BMW R 1250 GS Adventure 2021 vs. KTM 1290 Super Adventure S 2021

BMW R 1250 GS Adventure 2021

BMW R 1250 GS Adventure 2021

KTM 1290 Super Adventure S 2021

KTM 1290 Super Adventure S 2021

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Overview - BMW R 1250 GS Adventure 2021 vs KTM 1290 Super Adventure S 2021

The BMW R 1250 GS Adventure 2021 and the KTM 1290 Super Adventure S 2021 are both enduro motorcycles that offer powerful engines and advanced rider assistance systems. However, there are some key differences between the two models.

In terms of engine specifications, the BMW R 1250 GS Adventure is equipped with a Boxer engine with a displacement of 1254cc, producing 136 horsepower and 143 Nm of torque. On the other hand, the KTM 1290 Super Adventure S features a V2 engine with a displacement of 1301cc, delivering 160 horsepower and 138 Nm of torque. This gives the KTM a slight advantage in terms of power output.

Both motorcycles have electric starters and offer different transmission systems. The BMW R 1250 GS Adventure has a prop shaft transmission, while the KTM 1290 Super Adventure S has a chain transmission.

In terms of suspension, the BMW R 1250 GS Adventure features a Telelever front suspension with a diameter of 37mm and a travel of 210mm. The rear suspension is a single swing arm with a monoshock and a travel of 220mm. On the other hand, the KTM 1290 Super Adventure S is equipped with an upside-down telescopic fork front suspension with a diameter of 48mm and a travel of 200mm. The rear suspension is a swing arm with a monoshock and a travel of 200mm. Both motorcycles offer various adjustments for preload, rebound, and compression.

BMW R 1250 GS Adventure 2021

BMW R 1250 GS Adventure 2021

In terms of chassis, the BMW R 1250 GS Adventure has a steel frame with a load-bearing engine, while the KTM 1290 Super Adventure S has a chromium-molybdenum tubular frame.

Both motorcycles have double disk brakes at the front, providing excellent stopping power. They also offer advanced rider assistance systems such as ABS, cornering ABS, traction control, and ride-by-wire technology. The KTM 1290 Super Adventure S has additional features like cruise control.

In terms of dimensions and weights, the BMW R 1250 GS Adventure has a wheelbase of 1504mm and a seat height ranging from 890mm to 910mm. It has a kerb weight of 268kg and a fuel tank capacity of 30 liters. On the other hand, the KTM 1290 Super Adventure S has a slightly longer wheelbase of 1560mm and a lower seat height ranging from 849mm to 869mm. It has a kerb weight of 243kg and a fuel tank capacity of 23 liters.

KTM 1290 Super Adventure S 2021

KTM 1290 Super Adventure S 2021

Both motorcycles are equipped with cornering lights, LED headlights, TFT displays, and adjustable windscreens. The BMW R 1250 GS Adventure also offers additional features like heated seats and a great connectivity app.

In terms of strengths, the BMW R 1250 GS Adventure offers practical details for frequent riders, a gigantic range, low fuel consumption, good wind and weather protection, great ride comfort, and a confident feeling in the saddle. It also has a powerful engine, great connectivity app, easy-to-read display, and great ergonomics for tall people. The KTM 1290 Super Adventure S, on the other hand, offers a very sporty yet cultivated V2 power plant, accessible handling despite its high weight, a comfortable driving-friendly seating position, good brakes including cornering ABS, a comprehensive electronics package, and a clear, well-structured instrumentation with a large 7-inch display.

In terms of weaknesses, the BMW R 1250 GS Adventure has a high weight that can strain when maneuvering, somewhat stiff gearshifts at low revs, and a jagged appearance with little elegance. The KTM 1290 Super Adventure S has a somewhat sluggish turn-in behavior in bends, an opaque package design and pricing policy, and dashboards and switches that do not feel very high quality.

Overall, both the BMW R 1250 GS Adventure 2021 and the KTM 1290 Super Adventure S 2021 offer powerful engines, advanced rider assistance systems, and a range of features. The choice between the two will depend on personal preferences, riding style, and priorities.

Technical Specifications BMW R 1250 GS Adventure 2021 compared to KTM 1290 Super Adventure S 2021

BMW R 1250 GS Adventure 2021
KTM 1290 Super Adventure S 2021

Engine and Drive Train

Engine typeEngine typeBoxerEngine typeV
BoreBore102.5 mmBore108 mm
StrokeStroke76 mmStroke71 mm
Engine powerEngine power136 HPEngine power160 HP
Rpm at Max. PowerRpm at Max. Power7,750 rpmRpm at Max. Power8,750 rpm
TorqueTorque143 NmTorque138 Nm
Rpm at TorqueRpm at Torque6,250 rpmRpm at Torque6,750 rpm
Compression RatioCompression Ratio12.5 Compression Ratio13.1
Fuel systemFuel systemInjectionFuel systemInjection
Throttle BoreThrottle Bore52 mmThrottle Bore52 mm
StarterStarterElectricStarterElectric
Clutch TypeClutch TypeAntihoppingClutch TypeMultiplate in oil-bath
TransmissionTransmissionProp shaftTransmissionChain
Transmission TypeTransmission TypeGearshiftTransmission TypeGearshift
Number of gearsNumber of gears6Number of gears6
CylindersCylinders2Cylinders2
StrokesStrokes4-StrokeStrokes4-Stroke
Valves per cylinderValves per cylinder4Valves per cylinder4
ValvesValvesDOHCValvesDOHC
CoolingCoolingliquid-airCoolingliquid
DisplacementDisplacement1,254 ccmDisplacement1,301 ccm

Suspension Front

Front suspensionFront suspensionTeleleverFront suspensionUpside-Down telescopic fork
DiameterDiameter37 mmDiameter48 mm
TravelTravel210 mmTravel200 mm
AdjustmentAdjustmentPreloadAdjustmentCompression, Preload, Rebound

Suspension Rear

SuspensionSuspensionSingle swing armSuspensionSwing arm
Shock absorberShock absorberMonoshockShock absorberMonoshock
TravelTravel220 mmTravel200 mm
AdjustmentAdjustmentPreload, ReboundAdjustmentCompression, Preload, Rebound
MaterialMaterialAluminiumMaterialAluminium

Chassis

FrameFrameSteelFrameChromium-molybdenum
Frame typeFrame typeLoad-bearing engineFrame typeTubular
RakeRake65.1 degreeRake65.3 degree

Brakes Front

TypeTypeDouble diskTypeDouble disk
DiameterDiameter305 mmDiameter320 mm
PistonPistonFour pistonsPistonFour pistons
ActuationActuationHydraulicActuationHydraulic
TechnologyTechnologyradialTechnologyradial

Brakes Rear

TypeTypeDiscTypeDisc
DiameterDiameter276 mmDiameter267 mm
PistonPistonDouble pistonPistonDouble piston
Shock mountShock mountFloating caliperShock mountFixed caliper

Assistance Systems

Advanced Rider Assistance SystemsAdvanced Rider Assistance SystemsABS, Anti-slipping control, Hill start assist, Suspension electronically adjustable, Riding modes, Cornering ABS, Ride by WireAdvanced Rider Assistance SystemsSuspension electronically adjustable, Riding modes, Cornering ABS, Ride by Wire, Cruise control, Traction control

Dimensions and Weights

Front tyre widthFront tyre width120 mmFront tyre width120 mm
Front tyre heightFront tyre height70 %Front tyre height70 %
Front tyre diameterFront tyre diameter19 inchFront tyre diameter19 inch
Rear tyre widthRear tyre width170 mmRear tyre width170 mm
Rear tyre heightRear tyre height60 %Rear tyre height60 %
Rear tyre diameterRear tyre diameter17 inchRear tyre diameter17 inch
WheelbaseWheelbase1,504 mmWheelbase1,560 mm
Seat HeightSeat Height890 mmSeat Height849 mm
Seat Height up toSeat Height up to910 mmSeat Height up to869 mm
Kerb Weight (with ABS)Kerb Weight (with ABS)268 kgKerb Weight (with ABS)243 kg
Fuel Tank CapacityFuel Tank Capacity30 lFuel Tank Capacity23 l
License compliancyLicense compliancyALicense compliancyA

Equipment

EquipmentEquipmentCornering lights, LED daytime running lights, LED-Headlights, Heated seat, TFT display, Windscreen adjustableEquipmentCornering lights, LED-Headlights, TFT display, Windscreen adjustable

Pros and Cons in comparison

Pros and Cons in comparison

BMW R 1250 GS Adventure 2021

BMW R 1250 GS Adventure 2021

The Adventure is the ultimate touring machine. The high seat height limits the target group, as does the high price. But if you overcome these two hurdles, you get a magnificent mile-eater. The engine shakes all kinds of driving fun out of its sleeves. The low fuel consumption in combination with the gigantic 30-litre tank ensures an incredibly long range.

Practical details for frequent riders on board

Gigantic range

Amazingly low fuel consumption

Good wind and weather protection

Great ride comfort

Powerful engine

Great connectivity app

Easy-to-read display

Great ride comfort

Confident feeling in the saddle

Pleasant seating position for pillion passenger

Practical riding aids

Great headlights

Great ergonomics for tall people

Easy to ride

High weight strains when manoeuvring

gearshifts somewhat stiff at low revs

jagged appearance with little elegance

KTM 1290 Super Adventure S 2021

KTM 1290 Super Adventure S 2021

All in all, the long-distance capable KTM 1290 Super Adventure S is made for a trip for two, whereby the rider hardly ever has to think about where it is going. It likes motorway sections, fast country road passages or winding mountain passes in the tightest of corners just as much as unpaved roads with the occasional rough gravel section, where it is primarily the rider or their routine that decides how far they can go. The handling, which is improved compared to the predecessor due to the lower tank (and thus centre of gravity), also scores points here. The electronic chassis copes perfectly with the changing surfaces of a journey and always conveys transparency, the engine sovereignty in every situation. Ready to race - or also: Ready for long-distance racing!

Very sporty, but also cultivated V2 power plant

extremely accessible handling despite high weight

comfortable, driving-friendly seating position

good brakes including cornering ABS

comprehensive electronics package

clear, well-structured instrumentation with huge 7-inch display.

Turn-in behaviour in bends somewhat sluggish

Opaque package design and pricing policy

Dashboards and switches do not feel very high quality

Price Comparison Avarage Market Price BMW R 1250 GS Adventure vs KTM 1290 Super Adventure S

There are a few key differences between a BMW R 1250 GS Adventure 2021 and a KTM 1290 Super Adventure S 2021. In terms of price, the actual average price of a BMW R 1250 GS Adventure 2021 is about 26% higher. A BMW R 1250 GS Adventure 2021 experiences a loss of 660 USD in one year of ownership. This is offset by a loss of 100 USD for a KTM 1290 Super Adventure S 2021. Compared to KTM 1290 Super Adventure S 2021 there are less BMW R 1250 GS Adventure 2021 bikes available on the 1000PS.de Marketplace, specifically 17 compared to 26. It takes less time to sell a BMW R 1250 GS Adventure with 51 days compared to 91 days for a KTM 1290 Super Adventure S. Since model year 2019 1000PS.de editors have written 30 reviews for the BMW R 1250 GS Adventure and 31 reviews for the KTM 1290 Super Adventure S since model year 2017. The first review for the BMW R 1250 GS Adventure was published on 11/6/2018 and now has more than 43,300 views. This compares to more than 32,200 views for the first review on KTM 1290 Super Adventure S published on 10/12/2016.

Price BMW R 1250 GS Adventure

Model year
Current average market prices

Price KTM 1290 Super Adventure S

Model year
Current average market prices

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