Motorcycles · KTM · Adventure & touring

Illustration

KTM 990 / 1190 / 1290 / 1390 Adventure.

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, 2004 to 2023 models.

34owner complaints

6recalls

0%involved a crash, fire or injury

1,980typical miles at complaint

KTM 990 / 1190 / 1290 / 1390 Adventure years to avoid. The model years with the most complaints filed with NHTSA.

20157 complaints

No single problem: heated seats switching on, a collapsed oil filter, the fuel pump and an electrical shutdown.

Recall 19V087000 (fuel system, gasoline): Fuel may leak from the fuel tank cover mounting insert area.
Recall 16V854000 (service brakes, hydraulic): In the affected vehicles, the wiring harness can fray and contact the ABS modulator.

After 2015, no model year drew more than 4.

Fewest complaints on file: 2005 (1), 2006 (1), 2013 (1). Few complaints is not a clean bill of health, just fewer owners filing.

What each year's complaints describe comes from reading their text. These are counts, not rates: there are no sales figures per motorcycle model year. A complaint is not proof of a defect.

Every year14 model yearsMost complaints: 2015See every year →ProblemsEngine26% of complaintsengine26%fuel system26%brakes18%See problems →Recalls & safety6 recallsFree fix at any dealerSee recalls & safety →Specs & enginesEvery versionpower, weight, seat height and priceSee specs →

Complaints by model year.

20042

20051

20061

20073

20131

20142

20157

20163

20183

20192

20204

20211

20222

20232

Popular years get more complaints just because more were sold, and newer years have had less time to collect them. There are no U.S. sales figures by motorcycle model year, so these are counts, not rates.

What owners complain about. Share of complaints.

engine26%

fuel system26%

brakes18%

electrical15%

steering9%

Recalls 6

Tires 2022
Please refer to KTM's recall report for specific model details.
Fuel System, Gasoline 2019
Fuel may leak from the fuel tank cover mounting insert area.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic 2016
In the affected vehicles, the wiring harness can fray and contact the ABS modulator.

Show all 6

Suspension 16V279000
These motorcycles have a rear shock absorber that may leak oil from the rebound damping plug, resulting in a loss of shock function.
Power Train 07V243000
On certain motorcycles, during use the chain slider guard mounting bolts may become loose and possibly fall out.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic 07V065000
On certain 950 motorcycles, the rear brake may feel spongy or soft when applying the brake.

Recall repairs are free at any dealer. Check a specific bike's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Specs The maker's claimed figures for a representative year. ~ means approximate.

KTM 990 / 1190 / 1290 / 1390 Adventure

2003–now

160 hpClaimed crank figure

Engine: 1,301 cc liquid-cooled 75-degree V-twin LC8 (990, 1190 earlier)LC8 V-twin (1290 Super Adventure) family
Torque: 102 lb-ftclaimed
Weight: ~525 lbwet or curb, as the maker quotes it
Seat height: 33.9 in
Price new: ~$20,599 (2021 S)base U.S. MSRP before destination, approximate

From the makers' U.S. spec sheets (the EU sheet for horsepower where the U.S. one leaves it out), checked against a sample on Nov 11; years and versions differ.

Filed as: 1190 ADVENTURE, 1290 SUPER ADVENTURE S, 1290 SUPER ADVENTURE R, ADVENTURE, 1090 ADVENTURE R. Source: NHTSA owner complaints (model years 2000-2026) and recalls. Every motorcycle

More adventure & touring: Harley-Davidson Touring · Can-Am Spyder · BMW GS (R1200/R1250GS) · BMW RT (R1200/R1250RT) · BMW K 1200 / K 1300 S, R, GT · Harley-Davidson Street Glide · Honda Gold Wing · Harley-Davidson Road Glide · Every motorcycle

A new bike every day: follow @lemonindexmotorcycle on TikTok and Instagram.

Updated Nov 14, 2026

Spot a mistake or have an idea? Tell us