The Motorcycle That Lets You Enjoy The Ride Without The Fatigue
Two factors contribute significantly to riding fatigue—wind blast and ergonomics. Cruisers and tourers best mitigate these issues and are therefore preferred for long-distance riding. But what if a rider wants a similar fatigue-free experience from a do-it-all motorcycle? This combination is tough to achieve because leaning toward comfort adds weight and reduces maneuverability, which diminishes do-it-all appeal. However, KTM’s unique flagship adventure bike bridges this gap and delivers a fatigue-free riding experience on and off the road, thanks to its advanced drivetrain layout.
We Often Associate Fatigue-Free Riding With Traditional Cruisers And Tourers
The combination of a relaxed rider triangle, plush seating, ample wind protection, and a torque-rich engine defines traditional cruisers and tourers at the top of the fatigue-free list. Their low-slung stance lowers the center of gravity and improves accessibility for shorter riders. Forward-set footpegs and a tall, wide handlebar further improve riding comfort. Larger windscreens and fairings, including lower ones for the limbs, better manage wind blast.
A stretched-out stance and heavier weight add stability at highway speeds. This also helps reduce fatigue, as the rider doesn’t have to fight crosswinds that tend to push lighter motorcycles sideways and demand extra vigilance. Full dressers offer more, with elevated pillion comfort and more practical luggage-carrying capacity.
However, all of this comes at the cost of versatility, as these land yachts can only be utilized to their maximum potential on wide-open freeways. The fun quotient can fade away quickly when all you get to explore are long stretches of tarmac. That’s where adventure tourers come in, with the added advantage of allowing riders to explore the unknown.
Adventure Tourers Edge Ahead By Adding More Practicality And Fun To The Fatigue-Free Experience
Like cruiser bikes and tourers, ADVs also score high on the comfort quotient, with an upright riding stance and fairly large screens for wind protection. Add-on luggage solutions further help with their practicality. However, their tall riding stance and notably slimmer, lighter proportions help with versatility.
Entry-level options can double as great daily runabouts; middleweight options offer more triple-digit steam, and flagship offerings pack tricked-out hardware and technology that also translate into a luxurious riding experience. One notable example that hits all these chords and even surprises us with standard radar-based assistive technologyfor under $10,000 is the CFMoto Ibex 800 E.
A more popular ADV known for fatigue-free, do-it-all packaging is the Honda Africa Twin Adventure Sports ES. Its highlighted features include electronic suspension and a dual-clutch automatic transmission. But neither these features nor most popular ADVs offer the grin-worthy performance and dynamics of the underappreciated KTM 1390 Super Adventure S Evo. This track-ready ADV is one of the best options for riders who want comfort and relaxation without compromising sportiness.
The KTM 1390 Super Adventure S Evo Is An Impressive ADV That Can Do It All
Price: $22,699 (2027 MY)
This orange hooligan is an example of how fun a tall-riding ADV can get. The 1390 Super Adventure S Evo is KTM’s flagship road-focused ADV that shares most of its underpinnings with the more off-road-focused R version. Major differences include swapping the off-road-focused R’s larger spoked wheels for smaller and lighter cast 19-inch front and 17-inch rear wheels, a lower seat height, and a chassis tuned for more tarmac stability.
An ingenious solution borrowed from cars (more on that later) addresses fatigue without compromising its grin-worthy riding appeal. At $22,699, this KTM ADV isn’t cheap, but the 1390 Super Adventure S Evo packs enough muscle, technology, comfort, and convenience to justify its premium price. Oh, and wild looks are a bonus. This motorcycle is designed to dominate highways, twisties, and even light trails without breaking a sweat.
173-Horsepower V-Twin Paired With A Transmission That Kills Clutch Fatigue
At its heart sits a 1,350 cc LC8 V-twin engine, a tweaked, upsized version of the 1,301 cc mill in the 1290 Super Adventure S. KTM’s new Camshift technology adds versatility. This variable valve timing system swaps cam profiles as the revs climb to keep the performance band wide and help with breezy rides on all surfaces. This V-twin produces 173 horsepower and 107 pound-feet of torque. Power goes to the rear wheel via a six-speed gearbox, but it’s a special one that eliminates the traditional clutch lever.
The Automated Manual Transmission Is Its Secret To An Enjoyable, Fatigue-Free Ride
The Automated Manual Transmission is currently exclusive to the 1390 Super Adventure S Evo and greatly helps reduce riding fatigue on all surfaces. A clutch lever is one of the most demanding elements for a rider. It takes constant work, especially when getting off the highway, negotiating technical terrain, and riding in daily traffic.
Using it repeatedly adds to fatigue. KTM has eliminated it with its new automated manual setup. This transmission setup lets riders choose between manual shifting in M Mode (without a clutch) and a fully automated transmission in A Mode. Once the first gear engages, forward drive starts by increasing engine speed. A centrifugal clutch stays disengaged until the engine reaches 1,900 RPM.
This helps you start smoothly on a slope, accelerate gracefully, stop calmly, and even tackle slow-speed roads without jitters. In other words, stalling the engine on this motorcycle is nearly impossible. Unlike the traditional motorcycle gearbox layout (1-N-2-3-4-5-6), KTM’s AMT unit uses a distinctive sequence: P-N-1-2-3-4-5-6. You can select both Park and Neutral only with the shifting paddle on the handlebar switch cube.
Underpinnings Designed To Dominate Any Terrain With Comfort
The KTM 1390 Super Adventure S Evo sits on a lightweight yet rigid chromium-molybdenum steel trellis frame. It is suspended on semi-automatic suspension comprising WP SAT inverted 48 mm front forks and a WP SAT monoshock at the rear. Electronic adjustability is further baked into the various riding modes to deliver a truly distinctive riding experience. The damping also adapts instantly to changing road surfaces and rider inputs. The suspension setup helps this tall ADV, weighing over 500 pounds, move much more nimbly and exhilaratingly than its segment suggests.
Braking duties are taken care of by twin 320 mm discs coupled to Brembo Stylema four-piston calipers up front. The rear gets a 267 mm disc coupled to a Brembo two-piston caliper. Adding more comfort to the mix are its factory-adjustable seat height (33.3 inches to 34.1 inches) and an adjustable windscreen. Furthermore, KTM has tweaked the rider triangle for more comfort and adaptability on the 2027 model by moving the footpegs 8mm lower and 10mm further.
Radar-Based Safety Tech And A Portrait TFT Put This ADV In A Class Of Its Own
Beyond the sophisticated AMT drivetrain, KTM has also loaded its flagship ADV with an array of ride-assist and safety technology features. The cockpit gets a unique eight-inch portrait-oriented TFT with cool graphics and built-in navigation. Advanced rider aids include cornering ABS, traction control, and multiple ride modes (Street, Sport, Rain, Off-Road, and Custom).
It can also be equipped with an optional Rally ride mode. Thanks to a fifth-gen Bosch front radar sensor, it also gets top-spec features like Brake Assist, Collision Stop and Go, and adaptive cruise control. Other notable features include keyless ignition and powerful LED lighting all around.
This Exciting ADV Can Easily Replace Every Other Motorcycle In Your Garage
This KTM ADV stands out by offering maximum versatility without sacrificing performance or fun riding dynamics. The 1390 Super Adventure S Evo utilizes technology well to balance comfort, convenience, and daily riding practicality. Despite packing a sportbike-grade V-twin, its clever AMT gearbox and adaptive suspension make this sizable ADV a comfortable urban companion. It delivers the same confidence and comfort when carving mountain roads, cruising at triple-digit speeds on the highway, and even exploring off the beaten path. This is a true one-bike solution that doesn’t cut any corners, and that’s a rare feat.
Source: KTM
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