2018 KTM 1290 Super Adventure S Receives CARB Certification
The California Air Resources Board has issued an executive order certifying the 2018 KTM 1290 Super Adventure S. Previously announced at EICMA last year alongside the Super Adventure R and T, the S version was offered in other markets but did not join its siblings in the U.S. as 2017 models. The CARB certification suggests that will change for 2018.
The S model is the more street-focused version of the Super Adventure platform, alongside the more off-road capable R and touring oriented T model. Like the Super Adventure T, the S model offers semi-active suspension, but it has the smaller gas tank found on the R model (6.1 gallons, compared to the T’s 7.9-gallon fuel capacity). The S is also the lightest of the Super Adventure models, claiming a dry weight of 474 pounds (versus 478 pounds for the R and 489 pounds for the T version).
Differentiating it from its siblings, the Super Adventure S uses cast wheels, with a 19-inch wheel up front and an 18-inch wheel at the rear.
The CARB document lists the same emissions as the R model, so we expect the engine to be the same 1301cc V-Twin derived from the Super Duke R, claiming 158 hp at 8750 rpm. Of course, all of this information is assuming no changes from the 2017 models. We don’t expect any changes, as these models were just announced last year, but we can’t rule out any minor updates.
We’ll find out for sure when KTM has not officially announced the 1290 Super Adventure S, but we expect it will be included when the Austrian company announces the rest of its 2018 U.S. lineup.
Dennis has been a part of the Motorcycle.com team since 2008, and through his tenure, has developed a firm grasp of industry trends, and a solid sense of what's to come. A bloodhound when it comes to tracking information on new motorcycles, if there's a new model on the horizon, you'll probably hear about it from him first.
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Hoping the 1090 Adventure S makes it here too. The black one please. Should easily outperform the Multistrada 950 and the V- Strom 1000 on both paved and dirt roads. These three are the best all around, do everything streetbikes if you're tall and can't or don't want to spend $20K+, and the bike that's most likely the class of this class isn't available here. Some Euro reviewers even preferred the 1090 to the 1290. While most American buyers go for the dirtiest version, many of us really appreciate these for what they really are. A roomier sport standard (especially for passengers), with better wind protection, luggage capacity, touring ability, and dirt road stability. Bring on the S models!
Looks pretty awesome... wonder what it'll cost?