Intermot: New 1090 Adventure models from KTM

The Ready-to-Race brand has just introduced two new adventure bikes based on its 1090 platform, an update of the 1050 series.

The KTM 1090 Adventure and the 1090 Adventure R are two sides of the same coin; the first bike is aimed at asphalt-biased use, the second is the version intended for true offroad hoonery. This is a well-established pattern with adventure bikes over the past few years, particularly with the Euro manufacturers.

So what do you get for your money? The 1090 Adventure has cast alloy wheels, which are only suitable for light offroad use. There’s a 19-inch wheel up front and a 17-inch wheel in back. Suspension for the street-friendly model is provided by WP (43 mm USD forks, 185 mm of travel, and WP shock with 190 mm of travel, adjustable for preload and rebound damping). Seat height is 850 mm, and the tires are Metzeler Tourance units (110/70 R19 front, 150/70 R17 rear).

The engine itself is an upgraded version of the previous 1050 V-twin (same engine capacity), putting out 125 hp and 80 lb-ft of torque. Some markets also have a 95 hp version available, which can be restricted even further for beginners. Along with the engine, both models have a steel trellis frame (the street model is painted black, not orange), slipper clutch, and electronics packages. Both models also receive adjustable windshield and controls.

The Adventure R model has improved suspension (again, from WP) for off-road use (220 mm of travel for the 48 mm front forks, with stiffer springs) as well as 21/18 wheel sizes (spoked, not cast wheels, for durability in the dirt). The suspension is adjustable for rebound, compression, and damping, to improve stability in the dirt.

Tires are Continental TKC80s, and there’s an off-road mode for ABS which allows you to lock up the rear but not the front.

GALLERY

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The street model is easier to throw a leg over, and comes with less aggressive suspension.