KTM. Those 3 letters make a name that is becoming familiar with the mainstream, about time, and it is slowly but surely creeping into everyone’s hearts. You either own one in some way, whether it is a dirty bike or a road one or you have a friend who rides one or a friend of a friend use to own one. That has all happened to this brand over the last 20 years. They have gone mainstream and in a big way!
The 1290 Super Adventure R is no exception to that. I must say, I was unfortunately not at KTM when they launched the new 1290 which means when I came back, it felt like I was stuck in the 1900s as the old generation had come and gone and the new one was ready to take over. Funny thing is, every adventure bike has broken away to this “comfortable and classy” like feel to it. Heated grips, screens to protect you from the wind, all the bells and whistles to make riding the bikes easier and more predictable. This is not a bad thing as every single bike has a place in the market around the world, but it has taken away the fun factor from biking. If anyone knows a biker, they will tell you the same thing… we use it to get away. This is quite frankly the most truthful statement around. The modern world, the modern way has caused an abundance of stress and this has lead to us become more frustrated, short tempered and just not living each day to the absolute maximum. Before I get philosophical, this is what biking does, it takes away that stress even if it is for that 20 minute outburst down the road but with all the gadgets becoming more and more standard on bikes, we are starting to break away from that and head towards an area where we can become more frustrated.
This is where the KTM 1290 Super Adventure R steps up to the plate. It is a brutal machine, yet it can be tamed. Turn the traction control off and it will take your pants off faster than a girlfriend who says she is home alone. This is what bikes are meant to do. Meant to set a fire inside that will burn every single day and you will find an excuse to take it for a ride and a longer one at that!
The 1290 is no slouch in any area. Power? While you have plenty of that. A whole 160hp on a big dirt bike just doesn’t make sense but that is the KTM way. FUN AND GAMES! Suspension? You have got that too! While… you meant to but does that suspension work? OH YES! The WP XPLOR suspension is quite frankly one of the best on the market right now for adventure bikes. It will make you think you are way better than you actually are and that is okay especially if you want to pick up all the birds at a bike rally/ weekend away. Brakes? A monster does need to be slowed down eventually and this bike is no different. Massive Brembo brakes to stop her at every occasion. I won’t go into too much detail on the bike’s specs because KTM use the best of the best for their big daddy but the way she feels on the open road, through corner it is super. Throw it into a corner and when I say throw, I mean it! She will accept it and say “we are going, we are going, hold on”. Quite frankly, I was not too keen or interested in the 1290 before I left and even when I came back. It was a bike I would walk straight past and look at the then 790 Adventure R but now, I think the roles have been reversed. I will very gladly take a 1290 Adventure R for a weekend round trip because she is ready and waiting for you to enjoy it and have fun. It does not feel 1290 but rather 890. How the engineers have managed to do that blows every single persons mind known to mankind.
The real question is this… Are you ready to climb onto this bike and have you call it daddy? I think so! It is fun, exciting and it is taking biking back to pure biking with modern ways. Brutal, fun, heart racing while still making you safe and secure on the bike. I would recommend to anyone to just take it for a test ride and just BUY one!