The new Touratech engine guard for the KTM 1390 Super Adventure

A stainless steel substructure is designed to distribute impact forces, while two plastic skid rails on the underside are intended to help the bike slide over rocks, rock edges and other obstacles. The black anodised bash plate is available for 329.90 Euros and is said to integrate into the KTM 1390 Super Adventure without compromising ground clearance or maximum lean angle.

With the Expedition engine guard, Touratech is expanding its accessory range for the KTM 1390 Super Adventure. The new bash plate was developed specifically for the big adventure bike from Mattighofen and is compatible with both the road-oriented S variant and the more off-road-focused R version. The KTM 1390 Super Adventure is powered by a V2 engine with 1,350 cc displacement and an output of 175 hp. While the S variant is mainly ridden on tarmac and gravel tracks, the R version also targets riders who want to tackle more demanding off-road terrain. Especially away from paved roads, rocks, rock edges or other obstacles can pose a threat to exposed engine components. This is where the new Touratech engine guard comes in. The Expedition version is designed to protect the underside of the engine, the lower sections of the crankcase, ancillary units and the exhaust headers from mechanical damage. According to Touratech, the Expedition name is used specifically for accessories developed for particularly demanding operating conditions.

The core component of the new engine guard is a base plate made from a high-strength aluminium alloy. The material thickness is four millimetres. Touratech relies on a multi-bent and welded construction to achieve high rigidity. The bends serve to increase the stability of the base plate. At the same time, the shape has been adapted to the specific space available on the KTM 1390 Super Adventure. According to the manufacturer, the construction is dimensioned to withstand the stresses of demanding adventure riding. The close-fitting design is intended to ensure that the engine guard covers the vulnerable components without protruding unnecessarily beyond the contours of the bike. Ground clearance and maximum lean angle are said to remain unaffected despite the additional bash plate. Visually, Touratech has opted for a black anodised aluminium finish. It is meant to blend in with the look of the KTM 1390 Super Adventure and emphasise what the manufacturer describes as a rally look.

Alongside the aluminium plate, the mounting structure underneath plays a key role. Touratech combines the actual engine guard with a high-strength stainless steel substructure. This is designed to specifically dissipate the forces generated in an impact. According to the manufacturer, any remaining forces are introduced into the bike's frame as evenly as possible. The protection concept therefore does not rely solely on the material thickness of the aluminium plate. Instead, the base plate and stainless steel substructure are meant to absorb and distribute loads together. This is particularly relevant in direct contact with obstacles, for example when the underside of the bike grounds out on a protruding rock or rock edge. The construction is also intended to offer additional protection against stones thrown up by the front wheel while riding.

A special feature of the Touratech Expedition engine guard is the pair of plastic rails on the underside of the aluminium plate. These follow the principle of a so-called skid plate, as used in off-road motorsport. On contact with obstacles, the rails are designed to help the bike slide over edges, rocks or tree stumps. Touratech is thus taking an approach that goes beyond mere protection against direct impacts. When the bike grounds out on an obstacle, the plastic rails are meant to help the construction glide over it. The rails also serve a second function: they cover the engine guard's mounting bolts.

On bikes that are regularly ridden off-road, exposed bolt heads can be damaged by contact with rocks or other obstacles. Touratech has taken this problem into account in the design of the Expedition engine guard. The mounting bolts are already recessed. In addition, their heads are completely covered by the two plastic skid rails. This is intended to protect the bolts' drive profiles from mechanical damage. The manufacturer aims to ensure that the engine guard can still be removed even after demanding off-road outings. Undamaged fasteners can be an advantage during maintenance work in particular, as they should still be removable with the intended tool. The combination of recessed bolts and overlying plastic rails thus serves both a protective and a practical maintenance function.

Touratech offers the Expedition engine guard for both variants of the KTM 1390 Super Adventure. Compatibility explicitly includes:

• KTM 1390 Super Adventure S: the variant geared more towards tarmac and gravel tracks
• KTM 1390 Super Adventure R: the off-road-oriented version for riders who also want to tackle more demanding terrain

Regardless of the variant, the engine guard is designed to protect the underside of the engine and the headers from direct contact with obstacles. Thanks to its model-specific shape, the construction is said to integrate into both versions of the bike. Touratech also cites easy installation as a product feature. Detailed fitting instructions are included in the scope of delivery.

The key features of the new bash plate for the KTM 1390 Super Adventure at a glance:

According to the manufacturer, the Touratech Expedition engine guard for the KTM 1390 Super Adventure is available now. The retail price is 329.90 Euros. The product is listed under part number 376-5135 and can be ordered via the Touratech online shop. The price applies to the Expedition version presented in the press release, with a black anodised aluminium plate, stainless steel substructure and plastic skid rails. More information is available on the Touratech website.

With the Expedition engine guard, Touratech adds a specifically tailored protective construction to its accessory range for the KTM 1390 Super Adventure S and R. The combination of four-millimetre aluminium, a stainless steel substructure and two plastic skid rails is designed to protect sensitive engine components from damage when riding off-road. The covering of the mounting bolts by the skid rails in particular shows that Touratech also had removal after demanding off-road outings in mind during development. For owners of a KTM 1390 Super Adventure who regularly take their adventure bike off paved roads, the new Expedition engine guard therefore represents an additional equipment option.