Dedicated Subsystem WorkbenchPlatform Gen: 2015–2024

2021 KTM 1290 Super Adventure / R / S Tire Sizes, Cold Pressures & Gearing Ratios

OEM tire sizes, front cold PSI (), rear cold PSI (), sprocket teeth count, final drive ratio, and chain pitch for 2021 KTM 1290 Super Adventure / R / S.

Technical PassportOEM VERIFIED

Engine

1301cc

Cooling

Liquid-Cooled

Final Drive

525 Chain

Engine Oil

3.60 L (3.80 US qt)

Spark Plug

NGK LKAR9BI-10 (Outer) / LMAR7DI-10 (Inner)

Front Tire

120/70ZR19

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Gen 2015–2024

Factory Platform Compatibility: All workshop fluid capacities, maintenance milestones, torque specifications, and consumables on this specification sheet are factory-identical across model years 2015 through 2024.

Select Model Year:(Active: 2021)
10 Production Years (2015–2024)

2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024

Suggested Items3 Verified Workshop Consumables Available for this Job

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Tire Engineering & Multi-Scenario Pressure Matrix

ETRTO Validated

Inflation targets calibrated across operating modes, verified rim width ranges, and certified alternate sizes.

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Multi-Scenario Inflation Pressures

Solo Street / CommutingCold Baseline

Front: 36 PSI

Rear: 42 PSI

Two-Up Passenger & LuggageMax Load

Front: 38 PSI

Rear: 42 PSI

Off-Highway / Terrain Pressure

Maintain OEM cold baseline for street transfers; adjust -2 to -4 PSI for loose terrain.

Rim Geometry & ETRTO Envelopes

Front Wheel

OEM Rim Width:3.50"

Permissible Envelope:3.50" - 3.75"

Rear Wheel

OEM Rim Width:5.50"

Permissible Envelope:5.50" - 6.00"

Operating outside ETRTO envelope width alters crown radius, accelerates shoulder wear, and impacts lean stability.

Factory Dimensions & Verified Alternates

Factory Standard Sizes

Front:120/70ZR19

Rear:170/60ZR17

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Verified Alternate Fitments

Factory Standard

Alternate profiles verified for swingarm, chain guard, and fender clearances.

Final Drive Gearing & Speed/RPM Calculator

Chain Drive

Factory reduction ratios, interactive sprocket gearing simulator, 6th gear cruising RPM matrix, and swingarm chain adjustment tolerances.

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Factory Pitch / Size

525 Pitch

OEM Sprockets

17T Front / 38T Rear

Factory Final Ratio

2.235 : 1

Factory Link Count

112 Links (Rivet)

Tensile Rating

10,000 lbs

Quick Gearing Presets

Front Countershaft SprocketStock: 17T

17 Teeth

Factory teeth count

Rear Driven SprocketStock: 38T

38 Teeth

Factory teeth count

Drive Ratio & Torque Impact

Calculated Final RatioStock: 2.235

2.235 : 1+0.01%

Drivetrain Torque Delta

+0.0% Rear Wheel Torque Increase

Quicker throttle roll-on response and aggressive low-to-mid range launch. Reduces top speed in each gear proportionally.

Countershaft Speedo Variance:-0.0%

At 70.0 mph indicated speed, true vehicle ground speed is 70.0 mph. Speedo calibrator module recommended.

Cruising Engine RPM in 6th Gear

60 MPH

Stock: 2,966 RPM

2,966 RPM

70 MPH

Stock: 3,460 RPM

3,460 RPM

80 MPH

Stock: 3,954 RPM

3,955 RPM

+1 RPM

Calculated using factory 6th gear ratio (0.931), primary reduction (1.769), and 170/60ZR17 rolling circumference.

Chain Sizing & Swingarm Slack

Recommended Drive Chain Length:112 Links

Fits within factory swingarm axle slot adjustment range (5 mm gap to swingarm underside). Retain stock 112 links.

Factory Swingarm Slack Tolerance

5 mm gap to swingarm underside

Measure slack at midpoint between countershaft and rear axle on the bottom strand with the motorcycle on its side stand unladen.

Master Link Requirement:Rivet link (ZJ) mandatory for > 400cc

Recommended Hardware: D.I.D 525 VX3 Pro-Street X-Ring Chain (112 Links) • Sunstar Steel Countershaft (17T) & Rear Sprocket (38T)

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Factory Chassis Geometry

Chassis Alignment, Drive Tension & Rear Axle Calibration

Precision workshop alignment tools, dynamic drive tension tolerances, and axle spindle calibration for the 2021 KTM 1290 Super Adventure / R / S.

Factory Swingarm Slack Tolerance

5 mm gap to swingarm underside

Test Condition: Measure midway on lower chain run with bike on side stand (unweighted).

Measured Chain Slack

30 mm

10mm (Too Tight)Factory Window: 25 - 35 mm65mm (Critical Slack)

PASS: IN FACTORY SPEC(30 mm / 1.18 in)

FACTORY TOLERANCE CERTIFIED: Chain tension is in optimal balance. Allows complete swingarm articulation through the entire suspension stroke without countershaft binding or excessive snatch on deceleration.

Precision Alignment

Rear Axle Caliper Alignment

Why mechanics never trust swingarm stamped notches: Factory stamping tolerances can be off by up to 3mm, causing the rear tire to "dog-track" and chew through tire shoulders.

LEFT PIVOT TO AXLE:

215.0 mm

RIGHT PIVOT TO AXLE:

215.0 mm

PERFECT WHEEL ALIGNMENT (PASS)Δ 0.0 mm

Rear axle is square to the swingarm pivot within 0.5mm. Sprocket and chain tracking run in direct true plane.

Wear Limit Diagnostic

21-Pin (20-Pitch) Chain Stretch Test

Pull chain tight and measure distance across 21 consecutive pins with a vernier caliper. Standard new length = 317.5 mm; factory discard limit = 323.0 mm (1.5% stretch).

MEASURED 21-PIN DISTANCE:

317.5 mm

Stretch: +0.0 mm (0.0%)

Remaining Chain Pin/Bushing Life:100% (GOOD)

Three Professional Workshop Alignment Techniques

Method 1 — Swingarm Pivot to Axle Center (The Gold Standard):

Insert a precision rod or vernier caliper measuring from the center dimple of the swingarm pivot bolt to the center dimple of the rear axle on both left and right sides. Both sides must match within 0.5 mm. This mechanically guarantees that the rear axle is perfectly perpendicular to the motorcycle chassis centerline regardless of factory swingarm stamping defects.

Six-Step Workshop Chain Adjustment Protocol

Rear Axle Nut: Not Available - Refer to Factory Workshop ManualAdjuster Locknut: 16 - 22 N·m

1Loosen Axle Spindle Nut

Loosen the rear axle nut 1 to 2 full turns (Not Available - Refer to Factory Workshop Manual). Keep it snug enough so the wheel does not cock sideways freely.

2Back Off Adjuster Locknuts

Back off the jam locknuts on both the left and right adjuster bolts by 2 to 3 turns using a 12mm or 14mm box wrench.

3Turn Adjusters in Small Increments

Turn both adjuster bolts equally. One full 360° turn of an M8 bolt moves the axle by 1.25 mm. Adjust 1/4-turn at a time.

4Kick Tire Firmly Forward

Kick the rear tire firmly toward the front of the motorcycle to ensure the axle blocks are solidly seated against the bolt heads.

5Torque Rear Axle Nut to Spec

Torque the axle spindle nut to exactly Not Available - Refer to Factory Workshop Manual. Always use a calibrated 1/2" torque wrench.

6Crucial Re-Check of Slack

Torquing down the rear axle nut frequently tightens chain slack by 2 to 4 mm! Always re-check slack after full torque is applied.

Official NHTSA Safety Recalls & Technical Bulletins

0 Open Campaigns (Clean)

U.S. Department of Transportation compliance database (Title 49 U.S.C. Chapter 301).

Verify VIN on NHTSA.gov

No Active Federal Safety Recalls Reported

The U.S. DOT National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) records zero open safety recall campaigns for the 2021 KTM 1290 Super Adventure / R / S platform. Always check your individual 17-digit VIN at an authorized dealership or via NHTSA.gov for individual recall completions.

OEM Workshop Archives

Official Factory Service Bulletins & Field Updates

1 Documented Bulletin

Bulletin #KTM-18V033Safety Recall 18V-033: Brembo 16mm PR16 Radial Master Cylinder Aluminum Piston Retrofit

Source: KTM_Recall18V033_RCRIT-18V033-5873.pdf

Mandated Torques:Brembo Radial Master Cylinder Clamp Bolts (2x M6): 10 N·m (7.4 lb-ft)Brake Line Banjo Union Bolt (M10×1.0): 25 N·m (18.5 lb-ft)Bleeder Valve Screw (M10×1.0): 10 N·m (7.4 lb-ft)Brake Lever Pivot Screw (M6): 5 N·m (44 in-lb)Brake Lever Pivot Locknut (M6): 10 N·m (88 in-lb)

Consumable Specs:Motorex Brake Fluid DOT 5.1 / DOT 4

Genuine Part Numbers:Brembo 16mm PR16 Hard-Anodized Aluminum Piston Kit (1058444)KTM Hand Brake Cylinder Repair Set (61313008000)KTM Workshop Syringe Tool (50329050000)Copper Seal Ring DIN 7603-10×14×1 (0603100141)

NHTSA Recall 18V-033Brembo Campaign / SIB PR16-Piston

KTM 1290 Super Duke R / GT Brembo Radial Master Cylinder Aluminum Piston

Brembo PR16 radial front master cylinder hard-anodized aluminum piston retrofit, circlip seating, and banjo union torques.

Safety Recall RemedyClamp 10 N·m / Banjo 25 N·m / Bleeder 10 N·m

Genuine Part Numbers:105844461313008000503290500000603100141

Click any component or torque callout above to inspect aluminum piston retrofit instructions and Brembo torque mandates.

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Subsystem Guide/torques

Fastener Torques

Engine drain plug, axle spindles, caliper mounts, triple clamp pinch bolts & thread lubrication derating guide.

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Subsystem Guide/fluids

Fluids & Capacities

Oil: 3.60 L (3.80 US qt) • Coolant: 2.40 L (2.54 US qt) • Brake: DOT 5.1 / DOT 4

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Subsystem Guide/fuses-relays

Fuses & Relays

Main: 30A Blade / Starter Relay • Location: N/A

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Subsystem Guide/compression

Compression & Leakdown

Ratio: 13.1:1 • Std: 175-220 PSI • Limit: 150 PSI

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Subsystem Guide/valves

Valve Clearances

Intake: N/A mm • Exhaust: N/A mm

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Subsystem Guide/fuel-delivery

Fuel Delivery & TB Sync

Idle: N/A • Rail Pressure: N/A • Vacuum: N/A

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Subsystem Guide/electrical

Charging & Battery

Battery: YTX14-BS • CCA: 200 • Regulated: 14.2 - 14.8 V DC (at 5,000 RPM with High Beam)

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Subsystem Guide/suspension

Suspension & Sag

Front Travel: 200 mm • Rear Travel: 200 mm

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Subsystem Guide/maintenance

Maintenance Schedule

Oil: Every 9,300 miles (15,000 km) mi • Valves: N/A • Plugs: Every 18,600 miles (30,000 km) mi

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