Ktm Super Duke 1290 Review

Used Buyer Review

The Super Duke 1290 is one of those bikes that'll either make you a convert or scare you straight back to something sensible. That 1301cc V-twin makes stupid amounts of torque — we're talking wheelie-in-third-gear territory if you're not paying attention. On the used market you're typically looking at 2020-2023 examples, and the later bikes got proper cornering ABS and traction control that actually works rather than just cutting in like a kill switch. What you need to check religiously: WP suspension linkage bearings wear out, especially on bikes that've seen track days. Pump the forks, check for stiction. The throttle-by-wire system occasionally throws fits — look for any ECU warning history. Also, these things eat rear tyres embarrassingly fast. Ask the seller when the last set went on and factor replacement cost into your offer. Running costs are higher than a Japanese litre bike, no question. Service intervals are 9,300 miles but the bills sting. Buy one because you want the most viscerally exciting naked on the road, not because it makes financial sense.