KTM Super Duke 1290 R
Discussion
I took one out on a KTM open day, and I'm smitten with it. It's fantastic. I'd be on one now if I wasn't in the middle of a Ducati PCP deal.
Did the one you rode have the quickshifter enabled? It makes the bike IMO, make sure that it's unlocked. As standard the bike has the hardware but it requires a software unlock for the dealer - c. £400 if I remember correctly.
Did the one you rode have the quickshifter enabled? It makes the bike IMO, make sure that it's unlocked. As standard the bike has the hardware but it requires a software unlock for the dealer - c. £400 if I remember correctly.
Test rode one last weekend. Ordered one on Monday. Going to trade my S1000R in for it. I fancied a change and the 2018 S1000r isn’t different enough and the nearest Aprillia dealer is too far away to but a tuono which is the other bike I would’ve really liked.
Best deal I got was from Craig’s KTM.
13k including performance pack.
Regards, doggydog.
Best deal I got was from Craig’s KTM.
13k including performance pack.
Regards, doggydog.
doggydog33 said:
Test rode one last weekend. Ordered one on Monday. Going to trade my S1000R in for it. I fancied a change and the 2018 S1000r isn’t different enough and the nearest Aprillia dealer is too far away to but a tuono which is the other bike I would’ve really liked.
Best deal I got was from Craig’s KTM.
13k including performance pack.
Regards, doggydog.
So, what was your first impression of 1290 compared to your S1000R?Best deal I got was from Craig’s KTM.
13k including performance pack.
Regards, doggydog.
I haven't tried any KTM so far, but I rode S1000R quite a few times over the last 4 years.
This year I rode 2018 version back-to-back with MT-10 (non-SP) and liked the BMW much much more than Yamaha.
I tried Tuono RR, it was a great ride.
My favorite (if I were to buy a big naked bike now) is Speed Triple RS, I like that bike a lot.
The KTM I took out had the quickshifter and it was so smooth makes riding far more enjoyable.
I rode the Aprilia Tuono Factory a month before and that's a fantastic bike the only problems with that bike for me was I'm 6ft2 and found I was a little tall to get comfortable, I'm not sure I would want to go for a really long ride as I commute alot to work via my bike, secondly the Aprilia is so insane it won't let you ride it gently you have to ride on the limit everywhere, I don't want a £15k bike that I can only look at in the garage because I no longer have a licence, when I test rode the Aprilia I spent most of it on the back wheel although I did have a massive smile on my face.
The KTM seemed to give me the best of both worlds, a gentle giant when you want it to be and a complete beast, I've just got to find the best deal now, one the KTM forum someone is suggesting there could be a bike price drop coming for the next quarter.
I rode the Aprilia Tuono Factory a month before and that's a fantastic bike the only problems with that bike for me was I'm 6ft2 and found I was a little tall to get comfortable, I'm not sure I would want to go for a really long ride as I commute alot to work via my bike, secondly the Aprilia is so insane it won't let you ride it gently you have to ride on the limit everywhere, I don't want a £15k bike that I can only look at in the garage because I no longer have a licence, when I test rode the Aprilia I spent most of it on the back wheel although I did have a massive smile on my face.
The KTM seemed to give me the best of both worlds, a gentle giant when you want it to be and a complete beast, I've just got to find the best deal now, one the KTM forum someone is suggesting there could be a bike price drop coming for the next quarter.
That was for a new bike. I tried a few other dealers and they couldn’t touch the offer.
I only rode the KTM for an hour and it didn’t click straight away like it did when I first rode the S1000R. It’s got a slightly taller seat which isn’t as good for me as I have short legs and it feels like your right over the front wheel of it. It doesn’t seem quick when you first ride it but when you look down at the dash it’s kicking on!
It seemed to turn in quicker than the BMW and weight transfer through a series of bends also felt better.
It’s vibey, but, hey, it’s a 1300cc twin!
The S1000R has been a great bike and BMW have been excellent in the service in sorting out the few issues that i’ve had (you pay for it mind),
Time will tell if i’ve made the right decision.
I’m over in Austria at the moment and it’s no surprise that there’s loads of SDR’s and GT’s out here. You hardly see one in the UK.
I only rode the KTM for an hour and it didn’t click straight away like it did when I first rode the S1000R. It’s got a slightly taller seat which isn’t as good for me as I have short legs and it feels like your right over the front wheel of it. It doesn’t seem quick when you first ride it but when you look down at the dash it’s kicking on!
It seemed to turn in quicker than the BMW and weight transfer through a series of bends also felt better.
It’s vibey, but, hey, it’s a 1300cc twin!
The S1000R has been a great bike and BMW have been excellent in the service in sorting out the few issues that i’ve had (you pay for it mind),
Time will tell if i’ve made the right decision.
I’m over in Austria at the moment and it’s no surprise that there’s loads of SDR’s and GT’s out here. You hardly see one in the UK.
I have one 
. Best bike I've ever owned!
https://vimeo.com/262804180. Sorry... no exhaust noise and I'm not Valentino Rossi
. There are a couple of other videos on there if you're interested in what it's like to ride an SDR in a far away place
. Best bike I've ever owned!https://vimeo.com/262804180. Sorry... no exhaust noise and I'm not Valentino Rossi
. There are a couple of other videos on there if you're interested in what it's like to ride an SDR in a far away place Edited by mpkaye on Tuesday 18th September 07:57
tless. Good god BN let it lie man , you no you wont one
I will add some pics as this topic is picture less. The 1290r, so good I purchased 2
The mk1 was purchased new and eventually was sold, replaced by the mk2, there is no difference from 2017 through 2018 the mk2 is the same bike until they introduce a new model.
They are a cracking bike, you can use the enormous grunt to just short shift through the box and keep the pace down while enjoying the punch of the motor but it becomes a different bike when you start hitting the throttle stop, its brutal . It tuck me a while to learn how to ride this bike and its more rewarding for it.
If you do find yourself out with a Tuono owner who rides hard it will keep up but boy do I get tired of him asking if someone is mowing the lawn every time I start the 1290 up
Note the size of the Tuono and the massive helmet in the pic, that's a seriously big head
In fact I probably need to confess, I like the 1290 sdr so much I needed to see what it would be like in a sports bike equivalent , its Good
On the other side of the coin I totally understand why this bike is not for some yet others love it, get out there and get one in the garage
I will add some pics as this topic is picture less. The 1290r, so good I purchased 2
The mk1 was purchased new and eventually was sold, replaced by the mk2, there is no difference from 2017 through 2018 the mk2 is the same bike until they introduce a new model.
They are a cracking bike, you can use the enormous grunt to just short shift through the box and keep the pace down while enjoying the punch of the motor but it becomes a different bike when you start hitting the throttle stop, its brutal . It tuck me a while to learn how to ride this bike and its more rewarding for it.
If you do find yourself out with a Tuono owner who rides hard it will keep up but boy do I get tired of him asking if someone is mowing the lawn every time I start the 1290 up
Note the size of the Tuono and the massive helmet in the pic, that's a seriously big head
In fact I probably need to confess, I like the 1290 sdr so much I needed to see what it would be like in a sports bike equivalent , its Good
On the other side of the coin I totally understand why this bike is not for some yet others love it, get out there and get one in the garage
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