First ride: 2015 KTM 1050 Adventure

KTM’s all-new 1050 Adventure, the Austrian firm’s smallest entry-level adventure bike is currently being put through its paces in Gran Canaria by MCN’s Senior Road Tester Adam Child. Here are his first impressions:

“The new, smaller Adventure takes the place of the much liked 990SMT which was hugely popular in the UK. In 1050 guise the engine delivers 95bhp from a true 1050cc, and tips the scales at a claimed 212kg, some 17 kilos lighter than the 1190 Adventure. The entry level bike can also be restricted to make it A2 licence compliant.

“Prices are expected to start at £10,999 but this doesn’t make it the poor relation ofKTM’s adventure bike line-up; traction control, rider modes and ABS will all come as standard, so will WP suspension and Brembo calipers.

“It also has the lowest seat height of the range at only 850mm plus the smallest amount of suspension travel, so is more catered towards road riding. However, it will still carry 23l of fuel the same as the larger 1190 Adventure. Like the 1190 a 19inch front wheel remains and a 17 inch rear but with a slightly narrower tyre, down from 170/60 to 150/70.

Read Adam’s full report in Wednesday’s MCN.