2026 KTM 1390 Super Adventure S EVO First Look: Smarter, Not Softer

KTM’s biggest road-biased adventure bike gets considerably more complicated for 2026. If we’re splitting hairs, calling it a sport-adventure-touring motorcycle works, but simply slotting it in the adventure bike category as KTM does probably wouldn’t be incorrect, either. The KTM 1390 Super Adventure S EVO carries a US MSRP of $22,699, placing it firmly at the premium end of KTM’s adventure range, though still below some of its European competition. That price reflects a substantial equipment package, including the 1,350cc V-twin, semi-active suspension, radar-based rider assistance, and KTM’s automated manual transmission. Together, those features give the EVO a clear technological step up from the standard 1390 Super Adventure S.

The LC8 Gets Bigger And Smarter

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At the center of the 1390 Super Adventure S EVO is KTM’s familiar LC8 architecture, although it has evolved considerably from the 1,301cc engine used in the previous 1290 generation. Displacement grows to 1,350cc, while the liquid-cooled four-stroke remains a 75-degree V-twin. KTM quotes 170.6 horsepower at 9,500 rpm and 106.9 lb-ft at 8,000 rpm.

The more interesting addition is the variable valve timing system, dubbed Camshaft by the Austrian firm. At lower engine speeds, the intake valves operate with shorter duration and reduced lift. At higher rpm, the intake cams shift laterally to another profile offering greater valve lift and duration. KTM says this arrangement broadens usable power while helping the large V-twin meet current emissions requirements. Valve-clearance inspection intervals have also been extended to 37,282 miles.

The EVO Trades The Clutch Lever For AMT

KTM

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What really earns this bike its EVO suffix is its six-speed Automated Manual Transmission (AMT). Unlike a conventional motorcycle quickshifter or dual-clutch gearbox, KTM’s system automates clutch operation while retaining a mechanically geared six-speed transmission. Riders can let the motorcycle handle shifting automatically or select gears themselves using either the conventional foot shifter or handlebar-mounted controls. It can also be set to shift when hitting the rev limiter in each gear, while over-rotating the ride-by-wire throttle forward will initiate a downshift. Also, snapping the throttle open while cruising will trigger a downshift to help acceleration.

That also distinguishes the EVO from the regular KTM 1390 Super Adventure S. The standard S retains a conventional clutch and manual gearbox, while the EVO makes the automatic transmission part of its identity. KTM has also integrated the transmission with its adaptive cruise control, allowing Stop & Go functionality that can bring the motorcycle to a halt behind traffic and subsequently resume forward motion.

Semi-Active Suspension Comes Standard

KTM/ Rudi Schedl

Underneath the electronics sits a steel trellis frame with an aluminum subframe. Suspension consists of a 48 mm inverted semi-active fork and electronically controlled rear shock, both providing 8.66 inches of travel. The system continuously alters damping through electronically controlled valves, while riders can choose between Comfort, Street, Sport, and Rain suspension settings. Additional suspension functionality is available through an optional software package.

Cast aluminum wheels measure 19 inches up front and 17 inches at the rear, reinforcing the EVO’s road-biased role compared with the 21- and 18-inch setup on the 1390 Super Adventure R. Dunlop Meridian tires measure 120/70 R19 and 170/60 R17. Braking comes from dual 320 mm front discs with radially mounted four-piston calipers, while a two-piston caliper grips a 267 mm rear disc.

Radar And A Big Touchscreen Push It Well Into Flagship Territory

The EVO also gets KTM’s fifth-generation Bosch front radar as standard. It supports adaptive cruise control along with brake assistance, collision warning, and distance warning functions. The radar system adds multiple adaptive cruise behaviors intended for different traffic situations, making it one of the clearest equipment differences between the EVO and the regular Super Adventure S, where front radar is not standard.

Would-be owners will also find an 8-inch portrait-mounted TFT touchscreen with inductive operation designed to work while wearing gloves. Standard ride modes include Rain, Street, Sport, Offroad, and Custom, while Rally mode remains optional. Traction control and cornering ABS form part of the electronic safety package, while keyless ignition and connected navigation add to the touring equipment.

Big Tech For A Big Bike

KTM/ Rudi Schedl

Despite all the electronic sophistication, this is still a physically substantial motorcycle. KTM lists the 1390 Super Adventure S EVO at 500.4 pounds without fuel, with a 6.08-gallon tank. Seat height is adjustable between 33.35 and 34.13 inches, though the narrow V-twin engine packaging will make it far easier to reach the deck with your boots. Ground clearance measures 8.78 inches, and the wheelbase stretches 61.34 inches. The windshield offers 70 mm of adjustment, while redesigned bodywork, revised seating, and altered footpeg positioning accompany the latest-generation chassis.

The 2026 KTM 1390 Super Adventure S EVO therefore occupies a fairly specific corner of the big-ADV market. It shares its basic 1,350cc platform with the rest of KTM’s flagship adventure family, but packages it around pavement-focused wheels, semi-active suspension, standard radar, and an automated transmission. For riders who still want a conventional clutch, the regular 1390 Super Adventure S remains the simpler alternative, while the 1390 Super Adventure R shifts the emphasis toward serious off-road use.

2026 KTM 1390 Super Adventure S EVO Photo Gallery

2026 KTM 1390 Super Adventure S EVO Specifications

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Source: KTM