KTM 1390 Super Adventure R: specs and alternatives
KTM · Adventure
KTM’s 1390 Super Adventure R and S EVO share a 1,350cc engine but use different chassis and suspension specifications. The R is the off-road-oriented configuration; the S EVO includes semi-active suspension.
Their covered starting prices are $21,649 and $22,699. Wheel, seat and ground-clearance figures need to stay with the correct version.
KTM 1390 Super Adventure R
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Bore x stroke | 110x71 mm |
| Front suspension | WP XPLOR-USD, Ø 48 mm |
| Front suspension travel | 240 mm |
| Rear suspension | WP XPLOR shock absorber with PDS |
| Rear suspension travel | 240 mm |
| Front brake | 2 x Brembo 4-piston, radially mounted caliper, brake disc Ø 320 mm, 320 mm disc |
| Seat height | 880 mm |
| Wheelbase | 1577 mm |
| Trail | 112 mm |
| Ground clearance | 242 mm |
| Steering head angle | 64.7 ° |
| Wheels | 2.5x21"; 4.25x18" |
| Weight without fuel | 231 kg |
| Starting MSRP | $21,649 |
| Class | Adventure |
| Engine | 2-cylinder, 4-stroke, V 75° |
| Displacement | 1350cc |
| Fuel system | Keihin EMS with RBW, twin ignition |
| Transmission | 6-speed |
| Final drive | 525 X-Ring |
| Rear brake | Brembo 2-piston, fixed caliper, brake disc Ø 267 mm, 267 mm disc |
| Fuel capacity | 6.08 gal |
| Torque | 145 Nm |
| Cooling | Liquid cooled with water/oil heat exchanger |
| Frame | Chromium-Molybdenum steel trellis frame, powder coated |
| Destination charge | $800 |
| Compression ratio | 13.2:1 |
The 6.1-gallon tank is the same as on the 2024 1290 R. The bodywork has been reshaped to direct hot air away from the rider and reduce buffeting at freeway speeds.
Motorcycle News says the 890 is a bit cramped and too focused for riders six feet and up. The 1390 gives a more comfortable and sustainable ride. It lists a tall 878 mm seat that will not suit shorter riders as a downside, and a separate, on-road-oriented version with cast rims, a lower seat and a lower price that keeps some off-road skill.
KTM lists WP XPLOR forks and a PDS shock with 240 mm (9.45 in) of travel at each end, 242 mm of ground clearance and a 1,577 mm wheelbase. The claimed weight is 231 kg (509 lb) without fuel, and torque is 145 Nm. The 6.08 gal tank is a capacity figure; loaded range depends on actual fuel consumption.
Against the S Evo
The R costs $21,649 and the S Evo $22,699, a $1,050 gap. The R has the longer travel (240 mm against 220 mm), the taller ground clearance (242 mm against 223 mm) and 3 kg more weight. The S Evo has semi-active suspension and a lower seat range.
Choose the R for real off-road use and the S Evo for a road-biased tourer.
The 1390 Super Adventure R suits a tall, confident rider who wants the most powerful adventure bike KTM sells and will use the dirt capability. Motorcycle News' point about the seat is the main limit, and at $21,649 it is priced against the Ducati Multistrada V4 and BMW R 1300 GS.
1390 Super Adventure R against the Multistrada V4 and R 1300 GS
KTM 1390 Super Adventure R — specification referenceKTM 1390 Super Adventure S EVO
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Model year | 2027 |
| Bore x stroke | 110 mm x 71 mm (4.33 in x 2.8 in) |
| Front suspension | WP SAT (semi-active technology) Upside-Down Ø 48 mm |
| Front suspension travel | 220 mm |
| Rear suspension | WP SAT (semi-active technology) shock absorber |
| Rear suspension travel | 220 mm |
| Front brake | 2x4-piston caliper, radially mounted, brake disc, 320 mm disc |
| Seat height | 847/867 mm |
| Wheelbase | 1558 mm |
| Trail | 110 mm |
| Ground clearance | 223 mm |
| Steering head angle | 65.3 ° |
| Wheels | Cast aluminum wheels |
| Weight without fuel | 228 kg |
| Starting MSRP | $22,699 |
| Class | Adventure |
| Engine | 2-cylinder, 4-stroke, V 75° |
| Displacement | 1350cc |
| Fuel system | Keihin EMS with RBW, twin ignition |
| Transmission | 6-speed |
| Final drive | 525 X-Ring |
| Rear brake | Brembo 2-piston, fixed caliper, brake disc Ø 267 mm, 267 mm disc |
| Fuel capacity | 6.08 gal |
| Torque | 145 Nm |
| Cooling | Liquid cooled with water/oil heat exchanger |
| Frame | Chromium-Molybdenum steel trellis frame, powder coated |
| Destination charge | $800 |
What owners and testers say
An owner thread on PistonHeads about the S Evo says a previous Super Adventure S owner is now more than comfortable with the bike and understands why people upgrade them for more power. Another poster says this generation is updated enough to justify upgrading from a 2019 second-generation SAS.
But does not want to pay full price straight off the bat, and another notes that there is a ready pool of owners who should be looking to upgrade.
Those are forum comments, not tests.
KTM lists WP semi-active (SAT) forks and shock with 220 mm (8.66 in) of travel, a 1,558 mm wheelbase and 223 mm of ground clearance. The seat adjusts between 847 and 867 mm, the tank holds 6.08 gal. The claimed weight is 228 kg (503 lb) without fuel.
Against the Super Adventure R
The S Evo costs $1,050 more than the R ($22,699 against $21,649). It has 20 mm less travel, 19 mm less ground clearance and a seat that starts 13 mm lower, and it is 3 kg lighter. The extra cost buys semi-active damping, which adjusts to the road, and gives up some of the R's off-road reserve.
1390 Super Adventure S Evo against the R and Multistrada V4
The R is KTM's off-road version, and Cycle News uses the Multistrada V4 S as its power benchmark.
KTM 1390 Super Adventure S EVO — specification referenceThe 1390 Super Adventure S Evo is the road-biased version of KTM's flagship adventure bike, with semi-active suspension and a seat that adjusts between two heights. It has no independent full review in the sources quoted here, and KTM asks $22,699 before destination.
The related Cycle News review of the 1390 Super Adventure R gives the platform's engine numbers: a claimed 173 horsepower and 107 lb-ft, ahead of the Ducati Multistrada V4 S. Motorcycle News describes the road-oriented version as one that comes on cast rims with a lower seat, lower mass and lower price while retaining some off-road skill.
Because no independent test of the S Evo is quoted here, treat the figures above as KTM's claims and the owner comments as opinion, and read a full review before paying near $22,700. The S Evo suits a rider who wants a fast, long-range adventure tourer that mostly stays on tarmac, and who values a seat that starts under 850 mm.
A rider who plans to ride gravel and trails regularly gets more from the R's travel.
KTM lists semi-active suspension with 220 mm of travel, 223 mm of ground clearance and a two-position seat, against 240 mm, 242 mm and 880 mm on the R.
KTM lists a seat that adjusts between 847 and 867 mm (33.3 and 34.1 in), lower than the 880 mm seat on the R.
The 1,350cc V-twin is shared with the R, which Cycle News quotes at a claimed 173 horsepower and 107 lb-ft of torque.
The 1390 Super Adventure R is KTM's flagship off-road-capable adventure bike, with a claimed 173 horsepower and a tank of just over six gallons. Cycle News calls it the biggest off-road beast you can buy, and KTM asks $21,649 before destination.
Cycle News says the 1390 is "the biggest off-road beast you can buy". So big that you are extremely comfortable and have more power than anyone could reasonably use. It claims 173 horsepower and 107 lb-ft of torque, ahead of the Ducati Multistrada V4 S, and says the base seat height of 34.6 inches lets the bike carry its size with an ease that belies its heavyweight looks.
The 6.1-gallon tank is the same as on the 2024 1290 R. The bodywork has been reshaped to direct hot air away from the rider and reduce buffeting at freeway speeds.
KTM lists WP XPLOR forks and a PDS shock with 240 mm (9.45 in) of travel at each end, 242 mm of ground clearance and a 1,577 mm wheelbase. The claimed weight is 231 kg (509 lb) without fuel, and torque is 145 Nm. The 6.08 gal tank is the reason for the range, and it is also much of the bike's mass when full.
Cycle News names the Multistrada V4 S as the bike it out-powers. The BMW R 1300 GS is the natural rival in price and size.
Cycle News gives a claimed 173 horsepower and 107 lb-ft of torque, which it says puts it ahead of the Ducati Multistrada V4 S among adventure bikes.
Cycle News lists a base seat height of 34.6 inches and Motorcycle News quotes 878 mm, and says the height will not suit shorter riders.
KTM lists 6.08 gal, and Cycle News notes it is the same size as on the 2024 1290 R, with bodywork revised to reduce buffeting and heat.
Other models in this reference: KTM 1390 Super Duke R EVO, KTM 125 XC, KTM 150 XC-W.