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Could this be the greatest ADV motorcycle of all time? ADVMoto headed to Steamboat Springs, Colorado, to find out and you couldn’t pick a better place for its introduction.

It’s very apparent the adventure sector is on the move with the announcement of the new liquidcooled BMW R1200GS, and now the KTM 1190 Adventure R. Having spent nearly a year on KTM’s 990 Adventure R, I can tell you while it’s one of the most capable big displacement adventure bikes, it is no Cadillac for distance travel. The 1190 Adventure R is poised to change all this and become the do-all super machine.

ADVMoto's Dan DiMaio enjoying his first day on the 1190.

The 1190’s power plant essentially started life as the fire-breathing LC8 mill from the RC8. It’s a gnarly 1195cc 75° V-twin with a claimed 150bhp, fed by dual 52mm Keihin throttle bodies controlled via ride-by-wire technology that results in crisp throttle input. Very welcome improvements over the 990 are the longer engine service intervals and less complicated oil changes, helping to reduce the long-term cost of ownership. Not ignoring the fuel efficiency department, KTM uses a dual-spark ignition which provides a 20% increase in fuel economy and reduced emissions.

Don’t let the technology scare you. When it’s done right we can appreciate benefits like the 1190’s drive modes. The drive mode system is the sweetest I’ve ridden for both on- and off-road situations. KTM combines power output settings (100–150hp) with varying levels of Traction Control to create four settings (as well as being able to turn it off) which dramatically change the bike’s behavior—

Sport: Allows the full 150hp to be available with slight wheel spin and light wheel lift on hard acceleration.

Street: Allows 150hp with controlled wheel slippage.

Rain: Allows 100hp with 100% MTC, no rear wheel slippage.

Off-Road: 100hp and is set to allow 100% of rear wheel slippage, up to twice the wheel speed for optimum traction in off-road conditions

Off: MTC can be totally switched off.

After spending two days riding mostly off highway on mountain roads, cattle routes and ATV trails, the programmable power modes gave me confidence in nearly any situation. And, despite the 1190’s size, there were a few instances where I felt like I was railing off road on my Honda CR250R—that’s how good this system is.

Braking is something that manufacturers often get very wrong. When ABS can’t be turned off, it can make for less than comfortable off-roading. Thankfully, KTM has addressed this with an intelligent co-developed control system, the Bosch 9ME C-ABS (Combined-ABS). With C-ABS, three modes allow you to change levels of control over the front and rear wheels. The most useful of these is the Enduro setting, which allows you to lock up the rear wheel on loose surfaces, but also maintain a moderate level of ABS activity in the front. The other two modes are—

Street: Fully functional ABS.

Off-Road: This setting allows a higher degree of front wheel slippage and disengages the C-ABS and rear wheel ABS so that the rear can be totally locked up for better control in fast paced off-road situations. I can’t tell you how many times this was a life saver for those corners that came up a little too fast. Front stopping power is accomplished through dual 320mm discs with beefy radially mounted four-piston Brembo calipers, while the tail end features a 267mm floating disc and a two-piston Brembo caliper. Combined with the programmable ABS modes, the result is one of the best-stopping heavyweight adventure bikes on the market to date.

Unlike the 990, the 1190 has a low profile which makes you feel like you’re on a much smaller bike, even though it tops the scales at a claimed 478 lbs. dry weight (no fuel). The gauge cluster is a fully functional information center that allows you to control the mode functions while providing the rider with important trip information via a secondary screen. This menu gives you access to mode changes while providing trip data, general data and tire pressure, all controlled via the handlebar-mounted control keys. A 12V plug for aftermarket electronics is handy, and can also be used for charging other devices like your cell phone.

Some welcome changes were made to the fuel tank, which carries a hefty 6.0 gallons and utilizes a single fill port located in the center of the tank (as opposed to the twin tanks on the 990). Despite the tank’s size, it is generously shaped around the knees, making for a comfortable seated riding position. When standing, the tank initially feels a little more bulky, especially when wearing knee braces, but after about an hour on the bike this was no longer an issue.

KTM stayed true to its off-road roots and kept the 1190 chain-driven, which in my opinion is the way to go. I would rather replace a master link than have to look for a shaft drive’s oil seal. Wheels are 21" front and 18" rear, with KTM’s patented tubeless spoke rims for a very low weight and reduced un-sprung mass. Showroom floors will see the more street-oriented Continental ContiTrailAttack 2 tires, but thankfully KTM outfitted the press bikes with the renowned Continental TKC 80s, knowing we would be mostly off-road.

With big enduro bike competition from contenders like BMW, Triumph, Yamaha and Moto Guzzi, you better believe KTM came out swinging and wants to be king of the ever-growing adventure hill. If you’re in the market for a new big-displacement adventure ride with fun and safe technology, formidable off-road performance and sporty street manners, you owe it to yourself to find a local KTM dealer and arrange a demo ride. Coming from an off-road background, this bike is at the very top of my personal list. Stay tuned to ADVMoto Magazine for a long-term wrap up in the future.