KTM has just released three much-improved Adventure models in Australia: the 1090 Adventure R, the 1290 Super Adventure R and the 1290 Super Adventure S. But what sort of terrain, and customer, is each model now designed to suit? Here’s a summary…

In 2013, the introduction of KTM’s 1190 marked a turning point in the brand’s adventure bike ideology. For the first time, they recognised the need for improved road performance and decided to produce two very different models: one with a road bias (the 1190 Adventure), and one with an off-road focus (the 1190 Adventure R). Since 2013, KTM released another two models (the 1290 Super Adventure and the 1050 Adventure), and the four-bike line-up suddenly made consumers a little confused about each machine’s design purpose; about how each ‘fits in’ to the brand’s model range, if you like.

In response, KTM has simplified things for 2017 and focused their energies on two new-generation Adventure bike platforms: the 1090 and 1290. For the 1290, they’ve produced three versions: the “S”, which is more focused on the road; the “R”, which is more off-road capable; and the “T” for long-distance touring. The 2017 1090 comes in two versions: the ‘standard’ 1090 Adventure, and the dirt-capable 1090 Adventure R. Because of Aussie riders’ off-road bias, however, KTM Australia will only be bringing in 1090R, 1290R and limited numbers of the 1290S.
So, what is each of these three 2017 models designed to do? Well, the simple way to look at it is that the discontinued 1190R has been relaced by the 1290R, while the discontinued 1050 has been replaced by the 1090R to create the most off-road capable bike in the 2017 range. But let’s go a little deeper than that. What follows is a top-line snapshot of what each model was designed for, after which KTM’s Gustav Greiner paints a picture of the customer each model is most likely to appeal to. And given that KTM is asking customers to shell out between 20 and 26 grand for these machines, it makes sense to identify which one best ‘fits’ you.

THE 1090 ADVENTURE R – “The Off-Roader”

Aside from being physically more compact, the 1090R is the lightest machine of the range (10kg lighter than the 1290R, and 5kg lighter than the 2016-model 1190R) and designed for more of a purist/hardcore enduro rider who wants to ride further for longer, and not have technical terrain stand in their way. It doesn’t come with the same power or level of electronic sophistication as the 1290 models, but its suspension is the most off-road-ready.
RRP: $19,955 + ORC

GUSTAV GREINER: “The 1090 Adventure R is designed to attract the customer who is most focused on riding off-road. He is experienced and skilled in off-road terrain. He may also own an enduro bike, but he’s increasingly interested in longer, multi-day rides on a machine that offers both performance and comfort, and a decent fuel range. He also wants a lightweight ‘Travel Enduro’ bike that he can enjoy riding off-road.”

THE 1290 ADVENTURE R – “The Most Powerful”

This is the ‘Range Rover’ of KTM’s 2017 range. It’s for the guy who wants 160 horsepower to unleash on the blacktop, and all the state-of-the-art electronic rider aids he can get for when he hits the dirt. It’s physically bigger than the 1090R and comes with a more sophisticated dash and electronics package, but with an additional 10kg to carry, its suspension is not quite as capable when the off-road going gets rough.
RRP: $25,955 + ORC

GUSTAV GREINER: “The 1290 Super Adventure R is also designed for a competent off-road rider, but a guy who also likes the idea of having 140Nm of torque and 160 horsepower for bitumen and gravel roads. He values the superior electronics package, technology and features it has over the 1090R, and he likes the statement this machine makes. And he isn’t worried about paying a bit extra for that.”

THE 1290 ADVENTURE S – “The Sports Adventurer”

If you’re more into riding on road than off-road, then this is the bike you ought to be looking at. The “S” is for “Sports”, not “Street”. It runs 19” and 17” cast wheels (as opposed the R models’ 21” and 18” spoked wheels) and semi-active electronic suspension, and it gets all the electronic upgrades, TFT dash, and bells and whistles that were also introduced to the 1290R for 2017. The 1290S is designed to keep sports bikes honest through a set of twisties, but still take to a gravel road with confidence.
RRP: $23,955 + ORC

GUSTAV GREINER: “The 1290 Super Adventure S will appeal to the customer who is hunting for the very latest, state-of-the-art technology – from the appearance of the bike itself through to the electronics. He is likely to have previously owned a sports or adventure bike, but because he rides mainly on the road, he wants a fast, torquey machine that’s capable of big lean angles, but which can also handle gravel roads.”

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WHAT ELSE DOES EUROPE GET?

In addition to these models (which are the only three that’ll be brought into Australia), KTM’s 2017 Adventure range also includes the 1290 Super Adventure T and the no-frills 1090 Adventure:

The 1290T (“The World Traveller”) – is a re-branded 1290 Super Tourer. It gets a larger fuel tank and the 1290S model’s semi-active suspension, heated grips and seat, etcetera, but not the all-new TFT dash. With spoked 19” and 17” wheels, it’s designed with off-road capabilities, but it is primarily a touring model with enough versatility for some off-road use.
The 1090 Adventure (“The Purist”) – is the bike for those who want to be fast, but for whom electronic wizardry is not the end goal. It gets the same power as the 1090R, but less sophisticated electronics and suspension components, and the same 19” and 17” cast wheels as the 1290S.

WHERE’D THE 1050 GO?

Introduced for 2015, the 1050 was originally designed to meet a niche market in Europe to accommodate what they call an “A2 Licence” – which is based around a reduced power-to-weight ratio, much like the LAM licencing set-up here in Australia. But with cast wheels and de-tuned power, this 1050 was never really a good fit with the Australian market because it didn’t offer the sort of off-road capabilities that a majority of Australian consumers were looking for.