Keyless Ignition, Anti Relay Attack (ARA) - New 2022 KTM 1290 Super Adventure S

Taking a closer look at the keyless ignition on the KTM 1290 Super Adventure S. I also run through what a Relay Attack is and how the bike can protect against it.
CORRECTION: After receiving a few comments from fellow KTM owners regarding receiving a warning when the bike and the key are separated, I decided to conduct a test. During one trial, I did receive a warning message on the dashboard. However, I attempted another test to determine whether the warning is triggered by distance or riding time, but was unsuccessful in receiving another warning. During one test, I rode for approximately 5 minutes and was approximately 3 miles away from the key, but still did not receive a warning. Although the bike is capable of alerting the rider if the key is out of range, it appears to be inconsistent in when or if it will do so.

[@AussieAdventureRider]

Awesome mate..thanks for the info about the fob. I was scratching my head not knowing how to start the bike

[@pajownik]

Get KTM alarm device installed. When engaged, the bike will not turn on. If you try, the alarm will go off. You can only start the bike, after the alarm is disengaged. Good safety feature.

[@HornReaper]

Thank you for adding this was looking for more keyfob info for my 1390 duke

[@MrCptnawsm]

Thanks for the walkthrough! - All the information needed in an instant, which is a lot more than can be had from the user manual that is currently listed a "not currently available" when logging into the "personal garage" on KTM's website 😄

[@motocrad]

You're very welcome, and thanks for your comment. It's the same with the service book, I'd prefer to have a book rather than it all being online. Perhaps I'm just getting old 😉

[@scottieray]

My '22 SAS gives a key warning...and sometimes WHILE I'm riding and the key is in a pocket of my jacket.

[@motocrad]

When making this video I rode away from the key to test it and didn't get a warning. After a similar comment yesterday I tested it again. Second time testing it I did get the message, I then tried it several more times to see what the trigger was, time, distance etc, but failed to get the warning again. Very strange, mine seems to be the opposite of yours, doesn't like to warn me at all 😉

[@kelvin7511]

I think that means the battery in the key fob is low.

[@650BRP]

Great video. I have an idea, though, to fix the myriad issues with keyless. What if, just for a moment, we entertain the idea of a key that fits into a slot in the bike and makes it possible to start it, open the fuel cap, etc.? Crazy, I know.

[@motocrad]

Haha, that is crazy talk, you want to get a patent on that idea 😀

[@Romenet310]

This was very helpful. Thank you.

[@spennyy2k]

You should get a "no key in range" warning when your fob is out of range/the battery is low. It could be hidden behind other warnings on the dash.

[@motocrad]

I agree it should, I forgot to include it in the video, but I rode about 1/2 a mile away from the fob and didn't get any message, no warning triangle or anything :o(.

[@spennyy2k]

@@motocrad mine tells me regularly while I'm riding.... my superduke R did the same

[@motocrad]

@Steven Spencer That is strange, I've just been out to try it again and for the first time ever I've seen the key out of range warning. I wanted to know what the trigger was, was it distance from the fob or time riding. I reset my trip computer and started a stopwatch to find the answer. I was then unable to get the warning to appear. I travelled 3 miles and for 5 minutes and still no warning. I turned the bike off and back on wondering if it was a first ride thing but still no luck getting the message or triangle to show.

[@spennyy2k]

@@motocrad I just live with it. My dealer has said the key has a sleep mode so if it doesn't move there's no signal sent to stop thefts with signal boosters etc 🤷🏻‍♂️. Also at work in the bike shed it seems to block the signal, 99% of the time I have to touch the fob on the receiver

[@jellemeijer5397]

Good video, thanks!

[@rogercornwell5428]

Good in-depth review mate enjoyed it. I have a 2020 S model so slightly different.

[@motocrad]

Glad you enjoyed it, thank you :)

[@timfrost5457]

Great video

[@jean-lucbaert1559]

Very interesting video, thank you 👍. As I am also the owner of a Ktm Adv 1290 and which I am very happy with, can you tell me which assembly you use for your phone. THANKS

[@motocrad]

Thank you, and certainly, it's the Quadlock system. I have the handlebar mount, vibration dampener, and wireless charging head. It's not the cheapest system, but it is well made, and I highly recommend it.

[@henryzwaving]

Greet video. What smartphone holder do you use?

[@motocrad]

Thank you, the smartphone holder is by Quadlock. I have the vibration dampener and wireless charging head. Pricey but worth it, really good quality.

[@joshnolan8826]

Has this not been around for several years?

[@motocrad]

certainly has and I thought that's what I started with. Showing my age I suspect, having had a license for 30+ years, I consider anything from the last 5 years to be fairly new ;)

[@otlndsh]

Imagine setting off on a long journey and having forgotten your key... only realizing so after 300km.

[@motocrad]

yep, that would be a nightmare :(

[@darren-lewis]

I spend far too much time padding my pockets to check the key is there for my GT, it's a right PITA. For me, keyless remains a solution looking for a problem with no benefit to the owner. Someone is making some money somewhere though when you look at the cost for key replacement being upwards of £140!

[@motocrad]

@Darren Lewis totally agree, I was optimistic at first and thought to give it a shot, but the more I use it the less I like it. Like you say, tries to solve a problem that was never a problem in the first place.

[@richardgiles2484]

Really good video. However, just keep it simple with a key. Why re design the wheel 🤔

[@WackyTourers]

Very helpful thank you 👍🏻

[@cpuuk]

Some good info there- thx.

[@AntonioRockGP]

Here in Portugal we need to go pay for the fuel before using the pump. So I stop the bike, shut it down, go pay (often that means waiting in line) then go back to the bike to put petrol on it. How would that work? Would I need to turn it on and off again to open the fuel tank? Thanks

[@motocrad]

Good question, the fuel cap locks around a minute after turning the bike off. So yes, you would need to turn the bike on again to open the cap. You could always open the fuel cap, but leave it resting in the closed position whilst you go in to pay.

[@AntonioRockGP]

@@motocrad nice. Thanks. That sounds like a good idea. I'm making a deal for a 1290 super Duke. The dealership is making great conditions because the 1390 model is coming next year. I'm evaluating every detail 🤣

[@MotociclistaDellaDomenica]

Veramente paghi prima? E come fai a sapere quanta benzina sta in serbatoio?

[@safegun155]

Hello, this is the main key. What is the purpose of the small key?

[@motocrad]

The small fob is like a backup. If you ever lost the main key, you could hold the small fob against the bike by the forks and still start it. I recently did a road trip to Spain. I kept the small fob in a zipped inside jacket pocket, just in case I ever lost the main fob.

[@safegun155]

@@motocrad Ok, thank you！

[@percusski]

To get the key out of range message, you have to have the key in your pocket whilst sitting on the bike

[@britinthebasque2037]

I've had my 1290 SAS for 4 months and I do get a warning - Key out of Range... Maybe check your settings?

[@motocrad]

Nothing in the settings unfortunately. Since making that video I have had the warning but it's not consistent. Thanks for the suggestion though, hope you're enjoying the SAS 😀

[@stugoon]

Got it on my 1290, to be honest I hate it. Give me a good old key any day.

[@banshe69]

Change your key fob battery. You will then get the warning. Keyfob out of range.

[@juststuff3267]

While you are paying for your petrol, could someone pinch your bike?

[@motocrad]

No, you have to turn the ignition off to open the fuel cap, as long as you don't leave the fob with the bike it won't turn on.

[@Dubhghaill]

The worst part is when the fob battery goes flat you can not just put another battery in..... you have to take the bike to a dealer to reset it fuck'n stupid idea

[@motocrad]

I don't think thats right. I changed the battery in my fob recently. I had been getting a low fob battery warning on the tft. Just swapped out the CR2032 battery and it worked fine 🙂

[@Dubhghaill]

@@motocrad Ok , i was just going by what the sales person told me while we were talking about and standing next to the 2024 KTM SAS, he told me its a part of the security system set up, and I told him that it sounded like a dumb idea ...

[@jesusshin8537]

That is the problem that I see with ktm, they don't make an alarm when your keys are not in range... bmw does it very well... on the dashboard it warns you with a big yellow light and now I have to buy another set of fucking controls that are going to cost me almost the fucking 1000 dollars tks ktm

[@motocrad]

Sorry to hear that, fingers crossed they go back to a good old key for future models.

[@jesusshin8537]

@@motocrad I would prefer that they call all motorcycles to recall to put a program on the computer that notifies you perfectly on the screen when your key is not in range and that it is free !!! at least they could do for their loyal customers...!!!!!

[@juststuff3267]

KTM will ditch keyless. Like Triumph will. So many issues.

[@bradleybaker8894]

I have a keyless fob on my 2022 Triumph Rocket 3 GT (triple black) and I am not a fan. Most of the time it works well but there are an assortment of issues that pop up from time to time. I carry a spare non key and not the fob device that Triumph provides in the event the fob does not work. That has happened several times and that keyless not the fob thing kept me going until I replaced the battery in my fob. The Triumph fobs go through batteries very quickly. I am diligent about turning my fob off (Yes, you have to turn the keyless fob on and off) and still go through batteries every couple of months. The dealership says that is normal. Okay, but it is a quirky system.

[@MagnumMuscle1000]

Keyless ignition sucks. Give me a real key. I hate the key out of range warning when the key is in your pocket.

[@motocrad]

Yep, the novelty has very much warn off for me. I did find that turning ARA off sorted the key out of range when riding.

[@robmccoy7756]

My bike warns you superduke r 22

[@motocrad]

Cheers, I've had a few similar comments and have since tested it again. I have seen the warning but only once. Tried it several other times and failed to get the warning again, seems inconsistent. Superduke R, very nice 👌

[@robmccoy7756]

@@motocrad mine came up when I accidentally left it in the seat lock and started to ride maybe only when its moving 🤷🏽‍♂️