2026 BMW R 1300 GS vs 2026 KTM 1390 Super Adventure S in Jessup, MD

2026 BMW R 1300 GS vs 2026 KTM 1390 Super Adventure S

Adventure motorcycles thrive on real-world versatility, intuitive control, and technology that genuinely helps you ride better. That’s the heart of the 2026 BMW R 1300 GS vs 2026 KTM 1390 Super Adventure S conversation. The BMW delivers a compelling package built around a powerful 1,300 cc ShiftCam boxer, the hallmark EVO Telelever and EVO Paralever chassis, and standard safety tech like BMW Motorrad Full Integral ABS Pro and Dynamic Traction Control. The KTM counters with a 1,350 cc V-twin boasting 173 PS, WP Semi-Active Suspension, and a tall portrait 8-inch TFT. Yet in day-to-day use across the I-95 corridor, the BMW’s lighter curb weight, shaft drive, and available innovations such as Automated Shift Assistant (ASA) and Adaptive Vehicle Height Control make it easier to live with and more confidence-inspiring at low speeds and in tight maneuvers. Whether you’re threading through traffic between Baltimore, MD, and Washington, D.C., or heading for gravel spurs near Patapsco Valley State Park, the GS’s balanced ergonomics, smooth driveline, and refined electronics come together to reduce fatigue and amplify control in ways riders feel immediately.

Feature	2026 BMW R 1300 GS	2026 KTM 1390 Super Adventure S
Cardan shaft final drive	Yes	No
EVO Telelever front suspension	Yes	No
EVO Paralever rear suspension	Yes	No
LED matrix headlight	Yes	No
Automated Shift Assistant (ASA)	Yes	No
Adaptive Vehicle Height Control	Yes	No
Lean-angle sensitive ABS	Yes	Yes
Semi-active electronic suspension	Yes	Yes
Radar-based Active Cruise Control	Yes	Yes
Keyless system	Yes	Yes

Trims

The GS line is renowned for purpose-built variants that let you start closer to your style of riding. For 2026, the R 1300 GS arrives in three compelling expressions. The R 1300 GS Trophy skews toward sporty off-road adventure with equipment and ergonomics tailored to standing control and rugged terrain. The R 1300 GS Triple Black prioritizes comfort and all-around adaptability, pairing long-distance refinement with GS hallmark agility. And the R 1300 GS Option 719 Biscaya is the premium, unmistakably exclusive specification for riders who want a distinctive look and upscale details without sacrificing performance. Across the range, you benefit from the same core hardware: the 145 hp boxer, 523 lb curb weight, monocoque rear frame, and the signature EVO Telelever/EVO Paralever setup. Each trim supports a deep catalog of factory options like DSA (Dynamic Suspension Adjustment), Adaptive Vehicle Height Control, Headlight Pro, and Active Cruise Control (ACC), so you can tune your GS to your ideal on-road/off-road mix. By comparison, the 2026 KTM 1390 Super Adventure S is offered as a single on-road-focused variant with available add-ons such as Front Radar (for its form of ACC), Rally mode, Quickshifter+, Suspension Pro, and Hill Hold Control. It’s capable and quick, but the BMW’s trim strategy means you can align the bike’s feel and equipment more precisely from day one.

Features

Underpinning the 2026 BMW R 1300 GS vs 2026 KTM 1390 Super Adventure S is an unmistakable difference in how each bike approaches everyday control. The BMW comes standard with a clear, bright TFT with BMW Motorrad Connectivity, heated grips, Keyless Ride, and a robust suite of rider aids: BMW Motorrad Full Integral ABS Pro (lean-angle optimized), Dynamic Traction Control (DTC), Hill Start Control (HSC), Dynamic Cruise Control (DCC), Engine Drag Torque Control (MSR), Tire Pressure Monitor (TPM), and four riding modes (Eco, Rain, Road, Enduro). Available Headlight Pro upgrades the already iconic LED matrix headlight with modern lighting functions, while ACC uses radar to add seamless distance-keeping on the highway. Optional DSA actively adapts damping and spring characteristics, and Adaptive Vehicle Height Control makes low-speed stops and starts more relaxed for a wider range of riders. ASA can even automate clutch operation and shifting. The KTM brings a sharp tech package of its own, with an 8-inch portrait-mount TFT, Motorcycle Traction Control, Cornering ABS, multiple ride modes (RAIN, STREET, SPORT, OFFROAD, plus an optional RALLY), cruise control, and WP SAT semi-active suspension. It also offers Front Radar as an option and thoughtful comfort touches like a redesigned, quieter windshield and multi-adjustable controls. Both are well equipped; the BMW stacks unique advantages with shaft drive, its matrix headlight, and innovations like ASA and height control that directly improve day-to-day ease.

Specifications

Numbers tell part of the story. The BMW’s air/liquid-cooled, 1,300 cc ShiftCam boxer is rated at 145 hp at 7,750 rpm and 110 lb-ft at 6,500 rpm, driving through a six-speed gearbox and a low-maintenance Cardan shaft. Curb weight sits at a notably manageable 523 lb with a 5.0-gallon tank, and suspension travel measures 7.5 inches front and 7.9 inches rear. BMW Motorrad Full Integral ABS Pro, the EVO Telelever/EVO Paralever chassis, and the light, compact rear structure contribute to the GS’s trademark stability and steering precision, particularly under braking and over broken pavement. The KTM counters with a 1,350 cc V-twin delivering 173 PS and 145 Nm, semi-active WP suspension with 220 mm of travel, a chain final drive, and a fully fueled weight listed at 244 kg (approximately 538 lb) with a 23-liter tank. The KTM’s additional output shines at high speed, while the BMW’s broad torque curve, smoother driveline, and chassis geometry encourage composed corner entries and neutral mid-corner posture. Both offer radar-based cruise as options and lean-sensitive ABS; the GS’s modular ergonomics and electronics, however, aim squarely at reducing effort in slow traffic and on uneven surfaces—benefits riders notice hour after hour.

Accessories

Factory-fit options and accessories are where the GS becomes your GS. The Original BMW Motorrad Accessories catalog supports true adventure utility: Vario luggage that expands on demand, a robust luggage plate, tank bag solutions that integrate neatly with the cockpit, and protective equipment like the Enduro engine guard, Enduro headlight guard, and cylinder-head cover guards. Add the ConnectedRide Navigator for turn-by-turn guidance, smart route planning, and a seamless rider interface. On the technology side, available DSA (Dynamic Suspension Adjustment) broadens the performance envelope, Headlight Pro upgrades lighting for better corner definition, and Adaptive Vehicle Height Control can reduce seat height at stops. The included BMW Motorrad Ultimate Care Break-In Service (the 600-mile service, with time/mileage limits) adds ownership confidence from day one. While the KTM ecosystem offers PowerParts like Touratech cases, tank bags, windscreen spoilers, Quickshifter+, and suspension upgrades, BMW’s system-level integration—spanning electronics, chassis behavior, and luggage—feels especially cohesive on the road. For riders who want the motorcycle to work with them as conditions change across highways, county backroads, and gravel connectors, the GS accessory path is both deep and thoughtfully connected.

Request more 2026 BMW R 1300 GS information

Choosing between the 2026 BMW R 1300 GS vs 2026 KTM 1390 Super Adventure S ultimately comes down to which bike supports your riding life with the least compromise. The KTM’s high-output V-twin and sophisticated WP SAT suspension make it an impressive long-haul tarmac machine that can handle dirt detours. The BMW, however, combines a lighter curb weight, a smooth and durable shaft drive, and a uniquely stable chassis with rider-first innovations like ASA and Adaptive Vehicle Height Control—advantages that shine in low-speed situations, on variable pavement, and in real-world traffic patterns in Jessup, MD. Add the GS’s iconic LED matrix headlight, comprehensive standard safety tech, and cohesive factory options, and you get a platform that stays calm, planted, and easy to manage while still being thrilling when the road opens up. Bob's Motorcycles stands behind the 2026 BMW R 1300 GS with expertise, parts, and support tailored to riders in Jessup, MD. If you value confident control, lower day-to-day effort, and a fully integrated package that scales from commute to adventure, the GS is the smarter long-term choice in Jessup, MD.

2026BMWR 1300 GS Adventure DEMO