KTM is calling it “the safest motorcycle in the world” with the debut of the 1290 Super Adventure. Powered by the same 1301cc V-twin engine from the 1290 Super Duke R but slightly detuned from 180hp to 160hp with new cylinder heads.
The KTM Super Adventure gets company’s Motorcycle Stability Control system, or more commonly called as cornering ABS, which prevents the front tyre from washing out under braking around a corner and also limiting the tendancy of the bike to stand up and go straight on.
Other cool bits are semi-active suspension, cruise control and heated seat and grips and even ‘electronic hill hold control’.
KTM’s official release says:
‘THE 1290 SUPER ADVENTURE:
The name says it all. Embodying superlative technology in every respect, this bike aims at the segment of luxury touring machines, which is new for KTM, as far as its power, comfort and equipment goes – but of course with an explicitly dynamic touch. To ensure furious fervour, the KTM developers implanted the new KTM 1290 SUPER ADVENTURE with a development of the powerful V2 power pack from the KTM 1290 SUPER DUKE R.
And in order to live up to its name in every detail, the new travel flagship offers a uniquely comprehensive equipment package including the motorcycle stability control MSC, the traction control MTC, a semi-active WP suspension, and cruise control. THE KTM 1290 SUPER ADVENTURE comes with the newly developed cornering headlights as standard. In addition the motorcycle can be equipped with the electronic hill hold control HHC. In short: the KTM 1290 SUPER ADVENTURE is the new benchmark for dynamism and innovative technology.
KTM 1290 SUPER ADVENTURE
With the new KTM 1290 SUPER ADVENTURE, KTM re-writes the history of the ultimate travel enduro. After defining new benchmarks of the segment already with the KTM 1190 ADVENTURE, they now add even more displacement, more power, more equipment, more comfort and more safety to raise the bar for the competition by another couple of notches.
To this end, the developing engineers helped themselves to the cylinders, pistons and connecting rods of the 1301 cc V2 of the KTM 1290 SUPER DUKE R. They developed new cylinder heads and a new crankshaft to go with these, in order to give the KTM 1290 SUPER ADVENTURE 160 hp and optimise the engine characteristic for super enduro duty with some extra flywheel mass. Already exemplary on the KTM 1190 ADVENTURE, ride comfort was once again increased on the KTM 1290 SUPER ADVENTURE. For example, wind protection was optimised with a new windshield that the rider can adjust with a single hand. A heated seat and heated grips exude comfortable warmth if needed, and a large 30-litre tank provides an adequate range.
EVERYTHING MODERN TECHNOLOGY HAS TO OFFER
Already extensive, the rider assistance package with its multi-mode electronic suspension, Ride Mode technology and stability control MSC including the multi-stage, combined C-ABS and traction control MTC has been expanded yet again for the new flagship among KTM travel enduros with an electronic cruise control and standard tire pressure monitoring. The innovative WP semi-active Suspension system which adapts the damping rates perpetually in real-time to the riding surface and rider is also standard, just as the LED cornering headlights. In addition, a hill hold control is available as an option for the KTM 1290 SUPER ADVENTURE, as well as the engine drag torque control that prevents the rear wheel from losing grip, should the rider chop the throttle or pop the clutch on a downshift. At the current state of technology, no travel enduro could offer more in the way of rider assistance and safety systems than the KTM 1290 SUPER ADVENTURE.
THE WORLD SAFEST MOTORCYCLE IN THE WORLD
The new KTM 1290 SUPER ADVENTURE pulls off the balancing act between the comfort and equipment of a luxury tourer on the one hand and the low weight, awesome dynamism and exemplary safety of a typical KTM travel enduro on the other. But beyond the incomparable suspension and all the rider assistance, it is the stability control MSC that makes it the safest motorbike in the world, launched for the first time last year in the KTM 1190 ADVENTURE and KTM 1190 ADVENTURE R models.
Developed in close cooperation with Bosch, this riding dynamics control ensures that the anti-lock brakes and traction control of the KTM 1290 SUPER ADVENTURE are controlled with respect to the current lean and dive angles, which means they even work while leaned over and cornering. This way, MSC prevents the wheels from skidding while leaned over, as far as is possible within the limits of riding dynamics. This creates the perfect prerequisites for maximum dynamism and pure riding enjoyment, combined with optimum safety. And it not only makes the KTM 1290 SUPER ADVENTURE the world’s most uncompromising luxury travel endure but also the safest motorcycle in the world.’
