KTM 1290 Super Adventure S: Specs, Top Speed & Review
TL;DR
- The 2024 KTM 1290 Super Adventure S runs a 1,301cc LC8 V-twin producing 160 hp at 9,000 rpm and 102 lb-ft of torque at 6,500 rpm
- Top speed is reported at approximately 155 mph (250 km/h) based on independent testing; KTM does not publish an official figure.
- AccelerationTimes.com records a 0-60 mph time of approximately 3.1 seconds, consistent with its 485 lb dry weight and 160 hp output.
- US MSRP is $20,999 plus $750 destination, confirmed by Motorcycle.com and multiple dealer listings
- It’s best suited to experienced riders who want a fast, long-range touring machine with the option to tackle gravel roads – not a beginner bike.
2024 KTM 1290 Super Adventure S Full Specs
The 2024 KTM 1290 Super Adventure S is KTM’s street-biased flagship adventure tourer. It sits above the Adventure R in the lineup, trading the R’s off-road-focused WP XPLOR suspension and wire-spoke wheels for cast aluminum wheels, WP Semi-Active Technology (SAT) suspension, and a more highway-tuned ergonomics package.
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Engine | 1,301cc LC8 V-twin, liquid-cooled, 4-stroke |
| Configuration | 75° V-twin, DOHC, 8-valve |
| Bore x Stroke | 108 mm x 71 mm |
| Power | 160 hp (118 kW) at 9,000 rpm |
| Torque | 138 Nm (102 lb-ft) at 6,500 rpm |
| Transmission | 6-speed PANKL with Quickshifter+ |
| Clutch | PASC hydraulic slipper clutch |
| Frame | Chrome-moly stainless steel trellis |
| Front Suspension | WP SAT 48 mm USD, 200 mm travel |
| Rear Suspension | WP SAT shock, 200 mm travel |
| Front Brake | Dual 320 mm discs, Brembo 4-piston |
| Rear Brake | Single 267 mm disc |
| ABS | Bosch 10.3ME Combined-ABS |
| Front Tire | 100/90 R19 |
| Rear Tire | 170/60 R17 |
| Seat Height | 849/869 mm (33.4/34.2 in), adjustable |
| Wheelbase | 1,557 mm |
| Ground Clearance | 223 mm (8.7 in) |
| Fuel Capacity | 23 liters (6.1 US gallons) |
| Weight (without fuel) | 227 kg (500 lb) |
| US MSRP (2024) | $20,999 + $750 destination |
Sources: KTM United States official specs (2024), Motorcycle.com (2024), Road Runner Travel (2024)
KTM 1290 Super Adventure S Top Speed
KTM does not publish an official top speed for the 1290 Super Adventure S. Independent sources and real-world testing consistently report the bike reaching approximately 155 mph (250 km/h). A figure of 230 km/h (143 mph) appears on several European spec sheets, which likely reflects a conservative or electronically governed reading rather than full-throttle capability under track conditions.
The 160 hp LC8 engine has the raw output to push past 155 mph given enough road, though the touring-oriented riding position and adventure tire compound become significant limiting factors above 130 mph. On street tires with the windshield at full height, wind buffeting and aerodynamic drag matter more than peak power at those velocities.
Attribution note: No manufacturer-published top speed figure exists for this model. The ~155 mph figure is drawn from AccelerationTimes.com modeling and real-world rider reports; treat it as a well-supported estimate rather than a factory number.
KTM 1290 Super Adventure S Acceleration: 0-60 and Quarter Mile
AccelerationTimes.com records the 1290 Super Adventure S doing 0-60 mph in approximately 3.1 seconds and 0-100 mph in 7.5 seconds. The quarter-mile estimate runs to the 10-second range at approximately 124 mph at the 1,000-foot mark.
These numbers are fast for a 500 lb touring motorcycle. The combination of 160 hp and 102 lb-ft available torque from relatively low rpm – the LC8 is known for its mid-range pull – means the 1290 S doesn’t feel like it needs to be revved to move. You grab a gear or two higher than you think you should and it still surges.
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 0-30 mph | 1.4 seconds |
| 0-60 mph | ~3.1 seconds |
| 0-100 mph | 7.5 seconds |
| 0-120 mph | 9.3 seconds |
Source: AccelerationTimes.com / FastestLaps.com (2017 model; engine spec unchanged through 2024 generation)
Note: These figures are from modeling and instrumented estimates, not manufacturer dyno data. Real-world results will vary based on conditions, load, and rider technique.
LC8 Engine Character and Real-World Performance
The 1301cc LC8 V-twin is the engine KTM has been refining since the 1190 Adventure era. It’s a 75-degree V-twin with twin-plug ignition per cylinder – two differently sized spark plugs per head, fired independently to improve combustion quality and reduce emissions. The pistons are forged aluminum with a Grafal anti-friction coating on the skirts, and the crank is designed with a flow-optimized web shape to minimize reciprocating mass.
What that means on the road: the LC8 pulls hard from 3,000 rpm and keeps building through the midrange without the peaky, all-or-nothing delivery you get from a high-strung supersport engine. Road Runner Travel’s 2024 review describes 160 hp at 9,000 rpm and 102 lb-ft at 6,500 rpm, confirmed by KTM’s own spec sheet. On a separate dyno test published by Rider Magazine of the closely related 1290 Super Adventure R in 2022, the LC8 produced 126 hp at the rear wheel in Sport mode – a roughly 21% drivetrain loss, which is typical for this class.
The 2024 model adds a lighter aluminum shifting drum with copper-coated shifting forks for smoother, faster changes. Combined with the Quickshifter+, clutchless upshifts and downshifts are clean from 2,000 rpm upward.
KTM claims a 15,000 km (approximately 9,300 miles) service interval and average fuel consumption of 5.7 l/100 km (approximately 41 mpg) on the WMTC cycle. The 23-liter (6.1-gallon) tank gives a realistic range of around 250 miles between fills at steady highway speeds.
WP Semi-Active Suspension: What It Does and How It Works
The 2024 KTM 1290 Super Adventure S runs WP Semi-Active Technology (SAT) suspension – a 48 mm upside-down fork up front and a linked monoshock at the rear. Both units use electronically controlled magnetic valves that adjust damping in real time based on road inputs and the active ride mode.
The system works across six ride modes: Auto, Sport, Street, Comfort, Off-road, and Advanced. In each mode, front and rear preload can be set to Standard, Low, or High, or dialed between 0-100% in 10% increments. Advanced mode opens up independent damping adjustments with eight settings for both fork and shock, plus an anti-dive toggle that stiffens the fork under braking to reduce nosedive.
Road Runner Travel’s 2024 review describes it as genuinely functional: the system responds quickly enough to smooth out mid-corner bumps at speed, and the anti-dive setting makes a real difference on technical descents.
The optional Suspension PRO package adds automatic rear preload adjustment and finer individual control over fork and shock. It’s worth the add-on if you’re doing loaded touring with a passenger.
Electronics, Rider Aids, and Technology
The 1290 Super Adventure S carries a Bosch 6D Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) that feeds lean-angle data to every rider aid on the bike. That includes lean-sensitive ABS, traction control, and the cornering LED headlights that activate sequentially as lean angle increases.
Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) is standard. It uses radar to maintain a set following distance and lets the rider choose between Comfort and Sport cruise modes – a genuine feature for cross-country riding, not a marketing checkbox.
The 7-inch TFT display connects to the KTMConnect app via Bluetooth for turn-by-turn navigation, phone calls, and audio control. The RACE ON remote key system is standard. Heated grips are not included in base spec – that’s a frequent complaint in owner reviews and something worth factoring into the sticker price.
| Rider Aid | System |
|---|---|
| ABS | Bosch 10.3ME Combined-ABS with lean sensing |
| Traction Control | IMU-linked, mode-adjustable |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive (radar-based), standard |
| Suspension | WP SAT, 6-mode electronic |
| IMU | Bosch 6D |
| Display | 7-inch TFT color |
| Quickshifter | Quickshifter+ (up/down), standard |
What the 1290 Super Adventure S Is Good At – and Where It Falls Short
Where It Earns Its Price Tag
The 1290 Super Adventure S is genuinely fast for an adventure bike with luggage. The LC8’s mid-range torque means you spend more time in the throttle and less time hunting gears on two-lane roads. The semi-active suspension does its job well enough that you can roll over bad pavement in Comfort mode without thinking about it, then dial in Sport or Advanced for canyon work and the bike responds.
Ergonomics are well thought out. The adjustable seat (849 or 869 mm), 55 mm of windshield height range via hand wheels, and two footpeg positions give riders from 5’6″ to 6’2″ a workable fit without aftermarket parts.
The braking setup – dual 320 mm Brembo 4-piston calipers up front – is excellent. Combined ABS with lean-angle input from the Bosch IMU makes it hard to make a serious mistake under trail braking.
Where It Doesn’t Impress
At 227 kg (500 lb) without fuel, this bike is heavy. Add a full 23-liter tank, gear, and a passenger and you’re close to 600 lb. That matters at low speed, in parking lots, and when you’re wrestling it off a gravel shoulder. The 1290 R has the same engine but wire-spoke wheels and 220 mm of suspension travel – it handles slow technical terrain better.
Heated grips absent at $20,999 is a legitimate frustration, not a minor quibble. On a touring machine used in variable conditions, that’s table stakes. Several owner reviews across Motoplanete and forum threads specifically call this out.
KTM’s reliability reputation has also been a mixed topic in the ownership community. One owner on Motoplanete (2023 model) reported a rear shock failure at 12,000 km with a months-long parts wait – an uncommon but documented failure mode worth knowing about before purchase.
Who Should Buy the KTM 1290 Super Adventure S
The 1290 Super Adventure S is the right bike for an experienced rider who wants genuine cross-country speed – not just commuting ability – in a package that can handle gravel fire roads without drama. It’s not a beginner bike; the power delivery is manageable, but 160 hp and a heavy chassis punish inattention at low speed.
It suits: long-distance tourers who cover 500+ mile days, riders who want highway capability with occasional off-pavement flexibility, and anyone who genuinely uses adaptive cruise control and navigation on the road.
It’s not a good fit for: new riders, anyone who regularly rides tight singletrack, or riders under 5’4″ who’ll struggle with the minimum 33.4-inch seat height.
Frequently Asked Questions About the KTM 1290 Super Adventure S
What is the top speed of the KTM 1290 Super Adventure S?
KTM does not publish an official top speed figure. Independent testing and modeling by AccelerationTimes.com records approximately 155 mph (250 km/h). Some European spec sheets list 230 km/h (143 mph), likely reflecting a conservative governed figure. Real-world top speed will vary with load, elevation, and conditions.
How fast does the KTM 1290 Super Adventure S go from 0-60 mph?
AccelerationTimes.com records a 0-60 mph time of approximately 3.1 seconds for the 1290 Super Adventure S. This is consistent with 160 hp driving a 485 lb dry-weight motorcycle and reflects the LC8 engine’s strong low- and mid-range torque delivery. These figures are estimates, not factory-published data.
What engine does the KTM 1290 Super Adventure S use?
It uses a 1,301cc LC8 liquid-cooled 75-degree V-twin producing 160 hp at 9,000 rpm and 102 lb-ft of torque at 6,500 rpm. The engine features twin-plug ignition per cylinder, forged pistons with Grafal coating, and a 6-speed PANKL transmission with Quickshifter+ (KTM, 2024).
What is the US price of the 2024 KTM 1290 Super Adventure S?
The 2024 KTM 1290 Super Adventure S carries a US MSRP of $20,999 plus a $750 destination charge, confirmed by Motorcycle.com and dealer listings. That’s $21,749 before taxes, registration, and any dealer fees.
What is the seat height on the KTM 1290 Super Adventure S?
The seat is adjustable between 849 mm (33.4 in) and 869 mm (34.2 in) – a 20 mm range using the built-in adjustment. Short riders near the lower end of that range will still be touching down on one foot or both toes at stops given the 227 kg weight of the bike.
Is the KTM 1290 Super Adventure S good for beginners?
No. The 1290 Super Adventure S is a 160 hp, 500 lb motorcycle that requires confident throttle and clutch control at low speeds. The power delivery is manageable, but the weight and size make it difficult to handle in tight spaces. Riders stepping up from mid-displacement bikes with some years of experience are the right audience.
How does the KTM 1290 Super Adventure S differ from the R model?
The S is street-oriented: it runs cast aluminum wheels, WP SAT semi-active suspension, a lower seat height (849 mm vs. 879 mm on the R), and is better suited to tarmac and gravel. The R uses wire-spoke wheels, conventional WP XPLOR suspension with 220 mm of travel, and a skid plate as standard – optimized for harder off-road work. Both share the same 1301cc LC8 engine and most electronics (Rider Magazine, 2023).
Key Takeaways
- The 2024 KTM 1290 Super Adventure S produces 160 hp and 102 lb-ft from a 1,301cc LC8 V-twin; these figures are confirmed by KTM’s official spec sheet.
- Top speed is approximately 155 mph based on independent sources; KTM publishes no official figure.
- 0-60 mph takes approximately 3.1 seconds per AccelerationTimes.com – quick for a touring motorcycle in this weight class.
- US MSRP is $20,999 plus $750 destination; heated grips are not standard, which is a recurring owner complaint at this price.
- WP Semi-Active suspension, Bosch 6D IMU, radar-based adaptive cruise control, and dual Brembo front brakes are genuine features, not trim-level box-ticking.
- Best suited to experienced riders planning long-distance, mixed-surface riding; too heavy and powerful for new riders.
