I rode it today.
It is sublime – I really think it is that good.
I own a 950 SE and a 950SM and have ridden many 990s – both in Adventure and Superduke format and my opinions of the 1290 Superduke are based on the comparison between that bike and the similar KTMs that have preceded it.
1. Engine
It is a real peach – super smooth and torquey – from low down to redline. It is as happy to crawl along in traffic at 2500 rpm in 3rd or 4th gear as it is to scream along at top whack in top gear.
For me the fuelling is super smooth. No more of that horrible snatchiness, jerkiness and hunting that all 990s suffer from and made me sell mine after 200 km. As mentioned I have 2 carb fed 950s because I think the fuelling and smoothness thereof is miles better than the EFI on the 990s. The fuelling on the 1290 is sorted – super smooth, almost docile, all the way from idle upwards.
The power is amazing. The throttle action is very light and a total beginner could ride this bike with ease and be in no danger of killing themselves. When you do twist the throttle, especially from a robot / drag light start, it fucks off with a capital F – I think this bike is faster from 0 – 200 than my SM is from 0 – 100 – it is like greased lightning. In street mode there were no hooligan antics of trying to keep the front wheel down etc – it just takes off.
This engine is so much more usable and thus enjoyable than any inline 4 cylinder Jap screamer – it has an amazing flat torque delivery right from idle.
2. Brakes
Huge Brembos on the front are amazing and provide radical stopping power with amazing feel and bite. They scrub off speed so well that you quickly get complacent and carry a lot of speed everywhere because you know that stopping is a gentle two finger squeeze away. The rear brake is very pretty and sits inboard the rear wheel – it works but I hardly used it. For me, on the road, everything is about the front brake.
3. Seating Position and ergonomics
You sit in the bike – not on top of it like my SM. Its very comfy and promotes huge rider confidence – I liked it a lot. The bike feels no bigger than the 390 Duke – awesome, light and manoeuvrable.
The handlebars are much lower than my SM and after a while the palms of my hands started to take some strain, especially in stop start traffic.
Only complaint I have is that the “toe part” of the gear lever is too short so I had to consciously think about where my foot was – I had a big takkie on so this did not help either – I suppose it is supposed to be ridden with those fancy biker ballet shoes.
4. Frame and suspension
This bike had an orange frame – the best colour to have. I did not adjust or fiddle with any suspension settings at all so I do not know where they were or if adjustment would improve anything but I’m sure it would.
The suspension is good and soaks up most bumps very well. All road bikes feel too stiffly sprung for my liking when compared to the plushness and comfort of my SE – but then these bikes are supposed to be ridden much faster on the road. The general bumps and ruts on Cape Town’s roads never really unsettled the bike but I am sure it would really come on song around a lekker smooth racetrack like Kyalami – Killarney only has a few smooth bits in some places but otherwise our local track is actually very bumpy, especially down the back straight because of all the tree roots.
The seating position is comfy and visibility is excellent – very important to me on the road. I hate leaning over the tank on a crotch rocket while squinting through the screen.
Whoever said wind protection is good was talking shit – there is none to speak of. At 150 kph plus you feel it – at 200 it wants to tear your arms off. Faster than that I did not go but can only expect it gets exponentially worse if you do not lie down.
5. Switchgear and controls
Are all absolutely top class and feel top quality. I hate gizmos and gadgets and did not fiddle or touch any buttons or change riding modes. The instruments are easy and clear to read and work well – a huge improvement over the years.
6. Summary
I think it is an amazing bike – cosmetically, mechanically, user friendly, pretty, powerful ...
I did not wheelie it, race it, drift it, stoppie it or do burnouts on it – I just rode it for 30 minutes from Paarden Eiland to top of Signal Hill and back – taking my time to take it all in and enjoy it.
It is special – I will not buy one because I cannot afford it nor think I would use it to its potential but that does not detract from how good it is.
However I would still want one – just like the smoking hot supermodel that you know will be hard work but worth it.
Many thanks to Charl at KTM Cape Town for the test ride.
2SD – I challenge you to take it for a test ride with an open mind and then come back here and tell us about it – good or bad
Topic: Just spotted at RAD Moto the KTM1290 Superduke (Read 17521 times)
