The Adventure Motorcycle That Doesn’t Need Perfect Roads
Adventure motorcycles are all the rage right now because of their versatility. They’re equally impressive on-road and off-road. Add a top box, side cases, and a taller windscreen, and you can turn it into a cozy touring bike, too. No wonder they are called the Swiss Army knife of motorcycles. However, not all ADVs are built the same.
Entry-level and middleweight offerings balance weight better, offering superior off-road control compared with the bigger, heavier flagship ADVs. But on the flip side, flagship offerings pack the latest and greatest technology, comfort, and convenience features that none of the affordable options can match. However, KTM has a notable exception: despite being huge and relatively hefty, it still has the nimble capability to take on challenging trails.
Why ADVs Make The Most Versatile Off-Roading Motorcycles
Adventure bikes are the most versatile off-road motorcycles, mainly because of their rugged underpinnings, including long-travel suspension and all-purpose tires. Add a slim form factor and relatively lower curb weight, and a certain segment of ADVs ace rough dirt tracks and trails in style. Entry-level options like the Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 and the CFMoto Ibex 450 offer the most bang for the buck in off-road riding.
Middleweight offerings like the Yamaha Tenere 700 and the Aprilia Tuareg 660 are underdogs that punch well above their weight, with commendable hardware and technology. However, it gets tricky with flagship offerings. Leaving no stone unturned comes at the cost of added heft and size. These are two of the biggest deterrents to off-roading on a flagship ADV.
But Most Flagship ADVs Have To Compromise On Proper Off-Roading Capabilities
Flagship adventure bikes, despite having the latest and greatest features, aren’t always the most nimble off-road. Since flagship ADVs can’t shed the added heft, manufacturers often turn them into tarmac-based machines. These include lower front fenders, smaller 19-inch alloy wheels, and wider cockpits designed for aerodynamics and better wind deflection. Examples include the BMW R 1300 GSA and the Ducati Multistrada V4.
An overwhelming suite of electronics, expensive body panels, and tall first gears also reduce the off-road capability of flagship ADVs. However, KTM has an exception with its flagship 1390 Super Adventure R ADV. It impressively balances off-road capability with road-going comfort and performance, despite the size and heft we generally associate with flagship ADVs.
The KTM 1390 Super Adventure R Exceptionally Balances Capability And Comfort
This KTM ADV excels off-road thanks to its dirt-focused wheel-and-tire combo, long-travel adjustable suspension, stiff frame, and powerful yet smartly tuned engine. A suite of top-spec, off-road-focused electronics further helps. The adaptive rider triangle helps riders move comfortably between sitting and standing.
A major reason the 1390 Super Adventure R is so good on trails is its roots in the 1290 Super Adventure it replaces. The 1390 is essentially an evolution of the 1290, so the off-road side is already sorted. The 2026 model refines it further with more displacement, more refinement, and more technology.
A $21,649 Rally-Proven Flagship ADV
The KTM 1390 Super Adventure R packs serious value for under $22,000. It undercuts all its immediate rivals while offering similar or even better features. Its rally-proven underpinnings give this KTM a serious edge in off-road capability when compared to the BMW R 1300 GS Adventure and the Ducati Multistrada V4 Rally.
While the Beamer starts at $23,795, even the simplest options can push the price well over $28,000. The Ducati Multistrada V4 Rally starts at $31,995, even in its base trim. That’s the premium one pays for Italian clothing and drama. Compared with these two rivals, the KTM 1390 Super Adventure R is a godsend, with superior off-road capability, sportbike-grade performance, unique technology, and an aggressive design.
How The KTM’s WP Suspension And Spoked Wheels Give It A Dirt-Bike Edge Over BMW And Ducati
The 1390 Super Adventure R has a steel trellis frame that balances weight and rigidity. It is further stiffened for off-roading duties with a long swingarm and geometry focused on stability and torsional stiffness. Its capable WP XPLOR suspension setup does most of the heavy lifting on off-road runs. It comprises 48 mm inverted front forks and a monoshock at the rear.
Both ends offer full adjustability and 9.45 inches of suspension travel. That’s enough to soak up potholes, ruts, and rocks throughout the mountains. Knobby tires wrapped around 21-inch front and 18-inch rear spoked wheels provide grip. Braking comes from dual 320 mm discs paired with radially mounted Brembo four-piston calipers up front. The rear gets a 267 mm disc coupled to a two-piston fixed caliper.
Adaptive Ergonomics For Comfortable Tarmac And Challenging Off-Road Runs
A rake angle of 25.2 degrees, trail of 4.4 inches, and a wheelbase of 62.1 inches help balance this KTM’s nimbleness and stability both on and off the road. The ergonomics are upright and comfortable, with the footpegs placed right below the rider. The seat height is on the higher end at 34.6 inches. It weighs about 546 pounds wet, which is manageable for an ADV this size. Its wide front fairing and integrated windscreen help reduce wind fatigue.
Explosive And Refined Performance From A High-Revving V-Twin
This is what gives the 1390 Super Adventure R its hooligan character. A seriously upgraded LC8 V-twin engine powers this ADV. Compared to the 1290 Super Adventure’s mill, this engine has been bored out to increase displacement from 1,301 cc to 1,350 cc. The compression ratio is also higher at 13:1, adding punch and efficiency.
However, the most impactful upgrade is KTM’s new Camshift system. It adds variable valve timing to the intake camshaft. This setup makes the transition from smooth, tractable low-speed runs to explosive high revs seamless. Precise fueling also improves refinement and performance, thanks to features like ride-by-wire and an advanced fuel-injection system. It comprises 54 mm throttle bodies and a sophisticated Keihin EFI system to feed the eager engine.
Together, these parts deliver a linear, predictable surge of power and torque that builds rider confidence and control. The 2026 KTM 1390 Super Adventure R’s 75-degree V-twin produces 170 horsepower at 9,500 RPM and 107 pound-feet of torque at 8,000 RPM. Power goes to the rear wheel via a six-speed manual coupled to a PASC slipper clutch and a final chain drive.
An 8-Inch Touchscreen, Optional Radar, And Six Ride Modes — Including Rally
KTM has loaded the 1390 Super Adventure R with top-spec technology. The cockpit is unique, with a huge eight-inch portrait-style TFT touchscreen that looks cool in its dark theme. It’s off-road-ready, with extreme brightness, a glove-friendly surface, and anti-glare, anti-reflective, and anti-fingerprint coatings. You can also operate it on the go using standard handlebar switches.
Assistive and safety features include lean-sensitive traction control, cornering ABS, cruise control, and a tire-pressure monitor. The riding experience is further enhanced with features like multiple ride modes (Rain, Street, Sport, Off-Road, Custom, and an Optional Rally mode). Other cool optional features include Hill Hold Control, a quickshifter, and even a front radar unit.
This Is The Most Aggressive-Looking ADV Today
The BMW R 1300 GS and Ducati Multistrada V4 are cool enough. But the 1390 Super Adventure R upholds KTM’s wild outlook with its industrial-inspired looks. It’s a behemoth that gets a bold new look with fresh bodywork and a shorter windscreen compared to the outgoing 1290 model. The cool-looking LED headlamp also gets a cornering function.
The overall design features sharp lines and angles that, along with the KTM orange color, really stand out. The rear section contrasts with a minimal layout. The bash plate and orange engine guards add to its rugged appeal and help this KTM be the most aggressive-looking ADV today.
Source: KTM
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