Enormous ability

Big power, big tank, big miles, big comfort – and big money…

THE 1290 SUPER Adventure has been a fantastic partner in crime. It’s done the basics of getting me to work without complaint or effort, making dull journeys fun. On top of which it’s taken me to Wales, round the North Coast 500 in Scotland, all over the north and east of England, as well as through France, Italy and Switzerland.

That’s just on the tarmac. The big KTM even persuaded me to take it off-road. First on a few tame local green lanes, then in proper rugged off-road conditions when being coached by Ross Noble. It was clear that the bike was more at home on the dirt than I was, but it gave me enough confidence to tackle some unpaved passes in the Alps – something I’d never even contemplated before.

I made very few changes to the bike, largely because it worked so well as standard. When it went in for its 600-mile running-in service, I added the KTM Touring panniers (£800 a set). I also had a Garmin Zumo 590 cradle wired into the bike’s loom, so it turned off with the key.

I quickly decided it needed a larger sidestand footprint, so added the easily fitted and high quality Altrider option (£35, www.adventurebikeshop.co.uk). I also added the KTM rack (£80) to make it easy to carry camping kit and larger bags.

Generally the KTM was superbly reliable, starting first press, every time – but I did have two issues. First, the shock’s electronic preload adjuster stopped working before I could get the bike into a dealer for an update. When the workshop plugged it into a computer, it was cured.

More annoying was the sidestand cut-out switch playing up. It bit me on my European trip, killing the engine when I went to pull away. Working the stand up and down a few times got it going again, but for the next two days I heaved the heavy bike onto its centrestand each

time I stopped. When I had a chance to squirt the stand with WD-40, it seemed to work. But the next morning, at the start of my run back to the UK, the cut-out killed the bike in a petrol station. Again, working the stand a few times cleared the fault, but I didn’t use it again. It later went in for a service and has been faultless since.

The Super Adventure has been a good icebreaker. People seem more curious about it than any other bike I’ve ridden and everyone seems to like it. Well, apart from GS owners, who always say the same thing: couldn’t go back to a chain drive. The size seems to put some riders off, but it’s a huge plus for bigger blokes. The other thing riders can’t get past is the price: it doesn’t matter if I insist it’s a lot of bike for the money, it’s still a lot of money. As the winter bit I appreciated the heated grips and seat, but added to them with my Warm n Safe heated jacket (£193, www.riderz.co.uk). I’d arrive more comfortable and

warmer than if I’d travelled by car.

THE STORY SO FAR Our KTM adventure tourer has piled on the miles round Scotland’s North Coast 500 and gone camping in Wales. It’s also explored some of the unpaved roads and trails in the Alps. And in daily use it’s been a good commuter. On Colle...

LONG-RANGE OPTION The 30-litre tank transformed my commute, as I was filling up once rather than three times a week. On trips, I’d fill up after 270-280 miles. If I’d been riding fast, the indicated remaining range might be down to 10 miles; if I’d...