2016 KTM 1290 Super Adventure

KTM's flagship adventure-tourer for 2016, the 1290 Super Adventure sits at the top of the Austrian brand's travel-focused lineup, built for riders who want serious performance without giving up long-distance comfort. This is a big, purposeful machine, with a V-twin that delivers its power in a broad, usable spread rather than a peaky rush, which matters when you're loaded with luggage and covering ground on unfamiliar roads. It rewards confident riders who like to cover big mileage in a day, whether that's a fire road detour or a flat-out autobahn run, and the electronics package underneath makes that power manageable rather than intimidating. Ownership means staying on top of valve checks and suspension service given the performance ceiling this bike operates at. The 2016 model carried over without significant mechanical changes from the prior year — buyers comparing it to a 2015 example should focus on mileage, service history, and condition rather than spec differences. Typical buyers are experienced riders moving up from smaller adventure bikes or naked machines who want more capability for touring and occasional off-road work, often former GS owners looking for something with more character. Collector interest remains low, so this is a buy-to-ride proposition rather than an investment.