JUST REVEALED! 2015 KTM 1290 Super Adventure

It's hard to improve upon the KTM 1190 Adventure; after all, it's such a sweet ride that we named it the Best Adventure Bike of 2014. KTM, though, has managed to up the ante for 2015 with the new 1290 Super Adventure, a sport-touring version of our award winner that will be revealed to the public September 30 at the Intermot show in Cologne, Germany.

Essentially, KTM has put the gnarly 1301cc twin from the 1290 Super Duke R into the chassis of the 1190, which will continue be sold in 2015. Although details about the upcoming KTM 1290 Super Adventure are scarce at the moment, we do know it's positioned by the Austrian company as more of a high-end sport-tourer than an ADV bike, one that's designed to compete with bikes such as the Aprilia Caponord and Ducati Multistrada more than, say, the BMW R1200GS.

To that end, the Super Adventure looks more luxurious than an 1190, and a significantly larger fuel tank will take you farther. What’s more, the windscreen looks taller, with a lip with near its upper edge, and there are new vents in the side covers to help the 1301cc LC8 V-twin expel more heat.

We also expect a more advanced electronics suite. Stability control, developed with Bosch, will be standard on the bike, as will traction control and ABS, both with multiple presets designed to enhance safety without stealing too much enjoyment from the rider. We also expect cruise control to be standard on this new KTM, given its long-range capabilities.

No word yet on when the 2015 KTM 1290 Super Adventure will go on sale, but we suspect it will arrive early next year. This much we do know: With an engine we relish in a chassis that’s superb, the Super Adventure looks like it will have a bright future.