By NastyNils· ·
Motorcycle comparison · Sport Tourer vs Adventure
Ducati Multistrada V4 Pikes Peak (MY2025) vs KTM 1290 Super Adventure S (MY2021)
Drop a wheel into a broken patch on the Ducati Multistrada V4 Pikes Peak and it's swallowed whole while the damping keeps retuning to the surface. The KTM 1290 Super Adventure S settles over that edge, and there's barely a thump through the seat. Its damping firms the instant you've shifted your weight.
So which one do you buy?
The 1290 Super Adventure S has the edge if…
Comfortable long-distance riding
A touch ahead: 1290 Super Adventure S
For big miles, the 1290 Super Adventure S edges it. What tips it: more range per tank and better wind protection.
What makes each one tick
Multistrada V4 Pikes Peak
The Pikes Peak's front end snaps into a bend off a light push on the bar, and the sporty chassis holds the line from there. There's a superbike's rush behind the throttle that keeps building toward the top of the tach. The exhaust carries a MotoGP snarl.
1290 Super Adventure S
Low-rev shove sets the Super Adventure's pace, with the V-twin hauling hard well before the tach gets busy. Corner entry isn't a fight, since the low center of gravity tips the chassis in and keeps it composed through a run of bends. There's steady feedback through the bars on fast roads. The twin pulls clear to redline.
Nils rode the 1290 Super Adventure S in 2021, and in Ireland in 2022 (1000PS test reports).
The Voice of Experience
What actually separates them
- The Multistrada V4 Pikes Peak has the lower wet weight: 500 lb (227 kg) vs 540 lb (245 kg).
- The Multistrada V4 Pikes Peak makes more peak power: 170 hp (125 kW) vs 160 hp (118 kW).
- The 1290 Super Adventure S makes more peak torque: 102 lb-ft (138 Nm) vs 91 lb-ft (124 Nm).
Which one for the way you ride
A confidence-building first motorcycle
Both miss here
If this is your first motorcycle, keep looking. Neither one makes learning easy.
There's no real gap on commuting, twisty roads, and running costs. Sit on both and let fit and price decide.
Who each one is built for
What's good, and what you'll live with
Multistrada V4 Pikes Peak
What owners say
Strengths
- Advanced rider aids and connectivity
- Agile handling for a large adventure bike
- Premium Öhlins semi-active suspension
- Superbike-level engine performance
Trade-offs
- High purchase price
- Uncomfortable seat on long journeys
- Lackluster rear brake feel
1290 Super Adventure S
What owners say
Strengths
- Explosive and torquey V-twin engine
- Advanced electronics and rider aids
- Agile handling despite its size
- Plush, adjustable suspension
Trade-offs
- Reliability concerns and electrical gremlins
Known problems to check before you buy
Multistrada V4 Pikes Peak
No confirmed faults on file yet. That's not the same as fault-free.
1290 Super Adventure S
- High-speed wobble Owners report a headshake or weave developing at higher speeds, most often with luggage or a pillion aboard, or when the front tire is worn or unevenly loaded. The bars can shimmy noticeably until the rider backs off the throttle. Careful attention to tire condition and wheel balance, along with front preload and fork damping settings, usually calms the behavior.
- Fuel pump failure Some owners have experienced sudden fuel pump failure, leaving the bike stranded. A known issue with KTM, though not widespread.
- Engine misfire requiring multiple dealer visits Intermittent engine misfire in the mid-range that can resist diagnosis, with owners reporting repeated dealer visits over an extended period before a fix is found. Points to tricky fault-finding and possible parts-supply delays rather than a single failed part.
- Electrical gremlins and intermittent faults Reports of TFT display blanking, fuel gauge failure, and random warning lights. Often traced to voltage sensitivity during starting; keeping battery fully charged and starting in neutral can mitigate.
What they share
- Cooling
- Liquid-cooled
- Gearbox
- 6-speed
- Final drive
- Chain
- Fork
- Upside-down (USD)
Where the spec sheets split
| Multistrada V4 Pikes Peak | 1290 Super Adventure S | |
|---|---|---|
| Seat height | 33.1 in (840 mm) | 33.4 in (849 mm) |
| Wet weight | 500 lb (227 kg) | 540 lb (245 kg) |
| Multistrada V4 Pikes Peak | 1290 Super Adventure S | |
|---|---|---|
| Displacement | 1158 cc | 1301 cc |
| Engine | V4 | 75° V-twin |
| Power | 170 hp (125 kW) | 160 hp (118 kW) |
| Peak power at | 10,750 rpm | 9,000 rpm |
| Torque | 91 lb-ft (124 Nm) | 102 lb-ft (138 Nm) |
| Peak torque at | 9,000 rpm | 6,500 rpm |
| Multistrada V4 Pikes Peak | 1290 Super Adventure S | |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel economy | 36 mpg (US) / 6.6 L/100 km | 41 mpg (US) / 5.7 L/100 km |
| Fuel capacity | 5.8 US gal (22 L) | 6.1 US gal (23 L) |
| Multistrada V4 Pikes Peak | 1290 Super Adventure S | |
|---|---|---|
| Front brake | 330 mm | 320 mm |
| Front tire | 120/70-17 | 120/70-19 |
| Rear tire | 190/55-17 | 170/60-17 |
What comes fitted, what costs extra
| Multistrada V4 Pikes Peak | 1290 Super Adventure S | |
|---|---|---|
| Quickshifter | Standard | Option |
| Navigation | Standard | Option |
| USB Charging Port | Not offered | Standard |
| Tire Pressure Monitoring (TPMS) | Not offered | Standard |
| Luggage System | Option | Not offered |
Head to head, area by area
Both bikes on the same scale, one area at a time.
