KTM 1290 SUPER ADVENTURE S (2017 - 2020) Review

At its best hauling you + passenger + luggage a long way to the mountain roads, then delivering the goods like a sports bike in the twisties. All day comfortable.

Stonking engine. Torque everywhere. Gives my right leg a roasting in hot weather though.

Owned for 30k miles from new. Only issue has been a sticking fuel gauge sender, which took about 20 mins to fix.

Service costs pretty typical for a modern big bike. Not too bad to work on if you DIY.

My favourite feature is the semi active suspension. Its ridiculously good and keeps the bike composed regardless of road surface and speed.

Brembo brakes and WP suspension

Stonking engine

I've done 19,000 trouble free miles, no corrosion issues other than the usual center stand cross bar. I think the materials are good quality, for example good grade stainless steel has been used for the exhaust and the paint thickness is good so no issues with paint peeling on the engine like my BMW.

The service intervals are good at 9000 miles, however the 18,000 mile service is valve check which means fuel tank removal it being a v-twin

Electronic everything.

approx 2 hours

Torque - instant delivery

Fuel pump failed - Fuel tank sender failed -front brake failed (twice) - air locks in coolant system

Engine .Acc: quickshifter - heated grips- cruise control-aluminium bash plate (does not really need heated seat)

Standard seat and screen were replaced. KTM PP Comfort seat at outset and I bought an MRA screen after 3 months. Ride time is 2 hours and you seldom notice numb bum before that. Suspension is semi active and really smooths out bumpy roads and offers great handling.

I like the twin motor after avlife on 4 cylinder machines I feared a loss of grunt and speed off the line. Its probably not quite as quick but with the torque I just don't care there is plenty of power.

I like the build its sturdy and feel solid and planted on the road. A number of fixings on the discs and body work either rust or lose their black finish. Easy to resolve.

3 services over 15,000 mile were all the same price. Still on the same brake pads, chain and sprockets. Front tyre wears out faster than the rear by 50%.

I mentioned the screen, the Perrilli scorpions I found were OK but there are better tyres out there. I found I had a lot of people pulled out on me from side roads so bought an Denali accessory commander and fitted 4 spots two yellow lower and 2 bright upper one which has cured that problem. Great night time lighting. Most people add engine bars and mine came with KTM Luggage. I put a Touratec foot on the side stand which helps take the weight nicely.

Handling is astonishingly good. Great tyres, active suspension and tall position giving miles of view. I would suggest that this may be the fastest bike down any British B Road. Agile, powerful and just so sure footed and confidence inspiring. Very, very good. Brakes are strong but hard braking and long forks can make things a bit lively. But the cornering ABS is so sorted you can push well into the limits of tyre / grip voodoo without any fear. Though it doesn't change the laws of physics as a muddy drainage ditch and overconfidence highlighted.

Powerful, smooth and fueling is spot on (better than the newer model). The intake roar when you open the throttle makes you giggle. The way you are then propelled forward makes you laugh out loud. No engine problems. Lots of torque down low and screaming, fabulous madness towards the red line. This is just an incredible engine.

My Super Adventure has broken my heart on a few too many mornings. Electrical gremlins killed the screen, the starter switch and the electronic pre load. All these things have been fixed and Laguna Performance Centre at Ashford have been great. But waiting for the RAC or limping back to the dealer has spoilt my fun with my lovely Orange companion. I still love the bike but it just isn't reliable.

The original tyres have been great. Strangely the front wore out before the rear. 4,000 miles for the Pirelli Scorpion front and about 6,000 for the rear. The tyres have been fantastic and despite their slightly higher cost and off road protentions they have great fun. Servicing cost is about standard but service intervals are long. The thing about this bike is it is the most fun I have ever has on a motorcycle. Agile, fast, comfortable. I would pay just for the smiles it gives me. For that it is priceless.

Heated grips, heated seat and KTM My Ride. All are great but have been killed by electrical gremlins on a few occasions. When everything is working it is a fabulous bike ti ride over distance. I am in.a minority but I think KTM My Ride is an awesome bit of kit. Take your time setting it up and the discreet navigation and guidance on the screen are clear, accurate and always right.

Brilliant all-round bike. Smooth at high cruising speeds, punchy on narrower roads. Powerful brakes. Semi-active suspension firm but very effective. Seat OK for 2 hours. Firm. Riding position very adjustable to suit.

Fabulous engine. Very strong mid-range, smooth at a cruise. Economical- 55mpg.

Only fault- water ingress into right-hand switch block. Cured with wd-40.

First service is costly at £220, but next (annual) one is the same.

Excellent LED lights. Cornering lights do work, very useful on country roads. TFT screen the best I have used. Very clear, even in sunlight. Standard Pirelli tyres v. Good. Shad panniers- fit well, excellent quality, much cheaper than KTM versions.

Ride quality is amazing with 4 different modes in both pre load and damping . Brakes are average better sbs pads help

It’s not called the beast for nothing , the engine is just so involving , endless power and torque and the ability Rev too

3 years 12 k miles no problems so far

It’s an easy bike to self service Dealer service cost are cheaper than my last Suzuki gsxs1000

There every feature I could wish for and few pointless ones like less ignition and hill hold The quickshift and blipper are great

Ride quality with semi-active suspension is firm but very well controlled. Seat is good for 2 hours or so - KTM only do 'firm'. Brakes are superb, with excellent power and lever feel. Did North Coast 500 - 1600 miles in 5 days; no issues and bike was superb in all conditions. Averaged 54 mpg.

Throttle response is very smooth; sharper in sports mode, perfect in normal road mode. Easy to ride slowly in town, powerful and responsive on open roads.

No corrosion, after almost 2 years. One problem- water ingress on right-hand switch- gear, solved with a few squirts of wd40. Otherwise totally reliable.

Oil change service at £220 is similar to other makes, but still expensive for minor work.

TFT screen is great to use, very clear and displays all useful touring info. Shad panniers are well made and good value compared with factory option

Great all round bike touring weekend runs or shopping no problems

Superb motor

It’s my second 1299s never had any issues with rust or bodywork looking tired, had a few software updates only one time that was unable to start due to a software glitch was easily rectified by pull main fuse and replacing it.

Services are every 9000 miles small ones around 150 and full around 350

Love the TFT and it’s uses and information, extras recommended Quick shifter, crash bars heated grips as musts , tyres tried Bridgestone A41 but found them slow to turn so have stayed with Pirelli Scorpion 2s

Phenomenal machine - Blackbird power in a dual sport !! no one could have imagined this 10 years ago

As comfy as a bike can get I think pillion is very happy too The best part of this bike is that it’s at its best almost everywhere , so many settings and options for suspension and engine

The engine is best part . It’s a total peach . Soo much torque , slipper clutch , auto blipper quick shifter , motors don’t get better than this

No problems , but it’s a high tech bike full of the latest electronics . Keyless ignition I personally think is stupid especially on a bike

Relatively easy to self service , and service intervals and costs are longer and cheaper than my Suzuki gsxs1000 50 mpg is easy to achieve

All you need , cruise sat nav , heated grips , , get them all enabled as part of the package , heated seats and hill hold aren’t required IMO

Ride quality is superb with a setting for everything from sport to off-road . The engine modes really do work on this bike , fueling is very good Suspension setting for every load condition , and comfort to sport in damping .

Ktm 1290 motor is best part of all , it just oozes effortless torque for a really usable road bike . This motor is special , easy to use gently in wet and tricky situations , yet eye watering power delivery for fast road use . Probably the easiest motor I’ve ever used to make fast progress on everyday roads

No problems in 3 years and 8k miles . It’s high tech so Iam impressed so far

Easy to self service , reasonably long intervals

Wants for nothing really brilliant tft screen with everything from cruise controll I score 4out of 5 because I feel keyless ignition on a motorbike is a backward step

The clever suspension works in pretty much any conditions and no matter how poor the road surface is. On decent twisty roads it will give any sports bike a run for the money - pretty amazing for a bike you can also happily take on a multi thousand mile tour.

Could pull tree stumps out. Awesome.

No issues. Bike owned from new and now on 12k miles.

Servicing costs aren't too bad. It is a big complex bike after all.

Everything you could possibly want. I'm still finding features after 2 years of ownership.

It's as happy on Twisties as it is on the open road. Yet to introduce it to the dirty side of it's character but I have no doubt it'll perform. Comfortable for several hours in the saddle.

Awesome, just awesome.....

Solid as an orange rock!

Economical for a beast.

The dash & controls are excellent. It sounds even better with the Akra fitted. Benefits from an after market clip on wind deflector on top of the screen.

Soooooo comfy to ride. I commute, tour and play on it and it is comfy for everything. It is very tall though. Be careful. The suspension is the best I have ever experienced. I was sceptical of semi active and cornering ABS etc but I have to say it is a revelation. Just fantastic.

Loads and loads of power but it is the smooth way it is delivered and the faultless fuelling which make this really special. I run it in Sports mode most of the time and even then it is smooth , well behaved and easy to use. I probably don't need to use Sports mode but the induction roar and instant hit of power are addictive.

Had electrical problems, the screen and starter. It seems some moisture got in but Laguna fixed it and KTM got the parts to them quickly. I am happy with the service.

A big heavy adventure bike with 160 bhp. It isn't cheap to run but it is worth every penny. I recommend the Scorpion Trail 2s. Fantastic grip and quite hard wearing. Suit the bike very well.

Everything you could need. I have the heated seat and grips and they work great with the quick selection on the menu. I use KTM My Ride for Navigation. I have heard lots of complaints but once set up mine has been fantastic. It is clear, easy to use and works great.

Great WP suspension

Awesome engine and power delivery

Too early to tell this is a recent purchase

Great deal saved 2400 off the normal price. Was considering GS 1250 (second hand) but got a brand new 1290 with lots of extras for less than the cost of 2nd hand GS

Heated grips and quickshifter should be standad

Ride quality is incredible. This suspension package is without doubt the best I have ever used, and I have ridden or owned every adventure bike on the matket.

This is where the bike really shines, the power is smooth , controllable and ample. As the torque builds , if you wish you can lift the front wheel off small bumps at 80 mph plus, obviously where legal to do so. Or you can set the bike in street mode and cruise along barely touching the throttle, with no complaints from engine or transmission. Oh yes nearly forgot, get the quickshifter installed at your first service , though the clutch is light and the gearbox slick the quickshifter (once you learn how to use it , ie don’t shut throttle and don’t touch clutch!! ) is incredible

Nothing has failed, fallen off or broken , though make sure you wash road salt off in the winter.

This bike, though relatively expensive represents great value for money, considering the level of kit supplied, versus certain German competition.

It’s got everything you could imagine and more, the electronic suspension and traction control are literally out of this world, particularly in the wet when you can feel it helping keep you in control, simply amazing, though Ktm should include the “travel pack” with the initial price ( travel pack includes quickshifter, hill hold control and asc)

Engine hunting when hot , dealer failed to solve problem

Depreciation was massive !

Uncomfortable seat , gel seat fitted no better . Tall screen fitted standard one too low

I use my bike for touring and daily commuting and it does both without an issue. There's plenty of go in the motor for lugging luggage and the chassis handles really well. The brakes feel a little wooden at times.

There's nothing to dislike about the engine, it has awesome power everywhere. It is very smooth and cruises at any speed. I regularly get 55mpg without trying.

The bike has had to have new fork sliders fitted due to failing chrome and I'm waiting to have a new keyless fuel cap fitted as the current one has failed. The fit and finish is light-years ahead of the R1200GS LC Adventure I had previously...... Awful paint quality on the frame and engine on the BMW.

I love the cruise control and the touring electronics package. The quickshifter is light-years ahead of the gear shift assist pro on the BMW I had. I have Apduro panniers fitted to my bike, which are superb and use a BMW-style quick release system. I can also recommend the KTM Power Parts two-piece heated seats, which are a revelation in both comfort and also the heat is a welcome bonus on winter mornings.

Fun to ride. Great in the twisties.

Power, power, power.

no big issues

Not more expensive then my previous bikes.

Perfect in every respect faultless. I don't believe the KTM and GS should be compared, luckily enough I have both and they both are brilliant bikes, they just get from A to B in very different styles. I spend 99.9% of my time on tarmac, but the roads in South East England are so so poor it feels like riding 99.9 % over potholes. But the roads don't bother these types of bikes they just tramp on and on and steer so well at what ever pace is set.

Blows everything else away KTM clearly have some very clever chaps at the factory. The rider modes suit every circumstance, rarely use sport mode in the UK. Pointless.

So far so good done 4000 miles mostly in europe in the alps in September. Too early to tell about reliability. I do tend to do as much servicing and preventative maintainace as i can. I also have a very old BMW GS 1100 for winter use and another BM GSA 1200 last of air cooled models. BMW,s do need looking after as well. I do apply plenty of product products to all my bikes and they all get pampered. So I do my bit to give the bikes he best chance to be reliable

Haven't had to pay for a big service yet but as with all these high spec bikes you buy knowing what you are letting yourself in for!

I fully loaded my KTM with just about everything but kitchen sink. Heated seats brilliant no idea why Germans don't offer options in GS they are missing a trick. The heated seat design is also so much more comfortable than the standard seat even with no heat! For me what swung the KTM to me and not GS or Ducati Multi Strada or Triumph, I really wanted to love the triumph but the looks didn't do it for me, was KTM equipment the ipad dash which is so clear and informative,the electronic package cornering headlights which really do work, quick shifter up and down the box is flawless and so much fun every where. It very quickly becomes completely intuitive to use and I have ridden many many bikes.

the brakes are top notch. But the engine, that is from another level.

Smooth at low revs. And beasty once above 4500rpm

Compared to others it is no more expensive than Japanese let alone a German or an English.

Full package for a reasonable price considering other brands.

ride quality spot on

awesome engine, puts a real smile on your face

Windscreen not very scratch resistant

costly. 30 quid more than a GS

love the LCD screen, Gear shifter, suspension.