KTM reveals 1090 Adventure and 1090 Adventure R

1050 Adventure becomes 1090 Adventure

KTM reveals 1090 Adventure and 1090 Adventure R

KTM HAS just revealed its new entry-level adventure bike – the 1090 Adventure. Effectively a heavily updated version of the 1050 Adventure, the 1090 platform is comprised of the road-biased 1090 Adventure which is now joined by the 1090 Adventure R, which is more geared up for off-road riding.

As well as the on and off-road versions, the 1090 Adventure is also available in two power options – full power, which is 125hp (a 30hp hike over the 1050) and one at 95hp, which can be restricted for A2 licence holders.

The 125hp of the full-fat bike isn’t the result of an increase in engine capacity; both models are powered by the same LC8 1,050cc V-Twin engine. Torque for the unrestrictble bike is 80.39lb/ft.

Both model employ lightweight box pistons, twin spark ignition and various DLC-coated parts.

They share a steel trellis frame and are equipped with a slipper clutch, traction control, ABS and a range of riding modes plus the same twin-screen VDO dash with twin LCD screen and bar-mounted selection switch.

Fuel capacity is 23 litres.

Both models have also received minor cosmetic changes courtesy of revised graphics and colours.

The handlebar, foot pegs, levers and screens of both bikes can be adjusted across several positions to suit different sized riders and different rider preferences.

Differences are apparent in the suspension, wheels, tyres and electronics options. See below for more details on each bike.

1090 Adventure

The 1090 Adventure is the road-biased 1090, which is why it rolls on cast alloy wheels (19 inch front, 17 inch rear) and comes on Metzeler Tourance Next tyres.

Stopping duties are handled by a set of Brembo brakes, with a pair of four-piston radial calipers and 320mm discs at the front.

Suspension at the front comes from 43mm upside down WP forks with 185mm of travel. In the rear there’s a WP shock, adjustable for preload and rebound damping, providing 190mm travel.

Electronics features include traction control and ride modes, but with this being an entry-level bike, there’s none of the lean angle sensitive stuff you get on KTM’s more costly models.

The 95hp version is restrictable to 48hp and KTM says the bike’s dry weight is 205kg.

1090 Adventure R

Are you a purist who ‘craves an elementary style of riding enjoyment, delivered by a genuine, rugged adventure bike’? If you are, KTM says that this is the bike for you, adding that the 1090 Adventure R is about ‘travel enduro’.

To that end there are a couple of obvious changes over the 1090 Adventure, like the orange crash bars (which match the R’s orange frame). The R also has larger spoked wheels – 21 inch at the front and 18 inch at the rear and knobbly Continental TKC 80 Twinduro tyres.

There’s extra suspension travel too with 220mm available at both ends thanks to the upside down 48mm WP forks with stiffer springs and fully adjustable PDS shock by WP at the rear. Front and rear suspension is adjustable for preload, compression and rebound damping.

In addition to riding modes on the 1090 Adventure, the R also gains an off-road mode that disables the ABS at the rear wheel.

The seat is also shaped to allow for ease of mobility during off-road riding and the R weighs 2kg more than the Adventure.