Ktm 1290 Super Adventure R Review

Used Buyer Review

The 1290 Super Adventure R is the real deal — a proper long-haul weapon that actually wants to go off-road, not just pretend to. That 1301cc V-twin hits hard everywhere in the rev range, the WP suspension is genuinely capable on rough stuff, and the electronics package is class-leading. Buy one from 2017 onwards and you're getting a seriously mature, capable machine. Just budget for ownership costs because KTM's 'Ready to Race' motto apparently extends to Ready to Invoice You. Before buying used, pull the service history hard. These motors want their valve clearances checked every 15,000km and it's a dealer job that costs real money. Check the throttle bodies for the known hunting idle issue, inspect the steering head bearings, and look carefully at the exhaust headers for rust — especially on bikes that lived in wet climates. The WP suspension seals can weep on higher mileage examples, so bounce the forks and watch for oil weeping. Get a good one with full history and you'll own one of the finest adventure bikes ever built. Cut corners buying a sketchy example and you'll fund someone else's neglect.