KTM 1290 Super Adventure S versus Triumph Tiger 1200 XCa

Make
Model
Make
Model
Make
Model
KTM

KTM 1290 Super Adventure S

Adventure
Triumph

Triumph Tiger 1200 XCa

Adventure

Year of construction / RRP / Test report

Built von 2018 bis 2024~
Built von 2019 bis 2020
RRP 21.599 €
RRP 19.950 €
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Pros:
  • plenty of power
  • lavish furnishings
  • good usability
  • good travel comfort for driver and pillion passenger
  • successful deitails
  • plenty of accessories available
Pros:
  • Equipment
  • Comfort
  • Cockpit & Operation
  • Space
Cons:
  • high, but not unusual price in this class
  • somewhat idiosyncratic front mask (a matter of taste)
  • for some maybe a bit overloaded with technology
Cons:
  • Weight

Dimensions & Weight

Wheelbase: 1.560 mm
Length :
2.250 mm Height : 1.520 mm
Seat :
849 mm until : 869 mm
Weight :
243 (max: 460 ) kg
Wheelbase: 1.520 mm
Length :
2.230 mm Height : 1.540 mm
Seat :
855 mm
Weight :
271 (max: 485 ) kg

Engine

Motor design: 2-cylinder, 4-stroke, V 75° 2 Cylinder
Displacement: 1.301 ccm
Hub: 71 mm
Hole: 108 mm
Cooling: flüssig
Drive: Kette
Aisles: 6
Motor design: 3-cylinder 12V DOHC in-line engine 3 Cylinder
Displacement: 1.215 ccm
Hub: 71 mm
Hole: 85 mm
Cooling: flüssig
Drive: Kardan
Aisles: 6

Performance

Maximum speed: 250 km/h
Performance: 160 HP at 9.000 U/Min
Torque: 138 NM bei 6.750 U/Min
Tank contents: 23 Litre
Consumption:
6 l
Reach:
404 km
Maximum speed: 211 km/h
Performance: 141 HP at 9.350 U/Min
Torque: 122 NM bei 7.600 U/Min
Tank contents: 20 Litre
Consumption:
5 l
Reach:
385 km

Chassis

Frame type:
Lattice tube (chromium-molybdenum)
Front suspension:
Semi-active WP-USD fork Ø 48 mm (travel 200 mm)
Rear suspension:
Semi-active WP Monoshock strut (travel 200 mm)
Rear suspension:
Die-cast two-arm swingarm
Tyres at the front: 120/70 ZR19
Rear tyres: 170/60 ZR17
Frame type:
Tubular space frame (steel)
Front suspension:
48 mm WP Upside Down fork (travel 190 mm)
Rear suspension:
WP Monoshock, electronically adjustable semi-active damping (travel 193 mm)
Rear suspension:
Single-arm swingarm, light metal casting with cardan shaft drive
Tyres at the front: 120/70 R19
Rear tyres: 170/60 R17

Brakes

Front brake
Double disc Brembo four-piston radial fixed caliper ( 320 mm) Rear brake
Brembo two-piston fixed caliper ( 267 mm)
Front brake
Floating double brake discs, Brembo 4-piston monobloc radial calipers ( 305 mm) Rear brake
Single disc, Nissin double piston floating caliper ( 282 mm)

Conclusion - what gets stuck

Well, bad motorcycles aren't actually built in this class any more. So what remains to be said? You have to look for the mistakes with a magnifying glass. But of course we have done this too and therefore mention the following criticisms: The compartment for the mobile phone is unfortunately too small for many models. From the point of view of a travel machine, a gimbal would also be nice – but clearly it's just KTM.

The optics of the front mask in particular are not for everyone – but this really falls under the category of taste question. The purchase price is quite lavish, but even with that the KTM is not alone. So let's return to the entry question of whether the KTM 1290 Super Adventure S is the new benchmark. The new benchmark is perhaps very ambitious. But the KTM can keep up with the big competing machines from this segment. And you almost get the impression that the differences are getting smaller and smaller.

The test machine was provided to us by Motorrad Ruser.

Price/Availability/Colours/Years of Construction

  • Price: from 18.495 €
  • Years of construction: from 2021
  • Availability: from 2021
  • Colours: orange, black

Travel instead of lawn

First class means that the British primarily mean high driving comfort. And first-class attachments such as the sensible extras or very powerful brakes. If you understand that, the tigers open up all the better. It's not suitable for best times, but who is?

Travel instead of racing. This is not even written down, but a clear recommendation. Whose riding style tends more in the direction of calm and fluid, can buy a bike tailored to him or her. By the way: The tigers are also suitable for short-legged ones thanks to the adjustable seat height, only weak-breasted the interested parties may not be – 271 kilos is not subject to entertainment tax as I said.

However, a test drive is still necessary, because there is something that Dietmar and I could not agree on: He – rather short upper body - found the windshield to be great, I – rather long torso – as not working. Once again it turns out that there is no one, the good wind protection for all despite electrically adjustable disc.

The test bike was provided to us by Triumph Hamburg.

Price / Availability / Colours / Years of Construction

  • Price: 19.950€
  • Used (1.5 years old): from 17.000€
  • Years of construction: since 2018
  • Colours: navy, khaki green, black, white