Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/577750
2015 BIG-BORE NAKED BIKES P58 C O M P A R I S O N T E S T 3 rd KTM 1290 SUPER DUKE R PLACE F ull disclosure. This is the most expensive bike on the test. At nearly $17,000, the KTM does not represent anywhere near the best value for money when the winner costs a little over $14,000. It's also nearly a full $7000 more expensive than the fourth-placed Suzuki. But that means little when you have a grin like The Joker with fire on your brain and malice in your heart, because the KTM 1290 Super Duke R is that kind of motorcycle. It makes hooligans out of men and certifiable maniacs out of hooligans. The fact that it costs so much is a mark against it when you con- sider it has neither the scope nor the ease of adjustment in the elec- tronic suite as the Aprilia or BMW. Basic traction control is not really enough for something with so much torque when you really give the grip a twist, because those 150 Austrian horses will make mincemeat of a rear tire quickly. There's a serious kick at 7000 rpm, right at the point where you'd think the big 'ol V-twin should be running out of puff. Here it does its best four-cylinder impres- sion and pulls like a train, running out about 2500 rpm later. But all that torque makes for an engine that's the most flexible in the test—it can play commuter and superbike in one act better than any bike here, and it's also the most comfortable, with a relaxed riding position and lower set footpegs that make big miles super easy. Part of the reason it plays fast and slow so well is the spread of the gearbox. The first three gears are short and you slice through them quickly with the power peak- ing when you're really on it, but fourth to sixth are tall (especially sixth), meaning you only do a touch over 5000 rpm in sixth when doing 90 mph. Most of the time you never see sixth gear because the engine is out of its sweet spot (sub 5000 rpm), unless you're really going for it. The KTM doesn't have the sus- pension to match the price tag (not even preload for the front); it still handles the bumps well, but not as nicely as the electronically-assisted BMW. The fork is smooth and firm without being overly plush, and the shock makes light work of the majority of the corrugations you'll find on the road. The KTM is a tall bike, especially in the back-end, which will suit the riders who are over six feet tall. It will also suit those who go riding with partners due to the wide and comfy rear seat (KTM found out many riders were using the Super Duke as a tourer and have since re- leased details about the new, even more tour-happy Super Duke GT). If the KTM were the same price as the Aprilia, it would be very, very close for line honors. It's big, brash, loud and lairy, everything a big-bore naked should be but unfortunately, just too hard on the wallet against the top two.