KTM 1290 Super Adventure S (2022-Present) Specs, Performance & Photos

The KTM Super Adventure was an adventure touring motorcycle built by the Austrian manufacturer in 2015 and marketed as a high-performance adventure touring machine and selected as the Cycle World’s best adventure bike.

In 2022, KTM launched the 1290 Super Adventure S, a third-generation evolution that resulted in the sportiest and the most technologically advanced adventure motorcycle ever built by the Austrian manufacturer.

Some bike highlights included a redesigned chassis with a shorter frame, a new subframe, a longer swingarm, a new fuel tank, a lower seat, and new bodywork. Also, it packed a new generation of Semi-Active Suspension Technology (SAT) with faster reactions and greater adjustment. It also included a revised 1,301cc LC8 engine with the same power but lower in weight.

The model featured a laser-cut and robot-welded chrome-molybdenum stainless steel trellis frame that weighs only 10 kg (22 lbs) and an all-new aluminum subframe that increased strength and stability but also offered a lower seat height and a storage compartment.

The 2022 KTM 1290 Super Adventure S featured a refined Motorcycle Traction Control (MTC) system that allowed riders to choose from four riding modes: Rain Mode, Street Mode, Sport Mode, and OFF-Road Mode.

The Rain mode offered maximum traction control and soft throttle response with limited power output, the Street Mode was the default setting with full power, medium traction control, and standard throttle response, and the Sport Mode delivered a direct throttle response with softer traction control for more wheel slip and maximum acceleration, and the Off-Road Mode that limited the power but allowed more wheelspin and slip for gravel or slick terrain.

Also, for the first time on an Adventure S model, the Rally Mode was optional and allowed riders to choose the amount of wheelspin in nine different levels and the throttle response from smooth to aggressive.