KTM 1290 Super Adventure R (2021) Maintenance Schedule and Service Intervals
This is the maintenance schedule and service intervals for KTM’s premium adventure tourer, the KTM 1290 Super Adventure R, as of 2021.
The KTM 1290 Super Adventure range was first announced in 2014 for the 2015 model year, and the first KTM 1290 Super Adventure R was released in 2017, with a more road-going variant being the 2017 KTM 1290 Super Adventure S.
The KTM 1290 Super Adventure R is a large adventure touring motorcycle based around the 1301cc liquid-cooled V-twin from the 1290 Super Duke R, but with different cam tuning and a heavier crankshaft. The engine makes 118 kW (160 bhp) at 9000 rpm, with 80% of its peak 138 Nm (102 ft-lb) of torque available at just 2,500 rpm.
There are two models in the KTM 1290 Super Adventure range as of 2021:
| Part | KTM 1290 Super Adventure S | KTM 1290 Super Adventure R |
|---|---|---|
| Intended use | Sport touring | Adventure touring/off-road |
| Fuel tank | 23L | 23L |
| Suspension | WP SAT (semi-active tech) USD | WP XPLOR USD |
| Wheels | 19/17-inch cast | 21/18-inch spoked |
| Cruise control | Adaptive (radar based) | Standard (non-adaptive) |
| Min seat height | 849mm (33.4 in) | 880mm (34.6 in) |
| Weight (without fuel/full fuel) | 220 kg / 485 lb | 221 kg / 487 lb |
| External features | Windscreen, plastic engine guard | Crash bars, hand guards, metal engine guard |
Since the beginning the Super Adventure range has come with the kitchen sink, including cornering ABS and cruise control, as well as a massive fuel tank, to compete with the BMW R 1200 GS adventure.
In 2021 KTM updated the 2017-2020 KTM 1290 Super Adventure R, with a host of changes
- Tank changes to hold the fuel lower (to lower the center of gravity)
- Moving steering head back 15mm
- Two separate radiators
- Easy-access air filter
- Many engine changes — lighter cases, new pistons, improved shifting, and new two-header exhaust unit
The maintenance intervals stayed the same at 9000 miles (15000 km), but the table is different.
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Maintenance schedule for the KTM 1290 Super Adventure R
Below is the maintenance schedule for the KTM 1290 Super Adventure R.
Maintenance schedule intervals for the 1290 Super Adventure R are 15,000 km (9300 mi), with a major service (valve service) every two intervals.
After the end of the service schedule, obviously keep repeating it in this order.
The maintenance schedule in the manual is broken up into two sections — required maintenance and recommended maintenance (but you should do both).
Required maintenance
| miles x 1000 | 0.62 | 9.3 | 18.6 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| km x 1000 | 1 | 15 | 30 | Every |
| [Dealer] Read out the fault memory using the KTM diagnostics tool. | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Year |
| [Dealer] Program the shift shaft sensor. | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Year |
| Check that the electrical system is functioning properly. | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Year |
| Change the engine oil and the oil filter, clean the oil screens. Use JASO MA2-spec full synthetic 10W-50, or 5W-40 if your bike goes below the freezing point of water. KTM recommends Motorex Power Synt 4T 10W-50. | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Year |
| Check the front brake linings. | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Year |
| Check the rear brake linings. | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Year |
| Check the brake discs. | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Year |
| Check the brake lines for damage and tightness | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Year |
| Change the front brake fluid. | 2 years | |||
| Change the rear brake fluid. | 2 years | |||
| Change the hydraulic clutch fluid. | 2 years | |||
| Check the front brake fluid level. | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Year |
| Check the rear brake fluid level. | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Year |
| Check/correct the fluid level of the hydraulic clutch. | ✓ | ✓ | Year | |
| Check the shock absorber and fork for leaks. Perform service as needed and depending on how the vehicle is used. | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Year |
| Clean the dust boots of the fork legs | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Check the steering head bearing for play. | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Year |
| Check the tire condition | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Year |
| Check tire pressure | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Year |
| Retighten the spokes | ✓ | |||
| Check the rim run-out | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Year |
| Check the spoke tension | ✓ | ✓ | Year | |
| Check the chain, rear sprocket, and engine sprocket. | ✓ | ✓ | Year | |
| Check the chain tension | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Year |
| Change the spark plugs (air filter removed) (you need 2 x LKAR9DI-10 for the inside and 2 x LMAR7DI-10 for the outside) | ✓ | |||
| Check the valve clearance (air filter and spark plugs removed) | ✓ | |||
| Change the SAS diaphragm valves | ✓ | |||
| Check the cables for damage and routing without kinks (fuel tank removed) | ✓ | ✓ | Year | |
| Check the coolant level in the compensating tank. | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Year |
| Change the air filter, clean the air filter box. | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Check the fuel pressure. | ✓ | ✓ | Year | |
| Check the headlight setting | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Check that the radiator fan is functioning properly. | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Year |
| Final check: Check the vehicle for safe operation and take a test ride. | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Year |
| [Dealer] Set the service interval display. | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Year |
| [Dealer] Read out the error memory after the test ride using the KTM diagnostics tool. | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Year |
| Make a service entry in KTMDealer.net | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Year |
Recommended maintenance
| miles x 1000 | 0.62 | 9.3 | 18.6 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| km x 1000 | 1 | 15 | 30 | Every |
| Check the frame | ✓ | |||
| Check the link fork | ✓ | |||
| Check/clean the oil nozzle for clutch lubrication | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Check the swingarm bearing for play | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Check the wheel bearing for play | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Grease all moving parts (e.g. side stand, hand lever, chain) and check for smooth operation. – Use lithium soap-based grease for major moving parts – Use Motul chain paste for the chain | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Year |
| Empty the drainage hoses | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Year |
| Check all hoses (fuel, coolant, bleeder, drainage etc.) and sleeves for cracking, leaks, and incorrect routing | ✓ | ✓ | Year | |
| Check the tightness of the safety-relevant screws and nuts which are easily accessible. | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Year |
| Check the antifreeze | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Year |
| Change the coolant | 4 years |
Wheels and Tyres for the KTM 1290 Super Adventure R (2021+)
The KTM 1290 Super Adventure R ships with 21/18-inch spoked rims and “100% tubeless” tyres.
Here are the tyre sizes and recommended pressures for longevity (not optimised for your ride style or desired handling/grip level).
| Wheel | Tyre size | Tyre pressure (cold) |
|---|---|---|
| Front | 90/90-21 M/C 5RV TL | 35 psi (2.4 bar) |
| Back | 150/70 ZR 18 M/C 70W TL | 42 psi (2.9 bar) |
About the 2021 KTM 1290 Super Adventure R
The KTM 1290 Super Adventure R is KTM’s biggest adventure touring motorcycle.
KTM has been doing adventure touring for a long time. They’ve earned a reputation for making big adventure tourers that aren’t just capable of crossing deserts — they’re also exciting to ride. Since launch, the 1290 range has always been immensely powerful, only matched in recent years by the big adventure tourers from Ducati and BMW, like the latest BMW R 1250 GS.
The KTM 1290 Super Adventure motorcycles are based around the now long-standing LC8 engine. Its a huge 1301cc liquid-cooled 8-valve 75-degree V-twin that makes 118 kW (160 hp) of peak power at 9,000 rpm in the 2021 incarnation, and 138Nm of torque — with most of that available at 2,500 rpm.
In previous years between 2017 and 2020, the 1290 Adventure R wasn’t updated significantly. But 2021 saw a “redesign” of the 1290 Adventure R from the ground up. The engine’s core displacement and power specs haven’t changed since the first KTM 1290 Adventure motorcycle was released, though the engine has been updated internally.
The most significant updates are:
- A revised engine with many updated internals. This is to help the 1290 Adventure R remain compliant with emissions regulations but also keep power up at 118 kW / 160 hp peak, just where people expect it — though the peak is a little higher (9000 rpm vs 8750 rpm)
- Redesigned chassis and frame with a lower center of gravity, longer swing-arm, and adjusted steerign head
- A revised oil/liquid-cooling system, with two radiators rather than one. This helps with cooling as well as to keep warm air away from the rider’s legs.
- A new 7 inch TFT display with a new layout, along with new handlebar controls
The KTM 1290 Super Adventure R’s stablemate, the 1290 Super Adventure S, also got adaptive cruise control for 2021.
Manual for the KTM 1290 Super Adventure R (2021+)
The above maintenance schedule comes from the user’s manual for the KTM 1290 Super Adventure R for 2021.
You can get the user manual directly from KTM’s website.
