Five Things You Gotta Know: 2025 KTM 1290 Super Adventure R

We’ve already said it twice, but it’s worth saying a third time. There’s no getting around it — this thing’s enormous. It’s as though KTM didn’t just embrace the fact that this bike is big — it leaned into it. The six-gallon fuel cell drapes down toward the mid-section of the bike on both sides, just adding to its large stance. It weighs over 500 pounds which, when placed on top of long-travel suspension, is a little intimidating for riders who aren’t ready or willing. Adding to the intimidation factor is the complete set of hard luggage our test bike came equipped with. So not only was the bike big, wide, and heavy in the front, it’s also big, wide, and heavy in the rear!    

That engine is everything

The main draw of big adventure bikes is the engine, and none come as rowdy as this one. KTM’s 1301cc V-Twin is an absolute animal, with a claimed 160 horsepower and 102 — yes, 102 — lb-ft. Of torque. And when it’s put in a motorcycle meant to kick up dirt, it’ll send terra firma flinging two zip codes over if you ask it to. There’s torque for days with this engine, and an unruly amount of horsepower. If it’s not enough for you while plowing through the dirt, you’re a braver rider than most.

Conversely, on the roads, the big Twin is a great power plant for touring. It’ll soak up miles without missing a beat, and when it comes time to turn up the wick, a slight twist of the wrist is all you need.

The electronics are top notch

There’s a huge laundry list of electronic rider aids packed into the 1290 SAR. Traction control, ABS, keyless start, navigation, Bluetooth, and even cornering lights, just to name a few. It can all seem daunting to use at first, but KTM have integrated them very nicely. The TFT display is your home base, and it’s easy to see and also easy to navigate thanks to the switchgear on the left bar. Once in action, the different aids do as they’re intended to do, and raising or lowering intervention levels results in a noticeable difference. It’s impressive how well it’s all integrated.

It’s sweet off-road or on

During our time in Ontario, sampling some of The North’s finest dirt trails while also touring Canada’s finest paved roads, Ryan Adams commented that the 1290 Super Adventure R would be his pick for doing it all. The huge V-Twin packs a punch that is brutally fun on-road or off, the long-travel suspension that soaks up gnarly terrain off-road is more than capable of providing a nice ride on-road, and the cockpit is an overall comfortable place to be, sitting or standing.

You’re going to need that huge fuel tank — she’s a thirsty one

Despite its 6.1-gallon fuel tank, our particular SAR seemed a bit thirsty. Our fuel mileage averaged in the high 30s. It’s true that we’d be heavy-fisted with the throttle at times, but much more of our time with the bike was spent cruising at steady throttle and reasonable speed. Sure, a big 1,300cc engine is bound to be a little thirsty, but we also have a suspicion that the box-like shape of the accessory panniers and top case didn’t do the bike any favors in the aerodynamics department.

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