Openai/69132c14-3348-800a-ba77-9b1f10d65e85

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User: If i will buy a used ktm super adventure S from the year 2020, what must have attention?

If i will buy a used ktm super adventure S from the year 2020, what must have attention?

Assistant: If you’re thinking about buying a used KTM 1290 Super Adventure S 2020 model, it’s a fantastic bike — but there are sev…

If you’re thinking about buying a used KTM 1290 Super Adventure S (2020 model), it’s a fantastic bike — but there are several specific issues and checks you should bear in mind to make sure you’re getting a good one. Below is a detailed checklist (with key known concerns) to help you evaluate the bike properly.

✅ What to check and look out for

Here are the things you should inspect / ask about:

1. Service history & maintenance

• Ensure the bike has been serviced on schedule and by a reputable dealer. The 1290 is a high-end machine and proper maintenance is more important.
• Ask for records of major services: valve clearance checks, suspension servicing, cooling system inspection, battery replacement history.
• Check if the bike has been used mostly for long rides or short hops (long rides tend to be kinder on some components).
• Look for any outstanding recalls or service bulletins for that year/model.

2. Electrical systems & battery

• Many owners report issues with keyless start/fob, dashboard warnings, errors. ktmforums.com > “The keyless start not working, 3-4 times.” > ktmforums.com
• Make sure the battery is in good health. Some complaints of sudden battery failure or electrical gremlins. Motorcycle News
• Test all electronics: ABS/TC modes, suspension modes, TFT display, lighting, cruise control, etc.
• Check for any “General Fault” messages or weird behaviour of modes (some owners report sensor faults). Reddit

3. Suspension, tyres and handling

• The bike has a lot of electronics and semi-active suspension. Make sure the modes work properly. Motormeiden
• Tyres: check condition, wear, age, type. Some owners report high-speed instability/wobble. ktmforums.com
• Alignment, wheel bearings, head bearings: any play or slack can become serious given the bike’s power and weight.
• On the 2020 series, especially with luggage on and at high speeds, stability can be an issue. ktmforum.co.uk

4. High speed stability / “wobble” issue

• There are several reports of high-speed wobble (especially with luggage or heavier loads) on the 2020/2021 SAS version. ktmforums.com > “Under hard acceleration … the wobble mostly starts (it is wind condition dependent) …” > ktmforums.com
• While this may be due to tyres, load, suspension settings or head-bearings, it’s a red flag you should test for.
• On your test ride: try it with and without luggage, vary load (solo vs two-up) and listen/watch for any instability.

5. Engine & performance

• The engine on the 1290 is widely praised for its performance. krizzietravels.be
• However, check for signs of oil leaks, coolant leaks, unusual noises, misfires.
• Ask about how many km the bike has done: used adventure touring bikes might have high mileage, and if many off-road miles then extra wear.
• Make sure the throttle response is correct, no surging, no hesitation, especially in different modes.

6. Body, accessories and usage history

• Check the bike’s physical condition: crash damage, pannier mounts if used often for touring, wear of parts.
• If heavily used off-road — while the 1290 SAS is capable — note the extra strain that places on suspension, wheels, bearings.
• Check that luggage, top box, panniers (if fitted) are properly mounted and that the handling remains good.

7. Check the ergonomics & suitability

• The 2020 SAS is quite tall and heavy. If you’re shorter in stature you should test it and make sure you are comfortable. Motorcycle News
• Sitting comfort, especially if you plan long tours, check seat height, wind protection, luggage fitment.

🤔 Pros & Cons summary (for context)

Pros:

• Excellent power and torque; one of the more thrilling adventure bikes. krizzietravels.be
• Great touring capability: large tank (23 L in some versions), good comfort for long rides. krizzietravels.be
• Advanced electronics, semi-active suspension, lots of features. Motormeiden

Cons / things to watch:

• Handling at high speed under certain conditions (weight, tyres, load) can be unstable.
• Some reliability/quality issues especially with electrics, battery, keyless system.
• Tall and heavy — may not suit shorter riders or those who mostly stop-and-go.
• Maintenance costs of a premium machine may be higher than average.

🎯 My recommendation for your inspection

When you go see the bike, here are specific steps to take:

1. Bring a cable (trickle charger) or test battery health. Ask if the battery has been replaced recently.
2. Sit on it: check seat height, comfort, can you reach ground, are controls all comfortable.
3. Check service book: valve clearances, suspension service records, battery replacements.
4. Start the bike cold: check for odd noises, misfires, warning lights.
5. Take it for a ride: - Ride with no luggage, then with luggage if fitted. - On a smooth road do a range of speeds including higher speeds (if safe/legal) and listen/feel for wobble, vibration, steering looseness. - Switch through the ride modes (Street, Sport, Enduro etc) and check whether the suspension/electronics respond.
6. Visually inspect tyres: age (look for date code), wear pattern, free of damage.
7. Physical inspection: check head bearings for play, check for oil/coolant leaks, check swing-arm, check chain/sprockets, look at bodywork (scratches, crash damage).
8. Ask for any faults: has the keyless start failed, has any electronic fault occurred, has the bike spent time in shop for faults?
9. If the bike has been used off-road ask for those details: how much off-road, any major knocks/drops, have suspension parts been replaced?

If you like, I can look up common service costs and what parts (brakes, tyres, suspension) cost on a 2020 SAS in the Netherlands (so you know your ongoing cost). Would that be helpful?