2017 KTM Superduke 1290R - Thoughts?

[corndog67]

Exotic bikes are nice but can sometimes be problematic.

Problematics in remote areas without official/expert support maybe not a good idea.

Yam Fz09

I don't really consider a KTM as an exotic any more. Very high performance, but also more or less mainstream. With superior suspension and brakes.

 

[budman]

Me too.

 

[mitiasbikes]

Owned a 2015 Superduke for a month now and absolutely in love with it. It such a fantastic bike to ride day to day that my other exotic been in the garage ever since I got a Superduke.
Power is way down low, almost car like. The only other bike I can compare it in power output is BMW ( Had BMW F800R in Portugal for a month this summer).
Its light and nimble and very easy to ride. Tuono V4 wants to kill you and needs a lot more skill to ride fast. It also gets much better MPG then Tuono. I get 33 Vs 24 I got on my Tuono. Also a tank size lets me commute to SF for 2 days without fill ups. Its very comfortable too.

 

[russ69]

Out of the box KTM's seem like an unfinished product. You need to go over them and fix the little stuff the factory let slide.
Like wire harness routing, shimming fans too close to radiators, fairing tabs with sharp edges poking things they shouldn't be touching...

I've owned two KTMs and that is my impression of the two singles I owned but the SD I rode seemed to be the first KTM that I have ridden that was totally worked out, almost Japanese like. My buddy that has one has had zero issues.

 

[badjoojoo]

Got about 1000 miles on my 2017 Super Duke now and yeah, it's everything I hoped it would be. Absolutely gorgeous, gobs of power down low, and the fit and finish it superb. I'm in San Jose so I have pretty good access to quality service, but I really don't expect problems. Sure, I have no real way of knowing yet but whatevs. It feels solid. Plus it an effing beast and I love it so much that I'd happily deal with a couple service issues.
I said a couple!! Settle down.

 

[Hooli]

Watching this thread with interest. I currently own a 2013 MTS-1200 Touring (bought new). With the exception of niggling little issues (fuel sensor, suspension sensor, exhaust valve servomotor, and the worst transmission I've ever experienced) it's been fairly reliable otherwise, as Ducatis go anyway. Have to admit that the big KTM SuperDuke GT caught my eye. Lighter and more hp? Yes please.

While I do appreciate the technological marvel of Yamaha's FZ-10, can't get with the styling cues but it does have THAT ENGINE. If Yamaha added more wind protection, gave it more fuel range and luggage carrying capacity and called it the FJ1 or somesuch, I'd probably sell the Multistrada in a heartbeat.

 

[Blankpage]

Watching this thread with interest. I currently own a 2013 MTS-1200 Touring....the worst transmission I've ever experienced

A few extra neutrals in there besides the one between 1st & 2nd?

My Hyper was like that until I got about 1500 miles on it. This past weekend it may have missed one or two shifts. Thats a lot better than it was when new.

 

[Hooli]

A few extra neutrals in there besides the one between 1st & 2nd?

I seem to find one on occasion between 5th & 6th. Thinking that a Factory Pro Racing shift star will be going in there next month.

PS: Oh and the rear brake only works when it wants to.

 

[Dennis D.]

My 14 SD has a little over 12000 on it, so far the only problem is the horn doesn't work, I can live with that. The electronics are a bit limited as TC and wheelie control are linked to drive modes and the front suspension could use a bit more rebound damping but that's about the limit of my complaints. It lulls you into thinking it's perfectly civil around town then gets down right scary if you wack the throttle and has way better range than the 2nd gen Tuono it replaced. Been a real joy to ride.


Dennis

 

[dowlinginchico]

The 1290 is incredible, coming off a 990. I wish I did not have to give it back.

The show room model had drips of oil under it. Looked like it came from a gasket but was difficult to tell for sure.

I would have one if it were not for the 18k +/- price tag. But I am still looking for a low mileage used one.

 

[ScottRNelson]

frankly, I'm not too sure about the capabilities of the KTM dealers in the Sacramento area.

I've had a service done at each of the two KTM dealers there. I didn't like Motorcycle Performance Center (MPC) and resolved that I wasn't ever going back there, even to look at bikes.

I went to NorCal Motorsports and was totally happy with them. When I picked up my 990 Adv from them, it was running better than it ever had before. That lasted for a few thousand miles, then the snatchy throttle returned at small throttle openings. (Tri-Valley Moto in Livermore made it nice again.)

There are lots of great roads all through the Sierras. I'm missing those right now, especially with Calaveras and Redwood being closed (and Palomares being closed for so long).

 

[Desmo_Pazzo]

I've had a service done at each of the two KTM dealers there. I didn't like Motorcycle Performance Center (MPC) and resolved that I wasn't ever going back there, even to look at bikes.

I went to NorCal Motorsports and was totally happy with them. When I picked up my 990 Adv from them, it was running better than it ever had before. That lasted for a few thousand miles, then the snatchy throttle returned at small throttle openings. (Tri-Valley Moto in Livermore made it nice again.)

There are lots of great roads all through the Sierras. I'm missing those right now, especially with Calaveras and Redwood being closed (and Palomares being closed for so long).

Thanks, Scott. This kind of recommendation helps immensely. I had had very good experiences with Tri_Valley Moto in the past.

Ah, my old Superduke 990 had a snatchy throttle as well. By all accounts, with Ride-by_Wire, that is all in the past!

 

[fubar929]

I would have one if it were not for the 18k +/- price tag. But I am still looking for a low mileage used one.

The ideal time to shop is at the end of the model year. These bikes never sell terribly well and there are always a few sitting around that dealers will deal to sell. Hell, The Motor Cafe claims to still have a 2015 hanging around and most dealers I checked had a 2016 or two. I got a sweetheart deal with I bought my 2015 leftover a year ago...

 

[fast4d]

I know someone just bought a new 2014 left over for $14k OTD

you will find them usually out of state.

 

[badjoojoo]

Yep, Motor Cafe still has a 2014, or a 2015 sitting there with a pretty good discount. If I had any sense of practicality then I would've picked that one up instead of the 2017. Alas it's never been a strength of mine.

 

[fubar929]

Yep, Motor Cafe still has a 2014, or a 2015 sitting there with a pretty good discount. If I had any sense of practicality then I would've picked that one up instead of the 2017. Alas it's never been a strength of mine.

Can't fault you for wanting the 2017. Cornering ABS, quick shifter, track mode, cruise control, TFT dashboard, slip regulation, upgraded suspension... there're a lot of new features to like! Damn, maybe I should think about upgrading...

 

[Desmo_Pazzo]

Can't fault you for wanting the 2017. Cornering ABS, quick shifter, track mode, cruise control, TFT dashboard, slip regulation, upgraded suspension... there're a lot of new features to like! Damn, maybe I should think about upgrading...

Yeah--I'd definitely be interested in the 2017. KTM have completely updated this bike.

Now the question becomes, white or black? Seems black bikes are rare!

 

[ScottRNelson]

Now the question becomes, white or black? Seems black bikes are rare!

Wait! Don't they come in orange?

 

[fast4d]

I will not buy a KTM without an orange frame.

 

[badjoojoo]

Can't fault you for wanting the 2017. Cornering ABS, quick shifter, track mode, cruise control, TFT dashboard, slip regulation, upgraded suspension... there're a lot of new features to like! Damn, maybe I should think about upgrading...

I really did try. I even test rode the 2015 to try to convince myself to save A few bucks, but because of the reasons you listed I had to go with the 2017.