You wait all this time for a bike with radar, then two come along at once. Yep, that?s right, like the new Multistrada V4, the new KTM 1290 Super Adventure S comes with Adaptive Cruise Control, but that?s not all it comes with. Thanks to some meaningful upgrades to the chassis, the engine and the electronics, the Super Adventure S is, according to KTM, ?the sportiest and most technologically advanced adventure bike to ever roll off its production line in Mattighofen, Austria.? Here?s what they?ve done?

Let?s start with that big 1301cc LC8 V-twin engine. You get 160bhp and a whopping 138Nm from an engine that?s 1.6kg lighter than the last one, thanks to thinner crank cases like the new (well new last year) Super Duke R. In fact there are quite a few similarities, like the new lubrication system, the new cooling system and new exhausts. You also get a revised PANKL gearbox, but the quickshifter is still only an optional extra.
There are plenty of fancy electronics as standard though, including the new radar-utilising Adaptive Cruise Control System. I still haven?t had a go on a bike with radar, but Chad seemed to get on with it fairly well when he went on the Multistrada V4 launch for us last year? I?ll let you make your own minds up about whether or not you like the idea of it. I?m not convinced. I do like the fact that the new bike has got a brand new 7? whopper of a dash. They?ve told us that it?s got much more practical menus as well as clearer information. ...