KTM 1290 Super Adventure S 2021 - First ride review from KNOX
We were lucky enough to get the chance to rider the 2021 KTM 1290 Super Adventure S at the UK press launch last week and this is our first ride review of the bike - hope you enjoy it!
First thing to say that inline with the name - the 1290 Super Adventure S is a lot of motorcycle and packs a lot of “SUPER”! the 2021 model is 90% new - an incredibly amazing amount of rework to make this bike. With new bikes, we’re often looking at new colours, a brake upgrade or a new exhaust, so 90% new is incredible. The updates and features are of epic proportion and we could be talking here for hours.
However, the first and biggest impression is the way the bike feels when you take it off its side stand! The totally revised chassis and weight distribution have made it incredible for shorter riders and make it very confidence inspiring to manage at low speed and on looser surfaces. In a similar theory to the KTM 790 Adventure R, the fuel tank is now split into 3 separate containers which seems to significantly reduce the feeling of weight on the bike and makes it incredibly well balanced.
Riding a big adventure big like this with a high seat and high centre of gravity is horrible at low speed, so this new design is a massive thing and improves rider confidence.
The engine is the famous 1300cc v-twin used in the Super Duke R and produces 160hp and 138nm of torque. However, it is not an accurate description to say the 1290 Super Adventure S is the Super Duke R on stilts, it’s a lot more refined than that. The engine is a lot softer and has been tailored to perfectly match the Super Adventure. That’s not to say its slow in any way, it’s got more performance than you’d likely ever want, 3rd gear power wheelies are super easy and any sports bike aren’t going to get away from you on the road.
Handing wise, the KTM Super Adventure is incredible and belies its physical appearance, a blend of Supermoto, naked and adventure riding position, combined with Gen.2 WP semi-active suspension. The ability to alter suspension settings electronically via the TFT screen is incredible and makes for an unthinkable ability to be riding aggressively with a sporty suspension set up and then 2 minutes later be wafting through a bumpy, potholed village.
Finally, the Adaptive Cruise Control on the Super Adventure is an incredible piece of new technology developed with Bosch. As you can see in the video, it works!!
To back up this UK Press launch first ride, we are due to borrow the Super Adventure S for a few weeks up here in the Lake District over the next couple of months, so please stay tuned for a more full review on a longer term point of view.
As mentioned in the video, if you would like to know all the details in very accurate details, KTM produced a very informative piece explaining it all - • GET THE COMPLETE INSIG...
You can also find details on how and where to test ride this awesome machine here - www.ktm.com/en...
Hope you enjoyed this review, please like, comment and subscribe and we’ll see you next time!
Aaron
KNOX
p.s Thanks to Simon and Richard of KTM who looked after us all day and kept us fed and watered and thanks to Max, Phil and Dan of Toofastmedia group for the brilliant video and photography work.
Knox products worn on test:
Knox Dual Active Base Layer - www.planet-kno... Knox Urbane Pro Utility Shirt MK2 - www.planet-kno...
Knox Richmond Jeans MK2 - www.planet-kno...
Knox Handroid POD MK4 - www.planet-kno...
Knox Waterproof Overjacket - www.planet-kno...
11 сен 2024
