2017 KTM 1290 Super Adventure T Base

2017 KTM 1290 Super Adventure T

The KTM 1290 SUPER ADVENTURE T is ready to travel to the top of the food chain, matching its need for speed with your lust for life. This extremely well-equipped 1,301cc powerhouse goes from cruising with a passenger to racing a local at the flick of your wrist. And without breaking a sweat, thanks to KTM’s advanced electronics that help you outrun and outsmart tricky conditions. It has never been more comfortable to leave your comfort zone. So go, chase the horizon. You might even catch it.

• ENGINE

Based on the 1,301cc V-twin of the KTM 1290 SUPER DUKE R, aka “The Beast”, the KTM 1290 SUPER ADVENTURE T is clearly the Alpha in its segment. The engineers adapted the cylinders to a newly developed cylinder head and crankshaft to give this bike a powerplant that perfectly fits its sovereign appearance. It packs one hell of a punch for fully loaded tours, has truckloads of torque from the bottom up and hardly ever needs hurried downshifts. Therefore, the 1290 SUPER ADVENTURE T is equally happy hunting horizons as it is giving Superbikes a run for their money when the chips are down. With 160 hp and 140 Nm of torque on tap, of which 108 Nm is already available at 2,500 rpm, we wouldn’t bet against it.

• SMOOTH SAILING

A spread transmission on the primary wheel transfers the power to the clutch basket without any backlash, which eliminates vibration and reduces engine noise. On the intake sides there is a newly developed resonator chamber, designed to polish the torque output in the lower to mid-range rpms. This substantially increases the smoothness of the KTM 1290 SUPER ADVENTURE T´s power train.

• RIDE-BY-WIRE

At KTM, ride-by-wire is more than simply the absence of a throttle cable. It’s the guarantee of a smooth throttle response. Our system ensures perfect application of the readily available and plentiful torque. It also electronically translates the throttle commands of the rider into throttle valve positions perfectly suited to the riding conditions. The RBW system is fully compliant with the strict DIN 26262 safety standard from the automobile sector.

• OVERDRIVE

The sixth gear serves as a long overdrive in the KTM 1290 SUPER ADVENTURE T’s well-spaced gearbox. This saves fuel and adds to your cruising comfort.

• CRUISE CONTROL

KTM’s cruise control, another standard feature on the KTM 1290 SUPER ADVENTURE T, laughs at long motorway journeys. Switches on the throttle grip and a display in the dashboard allow the rider to intuitively set and change the requested speed, so you’ll arrive at the fun bits with energy to spare.

• SLIPPER CLUTCH

Not only does the slipper clutch open when the engine back-torque becomes too high, it also assists when you open up the throttle. The former prevents destabilizing rear wheel chatter when braking sharply or decelerating; the latter reduces the lever force required for changing gear, allowing the clutch to be controlled with just one trigger happy finger.

• TWIN IGNITION

The twin plug ignition system controls the two differently sized spark plugs in each cylinder head independently of each other in order to optimize combustion. The result: more (and more controlled) power, lower fuel consumption and lower emissions. That’s nice for everyone.

• CYLINDER HEADS

A key element in the flawless power delivery of the 75° V-twin is each cylinder’s state-of-the-art 4-valve cylinder head. These combine twin plug ignition, flow-optimized ports and a slick low-friction valve train with cams from each cylinder’s twin overhead camshafts driving DLC-coated cam followers.