KTM 1290 Super Adventure S Revisited - 2022 model review

I reviewed the KTM 1290 Super Adventure S last year and was suitably impressed, so when given the opportunity to revisit the big adventure bike I jumped at the chance. I was interested to see my thoughts returning to it after riding many different bikes. So in this video, I'll concentrate less on stats and more on how it rides, what I think is good and not so good.
It is quite possibly one of the most misunderstood and perhaps overlooked big adventure bikes?

00:00 - Intro
01:31 - Engine Characteristics
03:15 - Loads of Torque
04:36 - Ergonomics
05:06 - But isn't it big and heavy?
05:52 - How good is the screen?
07:25 - Saddlebag tank benefits
08:54 - TFT display, controls and electronics
11:00 - Reliability
12:09 - Any negatives?
12:57 - A great touring bike?
13:26 - Offroad Riding
16:10 - Aesthetics and THAT exhaust
17:26 - So is it a misunderstood motorcycle?
18:43 - Optional extras
19:20 - Conclusion and pricing

[pearlfan]

Just did a trip across Peru - Bolivia - Argentina - Chile and back to Peru. What a beautiful bike it is. Riding with my wife, it is comfortable for both riders for long rides. I was worried that she might complain about the seat, but she absolutely found it comfortable. We rode up to 4800 Meter Elevation and the power was constant even at high altitudes. The roads were a mix of really nice roads to dirt roads and even larger sectors of sand. Never dropped her and she just behaved so well. A beast when you want it and a well behaved on touring. I had the 1190 before, but this is much nicer to ride.

[petertaylor]

Had mine a year now with 9500 miles on it. Had no issues at all thankfully. Having ridden all kinds of bikes for 40 years I am still blown away every day by this machine. Every ride is sublime rain or shine. It’s a keeper for sure.

[crk]

I own this bike and recently traveled from San Diego California to Yosemite National Park. My total mileage was 1300 miles. It traveled through desert and of course many hghi elevated mountainous areas. And some of the desert areas were in the triple digits. It never overheated and the liquid cooled system worked perfectly. Going through the twisties in the mountains was a blast! It really handles so well. Keeping it short the bike was magnificent and never let me down at any point in time. The reliability was superb. The LC8 engine is best in its class. I would highly recommend this motorcycle to anyone purchasing an adventure motorcycle. This KTM 1290 Super Adventurel beast definitely will leave a smile on your face every single time.(-:

[SamVBikes]

Appreciate the shout out! You're correct, 19k miles in and all good, so I'd like to think I'm safe. Worth selecting the Tech Pack for just over £1k in my opinion, as most of the options come in that. No heated grips though as you say! Those stock tyres are shocking haha! Great review as usual 👍🏼

[TheGrumpLee]

Good review. I knew that I wanted one of these when they were announced and then the reviews hyped it up, as always. I was prepared to be disappointed as it didn't live up to expectations, but it did and does.

I've never ridden a better, more complete bike for the road. It has everything I need and does all that I want. Stick it into sport throttle, high preload and ride it like a big supermoto and it loves it. With the riding position and extra travel, I can ride the roads around the Yorkshire Dales quicker than I could on any sports bike.

Love it. Can honestly say that there's nothing that I'd change it for.

I've got 21.5K miles on my 2020 S. Nothing except battery replacement in 4 years. Screen didn't work well at any height, but a Puig extender and screen in the lowest position fixed it- no buffeting at all now

[rongraham]

I have had my SAS for about 7 months now and have had zero issues in over 7000 miles, just wonderful riding experiences. Been to Europe and around the UK and can totally agree that this is a wonderful touring bike and a great sports bike if that's your thing. Thanks for the great review.

[chrisa]

I've got the 790 R and the 1290 S. Something has to go and it won't be the 1290. It's a big bike that feels small. A powerhouse, super smooth especially after a Hiltop 'map'. Two up touring....the best bike I've owned. Over the years I've had the previous 1290S, a 1200 RT, K1600 GTL, 1200 GSA, Multistrada 1200, 2020 Goldwing. Ok, the Goldwing was a bike, but I returned it because the engine paint was peeling off and because the exhaust killed my ears with the boom. The 1290 just makes me smile every time I ride it. The low fuel tanks keep the weight low and feet warm. Power Parts seats essential. The suspension is otherworldly. Next level comfortable. Anti dive is amazing. Controls are a bit odd but you get used to them. Wind protection is the best I've had save the Goldwing. Two gripes: If you start it in gear, then expect the abs or other lights to come on occasionally - There's clutch drag and like all KTM's the starter motor is rubbish. Second - like the last one, you get head shake at slow speeds when two up and loaded. Not sure why this happens but it's annoying...only takes one finger on the bars to stop it though. Can't think there's another Swiss army knife bike like the 1290. 🙂

[Carlnewman]

Quite possibly the best video I’ve seen about this bike. I’m a gsa 1250 rider and I’m sure this is the next bike. Thank you . Carl uk

[blade]

I own one of these and have to say you hit the nail on the head with your review.
For me it’s a touring bike that’s comfy and exciting.

[Eric-Marsh]

I've had mine for almost two years now. I agree about the torque. In fact after a while I came to the conclusion that it has enough torque to easily pull a taller gear so I put a 40t rear sprocket on mine at the same time I installed a pair of Anakee Adventures. I feel that it was a noticeable improvement, especially when cruising on the freeway/autovia/autopisa. The Anakees are prone to spinning under power so with the taller gear the bike is a little less inclined to lifting the front end.

I finally decided that while the bike has plenty of power and good handling it's really just what a good general purpose motorcycle should be.

[gttpete]

I have 4 bikes, a Superduke R, a Ducati Streetfighter, a Tuono 1100 factory and one of these, you can drop the first 3 in the bin, the sas I by far my favourite, it’s a spectacular bike.

[benkelly]

Great review mate, as usual always stands out above the rest. I brought mine 3 moths ago, now has 4K miles on her. An absolute belter of a bike..GS! You are dead to me.❤️

[carlosbraga]

Hi have one superadventure s from may 2022, all my life i drive Race bikes i Change for this Monster Im really but really happy, i just put out the decibel Killers from the akrapovic, and the Sound, the power its just i super bike, i dont have nothing to say bad abaut this bike, since i Start the engine untill i stop hi have a smile on my face

[five-eyes]

I have had the 2019, 1290SAR from new and love it. I have added a few accessories (Denali lights/Dial Dim, crash bars, EZCAN, Scott steering Stabilizer, Barkbusters, GPS, Panniers, Evotech rad/oil guards).
I have ridden the KTM rally Canada, many long trips on and off road. To sum it up, I love this bike and for tires Dakar E07.

[alistair.a.cookie]

You mention the lack of heated grips as standard but as far as I recall with the exception of Triumph (Pro models?), none of its competitors do either at this level.

When I was looking for mine, there were several dealers that were openly including the Tech Pack FOC, and every one that I inquired with were happy to fit heated grips without charge if bought with the bike.

[teneretraveller]

Might be the best review I've seen on that bike.
Thanks for sharing 👍

[riggsyb]

Spot on review and agree with pretty much everything you say. Done 3600 miles on mine now, they were all in the first 6 weeks of ownership though! Planning on doing a lot more on it still too… I got on fine with the stock Mitas tyres in the dry, even furring up the edges pretty quickly. They seemed fine in the wet as long as it wasn’t cold, but once the temperature starts dropping then all confidence in them goes if the surface isn’t 100%. Wore them out and replaced with Metzeler Tourance Next 2’s which are a definite step up in performance all round. Only thing I will really disagree with is the stock seat comfort, which I found shocking! The 100 mile ride home from purchasing the bike, I was in bits! Quickly got the powerparts heated seat on there to replace the stock seat, and that is loads better…

[motorbikemumblings]

I collected my brand new 2023 2 months ago and it's absolutely amazing. The more I ride it the more I love. It. Also I had 2k off and a 4 year warranty!! Absolute bargain.

[Psicluc]

Ohh boy... Wish I have a KTM store in Brazil... It would be my everlasting bike for sure!