‘It’s been emotional’
KTM 1290 SUPER ADVENTURE R 5499 MILES Time to hand the 1290 back, so would Michael be tempted?
It’s finally the end of the road for my time with KTM’s flagship 1290 Super Adventure R. While I haven’t done as many miles as I would have liked, the miles and trips I have done have been memorable. They haven’t been spent on motorways, instead they’ve been a mixture of great road riding in Wales all the way through to some decent off-road riding at various locations across the UK.
The torn water pump housing O-ring that caused a breakdown on the Isle of Man is now a distant memory with the bike performing impeccably over the last three and a half thousand miles.
I love the fact that machines like the 1290 R exist. It’s one of the most unapologetic motorcycles I’ve ever had the pleasure of riding thanks to its ‘all-in’ 1301cc, 160bhp and 101.7lb.ft torque V-twin. It’s an absolute weapon, and it’s genuinely hard to keep the smile off your face whenever you open the throttle.
Saying that, the electronics and fuelling are also top-spec, so it’s a real pussycat when you need it to be, making the KTM ideal for relaxed use or taking pillions.
Before getting the bike, I thought its road manners and credentials would be very much compromised by the 21in front wheel and 18in rear which restricts tyre choices. While there is no question that the 1290 Adventure S model with its 19in 120mm wide front tyre is the choice for road only use, the R model does an exceptional job of delivering strong road performance along with true off-road pedigree. In some ways the 21in 90mm wide front makes it that bit more exciting.
Having a longterm test bike is a fantastic part of working on MCN. I’ve been on the paper for 20 years now, so the bikes I’ve had on test over the years would make a real dream fleet. Unfortunately, they all have to go back to their respective manufacturers, and each year I ask the question – would I buy it?
I’ll be honest, there haven’t been many that I’d say yes to, and the 1290 Super Adventure R is a tricky one. If the question was ‘would I like it in my garage’ then I’d rip your arm off. I’d love it in my garage,
I love the fact that in 2024 bikes as wild as this are still available to buy and I can’t think of many motorcycles that have made me grin quite like the 1290.
But putting your money where your mouth is and buying it is a different proposition. Yes, it’s an amazing bike and maybe if I lived in the middle of Africa, America or Australia where they have acres of space to exploit the best aspects of the bike’s abilities I’d say ‘yes’. But for UK use it’s probably a little much and the £17,299 price would make it an expensive toy despite the amazing bang for your buck.
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Brilliant engine, suspension and grin factor