Drag Race! KTM 790 Adventure R vs 1290 Super Adventure R

During our Maschine Adriatic Adventure tour in June 2019 we explored an old abandoned airbase that resides in former Yugoslavia - or in Croatia nowadays. This airbase is fascinating with multiple tunnels that disappear into the mountainside and were used as hangars to house multiple aircrafts.

Stretching out several kilometres from the hangar entrances were several runways that disappeared off into the morning mist. These runways were just too tempting so we just had to test out the terminal velocity of our bikes.

Amongst our group we had two 1290 Super Adventure R's and five 790 Adventure's. Watch and you will see how we lined up for a drag race where the 790 proved just how rapid it is. With a good launch it was able to hold off the 1290's up until about 160kph. Terminal velocity was around 206kph indicated on the speedo which is probably more like bang on 200kph in real terms.

It was a blast exploring the base but we didn't ride off any hard surfaces, as apparently there are still plenty of unexploded land mines in Croatia and Bosnia & Herzegovina!

[donparker]

Wow, so much KTM fun in Croatia! I enjoy my 790 S so much here in the American Southwest. I put Dunlop Trailmax tires on it which are quite a bit more dirt oriented. For a Croatia trip I think I'd put the Avon's back on.

[Grasshoppers_Path]

Well that looked fun, I don't think my little Himalayan would do so well, but sure fun to just ride that open space. 😊

[stromqvistarn]

I just bought an 1290 super adventure r, and it’s a lot faster and better acceleration than the 790. The 790 is okay but it’s nothing compared to the 1290. 100hp 189kg vs 160hp 217kg. Just so people understand the big difference. The 1290 driver just had a bad start or was very careful at the throttle because of the hp. Great video by the way!

[sebastianschmitt]

Look like a lot of fun, with u guys!
Sry as German i didnt got the point at first, why u doing this somewhere in midel of nowhere.
Then i remembered, that here in germany, is the only highway where you can drive this fast legal.
At the otherside, we cant drive offroad leagal her in Germany :(
Whats kind of normel somewhere, is something speciel somewhere else...
Keep up guys, have fun!

[THEelduderino]

As a 790R owner, while it’s a thrill & I love it, think that race is more about the capability of the 1290 rider. 1290 is a beast, hard to handle, but it should walk away pretty quickly after 60, need to get the TC dialed down & let it climb. 790 is fun, but it’s certainly not a R1 off the line, just peppy

[doukanylmaz]

guys, KTM 790 Adventure R is stable at high speeds ? no wobble ??? I am in the market for a new bike. before a test ride i am trying to gather some information.

[golbis]

Actually its pretty amazing the 1290 could pass you only at 170 kph

[peterchown]

Too much restrictive safety interventions for the 1290 to capitalize on its power advantages at lower speeds, should have turned all that stuff off for a true test

[TomasHolinka]

Not croatia, , it's bosnia, , zeljava airbase

[Fil-xich]

the 790 is already ''a lot of stuff'' on the road for the average user, yes 1290 deliver more power but riding skill, it s on the wrist :D