We all saw this coming, didn’t we? With the debut of the 1390 Super Adventure S and the Super Adventure S Evo, it was obvious that KTM would also bring a 1390 Super Adventure R. And now that it is out, one can’t really help but think, ‘Why?’ Why does that 1350cc liquid-cooled V-twin powerhouse dishing out 170 bhp and 14.7 kgm belong in an adventure motorcycle shod with 21/18-inch wire-spoke wheels? Of course, KTM has done its due diligence by arming it with WP Xplor split-cartridge forks and Xplor Progressive Damping System rear shock, both offering 220 mm of suspension travel.
Obviously, there’s a comprehensive suite of electronic nannies to put your mind at ease when ripping through the wilderness on this 231-kg behemoth. And if you are seriously considering taking it off-roading, there’s an optional Rally mode that allows multi-level traction control intervention, throttle response and nine levels of slip adjustment. All of the sophisticated electronics can be toggled via a new 8-inch touchscreen TFT display that flaunts tech like anti-glare, anti-fingerprint and anti-reflex, making it easy to use even with gloves and readable under harsh sunlight, too.
KTM has improved upon the ergonomics as well, making the footpeg position 8-mm lower and 10-mm outwards for wider knee angle and better contact when standing on the pegs. More work has been put on the handlebar and the crash protection, too, to make the bike durable enough for its intended purpose. But then again, what is the 1390 Super Adventure R’s intended purpose? To blitz through trails with a rooster tail of sand, pebbles and mud while taunting others for being a chicken, riding slow(er) bikes?
