Trail – KTM 1290 Super Adventure S test: high performance maxi-trail! – Page 2 – Dynamic: a very playful maxi trail

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KTM 1290 Super Adventure S test: maxi-trail maxi performance !

Trail - KTM 1290 Super Adventure S test: high performance maxi-trail! - Page 2 - Dynamics: a very playful maxi trail

Only two years after its release, the KTM 1290 Super Adventure is evolving in depth and diversifying to better occupy the – juicy – segment of maxi-trails. MNC tested the ultra-efficient "S" version, with its stormy 160 hp (!) And its advanced electronics. Test.

Page 2 – Dynamic: a very playful maxi trail

Despite the inevitable feeling of heaviness when stationary caused by its 238 kg (11 less than in 2016 thanks to the smaller tank), the 1290 Super Adventure-S is rather easy to handle: turning it at low speed does not not require the arms of an Austrian lumberjack. However, the exercise reveals a handling significantly lower than that of an R1200GS, untouchable or almost in this area thanks to its super low center of gravity (thank you the flat-twin). 

By containing the opening of the front axle and the width of the rear tire (170 mm), KTM has managed to preserve the precision and dynamism of its Super Adventure S, two qualities often absent in the category. The bike tilts easily with regard to its size, then remains firmly planted on its supports. However, changing the trajectory immediately is quite achievable … provided you have a little "skill" to deal with the inevitable inertia.

In short, the Super Adventure S certainly has sporting genes specific to all KTM production, but also "genes" linked to its mass and its important measurements. What to remember that a real road bike – cut to cut kilometers of road in big slices – hides behind its look falsely evocative of rally-raid …

In addition to its very good protection and its many practical aspects described on the previous page, the 1290 Super Adventure S has other qualities worthy of a GT: its hydraulically controlled clutch is as smooth as it is precise, while its shifter which operates at up and down gears erase the slight dryness of its selection. This option at € 392.50 is really worth the (over) cost !

In addition, KTM’s own semi-active suspensions (via its WP brand) offer remarkable absorption quality in their most flexible mode of operation. In "Comfort" and "Street", the irregularities are quite simply erased, as when smoothing undulations on the sand with the flat of the hand. The system is perfectly developed and very responsive, allowing fast driving even in the worst potholes (all technical explanations in).

Sensitivity at the start of the race is judiciously calibrated and then goes hand in hand with a progressive restraint: in this way, the 200 mm of spring clearance is properly exploited, avoiding excess mass transfers in a "rocking horse" style. A real armchair, then, this Super Adventure? No, unfortunately, due to a saddle not up to the brilliant behavior of the suspensions: the pilot seat is too firm, in addition to not sufficiently filtering the vibrations perceptible from 8000 rpm.

Good news, however: the unbearable heat waves criticized on the previous generation are practically eradicated. The rear cylinder still heats the saddle at low speed, like virtually all motorcycles with a V-engine architecture, but without excessive discomfort. No more rotisserie: KTM has successfully revised the engine insulation and heat removal.

 K-tapult !

A simple flick on the left stalk allows you to switch to "Sport" damping mode, with which the bike offers a support that is impossible to fault whatever the speed. Few semi-active systems offer such a large difference between their "soft" and "hard" rating. Thanks to this quality, the 1290 Super Adventure really has two faces: comfortable or rigorous. 

The traction control is also one of the electronic devices perfectly developed on this devilish novelty: the power is delicately smoothed when a loss of grip is registered, without "parasitizing" the connection between the handle and the rear wheel. Its efficiency is even more striking if the front wheel is raised: the thrust is slowly reduced to put an end to the wheeling, exactly as if the pilot had released the throttle a few millimeters. Impressive and exhilarating at the same time !

However, this electronic safety net is not essential to master this cousin of the "Beast", the Super Duke R roadster from which the Adventure takes over the engine. MNC tested the bike for a long time with the traction control turned off and had no fear… in the dry. However, following the appearance of a few drops of rain, reactivating the system and switching to the "Rain" map seemed much wiser to us: with 160 hp to manage, it is better to be careful. !

The excellent traction of the 1290 Super Adventure and its very good throttle management are at the origin of this ability to exploit without (too much) ulterior motives the enormous engine potential when exiting a bend. On the condition, however, of being able to control the rearing up, inevitable until third (!) If the right handle is fully wrung out! When we tell you that he pushes the Austrian V2 hard !

Full as an egg, this engine offers breathtaking times whatever the gear engaged. The Orange maxi-trail pulls vigorously from 3500 rpm and then swings angry pistons up to 9000 rpm. Between these two benchmarks, the raises are torrid, even toxic for the license! No other maxi-trail on the market accelerates this way. Moreover, very few motorcycles are so expressive !

To cope with such performance, the Brembo 4-piston radial calipers and 320mm discs have work to do around bends! The device is fortunately up to the task, also well served by a radial master cylinder which offers a particularly precise "brake feel". Power is never lacking, while the Combined ABS impresses with its ability to handle a sudden pick-up from the brakes on the corner. 

Off-road heritage: the rear brake is also effective and its pedal well placed. Combined with the important engine braking, this feature makes it possible to drive smoothly without touching the front brake in the context of a coiled ride: an important asset for duet rides, during which adopting a comfortable and smooth ride will be easy. As long as the pilot knows how to be wise with the throttle, obviously ! 

Verdict: one hell of an adventure !

In the maxi-trail category, never has a motorcycle reached such a level of performance as the 1290 Super Adventure S. Its sophistication also offers it remarkable versatility, even if its general behavior remains more oriented "sport" than " comfort ", if only because of its incredible mechanical strength. In this, the KTM remains faithful to the "Ready to Race" spirit dear to the Orange brand..

However, a few small improvements would allow it to take an additional step towards the top of the category, such as a more comfortable saddle and a windshield height adjustment that is less difficult to handle. In addition, if the equipment of the motorcycle pleads in favor of its high-end status (WP suspensions, Brembo brakes, hollowed out swingarm, electronics worthy of NASA), some other components are less qualitative….

The engine bolts are thus quite ordinary, while the exchanger placed next to the water pump on the right side of the engine evokes a "disc maneuver" from the 80s … The integration of hoses and cables could also be more discreet, especially on a motorcycle with so many fairings. Finally, the chain transmission – and not a gimbal – as well as the reduced choice of colors (black and orange or white and orange) are potentially restrictive from a viewpoint of wide distribution …

Asked on this point by MNC, Eric Antunes, president of KTM France, assures us that the expansion of the colors of KTM motorcycles does not figure among the requests of the customers… Remains that between its radical design and its rather showy colors, the 1290 Super Adventure S will not suit all tastes. That said, its rival R1200GS is far from being a model of elegance and that does not prevent it from having sold 2351 copies in France (4010 by adding the GS Adventure), where the boss of the French subsidiary only plans "600 sales" for its novelty available from March 2017 !

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