2017 · Adventure · Buyer's Guide
Continent Eater With Bite
KTM built the T around a 1301 cc 75-degree V-twin making 160 hp and 103 lb-ft, then hung the touring half of the Super Adventure platform off it. A steel trellis frame, a 19-inch front wheel, and 7.9 inches (200 mm) of travel at both ends place it firmly in the big-bore adventure class. What separates the T is the equipment: cruise control, heated grips, a center stand, luggage, an adjustable screen, and a standard rider-aid package with cornering ABS, ride modes, and KTM Motorcycle Traction Control. Both ends of the suspension adjust, and that range is the bike's single best feature.
On the road it stays a big twin that nobody bothered to tame. The low-end pull arrives early, the acceleration stays serious as the revs climb, and the chassis has more sporting intent than the size suggests. It ages the way a chain-drive KTM ages: fine if you stay on top of it, annoying if you do not. Fork seals want watching after rough miles, and a few electrical gremlins turn up on the dash. This one is for the rider who wants long days and big distances without the edge sanded off. If your idea of touring is soft and quiet, this is the wrong orange bike.
Spec sheets don't ride bikes, but they set the baseline.
| Power | 160 hp (118 kW) @ 8,750 rpm |
|---|---|
| Torque | 103 lb-ft (140 Nm) @ 6,750 rpm |
| Displacement | 1301 cc |
| Engine | 75° V-twin |
| Cooling | Liquid-cooled |
| Gearbox | 6-speed |
| Final drive | Chain |
| Fork | Upside-down (USD) |
| Front brake | 320 mm |
| Front tire | 120/70-19 |
| Rear tire | 170/60-17 |
| Ground clearance | 8.7 in (220 mm) |
| Front travel | 7.9 in (200 mm) |
| Rear travel | 7.9 in (200 mm) |
| Seat height | 33.9 in (860 mm) |
| Fuel capacity | 7.9 gal (30 L) |
Equipment check
Chassis
Comfort
Connectivity
Drivetrain
Lighting
Safety
Swing a leg over and the T announces its size right away. The seat sits at 33.9 inches (860 mm), the 7.9 gallon (30 L) tank spreads wide between your knees, and the bars come back far enough that you sit tall and open. At idle the V-twin thumps through the pegs and the seat, never harsh, just a steady reminder of 1301 cc underneath you. Roll on and the beat smooths into a low hum you stop hearing within a mile. At real road pace the screen takes a manual adjustment to lift the air off your helmet, and once it is set the noise settles to a level where a full day makes sense. Your wrists stay neutral, your knees settle into the tank, and the machine shrinks around you the moment it is rolling. Stopped at a gas pump, it is tall and heavy and honest about both.
Fuel pump filter recall
A faulty fuel pump filter may lead to power loss or stalling. A technical improvement (TI) was issued for 2017 models to replace the filter.
Fork seal leaks
Front fork seals are prone to leaking after off-road use or aggressive riding, sometimes as early as 3,100 mi (5,000 km).
TPMS sensor failure
The rear wheel TPMS sensor can fail prematurely, causing false warnings or loss of tyre pressure monitoring function. Replaced under warranty in some cases.
Fuel cap opening failure
The locking fuel cap can refuse to open, which means several attempts with the key or lubricating the locking mechanism. The latch and lock cylinder can stick, and this happens on and off.
Premature exhaust end cap corrosion
The chrome end cap on the exhaust silencer can begin to rust within the first year.
Where this KTM 1290 Super Adventure T pulls ahead of — or falls behind — its rivals on the numbers, and the typical bike in its class on character.
Power
Torque
Displacement
Seat height
Forget spec-sheet bragging. Here's who the 1290 Super Adventure T is actually built for.
Straight answer: this is a tall, heavy touring twin, not a light technical tool. The 8.7 inches of ground clearance handles graded desert miles, but slickrock at walking pace will wear you out.
Made for Bar M / Kane Creek · Imperial Sand Dunes · Johnson Valley OHV Area
This one is built for you. It holds a line through a mountain pass, the lean clearance is there when the road opens up, and the touring kit is standard, so a 300-mile day never feels like work.
Made for Black Hills · Blue Ridge Parkway · Cherohala Skyway
The 7.9 gallon tank, cruise control, and center stand cover the big western loops two-up and loaded. Budget for chain care, and expect a 33.9-inch seat every time you stop for gas.
Made for Beartooth Highway · Blue Ridge Parkway · Going-to-the-Sun Road
If this one isn't quite the fit, these are the bikes worth riding back-to-back against it.
