2021 KTM 1290 Super Adventure S First Look – Updated
Tue, 26 Jan 2021
UPDATED Jan. 28: KTM says the 1290 Super Adventure S will be available this spring as a 2021 model in Europe, but it will not be coming to North America until the fall as an early 2022 model.
KTM officially announced the new 2021 1290 Super Adventure S, featuring a new frame, a low-slung fuel tank, Euro5 compliance and adaptive cruise control. The announcement confirms details we were first to report in December after the official pages for the 1290 Super Adventure were mistakenly published on KTM’s website. Not announced yet, but expected to come shortly, is the more off-road capable 1290 Super Adventure R which will receive similar updates.
2021 KTM 1290 Super Adventure R and S Details Leak
The new chassis was designed to improve weight distribution for better handling. KTM moved the steering head back by 0.6 inches and the engine was rotated forward slightly, compared to the 2020 Super Adventure, changes KTM claims will result in sharper cornering. Meanwhile, the swingarm was lengthened for more stability under acceleration.
The fuel tank has the same 6.1-gallon capacity as the 2020 model, but the low-slung saddle-shaped design helps to lower the 1290 Super Adventure S’ center of gravity. The tank has an electronically-opened cap and is integrated with a small storage compartment with a USB charging socket.
A new subframe helps to lower the seat height of the 2021 model by half an inch to 33.4 inches, but if you need more room, it can be raised up to 34.2 inches. The handlebars are also adjustable, as is the new windshield which was optimized through wind tunnel testing.
KTM redesigned the split headlight design to integrate the Bosch radar sensor. The adaptive cruise control system uses data from the radar to automatically adjust cruising speed to keep a safe distance from traffic.
The adaptive cruise control joins a host of electronic rider aids returning for 2021. These include selectable ride modes, lean-sensitive traction control, off-road traction control, cornering and off-road ABS, stability control and self-cancelling turn signals as standard equipment. Motor slip regulation, hill hold control, and a quickshifter are available in an optional upgrade.
To help control the electronics, the 2021 SA receives new illuminated handlebar switches and a seven-inch TFT display (formerly 6.5 inches on the 2020 model).
The 1301cc V-Twin engine claims the same 160 hp output as the 2020 model while the claimed 101.8 lb-ft. of torque is down slightly from the previous model’s 103.2 lb-ft. The engine cases are thinner than on the previous engine, with KTM claiming a 3.5-pound weight reduction. A new dual-radiator and the revised bodywork combine to direct hot air away from the rider’s legs.
The 2021 Super Adventure S receives the latest generation of WP’s Apex semi-active suspension with revised valves to augment damping using data from the 6D IMU. KTM also offers an upgraded suspension package with individual damping for the fork and shock, automatic preload adjustment and an anti-dive setting.
The KTM 1290 Super Adventure S is not slated to come to North America until the fall as an early 2022 model. It’s unclear if the R model will arrive here any sooner; we’ll know more when the updated 1290 Super Adventure R is officially announced.
2021 KTM 1290 Super Adventure S Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Engine Type | Liquid-cooled 4-stroke, 75° V-Twin, 4 valves per cylinder / DOHC |
| Displacement | 1301 cc |
| Bore x Stroke | 108 mm x 71 mm |
| Power | 160 hp @ 9,000 rpm (claimed) |
| Torque | 101.8 lb-ft. @ 6,500 rpm (claimed) |
| Compression Ratio | 13.1:1 |
| Starter / Battery | Electric starter / 12V 11.2Ah |
| Transmission | 6 gears |
| Fuel System | Keihin EFI (throttle body Ø 52 mm) |
| Lubrication | Pressure lubrication with 3 Eaton pumps |
| Engine Oil | Motorex, SAE 10W-50 |
| Drive | 525 X-ring chain |
| Primary Drive | 41:16:00 |
| Final Drive | 17:42 |
| Clutch | PASC slipper clutch, hydraulically operated |
| Engine Management | Keihin EMS with RBW and ACC (adaptive cruise control), double ignition |
| Traction Control | MTC (lean-angle sensitive, 4 modes, disengageable) |
| Frame | Chromium-Molybdenum-Steel trellis frame, powder coated |
| Subframe | Aluminum, powder coated |
| Handlebar | Aluminum, tapered, Ø 28 / 22 mm |
| Front Suspension | WP SAT (semi-active technology) Upside-Down Ø 48 mm, 7.9 inches of travel |
| Rear Suspension | WP SAT (semi-active technology) shock absorber, semi-active, electronically regulated preload, 7.9 inches of travel |
| Front Brake | 2 × Brembo 4-piston, radially mounted caliper, brake disc Ø 320 mm |
| Rear Brake | Brembo 2-piston, fixed caliper, brake disc Ø 267 mm |
| Abs | Bosch 10.3ME Combined-ABS (incl. Cornering-ABS and offroad mode, disenengageable) |
| Front Wheel | Cast aluminum 3.50 x 19´´ |
| Rear Wheel | Cast aluminum 5.00 x 17´´ |
| Front Tire | 120/70 ZR 19 |
| Rear Tire | 170/60 ZR 17 |
| Silencer | Stainless steel silencer |
| Steering Head Angle | 24.7°/4.3 inches |
| Wheel Base | 61.3 inches ± 0.6 inches |
| Ground Clearance | 8.8 inches |
| Seat Height | 33.4-34.2 inches (adjustable) |
| Tank Capacity | 6.1 gallons/1.3 gallons reserve |
| Dry Weight | approx. 485 pounds (claimed) |
Become a Motorcycle.com insider. Get the latest motorcycle news first by subscribing to our newsletter here.
Dennis has been a part of the Motorcycle.com team since 2008, and through his tenure, has developed a firm grasp of industry trends, and a solid sense of what's to come. A bloodhound when it comes to tracking information on new motorcycles, if there's a new model on the horizon, you'll probably hear about it from him first.
More by Dennis Chung
Why KTM keeps on making ugly bikes?
-
Bruce on Jan 27, 2021
Agreed. This would be a great option to replace my aging Multistrada, but damn it is ugly to an entirely higher level. And the level of finish also does not seem to age well.
Update: Not available in the US. It's a shame that street biased ADVs get so little love here in the US. They're basically big, high performance standards with the latest tech and some wind/weather protection. Also sport-tourers with an upright riding position and less plastic. And they work better than either when the last few miles to your campsite, hot springs, scenic view, etc. is a poorly maintained dirt road.
If you grew up riding in the dirt I understand buying the off road biased version. If you didn't a 500+lb dirt bike is an expensive and painful place to start. Even the pros crash these a lot in the dirt. If you aren't riding a lot of single track or desert, most of you would be better off with the better handling, less expensive street biased version.
New Rider's Hub
Get StartedFind your Motorcycle
Top Brands
Popular Articles
2025 Ducati Panigale V4 and V4 S – First Look
Official: 2024 Yamaha MT-09 Y-AMT Announced
2024 Ducati Diavel V4 vs Triumph Rocket 3 Storm R – Side by Side
Official: The US Is Getting the 2025 Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP
Small Adventure Bike, Big Adventure Dreams
You may also be interested in
Top 5 Maxi-Scooters
2025 BMW R 1300 GS Adventure – First Look
Best Adventure Motorcycle Helmets for the Great Outdoors
Out and About at the 2024 Isle of Man TT
2024 KTM 390 Duke Review – First Ride
The Insta360 X4: A New Contender in Motorcycle Action Cameras
2025 Triumph Rocket 3 Storm R & GT Review – First Ride
Indian Reveals All-New Scout Lineup for 2025
The 390 Adventure Project – Upgrades and Adjustments
2024 Triumph Tiger 1200 Explorer Review – First Ride
Elvis Edition Triumph Bonneville T120 Is Coming for 2025
KTM 1390 Super Adventure Confirmed … by AMA Pro Racing?
What Motorcycle Are You Surprised is Still In Production? – QotD
How to Choose the Right Windscreen for Your Motorcycle
BMW and Tom Tom Join Forces
Pierer Mobility Gains Majority Control of MV Agusta
KTM Teases New Automatic Transmission With AMT Prototype
2024 Yamaha MT-09 Y-AMT Gallery
By Dennis Chung
See also: KTM to stop production due to coronavirus, New KTM 1290 Super Adventure Gets Active Cruise Control, KTM is preparing a new two-cylinder engine.