2015 KTM 1290 Super Adventure

KTM has confirmed the existence of an all-new 1290 Super Adventure, which will take its place at the head of the company’s adventure stable when it’s unveiled to the public at the Cologne motorcycle show in October.

The machine will have a bigger fuel tank and be powered by the punchy 1301cc V-twin currently residing in the Super Duke R (review here), which leads to the inevitable question: how much horsepower will it produce?

In Super Duke R mode, there’s 180hp to play with, while the current 1190 Adventures have about 148hp. We’re tipping the Super Adventure could be a happy medium – but as we found out at the 1290 Super Duke R launch, the 1301cc engine, with its dual spark plugs, delivers a thoroughly refined ride, with a sweet balance to the whole plot.

And it surges with incredible levels of torque when called into action, so perhaps it might be the perfect foil for the big Super Adventure, which will probably weight about 40-50kg more than the Super Duke R anyway.

As long as KTM retains  the sophisticated electronics from the Super Duke R – the traction control is probably the best in the business -- we’ll be happy!

Pictured is a leaked image of the Super Adventure which has just surfaced. KTM had this to say about the bike:  “KTM can confirm the sightings of a new bike are accurate and that for model year 2015 a ‘1290 Super Adventure’ will become available. A high-end motorcycle that will roll with the typical sporty KTM approach into the sport-touring and luxury travelling segment.”

Terms like “new levels of refinement and luxury were also uttered,” so there’s some anticipation with this one. We’ll have the full details in October.