Does anyone really need four different "adventure" choices between one liter and 1300 cc? If you're KTM, the answer is clearly "yes." Sending them all to the United States is another matter, however.
With the KTM 1290 Super Adventure flagship bike already introduced at the INTERMOT show, KTM used EICMA as an opportunity to unveil its 1050 Adventure. The new 1050 isn't currently destined for sale in the United States, however, so we will apparently have to make do with three liter-plus KTM adventure choices.
KTM says "the 1050 is based on a certain restraint and a return back to the original values of the Adventure concept," but is not a stripped-down model. KTM says it produces 95 horsepower, weighs 467 pounds (about 38 pounds less than the 1290), and gets better gas mileage than its larger siblings, including the 1190 Adventure and 1190 Adventure R, in addition to the 1290. The seat is also lower, and the footpegs, handlebar and windscreen are adjustable.
You still get ride modes, traction control and ABS that can be switched off, and can fit the 1050 with plenty of accessories.
We're still waiting to hear from KTM about prices, but that should be another advantage the 1050 has over its larger siblings.