KTM 1290 Super Duke R: the rivals

I think MV Agusta 1090RR deserves a spot with 1078cc engine, 158hp and 183kg (dry weight)and you can pick one up for just £11,699.

Posted: 24/10/2013 at 01:16

why no comparison to the duc diavel

Posted: 24/10/2013 at 01:20

Really surprised the KTM is as heavy as the Speed.

Posted: 24/10/2013 at 08:23

Esta56: Apologies, I put 218kg when I meant to put 208kg.

Deadly: While the MV is a decent choice, they no longer have a UK distributor, so I didn't feel like it was a realistic option. The same reason there's no Bimota in there.

Posted: 24/10/2013 at 10:15

I don't know the in's and out's of it all but your right they don't, but I understand that was MV's plan. They have done it across europe, cut out the middle to gain better control over stock. Dealers now buy direct from MV.

Posted: 24/10/2013 at 12:30

As the 1st bike to surpass the K1300R as the most powerful naked bike it's surprising the BMW isn't included... ?

Posted: 25/10/2013 at 13:21

The bikes I've listed are close rivals to the 1290 Super Duke in terms of all-round performance but the K1300R, despite its power figure, isn't in the same league.

Posted: 25/10/2013 at 13:24

Yeah... it's almost 2 grand cheaper than the R & delivers way more torque... a better p/w ratio than the Triumph... same top speed as the Triumph & Ducati... probably out accelerates the lot apart from the R.

Maybe not your cup of tea.

Posted: 25/10/2013 at 14:47

Well, you win on paper but ride them all and then tell me the K13 is a true rival. The K13 is a completely different bike.

Posted: 25/10/2013 at 15:53

Yeh. The K1300R is far more versatile, more economic, with traction control and ABS, and a more relaxing ride when you just want to get somewhere unflustered.

Posted: 29/10/2013 at 12:01

Fortunately for motorbiking and KTM, most people buy with their hearts and not their heads. You would not expect anything less and perhaps a lot more from the latest designed super-nakeds. There are many rivals, old and new. ABS Aprilia, more power MVs and up-coming Buell, with the latest V2 Rotax that did such a stonking job in the old Tuono. Remember, the previous Buell’s were some of the best handling bikes ever made, even without electronics and a big HD lump. Then there are also secoundhand MT01s and BMWs. Other big Vs are Moto-Morini and Ducati. All are much cheaper. Expect the price to be deeply discounted after the posers and fashion-victims take the first batch. The idiot accountants back in the KTM factory are trying it on and are probably dizzy from the huge turnover small bikes they are selling into the Asian market, from their Indian plant.

Posted: 30/10/2013 at 13:26

MMMM, that's interesting and something I didn't clock before.

The Tuono is down on power to the tune of around 10 BHP, but is 20KG lighter wet.

Maybe performance wise this is not so cut and dry as I first thought.

Not forgetting that the RSV is down on power compared to some of the other big superbikes, but still whups them on track.

Posted: 31/10/2013 at 13:48

It will be interesting to see how the new Kawasaki Z1000 compares in four days time!

Posted: 01/11/2013 at 16:44