2021 KTM 1290 Super Adventure R Revealed

KTM has announced a completely revised model of its flagship adventure bike, revealing the new off-road centric KTM 1290 Super Adventure R. The updated 1290 Super Adventure R comes just a month after KTM took the wraps off the road-biased S model, and the R also boasts of comprehensive updates. The R gets a lower centre of gravity, revised chassis, fresh electronics package, lighter engine internals, new gearbox and more. What the 1290 Super Adventure R won't get is the radar-guided adaptive cruise control system, which made its debut on the S model.

Also Read: 2021 KTM 1290 Super Adventure S Revealed

The 1,301 cc, LC8 v-twin engine makes 158 bhp at 9,000 rpm and 138 Nm at 6,500 rpm

The engine remains the same 1,301 cc, v-twin, which makes 158 bhp at 9,000 rpm and 138 Nm at 6,500 rpm. But the engine is now 1.6 kg lighter and gets lighter engine cases, new pistons, altered coatings and a revised exhaust unit. Service intervals come at 15,000 km, with a claimed fuel consumption figure of around 21 kmpl. According to KTM, the gear-shift mechanism has been reworked as well, for faster and slicker changes, although a quickshifter is not standard, and is an optional extra.

The 1290 Super Adventure R gets lower centre of gravity, a three-part fuel tank with fuel stored down below, and revised chassis

The 1290 Super Adventure R wears a new look, with the colours inspired by the old 990 Adventure. A new three-part fuel tank allows 23 litres of fuel tank capacity, which can be stored lower down, making for a low centre of gravity, and better stability. A new subframe is also added, and seat height is 880 mm, which is down 10 mm than before. The bike tips the scales with a 221 kg kerb weight.

Also Read: Highlights Of the 2021 KTM 890 Duke

Aluminium wheels, lighter engine cases, six-axis IMU powered electronics

Aluminium spoked wheels from ALPINA can be run tubeless, and up front are a pair of four-piston radial calipers from Brembo, with manually adjustable WP XPLOR suspension front and rear, both with 220 mm of travel. A new six-axis inertial measurement unit (IMU) powers the electronics, which include traction and slide control, with everything adjustable or can be switched off completely, and four riding modes, with an optional Rally setting which allows the rider to set throttle response and select from different levels of wheelspin. All these can be accessed through a new 7-inch TFT display.

The 2021 KTM 1290 Super Adventure R will miss out on the radar powered adaptive cruise control offered in the S variant

The new KTM 1290 Super Adventure R will be offered on sale in Europe in the next few months and will cost almost 16,000 GBP (around Rs. 16.38 lakh). The new KTM 1290 Super Adventure R, or its road-biased sibling, the 1290 Super Adventure S, are not likely to be launched in India. While Bajaj Auto manufactures small displacement KTM bikes in India, the biggest KTM ever to be introduced in India, was the KTM 790 Duke. KTM is however, expected to introduce both the 890 Duke, as well as the 890 Adventure in India.