14 month ownership review - KTM 1290 Super Adventure R

i have now owned my KTM 1290 Super Adventure R for 14 months. I have used the bike for fast tarmac riding, travelling, gravel roads and single tracks. I now sum up how the bike has performed during my ownership, what I like and what I dislike. I will also help you decide whether this bike is for you or not.

[@crk58241]

Love your videos. Please continue your updates. I get a lot of joy watching your videos on the 1290 r. I also own a KTM 1290 R adventure 2018 model. What a beautiful bike it is!

[@markusmattersberger4295]

Thanks for your review! It´s a fantastic bike - I own it since one month. I have not really very much experience because untilgbar now and beside this bike I ride a fantastic heavy cruiser. But the KTM is very good to handle and gives me a lot of opportunities - and I learn more and more. I love it!

[@CPSJSMSUUMUGA]

One of the best reviews of this, or any bike, I've ever read.

[@azdesertdog]

Great review. I have a 1090 R. I haven't had the warranty issues but I think that is the dealership. Triumph was awful about warranty. Hope you have many more happy miles.

[@lukas0909]

Thanks for review, greetings from PL

[@GerhardCombrink]

Excellent review, thank you

[@Kornholeeoo]

Ohh! I want the little Honda!!! LOL. Great video! I like the mods you have done. I personally ride a Harley but this bike is really nice too. I will say it looks like it would be fun to ride. Enjoyed the video Ride safe!

[@0321ReconMan]

Haha thats why I got the S version, which I love!!! But im 5'10" so not planning to hit single track on it, maybe a dirt road here and there. Good video!

[@jameswilliams5982]

Love ‘tis bike. I had the 1190 R.. I’d use this for touring only... nice review.

[@Bjarsjolagard]

Hej. Tack för en bra sammanfattning. Har själv en 1090S men då den inte är riktigt byggd för offroad så funderar jag på att byta till antingen 790R eller som din 1290R. Din film gav mig mycket bra input inför mitt beslut.

[@SuperSnallygaster]

Thanks for this review. I frequently ride alone so this may be a bit too much off road for me between the weight and standover height.

[@magnusb6311]

Cant make up my mind what to buy but this one is on my list. Moving to Mexico this winter, a lot of trails around the area where I am going to live, but also a good bike to commute is what I need. This helped me in the KTM direction. Currently looking at this, the S-version, the 890s, and Triumph Tiger 1200/900 Rally Pros. Cheers from a Swede in North Carolina. Liked and subscribed.

[@tomwagner6334]

Great review!

[@gregstarks7368]

Completely agree with your review. Nine months into my 1290 SAR. Big bike at my 5'6" height and 140 pounds but I have a lot of experience riding enduro / hard enduro so if I can get a toe down I'm good. It's my big bike for big bike adventures. I've said this to a few people...after 40 some bikes in my life and a handful in the garage...it's pretty cool knowing I'm on the fastest production bike made over mixed terrain. Nothing can keep up from double track to forest roads to twisty asphalt to triple digits on open roads in the same day. LC8 is a beast, and there's a reason it's a sea of orange at local enduro races.

[@nev357]

I am 57 and share similar thoughts about ownership of my 1290R. It may not be as easy as a lite weight bike bit it's cool to know you own a king of two wheeled machines.

[@Kaegis]

Nice to hear real time from shorter riders. I too am 171cm with a 33" inner leg seam and along with sheer grit and heavy gym work I could dominate a DRZ400E on the tracks against my mates with RMZ450's and WR450's. That being said, it is only 138kg wringing wet! I have never ridden the 1290 but it has been my favourite bike for some time. Granted the GS1250 RallyeX is very attractive and has that low COG, but there's just something about the 1290. I rode my mates 1998 lifted GS1100, and was heavy but you could feel the lower COG and handled so darn well even though it was lifted. Someday, I hope to experience the 1290SAR.

[@nev357]

@@Kaegis check vid GS1250 vs 1290SAR. no comparison in power. 1290SAR is King, everything else is child's play. You need to try for sure.

[@rafaell1774]

Great video, thanks. I am now thinking about new 1290S, but as I'm coming from Honda and Beemer, I was worrying a bit about infamous KTM reliability. I guess the did catch up with the rest of the pack, otherwise they would sell nothing. Just need to check how is it with British KTM service approach, which you've mentioned good few times. I'm test-riding one soon, then I'll do my homework and...who knows, maybe I'll get one. Thank you.

[@MrAigaro]

Excellent review 👍🏻

[@sydsacks9097]

Terrific and helpful review for those contemplating a 1290 (as I am0.

[@45ciechu]

What did you choose? How do you evaluate the decision over time? I'm thinking 1190 or 1290.

[@colinlow1167]

That's a really decent and accurate review. I have the same model and year. Mine is at 16,000 miles and coming up to its second service. I've ridden it from the UK to Portugal and then back along the Pyrenees, then across France to the UK again. My only issue has been the LHS buttons on the switchgear, which turned into crazy paving and began to fall apart. It was replaced under warranty. KTM said it was a first. I'm a little shorter and older than you (69) so I've had to become very disciplined about how I move it around, duckwalking it in car parks, and turning it in tight spaces. I've dropped it a few times, usually with the engine off, and it has forced me to become quite strategic about handling it at low speed. It bounces surprisingly well. Nothing has broken. I love hooning on it. My previous bike was a Blade and the 1290 is a lot of fun. It's a fast ride, and friends with various other bikes - MT09, Speed Triple, ZX9R, Hayabusa, s1000R - are struggling to stay with it on winding Welsh roads. My main issue is wind buffeting. I replaced the small R screen with the much larger S screen, and I now have less crap on my visor, but it still feels like my helmet is being hammered with a wet sock. In dirty air (e.g. motorways) it is awful. There are various claims about add-on screens, but I await a reliable test. Thank you.

[@alejandropolo]

Great feed back...I am between a 1090 Adventure R or this one...

[@colinlow1167]

@@alejandropolo The power and torque were selling points for me :-) I like that it is stupidly quick. I tried a few bikes, including the s1000XR, and the 1290 was the one that put a big grin on my face. The 1090 is also very nice, but not sufficiently lighter or smaller for my taste.

[@cwugrad396]

great review

[@lamilumag]

Had the 1190 R years ago, took a break from riding, inherited an F800GS, got bored, rode this today.... old love - putting down the money on monday :)

[@secessioncycles1357]

Great review and I'm glad to hear much the same observations as I've had. I love mine. Bought it new a year ago. I live in North Texas and most of my miles are on the road, where it does well (other than wearing through knobbies super fast). I've taken it off road a few times, with the longest stint being the KTM Rally in Breckenridge this past September. I am even taller at 6'8" and have no problem with the seat height and can manage the weight without any issues. I added a taller saddle and the taller Puig windscreen. I added about 4" of risers to the bars and would like to drop the pegs 2" for a better standing experience. The after-market skid plate has been on since day one and I need to get the heated grips installed at some point. Breckenridge experience: I was a little concerned about taking this big boy off-road into the mountains and when I say off-road, I mean on the single track trails, doing a lot of climbing and descending of rock steps and other tricky 4x4/ATV trails. But the bike was great! You have to pick your line and give it the beans but it scaled some pretty sketchy stuff no problem. I did have some challenges going downhill. Mostly due to getting in a bind, killing and restarting the engine, and forgetting to shut the ABS off each time (I need to get that dongle!). Once I realized what was going on, that issue went away. The only time the bike laid down was in a parking lot behind the thai food restaurant in town. Broke the stock mirror but no other damage. I'm heading from Denton down to Big Bend National Park in the next couple of months then either CO again or Death Valley in late spring, deo volente. Haven't had to engage KTM warranty service so no observation there. Future add-ons? Other than installing the heated grips, I just need to get some bark busters, swap the original mirror for another double-take mirror, and lower the pegs. I bought the bike due to the performance stats and the price, esp compared to a GS. Now I can't imaging having anything else. Cheers!

[@smtex25]

I'm 6'8" as well. Mostly legs. I'd love to meet and just sit on your bike and see how it feels the way you have it set up. I live in anna and travel to denton several times a week. What other type bikes have you owned and were most comfortable on? I have a indian chiertan and just cant make it comfortable. Have also had road glides , vstar,boulevard. Been looking seriously at one of these or the bmw. Leaning more toward ktm because price and performance.

[@secessioncycles1357]

@@smtex25 Send me an email: [e-mail].

[@spenny1493]

Hi Buddy Im like you TALL ha ha did you buy some lowering pegs as im looking for some. Many thanks Spencer

[@secessioncycles1357]

No, I just moved the existing pegs to their low setting, grabbed a higher-sitting seat, and added some handlebar risers to make it fit. I didn’t want to drop the pegs too low for clearance-purposes so opted for a higher center of gravity. #tradeoffs

[@spenny1493]

@@secessioncycles1357 great many thanks for the feedback 👍

[@krilitsch1]

Your review confirming my own opinion of the bike. I have the same model and the biggest issue is the heavy weght I would say and, as you where mension, KTM´s warranty policy. I have issues with a free play and a clicking sound from my front fork in low temperature and that's something they don't want to don anything about. I woud say that the bike is very nice but don't mix it up with a enduro or cross bike because it's far from there, it is a explorer bike for god and bad roads and it does it job great. What is brand of the handgards, looks nice.

[@laurensab1205]

Merci 😊pour ce beau résumer. Je viens d’acheter ma mienne et suis impatient et a la fois un peut triste de dire au revoir a ma 950 😢 pour pouvoir acheter ma new KTM 😁

[@rodrigofabregas7756]

Hi, great video. I have the same bike (2018) and...I'm just 1,69...so, I'm just use it on road and some light off road (I lowered it about 3 cm.), but I love the suspension and the 21/18" wheels. For more serious offroad, I use my freeride 350. I saw that you don't have the pre-filters installed...don't you think they''ve benefits?. Thanks and regards from Chile.

[@rkortes]

Great work! I've got a EXC 500 and a 690.Thinking about selling 690 and getting a bigger bike that's a little more roadworthy. Appreciate the insight as to the difficulty on more serious off-road which is what I expected. Yeah I don't think any of us are quite Chris Birch! 👍

[@emerymahylis944]

I bought this bike after 1 test ride about 12 months ago (originally was looking at the 1200GSA but found this channel & thought I would give it a try= very happy with the results & zero buyers remorse) Couple things I've noticed that probably deserve a comment; = I had the rear exhaust header under the seat ceramic coated inside & out.. this cost about $200 Canadian. There was 2 noticable benefits resulting; the overall temperature under the seat & around the legs was reduced by 33% (the coating shop suggested nearly a 50% reduction for the specific part but there is other hot parts down there so the overall temperature reduction was a third) This helped the rear suspension reservoir with I previously couldn't touch after an hour with a bare hand.. damping has remained more consistent under heavy spirited hwy riding & logging roads blasting = Next would be the fork bleaders (Definitely use these often if blasting logging roads aggressively or significant differences in elevation have happened throughout the trip) I was surprised how much of a difference this makes on this KTM suspension compared to my Honda for example (any buzzing in the hands that has developed virtually disappears) = Thirdly..; "acceleration" !!?!! Ok so I didn't buy this bike to drag race an adventure bike.. but from a dead stop the acceleration 0-100kph with the quick shifter is mind boggling.. maybe 2.8 seconds or something.. Ducati superbikes, R1M, S1000RR, whatever.. doesn't matter.. yes they've got a few more horsepower (sometimes 50 horses more) & there lighter.. but their geared long towards a higher top speed & don't make 200+HP until 11 / 12,000 rpm Crack the throttle.. hold it wide open.. lean forward.. shift at 8,000 from 1st to 2nd & into 3rd while the computer gyro is hovering the front wheel 6" off the ground the whole time.. use the turn indicator to signal your pulling off to the side & slowing down to a legal responsible speed as your going about 150kph (all this in seconds) The beast's have been on your heels & are just coming into their sweet spots & about to wax you with their 200+HP machines.. I've literally been fingered for this manoeuvre as this is too much fun playing with the sport bikes this way.. lol.. 🤣 (Of course their faster in every other way under every circumstance,"except this one"👍) If your not looking for your first bike.. then take one of these out for a test ride (if you have the means to buy it if you like it) because you will....

[@emerymahylis944]

@Five Eyes Ducati sounds the best in my opinion, I swapped out for the Akropavic titanium at around 1000kms & that brought it closer to the Ducati sorta sound (although still quieter without as much of a deep bass) Have been doing alot of logging roads with the KTM 2up with 80lbs of luggage, (overnight camping trips with the wife) swapped out the rear spring for 2 rates higher spec & its been great, 21" 18" wheel combination is stable on the loose gravel. Wife has had to do a master nail polish touch up job on the wheels for rock chips & idunno if the Ducati would fair so well in that department & still look good, the Ducati's look best in mint condition & the KTM will let you get away with a little more wear & tear & maintain that purposeful charm "in my opinion of course"

[@emerymahylis944]

@Five Eyes Ping my email address ([e-mail]) & I'll send you a bunch of pictures of how I outfitted the "R" Played around with different options until I've found "maximum comfort accessories" I'm in the Vancouver lower mainland area (bought the bike at holeshot motorsports in 2018) Although an arctic circle trip is in the works for next fall, we've mostly used it for trips to sloquet hot springs = sea to sky hwy to Pemberton 175kms & then 100kms logging roads, same trip back, about 5/6 hrs riding in each direction

[@SonofHendrik]

Tack så mycket Anders, for your honesty. I own the 1190 for three years now; maybe I should trade it in for the 1290 s? Or wait for the 2020 1290?

[@KhairulkharExplorer]

Nice bro, thanks.

[@hanskarl2215]

EXCELLENT review. First time I've heard someone accurately describe the main concerns with riding a heavy and tall bike off-road. Instead of just putting it down, you accurately state that rider height/strength/skill level needs to be up to the challenge. I may have missed it, but perhaps a mention of the gearing would be helpful... can you comfortably ride at walking speed in first gear without constant clutch feathering?

[@gas-o-loon7522]

The gearing has never troubled me. Much torque + try to keep speed up whenever possible (fails sometimes inevitably though...)

[@user-sz2og2pk7b]

Silly question but why is your rear brake fluid purple?

[@nev357]

Even though I thoroughly enjoy my 1290R, you made me feel far more comfortable with ownership. I always thought I wasn't good enough to ride such a beast. It's not huge, its massive for an on road bike let alone suitable for off road. I can't get enough of it on gravel roads and single lane tracks but very hesitant to take it up off road slopes. I am 57, 6ft 32inch inseam and I am not flat footed and the bike has enormous top weight. I have smaller offroad bikes so I am covered. Love the 1290R king of bikes.

[@sbrown8307]

Nev hyperpro makes a lowering spring. I am 510 and it was a game changer. Drop the forks as well.

[@nev357]

@@sbrown8307 thanks. I just ordered the lowering spring.

[@sbrown8307]

Nev Be careful when you drop the forks in the triple clamps as you need to check the steering stabilizer for binding. You can’t drop the forks very much because the tube gets thicker as you slide it down but it helps a lot to keep the bike balanced once you lower the rear. You’ll have to cut your kickstand. I simply took a little less than 3/4 of an inch off of mine and welded it back together and it works perfect

[@nev357]

@@sbrown8307 thanks for the info. I have asked my KTM dealer to install the spring. They said they would ask KTM for options with lowering the forks. I hadn't thought about the side stand, makes sense. I thought I saw an after market shorter side stand somewhere but cut n weld seems easy enough. Cheers

[@kepler240]

went from a KLR 650 to this 4 weeks ago. wow wow wow. Incredible machine. I'm fairly short but got used it. The 790 R is actually a little taller. Love everything about it. Only negative so far is the seat key switch spun around the first time I used, but got it fixed in 5 minutes. Just have to know how far to turn it and which direction so it shouldn't happen again.

[@georgemugurel6125]

❤❤😂😅w😊

[@kepler240]

2023 update. Still have the 1290. Still like new. Still as fast as ever. Still wows me everytime I ride it. 13k miles so far. Never had a problem with it...ever. Only negative is when I get it on the highway, it wants to seem to pass everybody....and does.

[@MrPaulo1400]

Hello, nice review thanks. I have a question: would you trade yours for a 2022 model?

[@roadkill-dc7oz]

I have a new 2020 and its horrible on the street it tracks all over i also installed continental trail attack 3 70 mph it won't track its all over the road scary any ideas to fix

[@TCKIWI36]

As a new owner of ktm 1190 with 30k from new, I have a stock standard exhaust , how do you like the Remus ?

[@davypross]

With the smaller diameter wheels your Speedo is off? Also do the smaller wheels need adapters?

[@jetlee7743]

how's touring? how's lights ..powerful and light wide views

[@wfodavid]

I love mine but the suspension needs work for off road.

[@barneyandrews3173]

@gasoloon do you have or have you had an issue with the bars shaking when you take your hands off them? I bought a new one in October and I've found if I release the bars they start to shake to the point a tank slapper would be next on the agenda! As soon as my hands go back to the bars, it all stops. Weird.

[@gerry786]

I have very little vibration. I can ride with no hands. Check wheel balance

[@saadstrips6573]

You need to use an external mic my friend to have a better voice quality, especially when the GoPro is away from you. Thank you.

[@rs245a]

Hur höga är dina bar risers?

[@MattManuel]

Is that the OEM KTM GPS mount above the display, holding your Garmin?

[@alpinea110channel4]

Yes!

[@VonSutho]

Hey Gas-o-Loon, I just picked up a new one of these and am at a similar height. I had bar risers on my 1190r and was wondering which brand risers did you install?

[@themotorvehicleandfurrypet1157]

Some cheap noname stuff. Worked fine.

[@christopherkhear5952]

Hey nice videos , like ur real world opinions , how many kilometers have u done on the big orange

[@alpinea110channel4]

5000kms!

[@gas-o-loon7522]

6000ish..

[@joshmarklowitz3243]

Nice review! I love mine. Do you have any problems with the side stand being to long with the smaller tires?

[@gas-o-loon7522]

Nope. Still works well.

[@alpinea110channel4]

No. Works well also with small tires.

[@dovlabu2]

@@gas-o-loon7522 I also want to ask you put 19 front and 17 back. Is it now better. Please tell me your observation

[@1888fiire]

nice review. how is aero flow at speed? any heat issues around the motor?

[@themotorvehicleandfurrypet1157]

Air flow ok for long trips. Heat never bothered me.

[@manteamihai]

Upgrade to a 45T sprocket...u will feel the difference 👍🏻

[@TheHermanhedning]

Hur höga är dina styrhöjare och vart fick du tag i dom? Tittat lite på powerparts och rox men velar på vilken höjd jag vill ha.

[@themotorvehicleandfurrypet1157]

25mm. Jag är 190cm och har dessutom 20mm lägre fotpinnar.

[@ilhambayu9997]

Top speed ?

[@bogdanc1379]

If you were to go back in time, considering what you know about the bike, would you buy it again? If not, what would you consider?

[@gas-o-loon7522]

I would buy it again. But now when the 790R and the Tenere are available, I would probably go for one of them instead as I like pretty heavy offroad traveling.

[@owenjones6134]

@@gas-o-loon7522 so are you more dirt orientated Mate?

[@gas-o-loon7522]

@@owenjones6134 Yes.

[@Andrew-kc9sf]

Is the 1190r or 1290r better off road? Or are they about the same?

[@themotorvehicleandfurrypet1157]

1290 slightly better because of better, more progressive suspension.

[@hamad_mahanna]

My bike gs1200 r adventure but really the 1290 super adventure it’s better soon I will buy 1290 super adventure r 👍

[@Demonwicked]

call a helicopter, lmao good review man.

[@gas-o-loon7522]

And please subscribe. Approaching 1000 now! 😀

[@Lenek8005]

2:11 unfortunately this resulted in burned shoes. 😆😆😆there are traces of rubber on the exhaust😋😋 do not be angry. I didn't mean to offend you

[@stien111]

Gävle? 😎

[@klauspeters7434]

shall I buy a 1090 R or 1290 R ??? 😄

[@gas-o-loon7522]

Buy a 790 R. Much better balance. Fast enough.

[@klauspeters7434]

Gas-o-Loon also for a tall guy ? 1,90 m ...

[@Crust2013]

1090R,,,!!

[@Crust2013]

What's mistake?

[@klauspeters7434]

Crust2013 wrong post, sorry

[@pavo555]

5-6L/100km? Shit! my 800xc is like that

[@dalibortrkulja9582]

never heard 5 liters every 100km on 1290

[@andrehattingh1802]

I normally do 4.5 in my '19 1290 SAR..400km range easy

[@dalibortrkulja9582]

@@andrehattingh1802 then i was wrong about. My 1190 drinks like german people drink beer

[@andrehattingh1802]

@@dalibortrkulja9582 ahahah Germans drink allot of beer becouse its water mixed with a yellow stuff ahaha i can also do 6.5/100, depending on the throttle and if i have the panniers on.

[@ampm9771]

There is no way you get a Ducati with bent rim, or starter button and rear brake lever not working. Of course you'll have some minor issues with every motorcycle, but Ducati is on another planet in terms of quality than KTM. When you touch a Ducati, it oozes quality, whereas when you touch KTM, it's ball flimsy amd plasticky and wobbly.