KTM Superduke 1290R

[robinh73]

Morning all, while I am still trying to decide on which bike to get (as per a previous topic Aprilia RSV4/Ducati 1*98), another bike has possibly come on to the radar. Does anyone have any thoughts/experience with the KTM Superduke 1290R, either gen 1 or 2?

[robinh73]

Cheers for the replies chaps, good to hear it gets the thumbs up. Also good to note that overall the gen 1&2 are still at the sharp end.

[robinh73]

mak said:

The gen one and 2 are the same bike, I've had both ( at the same time) from new albeit the gen 2 has some more toys they felt the same to me. Start pushing on with this bike and it will bite you, you can ride it hard but it takes some learning and will never be civilised.

Its a great bike but the engine dominates the chassis and no matter how much people spend on suspension its an adventure bike frame that squats at the rear and is high at the front hence its character .

People will say the gen3 is no better, most of these people are just unable to purchase a gen3 at a reasonable trade in value or just pootle about so hence they become protective of the old bike.

The gen 3 bike is not even relevant to the old model, it might as well have a different manufacturers badge on it, it is a totally different bike for the better, yes I've owned one since its 1st release .

As far as motor goes the gen 3 engine braking has been dialled out for the better.

Saying all of the above the old bike is still an experience like no other and I have enjoyed many years on all 3 models .

Edited by mak on Saturday 14th May 21:56

What a cracking collection there! I didn't realise that the 1&2 were the same essentially. I would love a 3 but can't quite stretch to it yet. Was the 2 keyless (am sure another poster mentioned something along those lines)? Also the 2 has the newer style headlight with the horseshoe effect led's doesn't it?

[robinh73]

scorcher said:

Gen 2 was keyless, tft screen, horseshoe headlight, quickshifter, launch control, flatter bars among the updates.

Gen 3 has a different frame.

Right, that is good to know. Thought the frame on the gen 3 looked different. Sounds like the gen 2 is where I shall look unless there is a right spec and price gen 3.

[robinh73]

papa3 said:

I can't help with Gen 1 or 2 bikes but the gen 3 is astonishing.

Caveat first, I am not the fastest rider by any measure and my normal choices are big adventure or super tourers.

I had an 80 mile round trip for work and the new 1290R was spare. The first 20 mins were just acclimatising to the torque. I often hear of many bikes "bonkers/mental/rip your arms off" but this thing is incredible.

Once I settled in to the ride it was like playing a game. Batter throttle, laugh like a child, repeat. I didn't make it I to track or performance modes, sport was more than enough for the first try.

From my perspective the bike was far more capable than I will ever be, great fun, comfy and looks amazing.

It wouldn't be my "only" bike, but it would happily be my second.

Many thanks indeed for that, it is experiences such as this that really convince me it is the bike I need in my life! I would love a gen 3 but I have to be sensible with the budget and stick to it.