VOLUME 59 ISSUE 47 NOVEMBER 22, 2022 P89
(Above) The
screen is adjusted
via a knob on the
side, but you can't
adjust it while
riding, which is
a bummer. (Left)
Those wanting
a bit more bark
can opt for the
Akrapovic muffler
as this standard
pipe is very quiet.
of Sport, Road, Rain, Off Road
and Rally (strange, given the
tarmac leanings of the 1290
S), all offering varying levels
of throttle response, traction
control and Cornering ABS
intervention, Motor Slip Regula-
tion and the rather neat Slip Ad-
juster, complete with an image
of just how far the chassis will
let you hang it out before you
get launched into orbit (see the
dash video in this feature).
The 1290 R and S are very
closely linked and are eas-
ily the largest motorcycles in
KTM's range. The S is physi-
cally imposing, but that fact
belies the effortless handling
the chassis imparts. Lessons
learned in the 890 ADV like the
low-slung 6.1-gallon gas tank
near the riders knees have
been applied, and the radia-
tors are now split either side of
the chassis. This is a thorough-
ly easy motorcycle to get along
with, the ride comfort helped
by a new chassis matched to
all-new semi-active suspension
from inhouse supplier, WP and
Terra-Force R tires from Mitas.
You sit more over the front
on the 2022 S compared to
