KTM Super Duke 1290 R
Discussion
mak said:
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
This is completely epic and makes me want to pull the trigger on an SDR now, but I will wait just in case the deals get better.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 couldn't believe how easy the bike turned in it was like a sporst bike
milner993 said:
This is completely epic and makes me want to pull the trigger on an SDR now, but I will wait just in case the deals get better.
I couldn't believe how easy the bike turned in it was like a sporst bike
I was told by the ktm dealer they run a 3 year cycle before running out a new model, that would suggest to me the new one may come out next year so the mk2 still has some life in it, I wouldn't expect massive discounts this year but I was offered a crated 2017 bike last November for 12500, that was a cash only offer.I couldn't believe how easy the bike turned in it was like a sporst bike
Shop around but if nothing happens by November I would suggest it is not going to happen.
mak said:
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 like them Mak, they're a mans bike ( if you ride them hard) and yes I wouldn't say no to 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've done nearly 6000 on my GT now
Done two Euro trips,bike was brilliant for this apart from the seat.
It does get a bit lairy over the bumps and jumps of somewhere like the Yorkshire dales/moors if you are not hanging about.
Replacing the standard damper with an Ohlins and having the electronic suspension set for two people when
riding solo seems to have mainly cured it
An unpopular voice of descent.
I was all ready to buy one of these until I test rode one in 2017. I love a bit of an animal and can wheelie for days but a too nervous front end and too short low ratios and wide overall ratio box put me off these - it's like a supermoto on steroids, rather than a well resolved super naked or naked sports bike. Just felt like I'd put myself in a hedge on it. If you like going a bit mental across country, carrying a lot of corner speed, then this bike felt like it would stitch you up, rather than get you out of trouble.
They also managed to make a V-twin sound farty. MT10 SP is the sweet spot as long as you can stomach the budget bits with premium price.
If you like point and squirt riding you'll love the 1290R. It does stop, turn, squirt brilliantly.
I was all ready to buy one of these until I test rode one in 2017. I love a bit of an animal and can wheelie for days but a too nervous front end and too short low ratios and wide overall ratio box put me off these - it's like a supermoto on steroids, rather than a well resolved super naked or naked sports bike. Just felt like I'd put myself in a hedge on it. If you like going a bit mental across country, carrying a lot of corner speed, then this bike felt like it would stitch you up, rather than get you out of trouble.
They also managed to make a V-twin sound farty. MT10 SP is the sweet spot as long as you can stomach the budget bits with premium price.
If you like point and squirt riding you'll love the 1290R. It does stop, turn, squirt brilliantly.
scunnylad said:
I've done nearly 6000 on my GT now
Done two Euro trips,bike was brilliant for this apart from the seat.
It does get a bit lairy over the bumps and jumps of somewhere like the Yorkshire dales/moors if you are not hanging about.
Replacing the standard damper with an Ohlins and having the electronic suspension set for two people when
riding solo seems to have mainly cured it
Precisely my experience of my GT. Numb arse and quickly learning to get on my feet to avoid bring slung out of the saddle on the North Yorks/Dales roads.Done two Euro trips,bike was brilliant for this apart from the seat.
It does get a bit lairy over the bumps and jumps of somewhere like the Yorkshire dales/moors if you are not hanging about.
Replacing the standard damper with an Ohlins and having the electronic suspension set for two people when
riding solo seems to have mainly cured it
Love mine to bits, goes like billio, handles great, strong brakes. Only things I don't like are the cruise control button positioning and the seat. Got a track day booked at Donny, will be fun.
Biker's Nemesis said:
Ho Lee Kau said:
I presume Fireblade 954 is not a man's bike, but is Speed Triple RS a man's bike?
Enquiring minds want to know.
You really do baffle me.Enquiring minds want to know.
You said 1290 is a man's bike and you would have one in a jiffy.
Also you are like a Big Kahuna (not the burger) on this forum.
And you do not go much into bickering about things like rain in Silversrone etc...
2+2... who else should I ask?
Ho Lee Kau said:
Biker's Nemesis said:
Ho Lee Kau said:
I presume Fireblade 954 is not a man's bike, but is Speed Triple RS a man's bike?
Enquiring minds want to know.
You really do baffle me.Enquiring minds want to know.
You said 1290 is a man's bike and you would have one in a jiffy.
Also you are like a Big Kahuna (not the burger) on this forum.
And you do not go much into bickering about things like rain in Silversrone etc...
2+2... who else should I ask?
Edited by mak on Wednesday 19th September 19:42
3DP said:
An unpopular voice of descent.
I was all ready to buy one of these until I test rode one in 2017. I love a bit of an animal and can wheelie for days but a too nervous front end and too short low ratios and wide overall ratio box put me off these - it's like a supermoto on steroids, rather than a well resolved super naked or naked sports bike. Just felt like I'd put myself in a hedge on it. If you like going a bit mental across country, carrying a lot of corner speed, then this bike felt like it would stitch you up, rather than get you out of trouble.
They also managed to make a V-twin sound farty. MT10 SP is the sweet spot as long as you can stomach the budget bits with premium price.
If you like point and squirt riding you'll love the 1290R. It does stop, turn, squirt brilliantly.
I had one for a couple of months this year. Didn’t fill me with confidence and I was happier taking my 950 SM out. Certainly a bike where you need to be ‘on it’ to start enjoying it but it wasn’t for me. I never thought ‘ I must go out for a ride on the SDR’ which I have done previously with other KTM’s. Ended up buying a 690 SMCR and I can honestly say I have had more fun on that riding the balls off it than I did on my 1290 where everything was a bit more effortless but frustrating in equal measures. Glad I had one but can’t say I’ve missed it.I was all ready to buy one of these until I test rode one in 2017. I love a bit of an animal and can wheelie for days but a too nervous front end and too short low ratios and wide overall ratio box put me off these - it's like a supermoto on steroids, rather than a well resolved super naked or naked sports bike. Just felt like I'd put myself in a hedge on it. If you like going a bit mental across country, carrying a lot of corner speed, then this bike felt like it would stitch you up, rather than get you out of trouble.
They also managed to make a V-twin sound farty. MT10 SP is the sweet spot as long as you can stomach the budget bits with premium price.
If you like point and squirt riding you'll love the 1290R. It does stop, turn, squirt brilliantly.
Ho Lee Kau said:
Why?
You said 1290 is a man's bike and you would have one in a jiffy.
Also you are like a Big Kahuna (not the burger) on this forum.
And you do not go much into bickering about things like rain in Silversrone etc...
2+2... who else should I ask?
I know nothing and have done nothing, so its no good asking me anything.You said 1290 is a man's bike and you would have one in a jiffy.
Also you are like a Big Kahuna (not the burger) on this forum.
And you do not go much into bickering about things like rain in Silversrone etc...
2+2... who else should I ask?
Just picked up a new SDGT yesterday - love it so far. Replaces a Monster 1200. Trip to the mountains beckons Saturday to get to the 600 mile service to can use it properly.
Wish I'd researched more / had this post few weeks ago so I would have negotiated the quickshifter software into the deal, instead of the $400 extra. How very BMW of them.
Wish I'd researched more / had this post few weeks ago so I would have negotiated the quickshifter software into the deal, instead of the $400 extra. How very BMW of them.
Swapped my Triumph Sprint ST for a SDGT this summer. Needless to say a big jump in performance. Niggles are minor, but I can forgive many things for that engine, its not how I expected a 1300cc v twin to be at all. All that low down grunt, but a top end that just goes on and on. Its not the ideal tool to weave through town traffic which is why I've been looking for a SM to sit with it.
Get the exhaust, its mental with it.
Random stuff I can put forward after owning for some time. The ktm tail bag is very useful, you can have a usb cable come up from the hole in my picture, below the pillion seat. The under pillion seat mobile phone holder is a bit redundant, I use a quad lock mount for my phone and have a cable that reaches to the under seat USB port. The rabbit ears look terrible so I replaced them with CRG lanesplitters, that are excellent. I don’t use the cruise control as much as I did with the s1000r, I think it’s because I like the engine feel a lot more.
The evotech crash bar things actually look good on this bike, like an oem part.
I had the suspension setup, which improved it massively.
Wind protection is probably the best for a naked. The bike is very comfortable on long rides.
You have to make sure the battery inside the keyless key is supported by a grey cover, if that isn’t there the battery moves and isn’t registered by the bike. TPMS warned me of a rear puncture but I think the front sensor is faulty.
I was thinking of selling mine when the new s1000rr comes out but I’m not sure that bike would entertain as much as the KTM on the road.
Random stuff I can put forward after owning for some time. The ktm tail bag is very useful, you can have a usb cable come up from the hole in my picture, below the pillion seat. The under pillion seat mobile phone holder is a bit redundant, I use a quad lock mount for my phone and have a cable that reaches to the under seat USB port. The rabbit ears look terrible so I replaced them with CRG lanesplitters, that are excellent. I don’t use the cruise control as much as I did with the s1000r, I think it’s because I like the engine feel a lot more.
The evotech crash bar things actually look good on this bike, like an oem part.
I had the suspension setup, which improved it massively.
Wind protection is probably the best for a naked. The bike is very comfortable on long rides.
You have to make sure the battery inside the keyless key is supported by a grey cover, if that isn’t there the battery moves and isn’t registered by the bike. TPMS warned me of a rear puncture but I think the front sensor is faulty.
I was thinking of selling mine when the new s1000rr comes out but I’m not sure that bike would entertain as much as the KTM on the road.
I went out with my mate yesterday who has recently bought a 1290. He’s been trying to get me off my Guzzi for ages and has a 990smt for sale. All the other guys I ride with are on KTMs too.The Superduke goes like a rocket but I it’s not exactly pretty, however it leaves my bike for dead. I don’t think I’d ever sell it though.
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