In India, the BMW R 1300 GS is the flagship adventure motorcycle one would pick — primarily because there is no competition apart from the Triumph Tiger 1200. Globally, there are other options and one close competitor is the KTM. Now, with KTM having launched its adventure model – the 1290 Super Adventure S – customers have a choice. Here’s how KTM’s flagship adventure tourer for India compares against the finest German adventure touring motorcycle.
KTM 1290 Super Adventure S vs BMW R 1300 GS — A quick introduction
The KTM 1290 Super Adventure S was recently launched in India at Rs 22.74 lakh, ex-showroom. The Super Adventure S is a more road-focused tourer and gets a 48mm USD semi-active front suspension and a monoshock at the rear with full adjustability with 200mm travel. The motorcycle gets cast-alloy wheels wrapped in Mitas Terra Force R tyres.
The 1290 Super Adventure S gets a host of electronic aids such as traction control, cornering ABS, cruise control, motorcycle stability control, lean-sensitive traction control, a tyre pressure monitoring system, wheelie control, and more. The instrumentation is taken care of by a TFT dash with phone connectivity.
| Specifications | 1290 Super Adventure S | R 1300 GS |
| Suspension (F) | Adjustable USD | Telelever |
| Suspension (R) | Monoshock | Monoshock |
| Brakes (F) | 320 mm Disc | 310 mm Disc |
| Brakes (R) | 267 mm Disc | 285 mm Disc |
| Seat Height | 849 mm | 850 mm |
| Wheel (F) | 19-inch | 19-inch |
| Wheel (R) | 17-inch | 17-inch |
| Dash | TFT | TFT |
| Fuel Capacity | 23-litres | 19-litres |
| Weight | 220 kg | 237 kg |
| ABS | Dual-Channel, Cornering | Dual-Channel, Cornering |
| Traction Control | Yes | Yes |
The BMW R 1300 GS needs no introduction as the big GS range has been on sale in India for a while now. In its latest 1300 guise, the motorcycle has seen a big change in design and has lost bulk, giving it a sleeker look. The R 1300 GS continues the tradition with its telelever front suspension setup.
The R 1300 GS is better equipped for off-road as well, with spoke wheels compared to the 1290 Super Adventure’s on-road setup. The GS has the same suspension travel (200mm) and gets a host of electronic aids — from heated grips to a dynamic suspension that automatically lowers the bike when coming to a stop. Both motorcycles are neck and neck with electronic nannies.
KTM 1290 Super Adventure S vs BMW R 1300 GS — Engine specifications
Both motorcycles have big engines. They are twin-cylinder liquid-cooled units with a ton of power mated to a 6-speed gearbox. On paper, the KTM 1290 Super Adventure S makes more power and that is the same in real life as well. However, the GS has adequate power to last a rider a lifetime.
| Engine specifications | 1290 Super Adventure S | R 1300 GS |
| Displacement | 1301cc, V-twin | 1300 cc, Boxer-twin |
| Power | 158 bhp | 145 bhp |
| Torque | 138 Nm | 149 Nm |
| Gearbox | 6-Speed | 6-Speed |
Having ridden various generations of the GS – 1200 air-cooled to the latest 1300 – the engine is sweet and one can spend hours on the saddle while the nature of the motorcycle is calm. The KTM is a bit more aggressive when it comes to how the power is delivered and that’s how KTM likes their motorcycles to be.
