KTM's balls-to-the-wall 2027 1390 Super Adventure S Evo is finally making its way into US dealerships, and I'd recommend getting yourself a cup of tea before reading the list of upgrades over the previous iteration. I should say, however, that calling this the "2027" model, as KTM is, is a bit of a stretch because, as we all know, the brand went through a range of financial and production issues last year, resulting in some of its models being delayed. Some outlets tested this model in 2025, so take the '2027' part with a handful of salt.
One of the most exciting, probably the most exciting, upgrades for the new 1390 Super Adventure S Evo is its new powerplant. This engine has gone from a 1,300cc unit in the previous iteration to a 1,350cc unit in the outgoing model, and with that extra 50cc comes more horsepower and torque to the tune of 173 HP and 107 lb-ft of torque. But it's not just a larger capacity engine that's producing the extra ponies, as the internals have been reworked, too.
The bike uses KTM's new 'CAMSHIFT' technology, which is supposed to provide improved rideability at low revs, higher peak performance, and lower emissions and fuel consumption. At higher revs, the inlet cams shift sideways, opening the valves longer and higher to provide more fuel to the cylinder, and that's when the engine makes peak power. In the lower rev range, the inlet cams dial back the valve timing and lift, which should make the bike less aggressive and easier to ride at lower speeds. Since this new model has more power on tap, you'll be happy to know it should also handle better, too.
