By NastyNils· ·
Motorcycle comparison · Adventure
KTM 1290 Super Adventure S (MY2017) vs Ducati Multistrada 1260 (AC)
You'll feel the KTM 1290 Super Adventure S shove forward from low revs the moment you crack the throttle, and it doesn't ease off as the engine spins up. The Ducati Multistrada 1260 builds speed in one unbroken line. Its desmo twin's beat gets under your skin.
So which one do you buy?
The 1290 Super Adventure S has the edge if…
Comfortable long-distance riding
By a nose: 1290 Super Adventure S
Hour after hour, the 1290 Super Adventure S feels a little kinder to you. What tips it: more range per tank and better wind protection. It's a close-run thing, though.
Sporty riding on twisty roads
Inches ahead: 1290 Super Adventure S
On a winding road, the 1290 Super Adventure S comes out a touch ahead. You wouldn't bet much on a gap like that.
The Multistrada 1260 has the edge if…
Keeping running costs low
Narrow edge: Multistrada 1260
Over a year of riding, the Multistrada 1260 noses ahead on running costs. A neglected example would wipe that out.
What makes each one tick
1290 Super Adventure S
Back-road scratching comes as easily to the 1290 Super Adventure S as long-distance touring, because its trellis frame and fairly compact wheelbase keep the steering agile. A bump sinks into 7.9 in (200 mm) of travel at each end while the semi-active WP damping adapts to the road right away. The fork doesn't turn vague. Even at a crawl, there's clean pull from the V-twin.
Multistrada 1260
Wide bars and an upright perch split the Multistrada 1260 between long-haul comfort and canyon-road attack. The bars aren't always light. When conditions sour, the brake lever stops it through cornering ABS and the ride modes rework its manners. The low seat won't stay put under aggressive riding.
The Voice of Experience
What actually separates them
- The Multistrada 1260 has the lower seat: 32.5 in (825 mm) vs 33.9 in (860 mm).
- The 1290 Super Adventure S makes more peak torque: 103 lb-ft (140 Nm) vs 95 lb-ft (129 Nm).
- The 1290 Super Adventure S has the larger fuel tank: 6.1 US gal (23 L) vs 5.3 US gal (20 L).
Which one for the way you ride
Real off-road capability
Off its turf: Multistrada 1260
No off-road verdict for the Multistrada 1260. It isn't built for the dirt.
For commuting, you won't find daylight between them. Let the test ride settle it.
Who each one is built for
What's good, and what you'll live with
1290 Super Adventure S
What owners say
Strengths
- Immense power and torque throughout the rev range
Trade-offs
- Electrical and software gremlins
- Radiator prone to leaks
Multistrada 1260
What owners say
Strengths
- Comprehensive electronics package
- Smooth, torque-rich engine
Known problems to check before you buy
1290 Super Adventure S
- Radiator leak The radiator develops a leak, typically at the top right seam or from a broken mount, often when the engine is hot. Repairs involve JB Weld or replacement.
- Electrical and TFT glitches Intermittent issues: TFT screen blanks or flickers, keyless fob not recognized, indicator/switch failures, battery drain, and complete electrical shutdowns that sometimes reset after battery disconnect.
Multistrada 1260
No confirmed faults on file yet. That's not the same as fault-free.
What they share
- Cooling
- Liquid-cooled
- Gearbox
- 6-speed
- Final drive
- Chain
- Fork
- Upside-down (USD)
- Front brake
- 320 mm
Where the spec sheets split
| 1290 Super Adventure S | Multistrada 1260 | |
|---|---|---|
| Seat height | 33.9 in (860 mm) | 32.5 in (825 mm) |
| 1290 Super Adventure S | Multistrada 1260 | |
|---|---|---|
| Displacement | 1301 cc | 1262 cc |
| Engine | 75° V-twin | 90° V-twin |
| Power | 162 hp (119 kW) | 158 hp (116 kW) |
| Peak power at | 8,750 rpm | 9,500 rpm |
| Torque | 103 lb-ft (140 Nm) | 95 lb-ft (129 Nm) |
| Peak torque at | 6,750 rpm | 7,500 rpm |
| 1290 Super Adventure S | Multistrada 1260 | |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel capacity | 6.1 US gal (23 L) | 5.3 US gal (20 L) |
| 1290 Super Adventure S | Multistrada 1260 | |
|---|---|---|
| Front tire | 120/70-19 | 120/70-17 |
| Rear tire | 170/60-17 | 190/55-17 |
| Wheelbase | 61.4 in (1560 mm) | 62.2 in (1580 mm) |
| Front travel | 7.9 in (200 mm) | 6.7 in (170 mm) |
| Rear travel | 7.9 in (200 mm) | 6.7 in (170 mm) |
What comes fitted, what costs extra
| 1290 Super Adventure S | Multistrada 1260 | |
|---|---|---|
| Electronic Suspension | Standard | Not offered |
| TFT Display | Standard | Not offered |
| Smartphone Connectivity | Not offered | Option |
| USB Charging Port | Standard | Not offered |
| Cornering Lights | Standard | Not offered |
Head to head, area by area
Both bikes on the same scale, one area at a time.
