KTM 1290 Super Adventure S vs BMW Motorrad R 1300 GS Adventure
Prices ex-showroom Delhi, checked 2026-09. On-road and running costs estimated for Delhi.
KTM 1290 Super Adventure S and BMW Motorrad R 1300 GS Adventure are both adventure bikes and turn up together on most shortlists. The 1290 Super Adventure S undercuts the R 1300 GS Adventure by ₹3,00,996, a gap big enough to notice on the EMI but not to decide the argument on its own.
The 1290 Super Adventure S takes 3 of the 6 categories we score, so this is close and comes down to what you weight. Our overall ratings are 6/10 for the 1290 Super Adventure S and 6.5/10 for the R 1300 GS Adventure.
Category by category
Price
1290 Super Adventure S
The 1290 Super Adventure S starts ₹3,00,996 lower (₹22,73,900 against ₹25,74,896), about ₹9,550 a month less on a standard loan.
Running cost
R 1300 GS Adventure
R 1300 GS Adventure claims 21 kmpl against 17.5 kmpl. That is roughly ₹6,338 a year in fuel at 30 km a day.
Performance
1290 Super Adventure S
1290 Super Adventure S has the better power-to-weight ratio: 632 against 533 bhp per tonne. It will feel quicker with a pillion and on overtakes.
Safety kit
Tie
Braking and safety equipment are matched.
City manners
1290 Super Adventure S
1290 Super Adventure S is 19 kg lighter and taller in the seat (869 mm), which you feel in traffic and when parking.
Warranty
R 1300 GS Adventure
R 1300 GS Adventure comes with 3 years of standard warranty against 2 on the 1290 Super Adventure S.
Which one should you buy?
Buy the 1290 Super Adventure S if
- you want the lower purchase price and EMI
- you ride two-up or on highways and want the stronger engine
- you are a new rider or shorter and want the lighter bike
- you live where KTM's bigger service network matters
Buy the R 1300 GS Adventure if
- mileage matters more to you than outright performance
- a longer standard warranty gives you peace of mind
- your priority is broken roads and touring
- your priority is tall riders
What each really costs
Base variants, Delhi, 30 km a day. Servicing and insurance are class-typical estimates.
| Cost | 1290 Super Adventure S | R 1300 GS Adventure |
|---|---|---|
| Ex-showroom | ₹22,73,900 | ₹25,74,896 |
| On-road, Delhi | ₹25,54,314 | ₹28,63,106 |
| Fuel, 5 years | ₹2,53,520 | ₹2,21,830 |
| Servicing, 5 years | ₹35,000 | ₹35,000 |
| Insurance renewals | ₹1,22,608 | ₹1,37,428 |
| Five-year total | ₹29,65,442 | ₹32,57,364 |
Full specification comparison
Better figure in each row is shown in green.
| Spec | KTM1290 Super Adventure S | BMW MotorradR 1300 GS Adventure |
|---|---|---|
| Price | ||
| Starting ex-showroom | ₹22,73,900 | ₹25,74,896 |
| Rough EMI / month | ₹72,110 | ₹81,660 |
| Engine | ||
| Engine | 1301 cc | 1300 cc |
| Engine type | 2 Cylinder, Liquid Cooled, 4 Valves | 2 Cylinder, Air/Liquid Cooled, 4 Valves |
| Power | 158 bhp | 143.4 bhp |
| Torque | 140 Nm | 149 Nm |
| Claimed mileage | 17.5 kmpl | 21 kmpl |
| Cooling | Liquid-cooled | Liquid-cooled |
| Transmission | 6 Speed | 6 Speed |
| Electric | ||
| Top speed | 230 km/h | 225 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Kerb weight | 250 kg | 269 kg |
| Fuel tank | 23 L | 30 L |
| Seat height | 869 mm | 850 mm |
| Ground clearance | 223 mm | — |
| Wheelbase | 1557 mm | 1518 mm |
| Length | — | 2212 mm |
| Width | — | 1000 mm |
| Height | — | 1406 mm |
| Brakes & suspension | ||
| Front brake | Disc, 320 mm, 4 piston caliper | Disc, 310 mm, 4 piston caliper |
| Rear brake | Disc, 267 mm, 2 piston caliper | Disc, 285 mm, 2 piston caliper |
| ABS / CBS | Dual Channel ABS | Dual Channel ABS |
| Front suspension | WP SAT (semi-active technology) Upside-Down Ø 48 mm | Central Shock Absorber |
| Rear suspension | WP SAT (semi-active technology) shock absorber | Single-sided Swingarm |
| Tyres | ||
| Front tyre | 120/70-ZR19 | 120/70-R19 |
| Rear tyre | 170/60-ZR17 | 170/60-R17 |
1290 Super Adventure S vs R 1300 GS Adventure: questions people ask
- Which is cheaper, the 1290 Super Adventure S or the R 1300 GS Adventure?
- The 1290 Super Adventure S is cheaper by ₹3,00,996 at the base variant (₹22,73,900 against ₹25,74,896 ex-showroom Delhi).
- Which gives better mileage, the 1290 Super Adventure S or the R 1300 GS Adventure?
- The R 1300 GS Adventure claims 21 kmpl against 17.5 kmpl. Real-world figures for both will be lower.
- What is the on-road price difference between the 1290 Super Adventure S and R 1300 GS Adventure in Delhi?
- About ₹3,08,792: roughly ₹25,54,314 for the 1290 Super Adventure S and ₹28,63,106 for the R 1300 GS Adventure, base variants, including road tax, registration and insurance.
- Which costs less to own over five years?
- Our estimate for five years at 30 km a day in Delhi is ₹29,65,442 for the 1290 Super Adventure S and ₹32,57,364 for the R 1300 GS Adventure, including purchase, fuel, servicing and insurance renewals. The 1290 Super Adventure S comes out ₹2,91,922 ahead.
