The Adventure Bike That Looks Intimidating Until You Actually Ride It
Big adventure motorcycles often look like machines that demand respect even before you swing a leg over them. Towering proportions, enormous fuel tanks, and powerful engines with serious displacement can make a flagship ADV seem like a motorcycle reserved only for seasoned long-distance riders. Yet, the reality is often quite different. Modern rider-focused technologies can make even the largest adventure bikes surprisingly manageable, despite their imposing silhouettes. Among the latest offerings, one flagship European ADV takes this philosophy very seriously.
Why Large Adventure Motorcycles Are Intimidating For So Many Riders
Flagship adventure motorcycles occupy an interesting position in the motorcycling world. They promise the versatility to cover thousands of miles, tackle challenging terrain, and cruise comfortably on highways. However, their sheer size and imposing proportions can make them intimidating prospects for both new and experienced motorcyclists. Parking lot maneuvers, tight U-turns, and stop-and-go traffic can test the confidence of even seasoned riders. Yet, modern flagship ADVs are engineered to make long-distance touring easier, not harder.
Massive Engines And Tall Proportions Can Feel Like Too Much To Handle
The biggest reason large adventure bikes feel intimidating is simple: they look like a lot of motorcycle to handle. A tall seat, broad fuel tank, and big-displacement engine can give the impression of a machine that might overwhelm a rider the moment the clutch is released. Add the perception that adventure bikes are built primarily for challenging off-road terrain, and the intimidation factor grows even further. However, appearance and real-world usability do not always go hand in hand. One European flagship adventure bike looks every bit the part of a serious, long-distance touring machine, yet it is engineered to feel far more manageable than its imposing silhouette suggests.
The KTM 1390 Super Adventure S EVO Is More Approachable Than It Looks
Starting MSRP: $22,699
The European ADV in context is the KTM 1390 Super Adventure S EVO. KTM has developed this flagship adventure tourer for riders who want genuine long-distance capability without compromising on performance or technology. It represents the most advanced iteration of the Super Adventure platform, pairing a large-displacement V-twin with electronic suspension, rider assistance systems, and a new automated transmission. For 2026, the KTM 1390 Super Adventure S EVO carries an MSRP of $22,699. This places it firmly in the premium adventure-touring segment, but the price also reflects an extensive standard equipment package as you’ll see.
A Powerful V-Twin Engine With AMT That Makes Riding Less Demanding
At the heart of the KTM 1390 Super Adventure S EVO is a 1,350cc, 75-degree, liquid-cooled V-twin engine producing 170 horsepower at 9,500 RPM and 107 pound-feet of torque at 8,000 RPM. That makes it one of the most powerful production adventure tourers on the market. However, KTM’s engineering goes beyond outright performance. KTM’s CAMSHIFT variable valve timing technology is present, which helps the engine deliver more controlled power at lower engine speeds while preserving its impressive top-end performance.
The biggest development is the addition of an Automated Manual Transmission (AMT). This six-speed system eliminates the need for a conventional clutch lever, allowing riders to choose between fully automatic operation and manual shifting using either the foot lever or handlebar-mounted paddle controls. The AMT reduces rider workload without taking away the option to shift manually when desired.
Semi-Active Suspension And Rider Aids Keep The Motorcycle Composed
The engine is only part of what makes this KTM ADV surprisingly manageable. Its chassis and electronic package play an equally important role. The EVO uses a chromium-molybdenum steel trellis frame paired with WP’s latest Semi-Active Suspension Technology (SAT). Both the front and rear suspension offer 8.6 inches of travel, with electronically controlled damping that continuously adapts to road conditions. This allows the motorcycle to maintain stability and control across different conditions. Braking hardware is equally serious, featuring Brembo brakes with twin 320mm front discs and a 267mm rear disc.
Complementing this setup is an extensive suite of electronic rider aids, managed through an eight-inch TFT touchscreen. Cornering ABS, traction control, and multiple riding modes are present, in addition to KTM’s fifth-generation Bosch front radar as standard. The latter enables adaptive cruise control, brake assistance, collision warning, and distance warning.
Adjustable Ergonomics Make A Tall, Big Bike Easier To Live With
Despite tipping the scales at a dry weight of 500 pounds, the Super Adventure S EVO is designed to keep its mass low in the frame, making it feel surprisingly light once off the side stand. Its seat height is adjustable between 33.35 and 34.13 inches, while the 6.08-gallon fuel tank provides the range needed for genuine long-distance touring. These dimensions still make it a substantial motorcycle, but its ergonomics are designed to make that size less intimidating.
The KTM 1390 Super Adventure S EVO Proves Big ADVs Can Still Be Manageable
The KTM 1390 Super Adventure S EVO demonstrates that a large adventure motorcycle does not have to feel like a handful. By pairing a high-performance 170-horsepower V-twin engine with an automated manual transmission and intelligent semi-active suspension, KTM has created a motorcycle that makes its performance more accessible without compromising its capabilities. When stacked up against rivals such as the BMW R 1300 GS and Ducati Multistrada V4 S, the KTM carves out a distinct identity.
The BMW R 1300 GS continues to set benchmarks for versatility and refinement, while the Ducati Multistrada V4 S delivers a compelling combination of performance and advanced electronics. The KTM, meanwhile, brings together exhilarating power, long-distance touring comfort, and technologies designed to reduce rider workload. Ultimately, that is what makes the 1390 Super Adventure S EVO stand out. It may look like an intimidating machine, but its engineering proves that size and performance do not necessarily have to come at the expense of approachability.
Source: KTM
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