KTM 1290 Superduke - Review

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D6Nutz
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KTM 1290 Superduke - Review

Post by D6Nutz »

So I picked my bike up this morning from the dealers and thought, hell, I've just spent a bucket load of cash with them I might as well ask if I can borrow the 1290 SD demo bike for an hour. There where no hesitations, the bike was rolled out, fired up, and the key shoved in a pocket. I'm still not 100% sure on keyless...

The dealer gave the bike a quick look, fiddled with the dash and the only thing he said to me is... Your in sport mode, so it's full fat nothing held back. Have fun and see you in a bit... I expected at least a warning to two about the bike, but hey.... Bye :D

I headed off to one of my favourite roads in the area, the A338 from Wantage, it's a smooth, quiet, and fast road. Perfect. The only challange was getting there. Now a little about the 1290, it has the KTM bloodline crossed with the genetics of a fire breathing monster. I've been riding liter bikes for about a decade now, but I've never met anything with the midrange of this thing. There was no QS/ blipper on the bike, but that didn't matter as the gear shift was positive and easy to hook up.

The bumpy road from the dealer was quite a challange as every bump engaged the throttle, and that made the ride quite jerky, however once up on the dual carriage way the ride settled and I was also very surprised at the lack of wind blast. You feel like you are riding on the front wheel and there is nothing in front of you., so you expect to be blasted of the back of the bike. The other thing was overtaking is terrifyingly easy.

After a little town work, and testing out Street mode, it became very apparent that this is not the bike if you want to commute or potter round town. Trying to keep to 30mph is virtually impossible. Finally the road went uphill and the 338 beconed.. This is where the bike came to life properly.

It's perfectly stable in the bends and with the wide bars turns quickly and confidently, and it's quick. Being shod with M7RR's the feedback was what I was used to so I felt confident chucking it into bend after bend, and hell how it punched out of the bends, it's quick. The raspy bark you get from the exhaust as you blip the throttle for a down shift has you grinning like a kid before you open it again for the next bit, and feck me it's quick..

In case you hadn't gathered, its quick... Too quick IMO.. If you only road places like the mountain section of the IOM TT course, then this is a great bike. But for UK roads you will spend every second of the ride grinning like a dick and watching the speedo.
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Re: KTM 1290 Superduke - Review

Post by C00kiemonster »

Sounds like my RC8 to be honest - ace midrange (which i do miss a little) but too fast for the roads and impossible to ride slowly. It would be ace on track.

Nice review - sounds like great fun :)
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Re: KTM 1290 Superduke - Review

Post by Kwacky »

Nice review. The bike sounds mental.
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Re: KTM 1290 Superduke - Review

Post by Deegee »

Good review! Tbh it’s only confirmed what I already thought, it’s the nutters weapon of choice. No compromises.
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Re: KTM 1290 Superduke - Review

Post by Cavetroll87 »

Top of my test ride list for next year when I start looking at a new bike!
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Re: KTM 1290 Superduke - Review

Post by Rossgo »

They come with M7RR tyres or was it a used bike? Sounds nuts, clearly too much for road use though really

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Re: KTM 1290 Superduke - Review

Post by Kwacky »

M7RR are stock.

Aren't 95% of the bikes sold now too much for the road?
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Re: KTM 1290 Superduke - Review

Post by Jack »

Kwacky wrote:
Aren't 95% of the bikes sold now too much for the road?

Don't say things like that , somebody might hear and decide that everything needs restricting .
Anyway it's not the bikes it's the way they are ridden .....
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Re: KTM 1290 Superduke - Review

Post by D6Nutz »

Jack wrote: Anyway it's not the bikes it's the way they are ridden .....
I don't often say things like this, but with the 1290 it is the bike. Roll on the throttle from 40 in 3rd and before you an blink you are in licence losing territory. The worst part is, it doesn't feel that quick.
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Re: KTM 1290 Superduke - Review

Post by Rossgo »

Kwacky wrote:M7RR are stock.

Aren't 95% of the bikes sold now too much for the road?
Wow what a great trye to be putting on the bike. Prefect for British roads


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Re: KTM 1290 Superduke - Review

Post by Cav »

Kwacky wrote:Aren't 95% of the bikes sold now too much for the road?
You've been spending too much time with the IAM guys..
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Re: KTM 1290 Superduke - Review

Post by Kwacky »

They've all got various forms of the 1290 :D
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Re: KTM 1290 Superduke - Review

Post by Stonesie »

This has got me interested in the GT version, its just the reliability thats got me wondering if it would be a good move.

Great review D6.
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Re: KTM 1290 Superduke - Review

Post by Kwacky »

I don't think there's anything wrong with the reliability. Have a look at the KTM Forum to see if there any issues.
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Re: KTM 1290 Superduke - Review

Post by Stonesie »

I have lol thats what's given me doubts... Then again it's a global forum so will exaggerate any issues... After the MT a bigger fuel tank is attractive with no loss of power or fun.
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Re: KTM 1290 Superduke - Review

Post by Kwacky »

As you point out, any brand only forum will only highlight the issues.

A few of the riders in my local IAM have the GT. There's a meeting tomorrow, I'll ask them if there's any problems.

What would the insurance be like?
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Re: KTM 1290 Superduke - Review

Post by Stonesie »

Not much more than the MT, maybe £50 a year.
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Re: KTM 1290 Superduke - Review

Post by Kwacky »

Bargain. Go for it.
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Re: KTM 1290 Superduke - Review

Post by Kwacky »

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified ... UKE&page=1" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; That's at my local dealer. Let me know if you want me to take a look at it.
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Re: KTM 1290 Superduke - Review

Post by Stonesie »

Just called BeMoto and to transfer the policy to a SuperDuke GT would be £26... Very not bad.
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