KTM has been snapping at the heels of BMW for many years and, with the arrival of first the 1190 and then the 1290, the company proved that it could convincingly match, if not beat, the Germans at their own game. The BMW GS is a brilliant machine but KTM brought fire and brimstone to the battle against the traditionally staid and sensible Germans, to great effect.
The general thinking has been that the BMW is a great all-rounder while the KTM is for the serious off-road adventure rider. However, with the more road-focused 1290 S, KTM has proven that it has the ability to build a bike with impeccable road manners, combining those manners with undeniably addictive sportiness.
The 1290 S is by no means a new model and not necessarily worthy of a brand new road test but, in light of the recent test of the R 1300 GS, it seemed appropriate to make a reacquaintance with its main rival.
The KTM 1290 is the reason why BMW has been chasing ever greater horsepower, although you have to wonder why, when the German contender is never going to catch the Austrian upstart. The KTM 1,301cc V-twin pushes out a very healthy 160 horsepower, while ‘all’ the BMW’s boxer twin engine can muster is 145 in its latest 1300cc guise. When the 1390 Super Adventure arrives, there will be even more power, perhaps up to 180 horsepower, which will put BMW properly in the shade.
Of course, this is all academic and really only for the bar-room boasters; no rider could possibly ever need those kind of power outputs, especially off-road, and anyone who tells you otherwise is talking out of their backside. But it sells motorcycles, so who are we to argue?
The result of all this power is brilliantly bonkers performance, which is totally addictive but not necessarily good for a long and productive life. The BMW R 1300 GS may have received more power but it can’t hold a candle to the big KTM, another reason to wonder why BMW has bothered to try.
For all the horsepower fireworks, the engine in the KTM never feels over-stressed; if anything, it retains the familiar V-twin laziness, although this, of course, is merely an impression rather than reality. It’s commendably smooth but not to the point of being bland and, as it’s been around for so long now, in one form or another, there’s no reason to believe it will be anything other than reliable. The gearbox is slick and smooth, the quick-shifter night-and-day-better than that on the BMW, which must have something to do with the contrasting layouts of the engine/gearbox/final drive configurations of the two bikes.
If the engine feels solid and dependable, I’m struggling to have the same confidence about the build quality of the bike as a whole. It’s not bad by any means but you simply don’t get the overall feeling of solidity that the BMW imparts, although the R 1300 GS itself doesn’t feel quite as solid as previous GS models; losing weight is all well and good but not if it impacts longevity.
The 1290 S ‘cockpit’ is a very comfortable place to inhabit for any length of journey; for the first time, I found it more comfortable than the equivalent BMW. The seat has lost much of the traditional KTM plank-like qualities, the rider triangle – seat, footpegs, handlebars – feels natural and roomy, the dash is large and clear and the manually-adjustable screen works very well. Overall, wind protection for the rider is excellent.
I can’t help feeling that the switchgear is a bit style-over-substance, susceptible to inadvertent damage, and there are a couple of buttons that are far too easy to knock in general use but, as is normal, a couple of weeks’ acclimatisation negates any criticisms of how to navigate the extensive menus. The BMW felt more intuitive in that respect but only marginally.
I’m never quite sure if aesthetics are as important as overall ability. On reflection, I’d have to say yes; it doesn’t matter how good the performance and ability is, if a bike looks like it’s been beaten with the ugly stick, then it’s just not going to sell; that’s how shallow we are! Luckily, big adventure bikes tend to be very good-looking – maybe they have to be to disguise the sheer bulk! – and, in this department, the KTM 1290 S is close to top of the class. There’s a pleasing lack of fiddly styling details, keeping it simple and classy overall.
Of course, when it comes down to brass tacks, there is very little, if anything, to choose between the KTM 1290 Super Adventure S and the BMW R 1300 GS. In every important area, they are both exceptional motorcycles, whether you choose to make use of the off-road ability or ride them solely on the road. Despite the lower power output of the BMW, it is no less quick in real-world riding conditions than the KTM, which has the edge in performance excitement. They are both well-equipped, comfortable, safe, incredibly capable, practical, good looking and hugely expensive, leaving prospective owners with only one conundrum; which one to choose?
Riding both the BMW and the KTM raises one important question; where next in terms of development? More power will certainly always be on the cards, even if it is rather pointless, but I find myself wondering how much further the development of electronics can be pushed, without making the bike ride itself, which surely defeats the whole point of the exercise. Added lightness will always be welcome but power will always need control and that doesn’t come from flimsiness. Let’s not forget, of course, that more performance and more electronics will only make them cost more.
Which begs another question; have we reached peak adventure bike design?
The cost of motorcycling is increasingly becoming the sole topic of conversation whenever riders gather. While it seems that the upward trend of prices for new motorcycles is unlikely to be reversed at any time soon, there are other ways of affording your dream motorcycle…
Current KTM Promotions:
KTM is currently running some very attractive deal assist packages, the details of which you will see in the accompanying images. In addition, every new KTM comes with a standard manufacturer’s warranty but the concept of the Premium Manufacturer’s Warranty is a fresh way for the company to reassure customers.
The warranty applies to all new 2023, 2024, and 2025 street and travel motorcycles with the LC8 or LC8c engine platform. This ranges from the KTM 790 DUKE and KTM 790 ADVENTURE up to the KTM 1390 SUPER DUKE R EVO.
KTM’s Premium Manufacturer’s Warranty is a no-fuss provision that stretches all the way to 4 years. This warranty scheme is a worldwide policy so KTM owners can roam the globe without a thought. The warranty is attached to the motorcycle and not the rider and therefore can also help sustain value in the event of a resale. Customers simply have to book a regular service according to the service schedule of their motorcycle through their authorized KTM dealer to keep the warranty valid for up to 4 years.
For more details on the warranty and the deal assist packages, contact your favourite KTM dealer countrywide.
KTM 1290 Super Adventure S
For more information on the bike featured in this article, click on the link below…
