MILAN SHOW: KTM reveals all-new 1050 Adventure

The new KTM 1050 Adventure was scooped by MCN just weeks before this official launch but these shots are the first time we have been able to see the full styling of the bike which is a much simpler design than others in KTM’s range.

The 1050 Adventure is a less powerful, lighter, smaller capacity stablemate to the range-topping 1190 and 1290 versions and is aimed at replacing the old 990SMT, which was extremely popular with UK riders. The new bike also hopes to appease those KTM riders who were far from impressed when the old 990 Adventure was axed and replaced with the heavier, more complex and more expensive 1190 and 1290 versions. Those riders wanted a much simpler and lighter machine that could tackle off road riding if needed, but which made long distance road rides comfortable and exciting.

KTM launched the 1290 Super Adventure earlier this year as the halo bike in their adventure range, and it comes fully loaded with everything the Austrian firm knows about engineering and electronics. The two 1190 Adventure models will sit underneath that – the R-model more off-road focussed than the standard bike – and now the 1050 will slot in underneath those.

KTM are aiming this bike at rivals like the Suzuki V-Strom 1000 which has lower power, less mass to control, and is aimed at appealing to a sector of the market that doesn’t want or need a large and overly powerful adventure bike.

One hugely appealing element of the new 1050 Adventure is the fact it can be specified with an power restrictor kit, which will allow it to meet the A2 licence laws.

Once the rider steps up to a full licence, the kit can be removed, and the rider already has their next bike.

At the heart of the 1050 Adventure is a smaller capacity V-twin engine, which is based on that first seen in the 1190 Adventure. 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 1050 Adventure may be the entry-level bike the firm’s adventure range, but it’s no poor cousin, and lacks little in the way of the latest technology with ABS and traction control fitted as standard. KTM are promising a host of aftermarket parts will be available as KTM Powerparts and upgrades; these include a complete hard-mounted luggage system, heated seats and grips, engine crash bars, sump guards and an anti-theft alarm. No prices or availability have been confirmed yet.

Highlights:
ENGINE
Based on the same 75 degree water-cooled LC8 V-twin in the 1190 and 1290 Adventure models which means a ride-by-wire throttle but capacity has been reduced to 1050cc. KTM hasn’t released any technical information about the bike but MCN understands the bike has both a narrower bore and shortened stroke to achieve the capacity change.

SUSPENSION
KTM owns WP Suspension, so it’s no surprise to see that the new bike wears an inverted adjustable fork, made specifically for the 1050, while there’s an adjustable WP shock at the back.

WHEELS
The 1050 Adventure has the same 18in rear and 19in front wheel combination as seen on the 1190 Adventure and 1290 Super Adventure which is a nice balance between road manners and some off-road ability without the compromise of the 21in front wheel used on the 1190R. OE fitment tyres are the excellent Metzeler Tourance Next.

STYLING
The simple and clean design of the 1050 Adventure is a marked change for KTM, which has become synonymous with aggressive and complicated offerings in recent years. This feels like a step back towards the brand’s core values.

ACCESSORIES
The accessorised bike reveals more detail, such as the adjustable screen carrier, shown here with an optional larger tinted screen. Other accessories include hard panniers which clip onto the bike’s inbuilt carrier system, more heavy-duty handguards than standard, an Akrapovic exhaust with carbon cover, split level comfort seats, riding lights, crash bars, soft luggage, and anodised reservoir covers.