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2016 KTM 1290 Super Adventure Overview
KTM 1290 Super Adventure is an all-round motorcycle, displacing 1301 cc. Power comes from a V2, four-stroke engine. Bore and stroke come in at 108 x 75 mm. On the road, the 2016 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. The full 2016 KTM 1290 Super Adventure spec sheet below covers every technical detail, from suspension travel to tyre sizes.
2016 1290 Super Adventure - Pros & Cons
Strengths
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🔧
Fuel injection: Fuel injection means consistent cold starts and clean throttle response without the fussiness of a carbureted setup.
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⛽
Large fuel range: A 30-litre tank means fewer stops on longer rides - a genuine plus for touring or a lengthy daily commute.
Considerations
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📏
Tall seat height: At 860 mm, shorter riders will likely be on tiptoes at a standstill - worth sitting on one before you buy.
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⚙️
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
Fuelling & injector care
The fuel injection on the 1290 Super Adventure needs little beyond good fuel and periodic use of an injector-cleaner additive - no jetting or float-bowl maintenance to worry about.
Brake disc and pad wear
Braking up front comes from Double disc. ABS. Four-piston calipers. Radially mounted. - 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 suspension runs WP Semi-active suspension USD ? 48 mm at the front. The rear uses WP Semi-active suspension monoshock. Fork-seal condition and rear linkage play are the two things worth checking before buying used.
Final drive maintenance
The 1290 Super Adventure 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 Chromium-Molybdenum steel trellis frame, powder coated, the 1290 Super Adventure's chassis is straightforward to inspect: look for corrosion, cracks or repair welds around stress points like the head-stock and swingarm mounts.
Handling the weight at a standstill
229 kg puts the 1290 Super Adventure toward the heavier end of its class. It's most noticeable at walking pace; once underway the mass settles into the handling rather than fighting it.
1290 Super Adventure - Buying & Maintenance Guide
What to check before buying
Before handing over money for a used 2016 KTM 1290 Super Adventure, 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 should catch quickly and settle into a smooth idle.
Oil and filter changes
Nothing protects a 1290 Super Adventure'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.
Fuel system care
Fuel injection on the 1290 Super Adventure needs little attention beyond decent fuel and an occasional system-cleaner additive. Anything left standing for three months or more should have its fuel drained and replaced before it varnishes the injectors.
2016 KTM 1290 Super Adventure - Frequently Asked Questions
What engine does the 2016 KTM 1290 Super Adventure have?
The 2016 KTM 1290 Super Adventure uses a V2, four-stroke engine with 1301 cc of displacement.
How much does the 2016 KTM 1290 Super Adventure weigh?
The 2016 KTM 1290 Super Adventure weighs 229 kg. This is the manufacturer's dry figure.
What is the fuel tank capacity of the 2016 KTM 1290 Super Adventure?
The 2016 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 2016 KTM 1290 Super Adventure suitable for shorter riders?
The 2016 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 2016 KTM 1290 Super Adventure have?
The 2016 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 2016 KTM 1290 Super Adventure use?
The 2016 KTM 1290 Super Adventure uses Injection, providing precise fuelling across the rev range and reliable cold-start behaviour.
What suspension does the 2016 KTM 1290 Super Adventure have?
The 2016 KTM 1290 Super Adventure uses WP Semi-active suspension USD ? 48 mm up front and WP Semi-active suspension 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
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
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Full 2016 KTM 1290 Super Adventure Specifications
Comments
Small windscreen. Ride-by-wire system. Switchable Bosch ABS.
Colours
Grey/silver
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
Bore x Stroke (in,)
4.3 x 3.0 inches
Bore x Stroke (mm)
108.0 x 75.0 mm
Displacement (cc)
1301.00 cc
Displacement (ci)
79.39 cubic inches
Engine Type
V2, four-stroke
Engine Detail
75° V arrangement
Fuel System
Injection
Engine Lubrication
Forced oil lubrication with 3 pumps
Ignition
Keihin EMS with RBW and cruise control, double ignition
Starter
Electric
Clutch
PASC slipper clutch, hydraulically actuated
Final Drive
Chain
Gearbox
6-speed
Primary Drive
5/8 x 5/16 X Ring. Primary drive: 40:76.
Frame Type
Chromium-Molybdenum steel trellis frame, powder coated
Suspension - Front
WP Semi-active suspension USD ? 48 mm
Suspension - Rear
WP Semi-active suspension 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.
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