The 2021 KTM 1290 Super Adventure will likely be revealed on January 26, 2021. The manufacturer has released a teaser with the tagline “The World Gets Smaller”, hinting that it could be it’s top-of-the-line ADV, the 1290 Super Adventure.
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The S variant features adaptive cruise control
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For 2021, the bike uses a twin-radiator setup
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It will feature a slightly larger display
Earlier this month, the model page for the KTM 1290 Super Adventure went live inadvertently on the company’s website briefly. It was taken down shortly afterwards, but it did reveal some fresh details of the updated Super Adventure.
2021 KTM 1290 Adventure engine
The website revealed that the updated KTM 1290 Super Adventure R and S models feature a number of updates for 2021. To meet Euro 5 (BS6) standards, the 2021 Super Adventure models use a completely reworked exhaust system. This includes a new header pipe set up that connects to two catalytic converters. While the power figure is said to be the same at 160hp, peak torque has gone down from 140Nm to 138Nm.
For 2021, the bike also uses two radiators instead of a single unit. In addition to this, the company has redesigned the airbox, making it easier to access the air filter.
2021 KTM 1290 Adventure chassis
The Super Adventure also uses a chrome-molybdenum steel trellis frame combining laser-cut tubes and forged elements. The engine has been moved forward within the frame and the steering head has been moved backwards. KTM has also lengthened the swingarm slightly. The Super Adventure also has a redesigned seat that sits lower than before. On the R, it's lower by 0.4 inches, while on the S, it is now adjustable from 33.4 to 34.2 inches (previously 33.8 to 34.4 inches).
While the R variant uses tubeless wire-spoke wheels, the S gets alloy wheels with MITAS Terra Force-R tires. The brakes and suspension are said to remain the same as before. The electronics, meanwhile, get no major changes either, aside from the addition of a radar-based adaptive cruise control system on the S variant. The size of the display has also increased slightly, from 6.5 inches to 7 inches. A patent from November also suggests the Super Adventure will get underslung fuel tanks.
That’s all we know about the motorcycle, so far, and more details will be out when the bike is revealed on January 26. Coincidentally, KTM isn’t the only manufacturer that will be unveiling an updated model on the day - Triumph recently announced that it will unveil the Speed Triple RS on the same day.
Azaman Chothia
Vishal Venugopal
