RIDE REVIEW I 2022 KTM 1290 SUPER ADVENTURE R
P96
Super Adventure 1290 R came to market in 2017 and
KTM had the first R&D model of this 2022 edition
rolling in Southern California in 2018, so Quinn and
the boys have had plenty of time to get everything
perfectly dialed on the chassis front.
Our test bike came loaded with every conceivable
electronic gizmo KTM could offer (except heated
grips and seats, despite the dash telling me they
were active in 40° weather!).
The Super Adventure gets two optional electron-
ics upgrades, including the Rally Pack and the Tech
Pack. Rally gets you the Rally riding mode to go with
the Rain, Street, Sport, Off-Road modes, and you get
nine-level adjustable traction control.
If you go for the Tech Pack, you get all the Rally
Pack's features plus Hill Hold Assist, Motor Slip
Regulation, and the Quickshifter+ system for clutch-
less up and down gearshifts. So, get the Tech Pack.
Standard fitment includes traction control, corner-
ing ABS, off-road ABS that lets you disengage the
rear brake on the dirt, cruise control, those Rain,
Street, Sport, Off-Road engine modes, keyless igni-
tion (why can't we just have a key, KTM!?), tire pres-
do so as the degree of protection offered far
outweighs the weight disadvantage they bring.
The fully adjustable suspension gets a
complete reworking with the fork getting new
internals via a larger diameter piston, with
wheel travel remaining the same at 8.6 inches.
The revised PDS shock is a couple of mil-
limeters shorter in length but with the new
swingarm angle, wheel travel is also remains
unchanged, and the show rolls on Bridges-
tone's AX41 rubber, continuing the two-compa-
ny tie-in that started when the Super Duke of
2020 was fitted with Bridgestone's S22 tire.
To give you an idea, the last generation
LED headlight with a
Daytime Running Light make
for an unmistakable face.
New switches are a nice touch.
Road performance
is excellent but held
back by the off-road-
specific tires.
