When the KTM 1290 Super Adventure S for the 2021 model year debuted yesterday, the Austrian brand gave us some pitifully small photos. I spit on the ground when I saw them, they were so woefully small and soured my senses.
Knowing how much our readers enjoy obnoxiously large photos of motorcycles, we aimed to do better. So, here we are today, with 44 high-resolution photos of the KTM 1290 Super Adventure S, for your viewing pleasure.
The Austrians continue to trickle out their new models for 2021, despite the fact that we are almost into February of new model year.
Regardless of that small detail, today we see the 2021 KTM 1290 Super Adventure S – a bike we have been expecting, but yet have also been excited to see.
KTM calls this their third iteration of the 1290 platform in the ADV space, and while many components on the “S” bike look familiar, we can also see that some key updates have come to this popular adventure-bike model.
When we didn’t hear anything from KTM during the typical new model year blitz at the end of the last year, we worried that the Austrian brand had decided to pack it in, after the tumultuous ride of 2020.
Don’t worry though, KTM hasn’t forgotten about its 2021 obligations, and zie Austrians have more than a few plucky machines to debut for the current model year.
Two of the biggies are a new KTM 1290 Super Duke GT and an updated KTM 1290 Super Adventure lineup, as both bikes are being teased on its social media channels right now with a January 26th release date.
As we get closer to the debut of the Harley-Davidson Pan America 1250 for the 2021 model year, information about this adventure bike is making its way into Harley-Davidson’s various channels, which means it’s making its way into the ears of our Bothan spies.
First reported on the Brap Talk motorcycle podcast, our initial news is that the Pan America will debut at a fairly affordable price for the category, starting around the $17,000 mark.
With all the bells and whistles installed, the bike is still expected to be a sub-$20,000 machine, which makes it one of the more affordable luxury ADV bikes on the market.
The long wait is nearly over, as the Harley-Davidson Pan America 1250 will finally get its production debut on Monday, February 22nd, 2021 – the Bar & Shield brand tells us (they will “preview” the bike, yet again, on January 19th).
Accordingly, this date will end what will be an almost three-year tease and wait process from the American motorcycle company, as the first Pan America concept broke cover in July 2018.
Since that time, Harley-Davidson has “let go” of CEO Matthew Levatich, and swapped its “More Roads” plan for the current “Rewire” scheme that has seemingly killed many of the diverse models once announced by Harley-Davidson.
The ADV project remains though, if for no other reason than it was the furthest along in Harley-Davidson’s portfolio by the time that current CEO Jochen Zeitz came onboard.
Our friends across the pond got a surprise today, as the Honda CRF300L Rally broke cover for the European market.
Rumors of the bike coming for the 2021 model year have been pretty rife the past few months, so perhaps “surprise” is the wrong word to use here, and of course the Euro5 regulations have pushed for a number of “new” bikes to debut in Europe.
Still, the bump from the 250cc machine to the 2021 Honda CRF300L Rally is a welcomed sight for this small-displacement machine.
It was just a handful of days ago that we got to see the Triumph Trident 660 motorcycle make its world debut – with the value-focused three-cylinder roadster looking like a very strong candidate for the middleweight category.
Now, news out of India sees the British brand is set to follow-up the Trident 660 with two adventure-styled models. One is a more off-road focused, while the other fits better in the adventure-sport category.
After much anticipation, the next-generation of the Ducati Multistrada motorcycle has debuted, and as was expected, the machine features a V4 engine. Accordingly, say hello to the 2021 Ducati Multistrada V4.
As is Ducati’s custom, the Ducati Multistrada V4 will really only come in two trim levels, with the Ducati Multistrada V4 S featuring more up-spec components over the base model bike.
Both bikes though have a new monocoque chassis, a double-sided swingarm, and a 19″ front wheel (with a 17″ wheel in the rear), and a robust electronics package.
With these choices, the Italian’s are clearly pitching the Ducati Multistrada V4 as the bike to have, if you can only have one motorcycle in your garage.
In two days, Ducati will officially unveil the V4 engine that will power its new Multistrada V4, which means that the Italian brand is currently in the midst of an extensive media campaign on the new motorcycle.
Today, we learned the name of this new motor; the Ducati V4 Granturismo engine, which is interesting in its own right, as it shows a departure from the “Desmosedici Stradale” nomenclature that powers the Panigale V4 and Streetfighter V4 motorcycles.
Ducati is currently in the midst of a teaser campaign for the V4 engine that will power the new Multistrada V4 adventure bike, so it is a bit interesting to see them today promoting the new machine outside of that marketing campaign.
The news from Bologna tells us that the 2021 Ducati Multistrada V4 is currently being produced on the Borgo Panigale factory floor, and that when it goes on sale, it will be the first motorcycle with rider aids that uses a front and rear radar system.
In that announcement, Ducati does let slip a few more details about this eagerly anticipated 170hp motorcycle, namely that its new V4 configuration will allow for much longer service intervals, and that its motor (which is presumed to be 1,158cc) will produce silky smooth power.
Perhaps the biggest news is that the Ducati Multistrada V4 will officially debut on November 4th, though the motor powering this machine is expected to have a full announcement on October 15th.
The upside to no motorcycle shows is that a new motorcycle model can debut at a moment’s notice. Such is the case with the 2021 KTM 890 Adventure R, which just dropped on the internets.
As the name suggests, KTM has taken the very competent 790 Adventure R, and dialed things up a notch by 90cc. As if that wasn’t enough, there is a KTM 890 Adventure R Rally for 700 lucky owners worldwide (200 in the USA).