All Tests – KTM 1290 Super Adventure Test: monumen-trail! – Static: a plethora of high-tech equipment

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KTM 1290 Super Adventure test: monumen-trail !

All Tests - KTM 1290 Super Adventure Test: monumen-trail! - Static: a plethora of high-tech equipment

Maxi-trail motorcycles pour into mechanical and technological outbidding, to the detriment of their off-road skills … The KTM 1290 Super Adventure is part of this dizzying trend with its 160 hp of fire and its plethora of equipment. Test.

Static: a plethora of high-tech equipment

The comparison between the two "mega-maxi-trails" from across the Rhine being inevitable, it is interesting to note that the admits ten additional kilos, with equal tank capacity: 260 kg against 249 all full made for the 1290 Super Adventure. The practical final transmission by cardan shaft of the German (chain on the Austrian) explains – and excuses – in part this discrepancy.

Moreover, and this is more surprising, the BMW is significantly less expensive: € 17,250 against € 17,995, or almost 750 euros to the advantage of "Gehesse". Does the Orange brand want to "squeeze" its followers? Not at all: the Super Adventure actually displays an incredibly extensive original endowment which explains its high price. Clearly, its price is certainly higher, but its "price-equipment" ratio is more advantageous.

As standard, the Austrian receives a real on-board computer controlled from the handlebars (tire pressure, consumption, fuel gauge and range, air and oil temperatures, gear engaged, two trips, etc.), a fairly easy central stand. to use, a practical 12 V socket because it is well placed (to the left of the instrumentation), hand rails, handles and heated saddles (from the menus at the front, via a remote control on the rear right side panel for passenger), cruise control, traction control and ABS both configurable and deactivatable…

This particularly impressive list also includes a storage compartment on the right of the dashboard, just large enough to hold a bank card or a parking remote control. Of course, this storage space does not lock and its opening is not very practical, but its presence on a maxi-trail is rare enough to be emphasized and appreciated. !

We should also mention the presence of levers adjustable in spacing and semi-active WP suspensions – a brand belonging to KTM – which allow the preload to be set (solo, solo loaded, duo and duo loaded) and to define the hydraulic reactions according to four pre-programmed laws ( Comfort, Street, Sport and Off-road). Accessible from the handlebars, these settings are then refined in real time depending on the condition of the road and the constraints exerted on the motorcycle (hardening under braking to counter the transfer to the front, for example).

The saddle height is adjustable on two levels thanks to a system of wedges (photo above). However, the operation requires attention because this hard seat – for lack of sufficient padding thickness – is provided with slides on the front, which it is not always easy to engage in the lugs fixed for this purpose. on the tank…

The opportunity to see that even adjusted to the lowest, the saddle culminates at a considerable height of 860 mm (875 mm in high position). Combined with the large size of the tank – despite its pronounced recesses to fit the knees – this height complicates access to the motorcycle: below 1.80m, it is impossible to put your feet flat on the ground! The wide handlebar – but well designed – is also favorable to large riders.

Finally, the 1290 Super Adventure is the first motorcycle to receive as standard a lighting device designed to improve visibility in curves. Inspired by the automobile, this system is based on additional lights installed at the top of the fairing sides: depending on the inclination of the motorcycle, several rows of LEDs are illuminated (the first from 10 °, the second at 20 ° and the three at 30 °).

Tested at night and in the rain by MNC, this ingenious function is quite effective, illuminating a significant part of the ground and the aisle inside the bends. To avoid spoiling anything, the front optic delivers a wide and very powerful beam, in addition to being framed by LEDs in its lower part to provide daytime lighting. LEDs that are also found in the front and rear indicators.

In short, the KTM is a maxi-trail "maxi-equipped"! This high-end status is enhanced by excellent manufacturing quality and the general feeling of robustness conveyed by the materials used. Only the use of a short plastic engine spoiler lends itself to criticism on this type of motorcycle….

This "oversight" is all the more regrettable as KTM simultaneously values ​​its immense know-how in off-roading via some typical characteristics: the notched footrests covered with a removable rubber shim (with tool) are an example. , just like the unsightly but practical hose on the left of the engine which makes it easy to add oil.

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