KTM 1290 Super Duke R: Review
KTM calls its 1290 Super Duke R 'the beast' - can PH2 tame it?
Sun soaked launch? Rain soaked reality more like
In typical fashion, it was throwing it down with rain when I picked up the Duke. Not exactly the ideal conditions for testing a naked bike with such a savage power output. After a bit of a pep talk by the KTM guys, I was advised how to change power modes and told the bike had its ABS and traction control activated. Personally I find power modes a waste of time, especially when you have TC, so I left it in Street and just got on with sloshing my way home.
As I blatted down the dual carriageway my first surprise was how effective the KTM's small nose fairing is. It might look tiny, but it is actually really good at deflecting the wind and you can easily hold a steady legal limit without feeling like your head is being bent back on itself. And the Duke is also very comfortable. The KTM feels physically larger than other naked bikes, presumably because it isn't a stripped down sports bike and has instead been designed as a bike in its own right. The tall tank gives a 'sit in' riding position and the whole frontal area feels big and somehow reassuring. It's a muscular bike and wasn't quite what I was expecting, however I was pleasantly surprised. But did the power output live up to the hype?
Let's stick to the glitzy press shots then!
Shaken when stirred
With a dry road and a slight feeling of naughtiness I decided to put the KTM through its paces on some roads I know fairly well. And it didn't take long for the Duke's character to change. Get that V-twin on song and it is remarkably potent. With all the rider aids switched on the Duke still attempts to wheelie off the throttle in third gear, meaning the traction control light spends most of its time flashing like a strobe light in a 1990s rave. The power delivery is absolutely bonkers and you can almost feel the two massive pistons thumping up and down in the cylinders. On a flat and smooth road it's seriously impressive as the electronics tend to keep it all under control. However, hit a bumpy back road and it starts to unravel slightly...
Now, did I leave the traction control on or off?
KTM has an irritating failsafe that means you can only turn the TC off when the bike is stationary with the engine running. And once you have decided to switch the TC off and the turn the ignition off, the computer resets itself and turns the TC back on again. You can get a dongle that makes the computer remember your last setting, but I found it really annoying I couldn't play with the TC while on the move. Sometimes you need to flick TC off should you wish to impress someone with a crafty wheelie, something you can't do on the Duke. And that's not its only irritation.
Inability to toggle TC on the move is frustrating
To me the 1290 Super Duke R feels like a bike that is nearly brilliant, but needs a few niggles sorted out. As well as the annoying TC issue, the Duke's mirrors are rendered utterly useless above 70mph due to vibrations, the oil pressure light on my test bike came on twice for no reason and most irritatingly the fuel reserve range is pathetic. The warning light came on and less than 15 miles later I was stuck at the side of the road, missing a curry and waiting for my girlfriend to rescue me with a can of petrol. And then there is the price, a tag of £13,999 is tricky to justify when the BMW comes fully loaded with active suspension for £11,390.
Wind the wick up on the Duke and the combination of fierce torque and the TC system means it is actually quite hard to ride quickly on a bumpy road and if you turn the TC off you really need to be on your toes. On a smooth road the torque is so strong that fast acceleration in third gear results in the front wheel hovering in the air slightly and the bars waggling from side to side gently. Yes, this is hysterical and really makes you giggle, but it's not the fastest way of getting past traffic! There again, take it gentle and the Duke is a very pleasant bike to ride. Which is why I'm a bit confused about the 1290 Super Duke R.
Never a dull moment on this bike, that's for sure
KTM 1290 SUPER DUKE R
Engine: 1,301cc V-twin
Power (hp): 160@9,250rpm
Torque (lb ft): 99@8,300rpm
Top speed: 155mph (est)
Weight: 189kg (dry)
MPG: 41mpg (est)
Price: £13,999
As to why it's so powerful - you really asked that here? People like power - they like big numbers - they sell bikes (even price numbers tbh)
To me it's a great looking bike which 90% of it's owners will never use 50% of - but that's OK in many ways.
I find it hard to imagine someone who's attracted to the BMW looking at this - or vice versa - but that's just my armchair 10p
It should be £10,999. KTM tend to oversupply, so when the more sorted 2nd and 3rd year models come out, expect decent discounts.
The KTM RC8R replacement with single sided swing arm and this engine with more top end, is going to be truly epic, but unfortunately I think they'll price it at Panigale levels.
k off engine 
<---------Loves it.
<---------Thinks it's worth every penny.
<---------Has no issues riding quickly on bumpy roads with it.
<---------Has tracked it and loved the power.
<---------Rides it on the road and loves the flexibility
<---------Doesn't mind if others think differently.
110hp feels plenty on my naked bike (BMW R Ninety) and 70 mph is as fast as I comfortably want to ride due to wind blowing directly on to your chest. I'd like to see the dude doing 155 mph on a naked bike.
<---------Loves it.
<---------Thinks it's worth every penny.
<---------Has no issues riding quickly on bumpy roads with it.
<---------Has tracked it and loved the power.
<---------Rides it on the road and loves the flexibility
<---------Doesn't mind if others think differently.
1) Play in the rear hub felt by moving the rear wheel by hand
2) Oil leaks from various parts of the engine
3) Build/paint quality issues
Also, KTM recommend that a quickshifter is NOT fitted to this bike. From a specification point of view that puts it well down against the BMW S1000r and that's not even taking into account the huge price difference.
How much use can be made of it?
-The article suggests fairly little....
Given that the electronics are required to rein it in for much of the time, less power and weight would appear to make more sense, wouldn't it?
-would a 990SMT or Duke be far behind on an interesting public road?
110hp feels plenty on my naked bike (BMW R Ninety) and 70 mph is as fast as I comfortably want to ride due to wind blowing directly on to your chest. I'd like to see the dude doing 155 mph on a naked bike.
The r ninety (whilst personally I think it's one of if not the nicest looking bike out at the moment) it's very old school styling with the round headlight and exposed clocks. Much like the front of my old hornet which really was a chore at anything over 70mph on your neck
I'm willing to wager the same rider will punt my Ducati faster through an urban environment than that KTM. Only on the track would the difference be seen.
mine without the additional screen is fine up to 85. Well it was until the cam chain tensioner decided to go on strike on Sunday.
But as to the question, "what's the point of it?" Well, duh... FUN obviously! Massive stupid, hooligan fun.
I'm so in....
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