2018 KTM 1290 Super Adventure S Specifications

Name: 2018 KTM 1290 Super Adventure S
Brand: KTM

Enduro / Off-Road • Specs last verified 13 July 2026

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2018 KTM 1290 Super Adventure S Overview

KTM 1290 Super Adventure S is an enduro / off-road motorcycle, displacing 1301 cc. Power comes from a Four stroke, 75°V-twin cylinder, DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder engine, a compression ratio of 13.1:1. On the performance side, it delivers 118 kW @ 8750 rpm of peak power and 140 Nm @ 6750rpm of torque. On the road, the 2018 1290 Super Adventure S tips the scales at 215 kg, carries a 23-litre fuel tank, offers a seat height of 860 mm and spans a 1560±15 mm wheelbase. That's roughly 16.2 kg heavier than the average enduro / off-road motorcycle in our database. The full 2018 KTM 1290 Super Adventure S spec sheet below covers every technical detail, from suspension travel to tyre sizes.

2018 1290 Super Adventure S - Pros & Cons

Strengths

Strong power output: With 118 kW @ 8750 rpm and 140 Nm @ 6750rpm of torque on tap, the 1290 Super Adventure S is no slouch for its class.
Large fuel range: A 23-litre tank means fewer stops on longer rides - a genuine plus for touring or a lengthy daily commute.

Considerations

Tall seat height: At 860 mm, shorter riders will likely be on tiptoes at a standstill - worth sitting on one before you buy.
Chain final drive upkeep: Budget time for routine chain maintenance - it's cheap to replace but needs consistent attention to avoid premature sprocket wear.

Wear Points & Servicing Notes

Cooling system servicing

1290 Super Adventure S's Liquid cooling system, continuous circulation of cooling liquid with water pump setup is low-maintenance provided the coolant interval is kept - old, acidic coolant is the main cause of long-term corrosion in the water passages.

Brake disc and pad wear

Braking up front comes from 2 x 320 mm floating disc, Brembo four-piston brake calipers - solid stopping power, with disc and pad wear best checked on the same schedule as tyre changes.

Suspension condition on used examples

The 1290 Super Adventure S's suspension runs WP Semi-active Suspension USD ø 48 mm at the front. The rear uses Shock absorber WP Semi-active Suspension PDS Monoshock. Fork-seal condition and rear linkage play are the two things worth checking before buying used.

Final drive maintenance

The 1290 Super Adventure S uses chain final drive, which is cheap to replace but needs regular cleaning, lubrication and tension checks to get a full service life out of the sprockets.

Frame & chassis check

Built around a Tubular space frame made from chrome molybdenum steel, powder-coated, the 1290 Super Adventure S's chassis is straightforward to inspect: look for corrosion, cracks or repair welds around stress points like the head-stock and swingarm mounts.

1290 Super Adventure S - Buying & Maintenance Guide

What to check before buying

Before handing over money for a used 2018 KTM 1290 Super Adventure S, cover the fundamentals: service book and oil change history, chain and sprocket wear, and any sign of oil weeping around the casings. Cold-starting it yourself tells you a lot - a healthy 1290 Super Adventure S should catch quickly and settle into a smooth idle.

Oil and filter changes

Nothing protects a 1290 Super Adventure S's engine like disciplined oil changes - stay on the manufacturer's schedule (roughly every 6,000 km or annually). Match the viscosity grade to what the owner's manual specifies, not what's cheapest.

Carburetor upkeep

Deposits in the carbs are the usual culprit behind poor running on a stored 1290 Super Adventure S - strip and clean the float bowls before the first start. Pilot jets clog first and get overlooked most, so make a point of checking them.

2018 KTM 1290 Super Adventure S - Frequently Asked Questions

What engine does the 2018 KTM 1290 Super Adventure S have?

The 2018 KTM 1290 Super Adventure S uses a Four stroke, 75°V-twin cylinder, DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder engine with 1301 cc of displacement. It is liquid cooling system, continuous circulation of cooling liquid with water pump.

How much does the 2018 KTM 1290 Super Adventure S weigh?

The 2018 KTM 1290 Super Adventure S weighs 215 kg. This is the manufacturer's dry figure.

How much power does the 2018 KTM 1290 Super Adventure S make?

The 2018 KTM 1290 Super Adventure S produces 118 kW @ 8750 rpm of power and 140 Nm @ 6750rpm of torque. These are peak figures.

What is the fuel tank capacity of the 2018 KTM 1290 Super Adventure S?

The 2018 KTM 1290 Super Adventure S has a 23-litre fuel tank. At around 5-6 litres per 100 km, that is roughly 383-460 km between stops.

Is the 2018 KTM 1290 Super Adventure S suitable for shorter riders?

The 2018 KTM 1290 Super Adventure S has a seat height of 860 mm. This is towards the tall end of the spectrum and will require most riders under 175 cm to tiptoe at stops.

What brakes does the 2018 KTM 1290 Super Adventure S have?

The 2018 KTM 1290 Super Adventure S uses 2 x 320 mm floating disc, Brembo four-piston brake calipers at the front and Single 267 mm disc, Brembo two-piston brake caliper at the rear.

What tyre sizes does the 2018 KTM 1290 Super Adventure S use?

The 2018 KTM 1290 Super Adventure S runs 120/70-ZR19 front and 170/60-ZR17 rear tyres. A good selection of sport, touring and all-weather rubber is available in these sizes.

What gearbox does the 2018 KTM 1290 Super Adventure S have?

The 2018 KTM 1290 Super Adventure S is fitted with a 6-speed transmission.

KTM 1290 Super Adventure S Spec Evolution

The KTM 1290 Super Adventure S was produced across 4 model years (2018-2023). The table below highlights the key specifications that changed across the production run - useful whether you are comparing years or tracking down a specific variant.

Specification	2018	2020	2022	2023
Max Power	118 kW / 160 hp @ 8750 rpm	118 kW / 160 hp @ 8750 rpm	118 kW / 160 hp @ 9000 rpm	118 kW / 160 hp @ 9000 rpm
Dry Weight	215 kg / 473.9 lbs	215 kg / 473.9 lbs	220 kg / 485 lbs	220 kg / 485 lbs
Engine Detail	Four stroke, 75°V-twin cylinder, DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder	Four stroke, 75°V-twin cylinder, DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder	Four stroke, 75° V-twin cylinder, DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder	Four stroke, 75°V-twin cylinder, DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder
Seat Height	860 mm / 33.5 in	860 mm / 33.5 in	849 mm / 33.4 in - adjustable 869 mm / 34.2 in	849 mm / 33.4 in
Frame Type	Tubular space frame made from chrome molybdenum steel, powder-coated	Tubular space frame made from chrome molybdenum steel, powder-coated	Chromium-Molybdenum-Steel trellis frame, powder coated, aluminium, powder coated sub-frame	Tubular space frame made from chrome molybdenum steel, powder-coated
Brakes - Front	2 x 320 mm floating disc, Brembo four-piston brake calipers	2 x 320 mm floating disc, Brembo four-piston brake calipers	2 x 320 mm disc Brembo four-piston, radially mounted caliper	2 x 320 mm floating disc, Brembo four-piston brake calipers
Wheelbase	1560±15 mm / 61.4 in	1560±15 mm / 61.4 in	1557±15 mm / 61.2 in	1580 mm / 62.2 in
Ground Clearance	220 mm / 8.7 in	220 mm / 8.7 in	223 mm / 8.7 in	223 mm / 8.7 in

Key Specifications

Engine

Four stroke, 75°V-twin cylinder, DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder

Power

118 kW / 160 hp @ 8750 rpm

Torque

140 Nm / 103.7 lb-ft @ 6750rpm

Top Speed

Not published by manufacturer

Weight

215 kg / 473.9 lbs

Fuel Capacity

23 Litres / 6 US gal

Full 2018 KTM 1290 Super Adventure S Specifications

Year 2017 - 18

Make Model KTM 1290 Super Adventure S

Seat Height 860 mm / 33.5 in

Wheelbase 1560±15 mm / 61.4 in

Ground Clearance 220 mm / 8.7 in

Dry Weight 215 kg / 473.9 lbs

Fuel Capacity 23 Litres / 6 US gal

Max Power 118 kW / 160 hp @ 8750 rpm

Max Torque 140 Nm / 103.7 lb-ft @ 6750rpm

Displacement 1301 cc / 79.3 cu-in

Engine Detail Four stroke, 75°V-twin cylinder, DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder

Bore x Stroke 108 x 71 mm

Compression Ratio 13.1:1

Cooling System Liquid cooling system, continuous circulation of cooling liquid with water pump

Engine Management Keihin EMS with RBW and cruise control, double ignition

Fuel Induction 2x Keihin EFI, 52mm throttle bodies

Ignition System contactless, controlled, fully electronic ignition system with digital ignition timing adjustment

Lubrication Forced oil lubrication with 3 oil pumps

Starter Eletric

Valve Inspection Interval 18,600 miles

Battery Capacity Battery: 12V 11.2AH

Clutch PASC anti-hopping clutch/ hydraulically operated

Final Drive Chain 5/8 x 5/16" X Ring

Primary Drive Ratios 40:76

Transmission / Drive 6-speed

Frame Type Tubular space frame made from chrome molybdenum steel, powder-coated

Suspension - Front WP Semi-active Suspension USD ø 48 mm

Suspension - Rear Shock absorber WP Semi-active Suspension PDS Monoshock

Steering Head Angle 64°

Wheel Travel - Front 200 mm / 7.9 in

Wheel Travel - Rear 200 mm / 7.9 in

Charging System 450 watts max.

Brakes - Front 2 x 320 mm floating disc, Brembo four-piston brake calipers

Brakes - Rear Single 267 mm disc, Brembo two-piston brake caliper

ABS Bosch 9ME combined ABS, incl. cornering ABS and offroad mode, disengageable

Tyres - Front 120/70-ZR19

Tyres - Rear 170/60-ZR17

Specifications are compiled from manufacturer documentation and cross-referenced technical sources, and corrected on an ongoing basis. Spot an error? Let us know.