it helps to keep the total, unfueled weight at a spectacular 217 kg. All muscle, no fat.
• SWING ARM: The die-cast, open-lattice swingarm is not only particularly light, it's also precisely manufactured. The design has been optimized for stiffness and stability while still offering excellent flex characteristics.

Engine & Exhaust

• ENGINE: The engine packs one hell of a punch for fully loaded tours, has truckloads of torque from the bottom up and hardly ever needs hurried downshifts. Therefore, the 1290 R is equally happy cruising around town as it is giving Superbikes a run for their money when the chips are down. With 160 hp and 140 Nm of torque on tap, of which 108 Nm is already available at 2,500 rpm, we wouldn’t bet against it.
• SMOOTH SAILING: A spread transmission on the primary wheel transfers the power to the clutch basket without any backlash, which eliminates vibration and reduces engine noise. On the intake sides there is a newly developed resonator chamber, designed to polish the torque output in the lower to mid-range rpms. This substantially increases the smoothness of the KTM 1290 SUPER ADVENTURE R power train.
• RIDE-BY-WIRE: At KTM, ride-by-wire is more than simply the absence of a throttle cable. It’s the guarantee of a smooth throttle response. The KTM 1290 SUPER ADVENTURE R's system ensures perfect application of the readily available and plentiful torque. It also electronically translates the throttle commands of the rider into throttle valve positions perfectly suited to the riding conditions. The RBW system is fully compliant with the strict DIN 26262 safety standard from the automobile sector.
• POWER-TO-WEIGHT RATIO: The combination of lightweight chassis engineering and a compact but powerful engine take the KTM 1290 SUPER ADVENTURE R to the top of its class in terms of power-to-weight ratio and ride dynamics. This fully equipped adventure bike tips the scale at 240 kg, while carrying a substantial 23 liters of fuel. This makes the KTM 1290 SUPER ADVENTURE R – in typical KTM style – one of the lightest motorcycles in its segment. Add an outstanding geometry, well-balanced stiffness distribution and high quality suspension components and you end up with a true corner stormer. This also boosts safety, since it is far easier to fling a nimble motorcycle around a source of danger than a heavy one.
• OVERDRIVE: The sixth gear serves as a long overdrive in the KTM 1290 SUPER ADVENTURE R’s well-spaced gearbox. This saves fuel and adds to your cruising comfort.
• POWER ASSIST SLIPPER CLUTCH: Not only does the slipper clutch open when the engine back-torque becomes too high, it also assists when you open up the throttle. The former prevents destabilizing rear wheel chatter when braking sharply or decelerating; the latter reduces the lever force required for changing gear, allowing the clutch to be controlled with just one trigger happy finger.
• CYLINDER HEADS: A key element in the flawless power delivery of the 75° V-twin is each cylinder’s state-of-the-art 4-valve cylinder head. These combine twin plug ignition, flow-optimized ports and a slick low-friction valve train with cams from each cylinder’s twin overhead camshafts driving DLC-coated cam followers.
• DLC COATING: DLC (Diamond-Like Carbon) is an extremely hard, durable and tribologically (i.e. in terms of sliding behavior) particularly well-suited coating that KTM uses in many parts (f.e. cam followers). Our engines love it.
• TWIN IGNITION: The twin plug ignition system controls the two differently sized spark plugs in each cylinder head independently of each other in order to optimize combustion. The result: more (and more controlled) power, lower fuel consumption and lower emissions. Good for the planet and good for you.
• PISTONS: The forged piston structure on the KTM 1290 SUPER ADVENTURE R, borrowed from Formula 1 technology, results in a high loading capacity despite its extremely short and lightweight design. Although they have grown in diameter by three millimeters compared to those of the KTM 1190 ADVENTURE, the pistons on the KTM 1290 SUPER ADVENTURE R are a whole 47 grams lighter. This way, reciprocating weight is minimized, thereby maximizing the responsiveness and frivolous nature of the engine. The piston skirts have an additional state-of-the-art, Grafal® finish. Not only does this even further reduce friction, it is also particularly hard-wearing.
• CRANKSHAFT: The responsiveness and free-revving nature of the engine are also enhanced by the very low reciprocating weight of its crankshaft. Moreover, the flow-optimized shape of the crank webs boosts the particularly low-loss running of the crank drive.
• LONG SERVICE INTERVALS: A unique mix of the highest quality components combined with a fully developed and reliable engine allows extremely long service intervals of 15,000 km. That’s a lot of adventures.

Ergonomics & Comfort

• HANDLEBAR: Two handlebar clamping positions: horizontal +/- 10 mm.
• HAND LEVERS: Adjustable hand levers with 5 reach settings.
• ILLUMINATED MENU SWITCH: Illuminated switches don't only look good, you locate the most important buttons in the blink of an eye. At night.
• FOOTPEGS: Two footpeg positions: 10 mm up and back (diagonally).
• SEATS: This is where you’ll - hopefully - spend a lot of time, so the seat has to provide support, feedback and freedom of movement. Thanks to KTM’s state-of-the-art 3D foam padding, the one-piece offroad seat of the KTM 1290 SUPER ADVENTURE R has your back. No matter if you ride it to the local shops or the ones across the Sahara, both rider and passenger will get there in comfort.
• WINDSHIELD: The "R" model features a short windshield. So even when your handlebar moves a lot in rough terrain, it won't hit your helmet. The windshield’s height can be changed as quickly as you can change your mind, thanks to the easily operated self-locking winder.

Fuel Tank

• FUEL TANK: The KTM 1290 SUPER ADVENTURE R is not only light, powerful and dependable; thanks to low fuel consumption, a 23-liter fuel tank and 15,000 km service intervals it also hardly ever needs to take a break.

Luggage

• LUGGAGE CARRIERS: As an easy way to mount your cases, we give you the luggage carriers as standard.

Protection

• COOLING: The "R"-models feature a lightweight radiator protection guard.
• STEEL CRASH BARS: In rough terrain even the best riders drop their bikes sometimes. Don't worry, the crash bars protect your motorcycle.
• HANDGUARDS: Handguards protect you from stones, branches and also bad weather.

Software & Electronics

• MSC WITH C-ABS (COMBINED ABS) AND OFFROAD MODE: The ultimate in safe deceleration: one component of the comprehensive Bosch MSC assistance package is the world's first lean-sensitive cornering ABS. Based on the high-quality 9ME modulator, it unites the talents of combined braking and lightning-quick, efficient pressure modulation with the high quality Brembo hardware to make the most advanced braking system on the market - no-one brakes more progressively or safely, even at extreme lean angles. When the front brake lever is actuated, the rear brake is applied simultaneously to optimize stability. If required, not only can it be switched off, but also placed in Offroad mode. This allows the rider to block the rear wheel when required - a prerequisite for committed offroad riding and deliberately executed slides. The ABS function remains active on the front wheel, even in this mode.
• TPMS (TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM): As its name implies, the TPMS monitors tire pressure (visible in the display) and warns the rider in the event of pressure loss, for example due to tire damage.
• MTC (MOTORCYCLE TRACTION CONTROL): The Motorcycle Traction Control (MTC), a lean-sensitive traction control system, reacts immediately if the rotational speed of the rear wheel is disproportionate to the riding situation. In a matter of milliseconds, MTC reduces the engine output with an extremely smooth, barely perceptible intervention at the throttle valves, until the system has reduced slippage to optimum proportions for the selected ride mode and current angle of lean. Depending on that mode, MTC allows four different levels of traction slip at the rear wheel. ‘Sport’ is game for a perceptible amount of slippage, ‘Street’ keeps things smooth for comfortable, controllable riding with full engine power, ‘Rain’ is all about early intervention and maximum grip in the wet and ‘Offroad’ allows up to 100% of slippage - i.e. double the wheel speed - for ambitious offroad use.
• ATIR (AUTOMATIC TURN INDICATOR RESET): After 10 seconds of movement and 150 meters of riding distance, the turn indicator will stop automatically. If pressed meanwhile, it counts from zero again. A big improvement in terms of safety, as it is now impossible to forget to reset the indicators.
• CRUISE CONTROL: The standard cruise control laughs at long motorway journeys. Switches on the left side of the handlebar and a display in the TFT dashboard allow the rider to intuitively set and change the requested speed, so you’ll arrive at the fun bits with energy to spare.
• RACE ON: Forget about ignition keys and mechanically locked fuel caps. All you need is the transponder in your pocket.

Tires

• TIRES: Those who want to ride off into the unknown will find a wide selection of suitable tires for the KTM 1290 SUPER ADVENTURE R’s wheel dimensions. But you might as well start that trip right off the dealer floor: the Continental TKC 80 tires, sized 90/90-21 and 150/70-18, are durable, versatile and grin when you take them off the beaten track.

Trim Parts / Decals

• DASHBOARD: The KTM 1290 SUPER ADVENTURE R supplies its rider with all necessary and desirable information on a state-of-the-art, clearly arranged 6.5 in. TFT display. Even in direct sunlight, core data is displayed clear and crisp thanks to its bonded, anti-glare surface made of a strong sheet of glass. But don’t worry about spots or smears; the anti-fingerprint coating has this covered. The screen also automatically adapts to ambient light levels and its angle is adjustable, so you won’t miss one bit of information. On top of the obvious data (speed, revs, fuel level etc.), the computer can show a favorites menu with up to 8 adjustable features, an MSC ride modes overview and a riding conditions page (outside/oil temperature, onboard voltage, various trips, average speed, average and current fuel consumption, range and the distance to your next service). Crystal clear and easy to operate, even when you’re in a hurry.
• MENU SWITCH: Different modes for the various rider aids can be selected using an illuminated menu switch on the left side of the handlebar. It's very simple and intuitive: "up" and "down" through the menu selection, select the desired menu item with the left button, confirm it with the right. Child’s play, basically. And you can make it even easier by personalizing your settings pages with two quick-select menus.
• USB PHONE POCKET: A compartment keeps your smartphone safe on the road. It keeps it charged too, thanks to its integrated USB socket. Meanwhile, the optional incoming calls and audio function links the phone to the bike via Bluetooth. It’s always nice to let people know you absolutely have to take that enormous detour.

Wheels & Suspension

• WHEELS: Offroad standards demand suitable tools, so we fit the KTM 1290 SUPER ADVENTURE R in-house with our patented, tubeless, wire-spoked 21 in./18 in. wheels. They combine all the benefits of a tubeless tire (easy fitting and dynamic advantages due to the lack of an inner tube) with the stability and robustness of a wire-spoked wheel. This set-up makes the SUPER ADVENTURE R's rims substantially more resilient than all the competition's cast and spoked wheels. You’ll see.
• SUSPENSION: A robust 48 mm UPSD fork with extra stiff springs in the front, a PDS shock absorber in the rear. All made by WP, all fully adjustable, all happy to take a serious beating. And they’ll make you enjoy it too. Suspension travel: 220/220 mm.
• STEERING DAMPER: With so much propulsive power, the front wheel can become very light, which can lead to unpleasant kick-back on uneven roads. The KTM 1290 SUPER ADVENTURE R prevents this with a subtle WP steering damper that will be there when you need it.