The Drakensberg doesn’t do subtle, and neither does KTM. This year’s South African leg of the KTM Adventure Rally dropped us straight into the mountains with one mission: ride hard, ride far, and experience the all-new 1390 Super Adventure R where it belongs—off the grid.
KTM’s Adventure Rally is no small affair. It’s a global series spanning New Zealand, Australia, the USA, Europe, and South Africa, bringing together riders who share one thing: a hunger for adventure. Since its local debut in 2017, the South African edition has carved out a reputation as one of the most scenic on the calendar.
This year, the Orange faithful returned to the Champagne Sports Resort in the Berg for a weekend packed with riding, entertainment, and a few big surprises. Two days of green and red routes snaked through the mountains, while off the bike, riders were treated to giveaways, demo rides, and the ever-entertaining Ron Bailey slalom challenge. But the real buzz? The reveal of KTM’s latest big-bore machines.
The covers came off during the opening night, with KTM legend Joey Evans setting the tone as MC. Front and centre stood the new generation: the 1390 Super Adventure S EVO (R429,999) and, more importantly for the dirt crowd, the 1390 Super Adventure R (R419,999).
So, what’s all the hype about?
The update sharpens the R’s off-road intent with fresh bodywork, aggressive LED lighting, a lower screen, new switchgear and smarter storage. Beneath that, a stiffer frame and reinforced crash bars bring added stability and durability where it matters most. Interestingly, the foot pegs are 8 mm lower and 10 mm outward than before, which is great for the taller riders. For us shorties, KTM offer a primary footrest height adjustment extra, via the KTM PowerParts catalogue.
It stays true to its dirt-focused brief, running proper WP XPLOR suspension front and rear. No semi-active trickery here, just a traditional, fully adjustable setup built for the rough stuff. Add Brembo stopping power and fresh Dunlop Trailmax Raid rubber, and you’ve got a serious off-road package.
The big news, though, sits in the V-twin. Capacity jumps to 1350 cc, pushing out 173 hp (127 kW) and 145 Nm, with KTM’s new CAMSHIFT variable valve timing adding a layer of versatility. With two cam profiles, it adapts on the fly, smoother, more controlled at low revs, then shifting to longer valve duration at higher rpm for increased airflow and top-end punch. Translation? Manageable in the tight stuff, properly rapid when the trail opens up.
Tech hasn’t been left behind either. A new 8-inch vertical touchscreen takes centre stage—glove-friendly, glare-resistant, and loaded with ride modes, navigation, and connectivity. It’s big-bike brains to match the brawn. Lastly, we see KTM made the adaptive cruise control radar system available as an optional extra on the R for 2026. With the crowd circling the bikes and the hype building fast, anticipation for the next morning was sky-high.
At sunrise, with Garmins loaded and routes dialled in, the orange army rolled out beneath the KTM arch and straight into the Berg. Twisting forest trails and flowing gravel roads set the tone early on. I’d be spending the next two days aboard the 1390 Super Adventure R—quickly nicknamed Bigfoot. Before leaving, I spotted KTM’s powerparts 1390 Super Adventure R, showing future buyers what’s already up for grabs.
I rolled out last, which turned out to be perfect. Open trails meant open throttle, carving through the landscape and catching group after group along the way. The Drakensberg delivered everything—technical climbs, flowing B-roads, and scenery that makes you forget you’re only a few kilometres from civilisation.
Riding through local communities added another layer to the experience. Kids waving, dogs chasing, cattle scattered across the road, it felt raw, real, and uniquely African.
And then there’s the people. KTM riders might carry a reputation for being a bit wild, but out here, that couldn’t be further from the truth. Sure, the pace is high, and the riding is aggressive, but so is the willingness to help. Whether it’s fixing a puncture, sharing tools, or helping someone get back on track, there’s a strong sense of camaraderie that defines the whole experience.
On the bike, the 1390 impressed immediately. The interface is intuitive, making it easy to dial in a custom ride mode and leave it there. The massive screen might look bulky, but out on the trail, it makes perfect sense, clear, readable, and genuinely useful when connecting up with the next turn off. One thing I really liked was that I could enlarge the map and minimise my riding info, as the right route was more important than fuel, trip or what riding mode I was in.
With my setup (Custom mode 1), Street throttle response for smoother power delivery but still full power, off-road ABS to make sure the rear wheel could slow me down, and so ABS wouldn’t be too intrusive, and traction control dialled down. I then spent most of the day working the slip control on the fly. In the tighter forest sections, the bike came alive. With slip set low and a smooth riding style, it drifted through corners with surprising ease for something this big. I made sure to attack the corners in a “V”, sharp in and fast out, which perfectly suited the Super Adventure.
Out in the rocky, rutted sections, the suspension really shone. It soaked up hits without drama, staying composed without feeling harsh or overly soft. No fancy electronics—just a well-balanced setup that works.
By the end of day one, the connection was clear. Bigfoot and I were getting along just fine. Whether it was thanks to the new three-piece and lower centre of gravity tank, excellent tyre choice, truly polished electronics or the clever Shiftcam technology, I just couldn’t say. Something about this new 1390 Super Adventure R speaks to me, and more so than the 1290 ever did, and that was a phenomenal machine in all regards.
Saturday’s double red route is where things got interesting. Out of more than 90 riders, only a few opted in on the last part of the double red—and for good reason. This was serious terrain. Following 890 Adventure Rs and 690 Enduros through technical sections, the 1390 held its own and then some. Not just surviving, but moving at pace. That’s where the nickname “Bigfoot” stuck.
Big, powerful, and surprisingly capable, the 1390 tackled terrain I wouldn’t expect a 231 kg plus machine to handle. It might not be the obvious choice for this kind of riding, but it proves a point: it can be done. I must also add that I’m pretty short at 176 cm, yet the Super Adventure wasn’t too much to manage on the trail, and I still had plenty of boot on the dirt when needed.
The final climb sealed it for me! I met up with my good buddy from KTM Centurion, Hardus Ventor, and hit the last 7 km pink route back. This narrow, technical mountain trail pushed both rider and machine to the limit, or at least just me. It wasn’t easy, but it was the kind of challenge that defines a weekend like this. At the top, looking back across the Berg, it all made sense, and we were both happy to call it a day.
Back at base, the action wasn’t over. The Ron Bailey challenge delivered tight, slippery racing and plenty of entertainment, with Joey Evans keeping the energy high. In the end, it was Alfie Cox who stole the show, dancing a 390 Adventure R to victory.
Action aside, a massive shout-out goes to KTM SA, Champagne Sports Resort, Bikewise, with their Pirelli tyres, Just Bike Tyre for their tyre-changing bay, UB Trax for keeping the orange machines running strong, Motorex for cleaning and lubing bikes for the next ride, and the F.R.E.D.D.I.E.S response team alongside Amber Connect for keeping everyone safe and on track.
The final evening wrapped things up in typical KTM fashion, with music, laughs, and one last big moment: the giveaway of a brand-new 390 Adventure X. Four finalists, one key each, and one very lucky winner.
The Berg tested it. The riders pushed it. And the 1390 Super Adventure R didn’t just survive, it thrived. Big, fast, and far more capable than it has any right to be, it’s not just KTM’s new flagship, it’s a statement. The only question is: how far are you willing to take it?
So, if you are part of the KTM family, be sure to set aside some time for next year’s South African KTM Adventure Rally—it’s a real treat, so don’t miss out on it!
KTM Super Adventure Range
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