KTM 1290 Super Adventure S | First Ride Review

[@bigmanben1]

I’ve had KTMs now for 12 years and in that time I have had no issues other than the ones of my own making!! Very reliable and almost bomb proof bike!!

[@milerale5286]

You must be lucky one. Hundreds of videos and comments on line on how unreliable they are, very poor quality build, cheap plastic etc etc

[@martythornton604]

Just did a demo day by KTM. Absolutely loved the Adventure 1290s. So easy to ride and feels light in the parking lots but the torque is so much fun. I would buy one tomorrow if money was not an issue.

[@geekcycle9368]

Just bought a 2022 Super Adventure S. I put the ergo heated seat on mine and it does improve the comfort level. Love the bike, nice to listen to your thoughts. Great review!

[@mickhep]

Cracking review, after 10 GSA & GS including the 1250, this is the best bike I've owned.Fast and can be really frugal as well.I cant think of much I'd change on it.Your the only reviewer to mention how light it feels thanks to the fuel tanks.To me it feels like a 900 when moving it about in your garage.Cheers

[@Alexlegrand294]

Waiting for mine at the beginning of May, did try the previous model and this bike gives so much sensation. The Engine is amazing.

[@Englishbikerdan]

Nice, enjoy!

[@jammydoughnut]

there is nothing I dont like about mine , fast but frugal, smooth as silk but tons of grunt, fuelling is incredible. I'm 5"6 and have no issues, so even fine for shorties

[@Ac22768]

It’s not a strange tag line. Everything KTM is ready to race - this bike is nuts.

[@johndemmink3539]

Just bought a 22 in US, we didn’t get them in 21, what a machine! I haven’t found one thing to bitch about yet. Nice review, thanks for taking the time.

[@Englishbikerdan]

Thanks John. Excellent bikes. Enjoy! 👌

[@johnbini1929]

Really good review. Questione: how does it behaves in tight corners, is it quite nimble for this category of machine? Thanks and hi from Rome - Italy

[@johnboy5156]

Wow I'm blown away with the bikes technology. It looks so easy to ride.

[@timstah01]

As always a good review! Thanks for your work.

[@Speedytrip]

Great review. Id get this over the Multistrada V4 but I wouldnt want to own either one once the bike is out of warranty.

[@CallaFab]

Its a differnet animal in Rally Mode!

[@jasonwood6100]

Nice review and a great bike, those front Brembo Calipers are definitely not Stylema’s though.

[@Englishbikerdan]

Yeah they're just Brembo 4 piston jobs. Good spot, gold star!

[@Jim553just]

Dan, that was a joy to watch, what a machine 😎😎

[@Englishbikerdan]

Thanks, I had a lot of fun with this bike!

[@BellHueyUH1H]

Another awesome video, just brilliant! Please let me know when you bring a bike to the airfield again and I can show you around the aircraft!

[@GaryJohnWalker1]

That one with 17 inch wheels that mcn keeps showing spyshots of .... might make for me the best 'big' ktm roadbike. Only ever sat on a Super Duke GT, but even that' would be too much forward body lean for me for any real distance.

[@rodneybutler7939]

great job on all your video's. really enjoy thanks!!!

[@yorkshireR9T]

This does tickle my fancy 🤔

[@chewie8]

Just got my first bike Honda cb650r to get experience, but definitely an adventure bike in a few years. Great Video 👍

[@inked-96]

Im now in the position to fund my 2 bike garage. After selling my 1250GSA, at 28 i didn't gel with it. So im either going down the route of.. 1. Tracer 9 GT+ 1290 Super Duke R 2. 1290 Super Adventure S. ?... Be interested to hear your thoughts. Cheers.

[@petershuker1599]

I have a 2-year-old KTM 1290 SAS of the previous model, 2 mths out of warranty and I got a preload adjustment warning. KTM customer service has offered to help with a goodwill gesture, yet to find out what that actually means. love everything about the bike, but I must be honest when I say I am a little nervous now. I will know more when it is returned to me. Stay safe.

[@petershuker1599]

My Bike was returned to me yesterday, KTM customer services picked up the entire bill, so I am very happy with the result. Stay safe. :)

[@bdpitcher]

I have a 2020 1290 SAS and love so much about the bike….however, it puts off so much heat that it is unbearable to ride if the temperature outside is above 80 degrees F. KTM claims they’ve addressed this with the redesign, but can a reviewer or owner comment on engine heat management?

[@justme1944]

Hello, i own a 2021 1290 SAS since March last year and have now 15.000km on it. And i drove it also on super hot days with around 35 degrees Celsius. And it is no problem. No boiled feet or butt.

[@axelfiraxa]

I just bought my 2022 SAS a month ago and still running it in. I got into my first traffic jam today where i waited around for a bit (5 minutes). Outside tenp was 15°C and it was cooking my right leg. This was however the only time it happened, and even then i was stationary on purpose as i was waiting for someone. Regular traffic was fine and i didnt really notice anything getting hot.

[@kcbayandor]

Hi! Great reviews! How do you compare this bike to the 2022 Triumph Tiger 1200 you recently tested?

[@Englishbikerdan]

Both are great but the KTM is more of an animal!

[@kcbayandor]

@@Englishbikerdan Haha! Difficult choices...I have a Multistrada 1200S GranTurismo from 2014 and as I love bikes so I would like to change after all these years. The newer BMW S1000XR has lost some of its lackluster since they modified it for emissions....GS great but not sporty enough....KTM Superduke riding position isn't upright enough for me....so it's between the Triumph and the KTM Super Adventure which I have not ridden yet-- but not a huge fan of the KTM's front. Anything else you think I have forgotten to test?

[@zackmartin9137]

Is it possible while you are driving it, You activate the suspension into High from low or from High to Low? I'm just 5'8 so I'm quite thinking of this super bike.

[@landedzentry]

all that technology would scare me but what could possibly go wrong? I like the big speedo numbers - suitable for 'gentlemen of a certain age'.

[@milerale5286]

That’s why they are very unreliable bikes

[@bigmanben1]

How tall are you and which preload did you go for? I’m 6 2” and when I test rode it I found it a little low for me, may have just been the settings. Otherwise it’s on my Christmas list to santa!!!

[@cpuuk]

11 seat options, none of which are any more comfortable than standard (don't be fooled by the word "ergo") ;-) If you don't fancy the extra electronics, just buy the Suspension Pro option for £300, defo worth it.

[@expatbiker6598]

When you get ktm superadventure R. Nothing else will come close. Avoid it if you want to kill the joy in every other bike.

[@Englishbikerdan]

Plenty of fun to be had on many other bikes, including much smaller/slower ones. The KTM is very good though.

[@Michael_Lak]

Love the squeals of delight.

[@MotoVloggedOUT]

Why are people saying ‘one radiator for each cylinder’ That’s kind of silly. The cooling system is one complete loop, and to have one for each cylinder is not why they went with split radiators which is not even unusual.

[@Englishbikerdan]

It's how they explained it in the press pack. I'm no engineer! 😂

[@grahamhiggins1]

Quite true on the marketing departments. We all pay for that. I have to work with these people from time to time, no life experience, straight off a marketing degree, drive white Audis or varying styles. They do their surveys, etc, they know nothing about the product or the buyer, yet they are paid handsomely to come up with simple crap. It’s galling. In another life they’d sell houses.

[@DaveDayve]

What issue did the Africa twin have. I had a super adventure. Had to let it go. Too many warranty issues. Got the Africa twin. Luv it. But it's a lottery with nordern bike issues

[@Englishbikerdan]

They never gave me an answer as to what it was. Had an engine warning light come on and they came and picked it up.

[@martinthorner2406]

Hi, how did you find buffering at higher speed ??? 🤔

[@aaronhill1531]

I actually really like this

[@Englishbikerdan]

Cool, doing another vid on one today.

[@pedrovazquez9146]

You have me thinking about trading in my V-Strom, looks so much fun!…if Yamaha would only update their Super T.

[@khalidhasanalif]

❤ from Bangladesh 🇧🇩

[@Supernova12034]

11:50 not brembo stylemas Also the bike takes on a whole new meaning once the final mode is unlocked

[@Englishbikerdan]

Yes yes, not Stylema. Gold star. 🌟

[@MV-XD2]

I’d seriously consider one, build quality looks excellent and I bet it flies. I do wonder why KTM still refuse to offer UK riders an extended warranty when they offer an up to 12 year/80K km warranty in Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Poland, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Spain and Switzerland! Just about every other main manufacturer does. There’s just as much electronic trickery to go wrong as any other modern bike. Come on KTM!

[@Killswitch-ON]

KTM didn't like Brexit 🤣 ...kidding

[@dakotamorgan6594]

Same with the U.S., we can't get one either. :/

[@kj385]

Ktm probably does it because of mandates. Not because they want to.

[@cameronsays]

Dan, in what part of the country do you take these rides?

[@Englishbikerdan]

Hi Cameron, these are all in the South East.

[@taz473]

If yamaha or ktm are watching please come to isle of man as we have no dealers here now!!!✌️

[@markto3606]

Too bad that ktm service centers are to far from my place. What dominates my area is harley, Suzuki, honda and yamaha adventure bikes.

[@abymathew295]

So, get this bike now and it will make an excuse for riding a long trip to service center..😄

[@rustworks2588]

Impressive! 😍😍😍

[@Rocketboy-qg6ts]

Got one a few weeks back. Can’t stop giggling. Turns you into a hooligan. If it shakes it’s head, your rear preload % is too high for your weight. My indicator button works first time every time…..not sure why people can’t get used to it 🤷‍♂️

[@Englishbikerdan]

The indicator has been mentioned by enough journos/reviewers now to know it's not the rider. These press bikes are heavily used though, so maybe yours won't show for a while. Still, cracking bike.

[@kj385]

Push down to cancel indicators. Problem solved.

[@Stevelemacon]

Yes, it’s push down not push in

[@ulaskvlcm]

Handgrip heating is exist?

[@jammydoughnut]

yes, its a dealer fit option

[@wellhellotherefellowhuman4535]

🙌🏻🔥🔥

[@luisacu13]

Is the quick shift standard on that bike?

[@johndemmink3539]

No, it’s extra software cost.

[@summerforever6736]

Nice review! I don't like the tanks on the side.

[@SpaDerola]

I knew I recognised those roads! I live in Hartley W haha

[@timrodierides]

Exccellent video of an excellent bike. Try rally mode next time - it lets it breaaaathe. By which I mean wheelie.

[@timrodierides]

Also I've just fitted the high ergo heated seat to mine. It's comfier for me...

[@Englishbikerdan]

Damnit. I couldn't figure out why I wouldn't pull phat wheelies in Sport mode.

[@timrodierides]

@@Englishbikerdan ah no! Has it gone back? Fetch another one!

[@Panzerlang]

I'm sold. :D

[@jmulroy1]

Nice video Dan, as usual! I ride a Triumph Explorer XRT and I absolutely love it, with shaft drive and 135 hp with the electronic suspension it’s a perfect touring setup. One thing I noticed was the large front fender, which I would like to see more manufacturers put on street bikes. Keeps the crap from flinging all over the engine casing and more importantly the radiator. KTM styling and colors are indeed polarizing, but I agree with you that this is a good looking bike. Blending in the lower fuel tanks with the fairing was brilliant. All the best from Wisconsin.

[@Englishbikerdan]

Thanks, enjoy that Explorer! Dan

[@milerale5286]

After owning 3 bmw GSA I fancy a change and was considering one of these until I’ve seen hundreds of negative comments and posts about this bike. Apparently very unreliable, cheap plastic, unhelpful dealers , many issues with electronics etc etc

[@Englishbikerdan]

I hear the same about BMW's though. I'd like to own a KTM and a BMW at some point.

[@milerale5286]

@@Englishbikerdan in 10 years and 3 xGSA I never had a single issue or problem with mine and would like to change to something else now but all these KZbin reviews and other internet forums suggest that 1290 adventure is good fun to ride but very unreliable and problematic bike

[@tomnorris1734]

Far too much electronic stuff on this for my liking. Give me this engine with basic abs and TCS and I'd be happy.

[@Englishbikerdan]

Cagiva Raptor?

[@ralphwarom2514]

Speaking of electronics, how has your experience with keyless bike FObs been?

[@MGman100]

Sounds great and I'm sure it's a great ride also but always question marks around KTM's reliability. Looks awful from the front as well!

[@dfleon75]

👍

[@prajadoc]

They called him “GS killer”🤣

[@Englishbikerdan]

😂

[@windtherapy99]

This is what like 19k? A GSA with premium pack is over 26-27k after tax with no luggage.

[@Englishbikerdan]

Yeah about 18-19k.

[@m.t.9837]

This is the festival of plastic..!

[@dezlewis7424]

Just a shame it's so ugly 🤮😂

[@Englishbikerdan]

I hope you mean the bike! 😂