KTM 1290 Super Adventure R specs: can you green lane it?
The KTM 1290 Super Adventure R weighs 245kg wet, has a seat height of 880mm and 242mm of ground clearance, and makes 160hp. Expect about 49 mpg, for a range of around 245 miles from its 23-litre tank.
4/10
Holloway Green Lane Score
Huge power and genuine off-road wheels in a package that rewards a strong, experienced rider, its weight is the real limiting factor on tight, muddy lanes. Rider ability, terrain, weather and tyre choice still move the real answer more than the bike alone does.
Four separate scores, not one blended number, so you can see what's actually driving it.
Beginner friendliness
2/5
Road usability
4/5
Technical off-road capability
2/5
Green-lane suitability
2/5
Full specs
Price (new, OTR)£18,199
Engine1301cc
Power160hp
Torque138Nm
Weight (wet)245kg
Seat height880mm
Fuel tank23L
Real-world range~245 mi
Economy~49 mpg
Wheels (f/r)21" / 18"
Ground clearance242mm
Suspension travel (f/r)220mm / 220mm
ABSYes
Traction controlYes
Ride modesYes
Service interval9,300 miles
Licence requiredA
Stock tyre sizes (f/r)90/90-21 / 150/70-18
Where the KTM 1290 Super Adventure R sits
Wet weight against ground clearance for every bike in the finder that publishes both. Light and tall, top left, is where the easiest green lane bikes sit. Tap a dot to open that bike.
Figures are manufacturer claims. Clearance is measured differently by different makers, so treat small gaps as a draw.
Will your feet reach?
The KTM 1290 Super Adventure R has a 880mm seat. Enter your inside leg for a rough idea of how much foot you'll get down when stopped.
A rough guide only. A wide seat needs more leg than a narrow one, the suspension settles 20 to 40mm under you, and boots add a little. Many bikes offer a low seat or lowering link. Sit on one before you buy.
Range against similar bikes
Real-world range from tank size and typical economy, against the bikes closest to it in weight and type. Out on the lanes, fuel stops are often further apart than on a road ride.
Range only. Hard off-road riding and headwinds use more fuel, so plan fuel stops with margin.
Tyres that fit the KTM 1290 Super Adventure R
It runs a 90/90-21 front and a 150/70-18 rear. 44 tyres in our Tyre Finder are made in at least one of those sizes, ranked by green lane score.
Sizes are for the standard UK model and can change between model years. Check the size on your own tyre sidewall, and ask your dealer before fitting a different size. Our size lists come from maker and retailer listings and can miss sizes, so a tyre shown for one end may still be made in your other size. Check the maker's size chart.
Owners describe the 1290 Super Adventure R as the king of high-horsepower adventure off-roading. Riders love the explosive 160hp V-twin for effortless road transit and tractor-like low-rpm hill climbing, supported by low-slung saddle tanks and 21"/18" tubeless wheels. However, owners caution that its 245kg mass and towering 880mm seat require physical strength and expert throttle control in tight, slippery ruts.
Pros for green laning
Proper 21"/18" tubeless wheels: a true off-road wheel combination on an open-class adventure bike, allowing fitment of heavy-duty knobby tyres with trailside plug convenience.
Low-slung 3-part saddle tank: the 23-litre tank distributes fuel weight down around the engine flanks, keeping low-speed balance manageable on open trails.
Competition-grade WP XPLOR suspension: 48mm split forks and PDS rear shock deliver 220mm of travel and 242mm clearance to soak up severe ditch drop-offs and rocky steps.
Immense 160hp/138Nm engine: massive low-rpm tractor pull lets the bike crawl up loose shale climbs in second gear without stalling.
Cons and limitations
Massive 245kg wet weight: in deep mud, peat bogs, or off-camber ruts, picking it up solo is physically exhausting and often requires assistance.
Tall 880mm seat: combined with a wide midsection, flat-foot dabbing in tricky, uneven ruts is intimidating for anyone without long legs.
Engine heat output: the 1,301cc V-twin radiates substantial heat onto the rider's lower body during slow, high-load first-gear technical crawling.
Based on manufacturer specifications and independent motorcycle press reviews.
Remember: a rank here assumes reasonable stock tyres and a competent rider in decent conditions. The right tyres, or the wrong weather, can move a lane from easy to genuinely hard regardless of what bike you're on. Check a lane's own difficulty and hazards on the map before you go, don't rely on a bike score alone.
Find where to actually ride it
Browse legal green lanes and byways across England and Wales, filtered by difficulty, on Holloway's map.
