2021 KTM 1290 Super Adventure Revealed in Patent Filings

KTM has filed a patent application for a new low-slung saddle-shaped fuel tank, and the illustrations suggest it will be used on a new 1290 Super Adventure. KTM first introduced the rally-style tank design on the 790 Adventure R, and a similar design has since made it to the 890 and 390 Adventure models. It seems natural, then, that we would see the 1290 Super Adventure get a similar design.

The illustrations included in the patent, filed in May with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office following an earlier filing in Germany, show two depictions of the same motorcycle, with and without tank covers and a seat. As illustrated below, the engine appears to be the 1290 Adventure’s 75° V-Twin and a trellis frame and subframe that is similar in structure, but with a few changes. We used the engine and swingarm pivot as the common point of reference here, because that gave us the closest comparison.

From the juxtaposition, it looks like the seat is lower on the frame than on the 2020 model; that doesn’t necessarily mean the seat height is lower, as we used the engine and not the wheel position as the common reference point. The windscreen, however, is significantly taller than the one on the 2020 model. We can only see the side of the headlight, but we expect it will have a new design to accommodate the Bosch radar unit to enable adaptive cruise control. KTM previously discussed testing the system on a 1290 Super Adventure S, so it shouldn’t be a surprise to see it on the 2021 model. We should also expect a rear-facing radar unit for blind spot detection.

The illustrations show wire spoke wheels, with helpfully-labelled Pirelli Scorpion Trail II tires. Showing the tire labels is a bit unusual for a patent illustration, but Pirellis are the stock tires for the 1290 Super Adventure S. The lack of engine bars suggest the drawing is of the S model, but we expect the S will come with cast wheels while the wire spoke wheels will come on the R model.

A large part of the patent deals with the tank’s venting. When you fill a tank with gas, you need somewhere for the air to exit. Each half of the tank has two vent tubes; a lower main tube and a secondary tube mounted higher with a valve. As the tank begins to fill, air is vacated through the lower tube. Once the fuel reaches the level of the lower tube, the gas starts to fill the central reservoir (labelled #17 in the figure above). As you continue adding fuel, the valves on the secondary tubes open, letting the air at the top of the two side tanks out and allowing the fuel in the reservoir to flow out.

The patent also mentions one interesting aspect of the fuel filler cap: it can be locked electromagnetically. Instead of using a key, the cap can be locked or unlocked remotely.

KTM typically announces its adventure models at EICMA, but with no motorcycle shows this year, we expect an announcement to come later this month.