2015 KTM 1290 Super Adventure Specifications

Name: 2015 KTM 1290 Super Adventure
Brand: KTM

All-Round • Specs last verified 13 July 2026

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2015 KTM 1290 Super Adventure Overview

For 2015, KTM offers the 1290 Super Adventure as an all-round motorcycle. The 2015 KTM 1290 Super Adventure is built around a V2, four-stroke engine. Internally, bore and stroke are 108 x 75 mm. In everyday use, the 2015 1290 Super Adventure tips the scales at 229 kg, carries a 30-litre fuel tank, offers a seat height of 860 mm and spans a 1,560 mm wheelbase. That's roughly 21.5 kg heavier than the average all-round motorcycle in our database. Every technical detail, from suspension travel to tyre sizes, is covered in the full 2015 KTM 1290 Super Adventure spec sheet below.

2015 1290 Super Adventure - Pros & Cons

Strengths

Fuel injection: No choke, no jetting, no altitude compensation to think about - fuel injection just works across a wider range of conditions than carburetion.
Large fuel range: With a 30-litre tank, this isn't a bike you'll be stopping for fuel every hour - a real asset on longer trips.

Considerations

Tall seat height: A 860 mm seat puts flat-footing out of reach for a lot of riders - sit on it in person before committing.
Chain final drive upkeep: A chain drivetrain is the most common setup in its class, but it's also the one that demands the most regular hands-on maintenance.

Wear Points & Servicing Notes

Fuelling & injector care

Fuelling on the 1290 Super Adventure comes from fuel injection. Cold starts and throttle response stay consistent across altitude and temperature, the main practical edge over a carbureted equivalent.

Brake disc and pad wear

Double disc. ABS. Four-piston calipers. Radially mounted. up front provides the primary stopping power; inspect disc thickness and pad wear at each tyre change to catch scoring before it becomes a rotor replacement.

Suspension condition on used examples

Suspension duties are handled by WP Semi-active Suspension USD ? 48 mm up front and WP Semi-active Suspension PDS Monoshock at the rear. Weeping fork seals aren't a dealbreaker on a used bike, but they're a fair basis for negotiating price.

Final drive maintenance

Chain final drive on the 1290 Super Adventure means routine lubing and tension checks are part of ownership - skip them and sprocket wear accelerates noticeably.

Frame & chassis check

The Tubular space frame made from chrome molybdenum steel, powder-coated chassis holds up well with normal use; on a used bike it's still worth checking the head-stock and swingarm pivot area for impact damage or corrosion.

Handling the weight at a standstill

The 1290 Super Adventure's 229 kg kerb weight is worth factoring into how you handle it at a standstill - parking-lot manoeuvres need a bit more deliberate technique than on a lighter machine.

1290 Super Adventure - Buying & Maintenance Guide

What to check before buying

A pre-purchase check on the 2015 KTM 1290 Super Adventure should cover the same ground every time: service history, chain and sprocket condition, and any oil seepage around the casings. Start it from cold if you can - a well-kept 1290 Super Adventure settles to a smooth idle within seconds.

Oil and filter changes

Oil changes are the cheapest insurance you can buy for a 1290 Super Adventure's engine - keep to the manufacturer's interval rather than stretching it. Use the viscosity grade the manual specifies, not whatever's on sale.

Fuel system care

Injector systems like the 1290 Super Adventure's hold up well with basic care - decent fuel, an occasional cleaner additive, and draining old fuel before any layup longer than three months.

2015 KTM 1290 Super Adventure - Frequently Asked Questions

What engine does the 2015 KTM 1290 Super Adventure have?

The 2015 KTM 1290 Super Adventure is powered by a V2, four-stroke engine.

How much does the 2015 KTM 1290 Super Adventure weigh?

The 2015 KTM 1290 Super Adventure weighs 229 kg. This is the manufacturer's dry figure.

What is the fuel tank capacity of the 2015 KTM 1290 Super Adventure?

The 2015 KTM 1290 Super Adventure has a 30-litre fuel tank. At around 5-6 litres per 100 km, that is roughly 500-600 km between stops.

Is the 2015 KTM 1290 Super Adventure suitable for shorter riders?

The 2015 KTM 1290 Super Adventure 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 2015 KTM 1290 Super Adventure have?

The 2015 KTM 1290 Super Adventure uses Double disc. ABS. Four-piston calipers. Radially mounted. at the front and Single disc. ABS. Two-piston calipers. at the rear.

What fuel system does the 2015 KTM 1290 Super Adventure use?

The 2015 KTM 1290 Super Adventure uses Injection, providing precise fuelling across the rev range and reliable cold-start behaviour.

What suspension does the 2015 KTM 1290 Super Adventure have?

The 2015 KTM 1290 Super Adventure uses WP Semi-active Suspension USD ? 48 mm up front and WP Semi-active Suspension PDS Monoshock at the rear.

KTM 1290 Super Adventure Spec Evolution

The KTM 1290 Super Adventure was produced across 2 model years (2015-2016). 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	2015	2016
Comments	Small windscreen. Ride-by-wire system.	Small windscreen. Ride-by-wire system. Switchable Bosch ABS.
Frame Type	Tubular space frame made from chrome molybdenum steel, powder-coated	Chromium-Molybdenum steel trellis frame, powder coated
Suspension - Rear	WP Semi-active Suspension PDS Monoshock	WP Semi-active suspension monoshock
Colours	White	Grey/silver
Clutch	PASC anti-hopping clutch/ hydraulically operated	PASC slipper clutch, hydraulically actuated
Engine Lubrication	Forced oil lubrication with 3 rotor pumps	Forced oil lubrication with 3 pumps
Primary Drive	5/8 x 5/16 X Ring. Primary drive: 40:76.	5/8 x 5/16 X Ring. Primary drive: 40:76.
Ignition	Contactless, controlled, fully electronic ignition system with digital ignition timing adjustment	Keihin EMS with RBW and cruise control, double ignition

Key Specifications

Engine

V2, four-stroke

Power

Not published by manufacturer

Torque

Not published by manufacturer

Top Speed

Not published by manufacturer

Weight

229 kg / 504.9 lbs

Fuel Capacity

30.00 litres / 7.93 gallons

Full 2015 KTM 1290 Super Adventure Specifications

Comments Small windscreen. Ride-by-wire system.

Colours White

Ground Clearance (in.) 8.7 inches

Ground Clearance (mm) 220 mm

Seat Heigth -Alternate (in.) 34.4 inches

Seat Heigth -Alternate (mm) 875 mm

Seat Height 860 mm / 33.9 in.

Wheelbase 1,560 mm / 61.4 in.

Dry Weight 229 kg / 504.9 lbs

Fuel Capacity 30.00 litres / 7.93 gallons

Power-to-Weight Ratio 0.6987 HP/kg

Bore x Stroke (in,) 4.3 x 3.0 inches

Bore x Stroke (mm) 108.0 x 75.0 mm

Engine Type V2, four-stroke

Engine Detail 75° V arrangement

Fuel System Injection

Engine Lubrication Forced oil lubrication with 3 rotor pumps

Ignition Contactless, controlled, fully electronic ignition system with digital ignition timing adjustment

Starter Electric

Clutch PASC anti-hopping clutch/ hydraulically operated

Final Drive Chain

Gearbox 6-speed

Primary Drive 5/8 x 5/16 X Ring. Primary drive: 40:76.

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

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

Suspension - Rear WP Semi-active Suspension PDS Monoshock

Rake 26.0°

Wheel Travel - Front 200 mm / 7.9 in.

Wheel Travel - Rear 200 mm / 7.9 in.

Brakes - Front Diameter (in.) 12.6 inches

Brakes - Front Diameter (mm) 320 mm

Brakes - Rear Diameter (in.) 10.5 inches

Brakes - Rear Diameter (mm) 267 mm

Brakes - Front Double disc. ABS. Four-piston calipers. Radially mounted.

Brakes - Rear Single disc. ABS. Two-piston calipers.

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