KTM 1390 Rally, Super Adventure, and Likely 1490 Model Spied

[Hugh Janus]

This is what is believed to be the 2025 KTM 1390 Rally that was recently spied out testing. (Bernhard M. Hohne/BMH-Images/)

KTM isn’t a brand that likes to leave its bikes alone for long between revamps. The company has recently been spotted testing a trio of next-generation machines as we rush toward the launch season for 2025 models.

KTM 1390 Rally

First up, we have perhaps the most extreme large-capacity adventure bike from KTM in many years in the form of a model that’s likely to go by the name 1390 Rally. We already know that KTM’s “1390″ engine (which actually measures 1,350cc) gets an additional power boost thanks to clever shift-cam-style variable valve timing, and is set to spread across the company’s V-twin model range. It was launched for the 2024 year in the 1390 Super Duke, so it’s logical to expect it to appear in a 1390 Super Adventure in 2025.

The new Rally model, however, is more of a surprise. While KTM has made large, V-twin rally bikes before, back in the days of the 950 Rally, it has erred toward “adventure” rather than hardcore off-road performance in more recent years. This new prototype suggests a return to the era of the 950 Rally, though, with a style that’s clearly inspired by the company’s Dakar bikes.

From this image you can see the large vertical display behind the windscreen, and also spot that the tester is carrying a second windscreen to evaluate. (Bernhard M. Hohne/BMH-Images/)

The chassis looks to be similar to the current 1290 Super Adventure’s frame, as does the cast-aluminum swingarm and the WP suspension components, but there’s a more lightweight, aggressive style and some serious off-road rubber pointing toward improved ability away from the beaten path. A high-mounted, motocross-style front fender is key to the “rally” look, as is the almost completely vertical windscreen (a component that will be transparent on the finished bike) which appears to be under test here, possibly made of 3D-printed plastic. We know that KTM is testing the screen because there’s a second version, which appears to be slightly shorter, strapped to the seat behind the rider.

Speaking of the seat, it’s a much flatter design than the one seen on the Super Adventure, though it sits on the same seat subframe. Like the current bike, the fuel tank is split into two halves, each sitting low on opposing sides of the engine and linked to a common filler in the normal position ahead of the rider, but the actual side tanks look smaller, exposing more of the engine and exhaust.

The new nose bodywork extends to redesigned side panels, again with a less bulky appearance than the current 1290 Super Adventure’s versions, and a new instrument panel is mounted in portrait orientation ahead of the rider. It has the look of a stand-alone tablet rather than an integrated dash, appearing to be mounted on an adjustable, multipurpose bracket. That might be to allow additional components like stand-alone navigation systems or even competition-style roadbooks to be fitted.

KTM 1390 Super Adventure S

Moving on to the next prototype on the list, the 1390 Super Adventure S is a logical replacement for the current 1290 Super Adventure S, and again many components from the current model are carried across to the next-gen machine.

We believe this second model caught testing is the 2025 KTM 1390 Super Adventure S model. It features more street-oriented rubber and what appears to be a 19-inch front wheel instead of the Rally’s 21-incher. (Bernhard M. Hohne/BMH-Images/)

Once again, it makes sense that the Super Adventure will adopt the 1390 V-twin engine from the latest Super Duke, albeit in detuned form, but there’s little need to completely redesign the chassis it’s bolted to. As such, the visible parts including the suspension, swingarm, brakes, and seat subframe all appear to be the same as the current bike’s. The big changes are in the styling, with an even more angular appearance for the new machine, as well as an interpretation of KTM’s latest headlight design with “floating” running-light sections framing a pair of stacked central headlamps.

This image of the 2025 KTM 1390 Super Adventure S shows that the bike is very finished and near production. You can also see that the forward-facing radar unit is much more integrated. (Bernhard M. Hohne/BMH-Images/)

One noticeable step forward for the new styling is that the forward-facing radar unit, which is a noticeable blemish on the face of the current 1290 Super Adventure, is harder to spot. It’s still there, but instead of sitting, completely undisguised, between the headlights as on the existing model, the radar is shifted down to a new position below the lights. It also gains a casing for a neater overall look, even though it’s likely to be the same Bosch sensor inside. Cornering lights sit inside the fairing edges, either side of that radar unit, and once again the fuel tank follows KTM’s low-slung design but looks to be less bulky than on the existing 1290 Super Adventure.

KTM 1490 Super Adventure

Finally, our intrepid photographer has spotted a more unfinished prototype of a bulkier-looking touring-oriented model, which we’re tentatively calling the 1490 Super Adventure here. Again, it follows some of the usual Super Adventure themes—the side-mounted fuel tanks and high riding position—but it’s very clearly a road-biased bike, with 17-inch wheels front and rear rather than the usual 19- or 21-inch front associated with the “adventure” market. Once again, the seat subframe and frame look to be shared with the current 1290 Super Adventure, but there’s a new swingarm—which looks like a prototype part rather than a production piece—and a very temporary-looking exhaust.

This model that looks to be in the early development stage could be a future 1490 Super Adventure model. (Bernhard M. Hohne/BMH-Images/)

On board, like the Rally prototype, it has a portrait-oriented TFT screen, but this time housed in a very bulky shell that looks like it’s intended eventually to hold a larger display. Unlike the other prototypes on test, it’s clear that KTM is working on the engine in this machine as well, with a telltale plastic box on the tail to carry datalogging equipment, hence the suggestion that it might be using a next-generation “1490″ KTM V-twin engine.

Another view of what we believe is a future 1490 model, shows some very raw prototype pieces, telling us this bike is still in the early development cycle. (Bernhard M. Hohne/BMH-Images/)

What’s clear is that, as usual, KTM has a huge number of projects underway. We’ve previously seen the 1390 Super Duke GT undergoing tests and the company recently confirmed it has a new 990 RC R sportbike on the way for 2025, and that’s before even considering the inevitable 990 Adventure models that are certain to be on the way in the near future. Exciting times for KTM, so keep watching this space.

Source

[Pedro]

kTM have got that 220cm tall test rider again, he’s worth it just so people can’t judge how big a bike really is from leaked spy pictures 

[Catteeclan]

Spy pics indeed.

[Buckster]

5 hours ago, Pedro said:

kTM have got that 220cm tall test rider again, he’s worth it just so people can’t judge how big a bike really is from leaked spy pictures 

They saw that post where I said their bikes had gone soft.

[Marcel le Moose Fondler]

2 hours ago, Buckster said:

They saw that post where I said their bikes had gone soft.

A 1500cc adventure motorcycle..that's way pass the point of insanity....no way in hell you'll ever need this much horsepower...