Adventure bikes have been around for quite some time now, but it is fair to say that they only really hit the mainstream over the past decade or so. In that time, we saw bikes grow bigger, more powerful, and more sophisticated. All this was great for travel; some of these motorcycles had become even more comfortable than some touring options, but it came at a great cost.
All the added power and tech resulted in these bikes getting pretty heavy. This made them pretty difficult to ride off-road, which was awkward, considering that was the main reason most people were buying them in the first place. Manufacturers were quick to offer middleweight options that were indeed more competent off-road, but there is one full-sized ADV that is still manageable off-road.
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The KTM 1390 Super Adventure R Is Your Answer
MSRP: $21,649
KTM has endured some tough times of late, and the fact that the 1390 Super Adventure R has made it into production at all is a minor miracle. It has some pretty big shoes to fill as the outgoing 1290 was an impressive machine, but by all accounts, the 1390 will take it up a notch. That said, there are some equally impressive bikes competing in this space.
The BMW R 1300 GS has long since been its traditional rival. These bikes have competed for sales pretty much ever since KTM first waded into this large-displacement ADV segment well over two decades ago. While the GS certainly offers a little more refinement, to get it to a more off-road-ready specification will require a couple of packages to be added, and that will push the price up a fair bit.
Harley-Davidson surprised pretty much everyone with the Pan America 1250 Special. It stands toe-to-toe with the other bikes in most respects, but is still more street-oriented. The same can’t be said for the new Triumph Tiger 1200 Desert Edition, which is arguably the most off-road oriented of all the competition.
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A Mighty V-Twin That Makes 170 Horses
With the latest bump in displacement to 1350 cc, the LC8 becomes even more powerful. In fact, along with the equally powerful Multistrada V4, it is now the most powerful adventure bike on the market. This V-twin has always had a bit of a wild side, and we can’t help but feel that the power gains are more incidental than intentional. It already had more than enough power, but was just missing a little refinement compared to the competition, and that is what KTM has attempted to address.
New Camshift Technology
“Camshift technology” is just KTM’s version of variable valve timing. This is something the LC8 has been missing for a long time, and will theoretically smooth out the power delivery across the rev range. This is hugely beneficial for a bike that needs to go off-road. Trying to ride a big bike like this off-road already requires a lot of skill, and while the extra power might just give you bragging rights, more linear power delivery makes a tangible difference.
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The 1390 Super Adventure R Has A More Off-Road Oriented Suspension
The one hot take we have here is that big adventure bikes like this are not particularly good off-road… even if every image of the bike suggests otherwise. While the marketing for these bikes certainly does not seem to agree with this sentiment, riding a 550-pound bike (that is, without any luggage added) on a trail is great fun until you fall, and you will fall.
While there are techniques to lift a big, heavy bike like this, they are taught on flat surfaces. You will almost never fall on a flat surface. Lifting one of these bikes is therefore usually a two-man job. This is the big limiting factor, but what makes the KTM manageable is a combination of its off-road suspension, and impressive electronics suite. The beefy fully adjustable WP suspension instills a lot of confidence while riding, and its sophisticated off-road electronics work better than pretty much any other brand. It is still going to be difficult to pick up, but you won’t need to do it as often, hopefully.
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Some Features Hidden Behind A Paywall Ruin An Otherwise Comprehensive Package
Tech features like cornering ABS, lean-sensitive traction control, cruise control, and ride modes all make this a highly competent highway tourer. But, for reasons that are pretty difficult to understand, KTM has once again opted to hide certain features behind a paywall. After the backlash the company received for doing this in the past, we had hoped that somebody would actually listen, but it seems as though the brand is determined to repeat the same mistakes. Although it is a nice-to-have feature, a quickshifter has become relatively common at this price point, and leaving that as an option is a little disappointing.
The “Rally mode” and radar system are more understandable exclusions, but the fact that these bikes seem to be getting shipped with all the hardware in place will only serve to remind you that you don’t actually own part of your bike. Which is frustrating.
The latest 1390 Super Adventure R is a fantastic motorcycle, but it won’t be for everyone. If you are looking for a genuine off-road ADV, this is not necessarily your best bet. KTM has a couple of impressive middleweight options that will do a better job. It is manageable off-road, but no matter how off-road-ready it looks, it is still a big, immensely powerful adventure-tourer. It is an ideal bike for travel, and will allow you to traverse any terrain when the need arises, then blast down the highway with confidence.
Sources: KTM