BMW S 1000 XR versus KTM 1290 Super Adventure S

Make
Model
Make
Model
Make
Model
BMW

BMW S 1000 XR

Crossover
KTM

KTM 1290 Super Adventure S

Adventure

Year of construction / RRP / Test report

Built von 2015 bis 2025~
Built von 2018 bis 2025~
RRP 19.480 €
RRP 21.599 €
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Pros:
  • Silky smooth, powerful motor with performance in all situations
  • Really good QuickShifter
  • Very finely balanced machine
  • Brakes extremely well and can be controlled
  • every conceivable accessory available
  • hissing and at the same time hoarse sound
Pros:
  • plenty of power
  • lavish furnishings
  • good usability
  • good travel comfort for driver and pillion passenger
  • successful deitails
  • plenty of accessories available
Cons:
  • Vibrations at higher speeds
  • The driver always has one foot in prison
  • QuickShifter, heated grips and cruise control not standard
Cons:
  • high, but not unusual price in this class
  • somewhat idiosyncratic front mask (a matter of taste)
  • for some maybe a bit overloaded with technology

Dimensions & Weight

Wheelbase: 1.541 mm
Length :
2.156 mm Height : 1.460 mm
Seat :
850 mm
Weight :
227 (max: 450 ) kg
Wheelbase: 1.560 mm
Length :
2.250 mm Height : 1.520 mm
Seat :
849 mm until : 869 mm
Weight :
243 (max: 460 ) kg

Engine

Motor design: Number 4 Cylinder
Displacement: 999 ccm
Hub: 50 mm
Hole: 80 mm
Cooling: flüssig
Drive: Kette
Aisles: 6
Motor design: 2-cylinder, 4-stroke, V 75° 2 Cylinder
Displacement: 1.301 ccm
Hub: 71 mm
Hole: 108 mm
Cooling: flüssig
Drive: Kette
Aisles: 6

Performance

Maximum speed: 250 km/h
Performance: 170 HP at 11.000 U/Min
Torque: 114 NM bei 9.250 U/Min
Tank contents: 20 Litre
Consumption:
6 l
Reach:
323 km
Maximum speed: 250 km/h
Performance: 160 HP at 9.000 U/Min
Torque: 138 NM bei 6.750 U/Min
Tank contents: 23 Litre
Consumption:
6 l
Reach:
404 km

Chassis

Frame type:
Aluminium composite bridge frame, motor supporting (aluminium)
Front suspension:
Upside-down telescopic fork, diameter 45 mm, rebound and compression damping electronically controlled (Dynamic ESA) (travel 150 mm)
Rear suspension:
Dynamic "Electronic Suspension Adjustment", spring preload electronically adjustable, rebound and compression damping electronically controlled (suspension travel 150 mm)
Rear suspension:
Two-arm swingarm
Tyres at the front: 120/70 ZR 17
Rear tyres: 190/55 ZR 17
Frame type:
Lattice tube (chromium-molybdenum)
Front suspension:
Semi-active WP-USD fork Ø 48 mm (travel 200 mm)
Rear suspension:
Semi-active WP Monoshock strut (travel 200 mm)
Rear suspension:
Die-cast two-arm swingarm
Tyres at the front: 120/70 ZR19
Rear tyres: 170/60 ZR17

Brakes

Front brake
Double disc brake, 4-piston fixed caliper ( 320 mm) Rear brake
Single disc brake, 2-piston floating caliper ( 265 mm)
Front brake
Double disc Brembo four-piston radial fixed caliper ( 320 mm) Rear brake
Brembo two-piston fixed caliper ( 267 mm)

Result

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The machine was made available to us by Bergmann & Söhne in Neumünster. If you really want to experience something, go there and dare to take a test drive. Every test driver is guaranteed not to forget them.

Price/availability/colours/years of manufacture

  • Price: 19.480€
  • Used (3 years old): 15.000€
  • Availability: XRs since 2015
  • Colors: Black, Blue, Red-White-Blue

Conclusion - what gets stuck

Well, bad motorcycles aren't actually built in this class any more. So what remains to be said? You have to look for the mistakes with a magnifying glass. But of course we have done this too and therefore mention the following criticisms: The compartment for the mobile phone is unfortunately too small for many models. From the point of view of a travel machine, a gimbal would also be nice – but clearly it's just KTM.

The optics of the front mask in particular are not for everyone – but this really falls under the category of taste question. The purchase price is quite lavish, but even with that the KTM is not alone. So let's return to the entry question of whether the KTM 1290 Super Adventure S is the new benchmark. The new benchmark is perhaps very ambitious. But the KTM can keep up with the big competing machines from this segment. And you almost get the impression that the differences are getting smaller and smaller.

The test machine was provided to us by Motorrad Ruser.

Price/Availability/Colours/Years of Construction

  • Price: from 18.495 €
  • Years of construction: from 2021
  • Availability: from 2021
  • Colours: orange, black