KTM has just unleashed the all-new 1290 Super Adventure R. Don't let the size fool you. This very big dirt bike can take its rider anywhere in any weather condition.
What’s new for 2021
The changes were introduced by KTM competitive rider, Chris Birch. He says the Austrian engineers have improved the 1290’s chassis, which is now shorter than the previous model but has a 15mm longer swingarm. This frame revision makes the big 1290 Super Adventure R easier to manage, especially on tight off-road terrain.
Also, the weight distribution was improved by adopting the fuel tank design of the 790 Adventure and 790 Adventure R, which is positioned on the sides, parallel to the engine’s crankshaft. Despite the split design, fuel capacity is 23 liters.
For the 1290 Super Adventure R’s ergonomics, the most notable improvement is the new one-piece stepped seat at a height of only 880mm versus the outgoing model’s 890mm. This new lower seat is hoped to boost a rider’s confidence, letting him plant his or her feet on the ground. The handlebar position has also been improved and is equipped with steering damper.
The most noticeable improvement, according to Birch, is the 1290 Super Adventure R’s suspension. The fully-adjustable 48mm front forks offer an impressive 220 mm of travel, feature split damping functions, and can be adjusted quickly with a twist of the respective dials. The same travel measurement graces the WP PDS rear shock. This new suspension package was “tested thoroughly in the Californian desert-land as well as long stretches of varied landscapes across Europe.”
A complaint from a lot of veteran KTM riders has always been the heat coming from the engine. For the 2021 1290 Super Adventure R, KTM has reworked the blowers and claims that the heat is now dissipated away from the rider’s legs.
For rider aids and electronics, KTM has put an all-new 7-inch TFT screen that can also be connected to the rider’s smartphone via Bluetooth. The best part is, the screen’s angle can be tilted to the rider’s preference, thus, minimizing glare.
The 1290 Super Adventure R comes standard with 4 riding modes: Rain, Street, Sport, and Off-road. There's an optional Rally mode can be bought separately as an upgrade.
Additionally, the new 1290 Super Adventure R comes with cornering and off-road ABS (along with standard ABS), traction control, a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS), and automatic turn indicator reset (ATIR) – which will automatically turns off your turn signal after 10 seconds of movement and 150 meters of riding distance.
PH availability and pricing
As of press time, our friends from KTM Philippines have not confirmed the Philippine pricing and availability of the new 1290 Super Adventure R yet. Rest assured that it is destined for the Philippines and they will make an announcement soon.
