Have the 2018 KTM SAS since half a year. Bought it with 7000 km and now I am on 17000 km. I live in Peru and we have some of the most awesome mountain roads with twisty turns and passes of 5000 Meter plus. Did a day ride from the pacific shore to Lake Titicaca in one day, riding from 0 to 4870 Meters ending the day in 4000 at Puno. What fun this bike is! Did a tour last March with my wife from Peru - Bolivia - Argentina - Chile and back to Peru. No issues at all so far. My wife never had any comfort issues and enjoyed the ride, apart from crossing the mad traffic cities of El Alto and Potosi in Bolivia, where you cross red lights, because the guys behind you won't stop. Love the bike and she is so much fun to ride and flips trough the switch backs with such pleasure. Ride safe!

KTM FOR EVER!!! KTM is the best in off-road and road..... it´s a crazy driving this bike!! smile all day

Can confirm, my 2017 gets at worst 49.5mpg when riding half idiot and half commuting. Just did a 300 miles jour ey with average of 53mpg. Amazing bike!

100% agree with the tyres, Michelin road 6 have transformed mine.

Every bit as fast as a Multi while using 60% less fuel and costs 33% less. Brain and heart says 'Yes'. Bank account and a full garage say 'No'.

Great review. Have my ‘21 SAS for a year now, 24000km on it: daily commuting and the odd weekend trip. I upgraded the following: - ergo heated seats: well worth it - Puig Wind screen: I’m a tall 186cm rider so the stock windscreen gave me buffeting - Denali D3 Fogs with amber filter, connected to the EzCAN bus - Crash Bars and top case Absolutely agree on the MITAS tires. I rode the ANLAS winter tires through the cold, wet months and then switched to Michelin Road 5’s

Your videos are absolutely fantastic! Thank you, for the great content. I'm in the market for a touring motorcycle with occasional gravel road jaunts. The KTM 1290 Super Adventure S is one of my top candidates.

12K miles on mine: I didn't think I'd like the ACC, but now I use it all the time. Economy is outstanding, getting 60mpg on A road\ motorway runs! Hate the standard seat, hate the damn indicator switch. Dynamic suspension isn't that good, I use manual suspension settings option (buy the Suspension Pro option if you go with standard 1290, it's worth it). Agree on the handlebars mod, might do that one day. Waiting for Scorpion to bring out a replacement end can (good quality, reasonable price, decent sound, half the weight, UK made). Crash-bars are a must, assuming you can get them.

Again a great video on the KTM SA 1290. I bought one based on your comparison of KTM and Ducati V4S. I did not regrett it so far and can just confirm all yo said. Interesting ideas on weight saving, I might consider this

I went for the R version for its traditional WP Xplore suspensions that are just excellent, they work way better for me than the electronic one on the S version on bad roads. Thank you for this review.

I have installed the Arrow Sonora on my 2022 1290 SAS for the weight savings and love it. As mentioned, the Ergo heated seat along with heated grips just makes this a better long distance touring machine for those days you need a some extra warmth.

Once again, a great balanced review, just like your comparison with the Multi V4. 14k miles in with mine and it's been faultless. Also, that Arrow can... it makes a HUGE difference to the noise, especially with the removable baffle. Pops and burbles a lot. Heated seat, crash bars etc all made a big difference too. Nice one as usual!

Wow... My best friend, Made an excellent video. I really liked it. Beauty is extraordinary. Thank you very much for the video.

Cześć! Zamowilem juz ktm super adventure 1290 r 2023 nowy z salonu mam nadzieję, że nie będę żałował zostawiając moją ATAS 1000 DCT ta skrzynia to poezja. Nie wiem jak nauczę się zmieniać biegi w ktm😂

When I bought my last new motorcycle, I made it a condition that it be delivered with different tires. the dealer was surprised. He said that customers wanted all kinds of extras in accessories, but that there has never been a customer before who wanted to have different tires fitted on delivery. This, while in my opinion this is most important. It’s a pity that many manufacturers make quality concessions with regard to tires in order to reduce the catalog price.

My favourite Adventure Bike ❤️😍😍

Love my 1290S after numerous GS's, I've put Conti TR3 on there brilliant tyres.

I currently have a Street Triple but thinking of a change to Start Touring so Test drove the new 24 sas I didn’t give it the Beans or open it up but it felt light and nimble and went where you looked very easily it also has excellent wind protection,going to test drive the new Tiger 900 and 1200 gt-pro in a couple of days then make my choice.

It was a well made and interesting video. I’ve sold my KTM Superduke 1290 GT recently and am considering one of these as a replacement. Looks like a good bike, I would invest in changing the tyres before the spending money on the exhaust and see no point in changing a battery to save weight. The average rider isn’t going to see a button of difference in doing that for road riding.

The stock Mitas tires on my '22 SAS are done at nearly 4000 miles. Considering the SAS is still quite capable offroad (and that is comparing the SAS to the SAR) KTM could have gone with a 70/30 tire. I live the ACC and it is functioning quite well. I use 'Auto' mode for long highway stints and it works well too. I am most impressed with the fuel economy. I averaged 47mpg on a recent 2000 mile trip...and that included riding up Pikes Peak and 75-80mph the entire trip.

No brainer for me.. Having ridden both, the K.T.M. is a winner in every way.. Add to that better m.p.g. and weight along with £7000 cheaper... Like the Harley the KTM is an individual choice, not following others....

Man you can ride, respect.

Great, fun & informative video. Keep up the good work

I have a 2022 1290 SAS. It is a great bike. It does, however, have typical Ktm reliability issues. Right now I’m dealing with a coolant leak that won’t go away. I will say this, in my opinion adaptive cruise control is a stupid, expensive gimmick for a motorcycle. It is completely unnecessary. Who the hell follows other vehicles on the highway when you’re on a 160 hp KTM? Give me a break. I’ve never used the feature on mine and never will.

A balanced review with most of the points agreed upon, however I have just come from a H-D Pan American 1250S which had Michelin Scorcher tyres as standard and wiped the board with the unpleasant Mitas tyres which lack feel even in the dry. H-D's hill hold remained on from the point you applied the brakes to the time you moved off. It was only software based and was altered after much criticism. Its a pity KTM didn't do likewise as like the Radar cruise control, once you've tried it, its hard to go back to an inferior system. One thing I am amazed you didn't mention, is the indicator switch - on a bike that costs as much as the 1290S, I expect something a little better. Its like something off a Eastern Asian rip off..... I also get a bit pee'd off with the clanking of the chain on the guard over bumps.... All in all its a good attempt by KTM, but could do with a good number of refining points to make it utterly brilliant.....

If you enjoy your Off Rd,rather get the 1290R and setup your suspension properly,get proper hand guards,pannier racks(Act as crash bars),rally foot pegs etc.The bike maybe be a bit big but it is surprsingly agile in the lower gears.The motor is a peach.Thanks.

Love my 2015 Multistrada I could never find that headlight good looking!!! 😀😀😀🏍🏍🍺🍺🍺

a dream motorbike for me 😍

Bonjour,pourquoi ne pas avoir choisi la 1290 Adventure R? Plus adapter adapter à vos routes

Seat position is amazing On those. But Why everybody sell them due to service costs etc? :/. Are ktm really so bad?

Great video. As a owner of a SAS i agree with most points. Ich added crash bars and Pirelli Rally STRs. Even so i find the Mitas ok on the road (dry and wet). Just not good on gravel. On point i absolutely disagree is TC electronics. Maybe you are missing the Tech Pack with Rally Mode? With TC on level 2 or 3 i can do big drifts in the dirt and wheelies are no problem. What's also interesting is that the austrian guys from 1000PS measured the SAS at 246KG and the V4S at 255KG and the GS 1250 with crash bars 266kg. Overall I really love this bike. Only sometimes i think of upgrading to a SAR. But the lower seat, the electronic suspension and ACC say NO. :D

I turned hill hold off, pain in the but when manouvering backwards, kept coming on and nearly had me off.

Where can I find in UK that Arrow Sonara exhaust in UK? I mean can you please advise which shop sells them in UK 🇬🇧? Otherwise great insightful video with clear sections. Probably the best review of KTM 1290 Super Adventure 🎉🎉. Keep up the good work ❤

I've swapped the Mitas for Conti Trail Attack 3 and everything is better now. The Mitas are too hard and only work well when really hot. I've not considered an aftermarket exhaust until you mentioned the weight loss. That made me think. The lithium battery is also a nice tip. Crash bars and heated power part seat are a must. What I find silly is that not every setting is available for the custom switch, for instance the suspension mode. I much more often change that than the engine mode.

👍👍awesome>>

@Knox Have the 'bugs' been fixed by KTM? A lot of the review videos are 2 years old. I'd be interested to know if the later versions of 1290 have been updated. Having waited for the R1300GS to start shipping, and lusted over the V4 Rally, I have decided the KTM 1290 SAS is the one to keep my R1200RT company. The V4 Rally is a really nice machine, but the cost is difficult for me to justify.

The fuel economy is a massive deal for 3 reasons: 1. Range 2. Wet Weight 3. Cost of Ownership And all of this for way less cost.

I traded in my 1290 sas just after 6 months and 2954 miles. The indicator cancellation doesn't work most of the time. Switches have moisture inside. The adaptive cruise control has issues for no apparent reason, ramming the bike into vehicles out front. My biggest disappointment was that coming from my 2018 v strom 1000 , I was expecting a bit more performance. The acceleration is fine, but you simply cannot go past 120mph due to a death wobble that starts at around 118mph. A lot of others have the same issue, it is the aerodynamics that cannot be altered. Also the frontal area even with an aftermarket screen which is taller and wider, is simply not enough/ set up properly resulting in horrible wind noise and buffeting. I tried the multi strada and the gs and the 1100 AT. All of them are much better.

A great review !

I own (and love) my 701 enduro, but lately the wife has been interested in riding two up. Same with my son when he gets a bit older. When the time comes, do you think a 1290 SAR could be the next step if I only can have one bike to do everything with? I load up my bikes with gear and ride TETs all over Europe, but with my 701 I can’t do trips with a pillion, and I don’t want to lose too much offroad capability. Interested in your thoughts as I know you really like the 701 too. Excellent video as always.

i love 1290 R

STOP IT. I must not buy this bike..............! Keep up the great content, loving your work. BTW, is Olly Mr LeanTuckTwist?

Thanks for great video.. But no one mentioned difference between 2022-2023 model is the engine the same? How about electronics? etc.. ist worth to buy 2023 model or shal i buy 2022 model? Thank you.

How has the reliability been with it?

Good review I have done 15k on mine 2021 1290 agree with most of what you say but you should have also said how much easier the bike is to wheel around out of garage, in gravel car parks etc etc. Just come back from Taluvia Italy and we did all kinds of passes and the kangaroo you mentioned never happened ? our electronics were smooth and the WP suspension in auto mode worked relay well. My pet hate of the bike is the Headlight a sit can't be turned of and when you have dry on its switches and some car drivers think your flashing them out of auction etc... But that said what a bike i had the Multi v4 and then bought the KTM 1290 far better bike in lots of reasons.. V2 more fun... A question do Knox do armour for fatties?

Great vid mate 👍. I've just had mine in for its 1st year service (7200 mi) and I agree with everything you said, esp with how shite the Shiteus tyres are! Whoever came up with that idea at KTM needs to be fired. Because I'm 90% road riding I put Road 6 tyres on and it's made the world of difference, esp in the wet which is where the Shiteus tyres are dangerous in my opinion (as illustrated here by myself 💩 kzfaq.info/get/bejne/j9eDqZqCxrHUqmg.html). I've had a fair few electric faults with it and I'm currently waiting delivery of some front discs (under warranty) as I've somehow managed to warp them 😐. Great bike, dispite it's flaws, let's hope they can iron out some of the issues as we go forward. Safe riding pal 🏍️💨

I have a question that perhaps someone here can answer: what's the payload on the 1290S? KTM does this weight on front/rear axle but I'm wondering if someone has just a simple number.

Great summary. I bought one 🤣

Spelling error on weight management text.

How does it compare to BMW S1000 XR..🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔

Thanks to ktm for keeping these other over priced bikes. Ripping people off.

To much tec but love the brand own 2.

60% more economical than Multistrada...whaaaat...Hows that even possible.😰😰😰

Ready to repair

it's a very ugly bike, version after version

what an advertising. disgusting