Well after buying a 2023 Duke 890R and riding it for 1,5 year and 12.000Km , customized it with ALL! KTM powerparts and replaced all the plastic with carbon (maxi Carbon), put a lithium battery and race filter and the Akrapovic slip-on it is the best bike I ever had (and still street legall in Europe), I do track day's and longer trips with it , I can tell you this super scalpel rocks , it does power wheelies in 3rth gear but it was still not enough for me (56 years old) so I had the chance to buy a Superduke 1290 R 2015 with the full Akrapovic exhaust and really well maintained , I did it 3 day's ago and after those day's there are a few things I have to say . First I was scared of it because everybody was talking about the BEAST but it's not , I was alway's riding my 890R in track mode with ATW off and MTC to minimum off slip 1 and I can tell you that's more agressive than the 1290 R in sportmode and MTC off . 2nd I hate it that I alway's have to put the MTC off again after shutting down the engine , and 3th It's a great bike and it gives me as much fun as my 890R but at a higher speed so for street use I prefer the 890R .
In the Favorites screen I set up the 1st line to be MTC. After I start the bike , I can hold down the SET button until I see release button message, then MTC is off. Only takes about 5sec and just have to hold down 1 button. To make changes to the Favorites screen, find the SET FAVORITES screen and change the 1st option to be MTC. And yes, when you turn off the bike MTC is back on again. MTC off = wheelie fun.
Hi, Just to let you know that KTM seems to have adjusted the main remarks in this review: - adjusting MTC or ABS only requires a brief pull of the clutch lever - MTC or ABS settings are remembered even after shutting down the engine (with or without killswitch). It is however still not possible (and I can't blame them) to adjust settings while driving.
Great review although I beg to differ about the 990 SD, it's still a beast and an absolute hoot to ride. But to each their own... I will buy the 1290 for 2016 when they have everything sorted but my 990 is staying with me.
isn't the problem that the kill switch Is meant for emergencies not everything you turn the engine off, that's what the ignition key is for. you keep resetting the electrics to default by mis-using the controls.
I’ve been riding KTM dual sports for years, usually have the key eliminator kit to reduce complexity when trail riding. In that setup the kill switch is the only way to turn off the bike. Not really an odd choice at all to use the engine run or not run button to control whether the engine is running.
I got my 1290 SDR last Saturday. I traded a Ducati for it. The Ducati's have such horrible fueling issues (lean surge) these days I couldn't take it anymore. This bike is a dream to ride. It doesn't have quite the big twin charm a dry clutch Ducati has. But it more than makes up for it in other ways. I haven't had this enthusiasm for riding in years. Of course my other motivation for trading was that this bike is much better for carrying my girl on the back.
+Tay same reason that the Ducati Panigale 899 is called the 899, Whilst it actually has 898cc Those numbers are chosen for consistency. The duke has the following line up. Duke 125, Duke 390, Duke 690, Superduke 990 and then the Superduke 1290R. It would be weird to not have a bike with a number that doesnt end with 90. They just picked the closest numer to 1301
I bet if it came with a feather duster to stick in your exhaust pipe you'd probably use that too! Seriously though, I was taught not to use the kill-switch when there is no need. Things like that stay with you when you are young and impressionable lol.
Well after buying a 2023 Duke 890R and riding it for 1,5 year and 12.000Km , customized it with ALL! KTM powerparts and replaced all the plastic with carbon (maxi Carbon), put a lithium battery and race filter and the Akrapovic slip-on it is the best bike I ever had (and still street legall in Europe), I do track day's and longer trips with it , I can tell you this super scalpel rocks , it does power wheelies in 3rth gear but it was still not enough for me (56 years old) so I had the chance to buy a Superduke 1290 R 2015 with the full Akrapovic exhaust and really well maintained , I did it 3 day's ago and after those day's there are a few things I have to say . First I was scared of it because everybody was talking about the BEAST but it's not , I was alway's riding my 890R in track mode with ATW off and MTC to minimum off slip 1 and I can tell you that's more agressive than the 1290 R in sportmode and MTC off . 2nd I hate it that I alway's have to put the MTC off again after shutting down the engine , and 3th It's a great bike and it gives me as much fun as my 890R but at a higher speed so for street use I prefer the 890R .
I just bought one of these. Its an awesome bike. I had a GSXR1000 previously and the KTM is as quick almost anywhere.
I want this bike ASAP. You just got to love the 1290 Super Duke
In the Favorites screen I set up the 1st line to be MTC. After I start the bike , I can hold down the SET button until I see release button message, then MTC is off. Only takes about 5sec and just have to hold down 1 button. To make changes to the Favorites screen, find the SET FAVORITES screen and change the 1st option to be MTC. And yes, when you turn off the bike MTC is back on again.
MTC off = wheelie fun.
+SjwNz08 thanks - I have this bike and didn't think of putting that to the favorites...cheers!
Use the dongle and you don't need to adjust every time you restart
Isn't the dongle for the newer 2017 model. I have the 2014.
Both
ktmtwins.com/products/ktm-61312953044 and
www.amazon.com/KTM-DONGLE-2014-2015-SUPER-61312953044/dp/B00W4C7R80
My younger brother picks one up around 24th Jan. Say he loves it after he rode it.
Great piece Rennie. We need more video from you guys.
Hi,
Just to let you know that KTM seems to have adjusted the main remarks in this review:
- adjusting MTC or ABS only requires a brief pull of the clutch lever
- MTC or ABS settings are remembered even after shutting down the engine (with or without killswitch).
It is however still not possible (and I can't blame them) to adjust settings while driving.
Great review although I beg to differ about the 990 SD, it's still a beast and an absolute hoot to ride. But to each their own... I will buy the 1290 for 2016 when they have everything sorted but my 990 is staying with me.
I love my 2013 990 sdr, it's awesome. I will be trying the beast tho at some point. I ve had 9 ktms got my first one at15 in 1983. I ❤ ktm, s. 😂
isn't the problem that the kill switch Is meant for emergencies not everything you turn the engine off, that's what the ignition key is for. you keep resetting the electrics to default by mis-using the controls.
fil4130 always said it. People for some reason use the kill switch! Never understood that
I’ve been riding KTM dual sports for years, usually have the key eliminator kit to reduce complexity when trail riding. In that setup the kill switch is the only way to turn off the bike. Not really an odd choice at all to use the engine run or not run button to control whether the engine is running.
I got my 1290 SDR last Saturday. I traded a Ducati for it. The Ducati's have such horrible fueling issues (lean surge) these days I couldn't take it anymore. This bike is a dream to ride. It doesn't have quite the big twin charm a dry clutch Ducati has. But it more than makes up for it in other ways. I haven't had this enthusiasm for riding in years. Of course my other motivation for trading was that this bike is much better for carrying my girl on the back.
Just test rode one of these and it's my next bike.
The computer system is very easy. I have it since 1 year and its an awesome bike
For some reason I do it most of time due to my Multistrada off switch when pushed down kills red switch. No need to hate.
Primo review. Are you going to do a follow up review as it's almost a year? Thanks
thanks for review mate
Where was that filmed? I could swear it is Greece, however it should be southwestern US, right? The landscape looks strikingly similar.
"Goes like a cut snake"
I agree!
How about the engine oil? How many liters of engine oil should we use with it ?
Probably best to look in the owner's manual for the answer to that one.
I like your review style & love this bike...Pick mine up next week :-)
Is this a 1301cc or 1290cc bike?
doesn't matter, best street bike ever!
+LJ Balongue
It's definetely a 1301... despite the sticker on the tank saying "1290cc".
Thumbs up, great video. Love the Ozi accent.
Why is it called a 1290 if it's 1301cc? Not trolling but why does the name lack 11?
+Tay same reason that the Ducati Panigale 899 is called the 899, Whilst it actually has 898cc
Those numbers are chosen for consistency. The duke has the following line up. Duke 125, Duke 390, Duke 690, Superduke 990 and then the Superduke 1290R. It would be weird to not have a bike with a number that doesnt end with 90. They just picked the closest numer to 1301
Because 1301 sounds stupid and 1290 has a cool ring to it.
180 at crank 114 nm torque
160 back wheel i think.
144Nm
The 990 I owned had the worst seat ever. The 2019 1290 I have has a very comfortable seat.
It's 180bhp !!
no the 180 is at the crank. Its more like 160bhp.
Who the fuck uses the kill-switch lol. If it's got an ignition use it!
tons of people use the killswitch bitch.
+Old Smokey Tons of people dont give a shit what you use bitch
+Darude Sandstorm. Who are you?
who are you?
who are you?
+Old Smokey
I'm a KTM SuperDuke 1290R Special Edition owner
I bet if it came with a feather duster to stick in your exhaust pipe you'd probably use that too!
Seriously though, I was taught not to use the kill-switch when there is no need. Things like that stay with you when you are young and impressionable lol.
180hp muppet 😑