Comparison: KTM 1090 Adventure R / 1290 Super Adventure S

I’ve ridden adventure bikes around the world for the better part of two decades, and it never gets old. As technology changes, the more I ride the more it seems there is to learn.

What better way to check out a couple KTM spaceships than to ride with current Pike's Peak world record holder Chris Fillmore of KTM Racing. Stay tuned for upcoming story in RoadRunner magazine.

KTM 1090 - 1290 V3H from Jon Beck on Vimeo.

Preview story in Sept/Oct issue of Roadrunner magazine

Chris Fillmore aboard the KTM 1290 Super Adventure S:

Fillmore taking the road less traveled, and then riding further off the beaten path on the KTM 1090 Adventure R:

Actor Justin Chatwin aboard the 1290 S:

I spent a lot of time testing out the 1090 R:

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Had a super fun 2 day adventure on this spaceship with @jonbeckadv. We went from below sea level at 95 degrees to the high sierras below freezing. Love motorcycles. Love earth more. Happy earth day. @sierraclub #deathvalley #sierras 📷: @jonbeckadv

A post shared by Justin Chatwin (@justingchatwin) on Apr 23, 2018 at 7:44am PDT

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Ely Woody capturing Jon Beck getting rowdy on the fully loaded KTM 1090R. "This interesting section of trail involved a skidplate dance to get to this step down. Excellent proving grounds for an adventure bike loaded up for the long haul." - @jonbeckadv 📸 @elywoody #advrider #ktm1090r #moskomoto #toughgearhardtravel #dualsportadv

A post shared by Mosko Moto (@moskomoto) on Aug 6, 2018 at 8:01am PDT

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Great article on photographer / filmer / rider Jon Beck @jonbeckadv on www.advroad.com // 📸Jon captured here by fellow photographer and ripper Ely Woody @elywoody #moskomoto #backcountry35 #adventurebike #motoadventure #adventureriding

A post shared by Mosko Moto (@moskomoto) on Jan 12, 2019 at 5:17pm PST

2018 Honda Africa Twin Adventure Sports review on DirtBikeTest.com

In 2016 Honda took the bold step of introducing an automatic transmission into the available options of its classic Africa Twin. For 2018, the updated CRF1000L2 Africa Twin Adventure Sports improves on the machine with both new and updated features.

I flew to the historic town of Prescott, Arizona, to climb aboard the latest version of a historic motorcycle platform and paddle-shift my way back to California, and into the future...

DBT: 2018 CRF1000L2 Honda Africa Twin Adventure Sports First Ride Impression

2.5 minute first impression from Arizona:

DBT: Honda Africa Twin - Initial Impression from Jon Beck on Vimeo.

~1 minute highlights of trail testing with Jimmy Lewis:

DBT upcoming test: Honda Africa Twin from Jon Beck on Vimeo.

Full bike review in studio:

The Bridgestone Battlax tires were not ideal for testing offroad, but got the job done. Between excellent riding conditions in Arizona, and a long ride back to California, this press launch provided a thorough impression of Honda's latest offering to the adventure touring community.

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I had the always-on front ABS freak out on me in only a couple extreme situations. Under almost all trail riding conditions never noticed an issue, but was curious what would happen on really steep descents. @jimmy_lewis_offroad demonstrated the bike works fine.. . ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• #africatwin #dirtbiketest #honda #CRF1000L2 #trueadventure #klim #klimmotorcycle #dct #kendatires . #DBT #TheAuthority #AdventureBike #ADVBike #MotorcycleReview

A post shared by Jon Beck (@jonbeckadv) on Aug 13, 2018 at 6:57am PDT

I later rode the same Africa Twin Adventure Sports from the Prescott product launch through Colorado and Wyoming on a camping/scouting mission for an upcoming film. It showed up in the opening spread of a tire test feature:

Actor Gilles Marini also took the same bike out for some test rides:

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9:30am call time to be on set, so Gilles says “I’ll be ready at 6… I know the place”. Guides me to a secret spot in the middle of LA providing a perfectly lit 3/4 corner shot and we’re back before cameras roll. #goodstuff . #honda #africatwin #gillesmarini ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• #dirtbiketest #CRF1000L2 #trueadventure #dct #kendatires . #DBT #TheAuthority #AdventureBike #ADVBike #MotorcycleReview

A post shared by Jon Beck (@jonbeckadv) on Nov 13, 2018 at 6:45am PST

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@gillesmarini looking très suave while sliding a big twin around in a pair of Reeboks… LA playing host to some Euro style this week :) . #honda #africatwin #gillesmarini ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• #dirtbiketest #CRF1000L2 #trueadventure #dct #kendatires . #DBT #TheAuthority #AdventureBike #ADVBike #MotorcycleReview

A post shared by Jon Beck (@jonbeckadv) on Nov 9, 2018 at 4:28pm PST

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@honda.africa.twin.fans : : : 📸🔄#repost from @jonbeckadv ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- : : @honda #makeliferide#xladv#enduro #everydayadventure #adventure #africatwin #honda #freedom #motorcycle #motorbike#explore #dualsportadv#dualsport#dualsportlife #roadtrip#mototrip #livesimply #adv #crf1000l #advrider #Hondaafricatwin#whyweride #hondaafricatwinfans#getoutside

A post shared by HONDA AFRICA TWIN (@honda.africa.twin.fans) on May 23, 2019 at 6:05am PDT