KTM’s Powerful New Adventure Bike Raises a Controversial Question

On the hit nineties sitcom Home Improvement, Tim “The Toolman” Taylor’s relentless pursuit of more power was a consistent source of cheap laughs, as it inevitably ended badly.

Meanwhile, in the motorcycle world, more power is almost always celebrated. It typically translates to higher torque, better acceleration and greater overall speed, all good things.

KTM

Yet I find myself reassessing the logic with the news of KTM’s latest off-road behemoth, the 2026 1390 Super Adventure R.

Yes, it essentially brings superbike-level performance to the trails, but at what cost?

The upsides

Before even touching that question, let’s look at this new bike’s highlights, of which there are many. 

First of all, of course, is the power. The engine size has been boosted significantly versus its predecessor, from 1301cc to 1350cc, translating to a formidable 173 horsepower and 107 ft-lbs of torque. 

KTM

The bike is tougher and more capable too, courtesy of a more protective engine guard, stiffer frame and beefier suspension, including a 48mm WP XPLOR split cartridge fork and a WP XPLOR Progressive Damping System (PDS) shock in back. 

Additional updates include revamped bodywork, LED headlight, a low-profield, trail-oriented windshield and loads of onboard storage via the option to add a top case and/or side cases.

KTM

Like pretty much any premium modern bike, the Super Adventure R doesn’t skimp on the tech, headlined here by a generous vertically oriented 8-inch TFT display that taps into a host of features, including four standard ride modes — Rain, Street, Sport and Offroad — plus a Custom one you set yourself.

You also have the option to add Rally, which provides maximum power with up to nine levels of slip adjustment and the ability, in KTM’s words, “to hoist the front wheel to clear obstacles, while Offroad ABS is activated, allowing the rear to be locked up in tight corners.”

The question mark

All these features are undoubtedly quite awesome — and the images of a pro rider shredding dirt on this bike, pulling wheelies and even catching air in the backcountry are certainly inspiring. 

But read the fine print — or simply the dimensions — and you may think twice, as along with all that power comes a curb weight of 546 pounds on top of a seat height of nearly 35 inches.

KTM

Those two factors alone add up to a tough pill for many adventure riders —  especially those who are smaller or have less experience — as the strength and skill required to comfortably handle such a bike are lofty.

In fairness to KTM, this beast isn’t even the heaviest adventure bike out there, with Harley’s latest Pan-America 1250 Special weighing in at BMW’s new R1300GS Adventure tipping the scales at 593 pounds.

KTM

Riding the original, slightly lighter 1250 Special years ago, I learned that with the right technique, just about anyone can pick up this big bike solo. But as a colleague pointed out this morning, imagine trying to do that in the mud. 

Throw in the fact that this bike’s little brother, the KTM 890 Adventure R, can dominate tarmac and trails nearly as well at a running weight that sheds 72 pounds and a starting price that’s $5,350 less, and the phrase “diminishing returns” comes to mind.

The 1390 Super Adventure R does have more power, though.

Availability and pricing

The 2026 KTM 1390 Super Adventure R rolls into dealerships next month at a starting price of $21,649.

KTM

2026 KTM 1390 Super Adventure R

Bringing superbike performance (and a 546-pound curb weight) to the trails, this mega ADV sees its engine grow from 1301cc to 1350cc, translating to a formidable 173 horsepower and 107 ft-lbs of torque. The latest edition is also tougher, more capable and higher tech, boasting a vertically oriented 8-inch TFT display that taps into a host of features, including four standard ride modes — Rain, Street, Sport and Offroad — plus a Custom one you set yourself.

• Starts at $21,649

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