By NastyNils·
Motorcycle comparison · Adventure
BMW R 1300 GS Adventure (KA2) vs KTM 1390 Super Adventure R (MY2025)
On a passing move behind a loaded truck, the BMW R 1300 GS Adventure's boxer pulls from relaxed revs and doesn't hesitate. On the KTM 1390 Super Adventure R, the V-twin hauls strong and doesn't thin out anywhere in its range. Higher up, it's got a second surge that snarls.
So which one do you buy?
The R 1300 GS Adventure has the edge if…
Comfortable long-distance riding
Small edge: R 1300 GS Adventure
The R 1300 GS Adventure nudges ahead once the miles pile up. Thank more range per tank and a better reliability record for that. Still, it's a narrow gap.
Keeping running costs low
Edges it: R 1300 GS Adventure
The R 1300 GS Adventure should be a little cheaper to keep on the road. It's a small gap.
Daily commuting & city riding
Nose ahead: R 1300 GS Adventure
The R 1300 GS Adventure edges it for the daily grind. It's down to simpler maintenance. It's a small gap, not a reason on its own.
The 1390 Super Adventure R has the edge if…
Real off-road capability
By a nose: 1390 Super Adventure R
For dirt roads and trails, the 1390 Super Adventure R makes slightly more sense. The difference is modest at best.
Which one's the smarter buy
No clear winner on value
The KTM 1390 Super Adventure R costs less, but that doesn't make it the better buy. Neither bike is the clear better value at these used prices.
What makes each one tick
R 1300 GS Adventure
Parking-lot U-turns become a nonevent on the R 1300 GS Adventure thanks to its generous steering lock, and a stoplight is where it asks you for footing. The wide handlebar gives you precise control with minimal effort. Dropping to the lower seat setting is the fix. There's a catch at corner entry right at the limit: the chassis can start to squirm. The aids don't rush in. The seat and pegs leave a big rider's knees open.
Nils rode the R 1300 GS Adventure in Croatia/Dalmatia and the Canary Islands in 2025, and in Andalusia and the Canary Islands in 2026 (NastyNils Testride).
1390 Super Adventure R
The Super Adventure R's spoked wheels and long WP XPLOR suspension put rough ground first, and all-day comfort isn't the priority. It doesn't wander, even at pace. The LC8 gives this bike its bite.
The Voice of Experience
What actually separates them
- The 1390 Super Adventure R has the lower wet weight: 547 lb (248 kg) vs 591 lb (268 kg).
- The 1390 Super Adventure R makes more peak power: 173 hp (127 kW) vs 145 hp (107 kW).
- The R 1300 GS Adventure has the larger fuel tank: 7.9 US gal (30 L) vs 6.1 US gal (23.1 L).
Which one for the way you ride
They come out level on twisty roads. The better-kept used example is the smarter money.
Who each one is built for
What's good, and what you'll live with
R 1300 GS Adventure
Strengths
- Composure that defies the weight
- Front end ignores the load
- Class-leading controls and menus
- Fast distance without the fatigue
Trade-offs
- ABS goes vague on rough roads
- Big and wide in the city
- Hard gearbox clunk in traffic
- Rough pavement under full load
- Soft suspension in Road mode
1390 Super Adventure R
What owners say
Strengths
- Excellent off-road suspension and handling
- Powerful and charismatic V-twin engine
Trade-offs
- KTM reliability concerns and brand reputation
Known problems to check before you buy
R 1300 GS Adventure
- eCall system deactivation Recall 25V480000 A backend error can inadvertently deactivate the emergency call system. BMW provides an over-the-air update; affected vehicles are recalled.
- Harsh gearshift with quickshifter The up/down quickshifter can produce loud mechanical clunks during 2–3 and 3–4 shifts, more noticeable than on the previous 1250 model.
1390 Super Adventure R
- Excessive engine heat affecting rider comfort Even with upgraded fans, the V-twin engine radiates considerable heat toward the rider's legs and body, particularly in stop-and-go traffic or hot climates.
What they cost used
These prices compare a 1-year-old R 1300 GS Adventure with a 1-year-old 1390 Super Adventure R.
- R 1300 GS Adventure
- about $20,600
- 1390 Super Adventure R
- about $18,700
At one year old, the BMW R 1300 GS Adventure sits around $20,600 while the KTM 1390 Super Adventure R lands near $18,700. That puts the KTM about $1,900 cheaper. These are US market estimates, not live listings.
What they share
- Gearbox
- 6-speed
Where the spec sheets split
| R 1300 GS Adventure | 1390 Super Adventure R | |
|---|---|---|
| Wet weight | 591 lb (268 kg) | 547 lb (248 kg) |
| R 1300 GS Adventure | 1390 Super Adventure R | |
|---|---|---|
| Displacement | 1300 cc | 1350 cc |
| Engine | Flat-twin (boxer) | 75° V-twin |
| Cooling | Air/liquid-cooled | Liquid-cooled |
| Power | 145 hp (107 kW) | 173 hp (127 kW) |
| Peak power at | 7,750 rpm | 9,500 rpm |
| Torque | 110 lb-ft (149 Nm) | 107 lb-ft (145 Nm) |
| Peak torque at | 6,500 rpm | 8,000 rpm |
| R 1300 GS Adventure | 1390 Super Adventure R | |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel capacity | 7.9 US gal (30 L) | 6.1 US gal (23.1 L) |
| R 1300 GS Adventure | 1390 Super Adventure R | |
|---|---|---|
| Final drive | Shaft | Chain |
| Fork | Telelever | Upside-down (USD) |
| Front brake | 310 mm | 320 mm |
| Front tire | 120/70-19 | 90/90-21 |
| Rear tire | 170/60-17 | 150/70-18 |
| Ground clearance | 9.6 in (243 mm) | 9.5 in (242 mm) |
| Front travel | 8.3 in (210 mm) | 9.4 in (239 mm) |
| Rear travel | 8.7 in (220 mm) | 9.4 in (239 mm) |
What comes fitted, what costs extra
| R 1300 GS Adventure | 1390 Super Adventure R | |
|---|---|---|
| Electronic Suspension | Standard | Not offered |
| Heated Grips | Option | Standard |
Head to head, area by area
Both bikes on the same scale, one area at a time.
