KTM
KTM 1290 Super Adventure S
A touring flagship built for the few who need this much bike
In short
The 1290 Super Adventure S is KTM's flagship touring adventure bike, a fully imported 1301cc twin making 158bhp, priced from ₹22,73,900. It offers serious long-distance touring capability with semi-active suspension, but its CBU import status brings a steep price and modest efficiency for what remains a niche purchase.
- Engine
- 1301 cc
- Power
- 158 bhp
- Claimed mileage
- 17.5 kmpl
- Kerb weight
- 250 kg
What works
- 158bhp and 140Nm from a 1301cc twin, class-leading power
- WP semi-active suspension adjusts automatically to road conditions
- 230kmph top speed with genuine long-distance touring comfort
- Full electronics suite including traction control and ride modes
What doesn't
- ₹22,73,900 ex-showroom price reflects full CBU import duty
- 17.5kmpl claimed mileage makes long tours expensive
- 250kg kerb weight is heavy to manage off tarmac or at low speed
Best for: Long-distance touring, Experienced riders wanting flagship ADV performance, Two-up travel with full luggage
Price and variants
Ex-showroom Delhi. On-road estimate for Delhi; other cities on the price page.
The 1290 Super Adventure S comes in a single variant at ₹22,73,900 ex-showroom Delhi, so there is no trim ladder to climb: every 1290 Super Adventure S leaves the showroom with the same equipment.
That makes it the most expensive of the 14 adventure bikes we have reviewed. Its closest price rivals are the 890 Adventure R (₹6,93,900 less) and the Transalp XL750 (₹9,53,900 less).
On the road in Delhi, budget about ₹25.13 Lakh for the base variant once 8% Delhi road tax, registration and five-year third-party insurance are added. Dealers often quote higher by bundling accessories, extended warranty and handling charges; all three are negotiable.
| Variant | Ex-showroom | Rough EMI |
|---|---|---|
Standard | ₹22,73,900 |
Mileage
The 1290 Super Adventure S is rated at 17.5 kmpl (claimed mileage). Treat that as a ceiling: real-world figures are usually 15–25% lower.
Among the 12 adventure bikes we have reviewed it ranks last for mileage, 11 kmpl below the group average of 28 kmpl.
Engine and ride
The 1301cc liquid-cooled engine makes 158 bhp and 140 Nm through a 6 Speed. With a kerb weight of 250 kg that is 632 bhp per tonne, the best power-to-weight ratio of the 14 bikes in this class we have reviewed.
The torque and power figures are well balanced, so it neither needs to be revved hard nor feels lazy when you do.
Chassis hardware includes USD front forks, dual-channel ABS, a slipper clutch and traction control, with a disc, 320 mm, 4 piston caliper up front and disc, 267 mm, 2 piston caliper at the rear.
The 869 mm seat is on the tall side. Riders under 5'6" should sit on one before buying.
Our review
Riding impressions and the buying advice a spec sheet cannot give.
Verdict
The 1290 Super Adventure S is KTM's largest touring adventure bike sold in India, a fully imported 1301cc twin making 158bhp, priced from ₹22,73,900. It represents the top of KTM's ADV range, built for serious long-distance riders rather than everyday use.
Riding it every day
At 250kg, it demands respect at low speed and in parking situations, but once moving the 158bhp engine and WP semi-active suspension deliver a genuinely composed ride, smoothing out broken roads and speed breakers better than its weight suggests it should. The 869mm seat height and touring ergonomics are built for long stretches in the saddle, and the electronics suite, including switchable ride modes and traction control, adapts well to changing conditions like sudden rain.
What to know before buying
As a CBU import, the roughly ₹22.7 lakh price tag is steep, and claimed mileage of 17.5kmpl means fuel costs on a long tour add up quickly. Service and parts support lean on KTM's larger dealerships, so factor in that reality for touring routes away from major cities. The weight, while well managed once moving, is a real consideration for shorter or less experienced riders at standstill.
Who should buy it
Experienced touring riders who genuinely need flagship power and semi-active suspension for long-distance work, and can absorb the import pricing, are the realistic buyers; most riders will find KTM's 390 Adventure line covers real-world touring needs for far less.
Features and colours
- Dual-channel ABS
- Front disc brake
- Rear disc brake
- Tubeless tyres
- Alloy wheels
- Traction control
- Side-stand engine cut-off
- Hazard lamps
- USD front forks
- Slipper clutch
- +11 more
On safety kit the 1290 Super Adventure S has dual-channel abs, front disc brake, rear disc brake, tubeless tyres, traction control, side-stand engine cut-off and hazard lamps. Dual-channel ABS is the one item on this list worth paying for if it is variant-dependent.
Equipment is closely matched with 1390 Super Duke R; the differences are in the riding, not the spec sheet.
It is offered in 1 colours: Orange. Colour availability varies by variant and dealer stock.
Warranty, service and ownership
Standard warranty is 2 years or 50,000 km.
KTM runs a limited sales and service network in India, at roughly 500 touchpoints. Check the nearest workshop before buying if you live outside a metro; a 40 km ride for every service adds up.
The 1290 Super Adventure S launched in 2024, so long-term reliability and resale data are still thin. That is not a mark against it, just a reason to prefer the standard warranty and keep service records.
1290 Super Adventure S: questions people ask
- What is the price of the KTM 1290 Super Adventure S?
- The 1290 Super Adventure S is priced at ₹22,73,900 ex-showroom Delhi in its single variant, as of September 2026. On-road price adds road tax, registration and insurance.
- What is the on-road price of the 1290 Super Adventure S in Delhi?
- Roughly ₹25.13 Lakh for the base variant in Delhi: ₹22,73,900 ex-showroom plus ₹1,81,912 road tax, ₹1,100 registration and about ₹56,047 insurance. This is an estimate; dealer quotes include handling and accessories.
- What is the mileage of the 1290 Super Adventure S?
- Claimed mileage is 17.5 kmpl. Real-world figures are usually 15–25% lower.
- How much does the 1290 Super Adventure S cost to run per month?
- Fuel works out to about ₹5.42 per km in Delhi, so a 30 km daily commute costs roughly ₹4,225 a month before servicing.
- What is the EMI for the 1290 Super Adventure S?
- With 10% down, a 36-month loan at 9.5% on the base variant comes to about ₹72,110 a month. A shorter tenure raises the EMI but cuts total interest; see the EMI calculator on the price page.
- What is the engine capacity and power of the 1290 Super Adventure S?
- It uses a 1301cc engine producing 158 bhp and 140 Nm, with a 6 speed.
- Is the 1290 Super Adventure S suitable for short riders?
- It is on the tall side at 869 mm. Riders under 5'6" may be on tiptoe at stops and should try it before buying.
- 1290 Super Adventure S or 1390 Super Duke R: which is better?
- The 1390 Super Duke R is ₹21,900 more expensive to start and less efficient at 16.9 kmpl against 17.5 kmpl. Pick the 1290 Super Adventure S for long-distance touring, the 1390 Super Duke R for track days and spirited weekend riding. Our side-by-side comparison covers every spec.
- Which bikes are cheaper than the 1290 Super Adventure S?
- Among the 14 adventure bikes we have reviewed, the Xpulse 200 4V (₹1.45 Lakh), the Himalayan 450 (₹3.08 Lakh), the Xpulse 210 (₹1.67 Lakh) start lower.
- Is the 1290 Super Adventure S manageable for shorter riders given its weight?
- At 250kg and an 869mm seat height, it demands confidence at standstill and in slow manoeuvres, and shorter riders should sit on one before buying; the semi-active suspension can lower slightly to help, but this remains a big, heavy machine.
- Does the 1290 Super Adventure S justify its price over the 890 Adventure R?
- It offers noticeably more power and semi-active suspension that the 890 Adventure R does not have, which matters for serious long-distance touring, but for most riding in India the extra cost buys capability well beyond what typical use demands.
1290 Super Adventure S vs its rivals
More adventure bikes
See the full list
Other KTM models
Before you buy
1290 Super Adventure S from
₹22.74 Lakh