KTM 1190 Adventure R
Specs
Evolution: KTM’s flagship ADV gets larger wheels, longer-travel suspension, crashbars, and other off road-oriented additions
Price: $16799
Engine Type: I-c 75-deg. V-twin
Displacement: 1195cc
Bore x Stroke: 105.0 x 69.0 mm
Compression: 12.5:1
Fuel System: EFI, ride by wire
Clutch: Wet, multi-plate slipper
Transmission: 6-speed
Claimed Horsepower: 150.0 bhp @ 9500 rpm
Claimed torque: 92.0 lb.-ft @ 7500 rpm
Frame: Steel-tube trellis
Front/Rear Suspension: WP 48 mm fork adjustable for spring preload, compression, and rebound damping/ WP sock adjustable for spring preload, compression, and rebound damping
Front/Rear Brakes: Dual Brembo four-piston calipers, 320mm discs with ABS/ Brembo two-piston caliper, 267mm disc with ABS
Front/Rear Tires: 90/90-ZR21 Continental Conti TrailAttack2/ 150/70-ZR18 Continental Conti TrailAttack2
Rake/Trail: 26deg/5.1 in.
Seat Height: 35.0 in.
Wheelbase: 62.2 in.
Fuel Capacity: 6 gal.
Claimed Curb Weight: 478 lbs.
Color: White
Warranty: 24 months, 24000 miles
Adventure With a Capital A-D-V
Stop and Go
A Bosch Combined ABS system applies rear brake pressure when the front is activated but can also be switched to Off-Road mode, which disengages C-ABS and allows the rear wheel to lock. In the same vein, traction control changes via the aforementioned ride modes, with the least intervention in Off-Road. Both ABS and TC can be manually switched off, provided the bike is stopped.
Electronically similar to the standard model but with those few enduro tweaks, the R model is a real treat to ride when the pavement ends. The in-command seating position and nimble handling translate brilliantly to the dirt, while the off-road traction control will have any rider feeling like a hero, making lurid corner-exit drifts almost effortless. KTM’s TC closes the throttle butterflies, so while it doesn’t react as quickly as systems that cut fuel and/or spark, intervention is seamless.
Riding the Adventure
Overall, the suspension is sublime and will change your outlook as to what is possible on a bike this size.
Any time passed not engaging the TC or ABS will be spent admiring well-calibrated WP suspension pieces soaking up whatever terrain stands ahead. The 48mm fork will bottom out if the front wheel is driven hard into a ditch or deep hole. Preload adjustments on the shock seem to help the rear of the bike cope more easily, though its US-bound models of the R will have a stiffer rear spring, as well as more progressive front suspension compared to the Euro-Spec bikes.
It’s a machine truly worthy of the R moniker- and the Adventure name. KTM even goes a step further, calling the 1190 Adventure a travel enduro, and has the numbers to back this claim up.
If 6 gallons of gas, 9300 miles between oil changes, and double that for valve checks don’t make you want to get lost, then what will? You’ll need new tires before you need a wrench or a funnel. There is also an off-road/bad fuel dongle available that plugs into the ECU and allows the rider to tell the bike that low-octane fuel is being used so the engine doesn’t take damage itself.
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