New for 2018, KTM’s 1290 Super Adventure S is a street-oriented sport/adventure tourer based on the off-road-focused 1290 Super Adventure R. (Photos courtesy KTM)
When the KTM 1190 Adventure debuted for 2014, it was a revelation, brimming with a 131-horsepower V-twin, cornering ABS (the first motorcycle to offer this important safety innovation), multiple engine, traction control and ABS modes, semi-active suspension, a tire-pressure monitoring system and remarkable capability both on pavement and off-road.
Read our KTM 1190 Adventure/R long-term review
The 2018 KTM 1290 Super Adventure S has cast wheels (19-inch front, 17-inch rear) with 90/10 Pirelli Scorpion Trail II tires, semi-active suspension and other changes that make it more suitable for street riding than the 1290 Super Adventure R. Over the past few years, as the adventure touring segment stood out as one of the few bright spots in an otherwise sluggish motorcycle market, KTM has expanded and reconfigured its Adventure lineup. For 2018, there?s the dirt-focused, 125-horsepower 1090 Adventure R, the dirt-focused, 160-horsepower 1290 Super Adventure R (both are equipped with 21-inch front/18-inch rear spoked wheels and manually adjustable, extra-long-travel suspension), and the new, street-focused 1290 Super Adventure S.
Read our 2017 KTM 1090 Adventure R review
Read our 2017 KTM 1090 Adventure R vs Honda Africa Twin comparison review
The 2018 KTM 1290 Super Adventure S is powered by the liquid-cooled, 1,301...