990 ADV → 1390 SA-R
+68bhp · +20 years
990 ADV R was 105bhp 2006. 1390 SA-R is 173bhp 2026 — same offroad-capable big-adv brief, vastly more bike. Cylinder shutoff on 1390 makes long highway runs fuel-efficient.
vs KTM Super Adventure S
Different rider
Super Adventure S (A$34,100base, 19" front, more road-biased): all-rounder. Super Adventure R (A$34,100, 21" front, more offroad-focused): proper offroad rider. Same engine, same chassis, different wheels and suspension travel.
vs BMW R1300GS Trophy
Different brand, similar mission
R1300GS Trophy (A$40.9k+, boxer twin 145bhp): more road-biased even with offroad kit. SA-R (A$34,100, V-twin 173bhp): more offroad-committed. KTM has the offroad heritage; BMW has the touring polish. Different riders.
Real cost trajectory
Held position
990 ADV R was A$29,400in today's money. 1390 SA-R is A$34,100— up modestly given the 173bhp engine and full electronics stack. Reasonable real-terms inflation.
Rider aids count (2006 → 2026)
1 → 8+
990 ADV had FI only. 1390 SA-R has Cornering ABS with offroad mode, MTC with IMU, 5+ ride modes (including Rally), 8.8" TFT, WP Xplor, quickshifter+.
Cheapest way in
A$16,600(used 2017-19)
A clean 2017-2019 1290 SA-R is the cheapest entry to KTM offroad-big-adv. A$16.6-12k for a sensible one. Watch cam chain tensioner, fuel level sensor.
