Superduke 1390 Evo .......

[RedRick Esq.]

If I had to think of one word to describe it -

Brutal ! ( that might be a little harsh)

Collected it today and wow !
Is it better than the Streetfighter ? No not really but it is very different and certainly not worse - The SF was quite clinical with its sole purpose of going forwards as fast as possible with its counter rotating crank etc and it was very fast probably faster than the KTM on paper

Riding the Ducati down to Loughborough this morning I was actually worried I was making a mistake ..

I have not made a mistake as despite running in I didnt stop smiling and actually laughing out loud often all the way home

There may be faster hyper nakeds but I doubt they are as much fun - Open the throttle and this thing rearranges your internal organs it is as quick as the ducati but in a very different way somehow that is hard to explain

Oh and the best thing of all ( well almost) is the Semi active suspension which makes the Ducati semi active Ohlins feel like a tin tray on a cobbled hill ! The suspension is just magic - stick it in auto and it sorts it all out and then adapts not only to the road but rider inputs - waft along and it is all soft and lovely start to give it some beans and it "Sports" up
The electronics keep it all in shape and quite subliminally rather than obtrusive.

The fueling is just so spot on it will tootle along very slowly with no snatch or grab ( the Ducati did not like going slowly and was a pain in town)

Oh yes it is also very comfortable

Fit and finish might be a little smidgeon cheaper than the Ducati but it feels solid and well made

I am a very happy bunny

 

[RedRick Esq.]

250 miles around T'Dales today and I cant get over how comfortable it is
No arse ache whatsoever, relaxed and easy on the bit of M way ( 50 miles) at 80 with no issues or drama

I do feel like I have had a work out in a Gym now ive stopped riding tho

Christ this thing really is a weapons grade loon
Ive set the anti wheelie to low ( I tried it on medium and crapped myself) but it comes up off the throttle in 4th and stays there - makes me look jolly good

Boxerlust would piss his pants in fright

 

[RedRick Esq.]

Neeves being a bit of a cock but a useful video none the less

I will not be turning it off so i can do a real wheelie

 

[Sneldog]

Nice! A change is as good as a rest.

I rode the 1290 version and was very impressed so this must be an absolute hoot!

I am tempted to test ride one but the consequences could be expensive.

 

[RedRick Esq.]

Nice! A change is as good as a rest.

I rode the 1290 version and was very impressed so this must be an absolute hoot!

I am tempted to test ride one but the consequences could be expensive.

I have done a fair few miles on a 1290 ( my mates as we often swap) the 1390 is despite the journalists opinions in a very different league
The suspension is without doubt the very best i have ever tried
The fueling is just superb
That Engine is so utterly stonking
The electronics are on a different level to anything else i can think of

There are without doubt many bikes that are quicker and faster but i doubt there are any that would make you shit your pants and laugh out loud at the same time as this thing

 

[RedRick Esq.]

1st Service now done so it can be let rip a bit but in honesty it was mental enough at its running in revs !

all the reviews say you cant feel the cam shift kick in - I think you can as it certainly seems to get a second big breath of lunacy when it activates
the panniers or side bags as KTM call them are very clever in their attachment no rails or scaffolding just a couple of discreet bobbins - they are not very big tho but should just about suffice for a 2 week trip

The Bar end mirrors are a massive improvement too

All in all I am a very happy chap with this bike and it really does make you laugh

 

[Arsey]

I’m parked up here

Two guys come past left to right both knee down . One on 1290 SDR and one on Aprilia RSV. Guy on 1290 waves at me with right hand whilst knee down . Cool dude

 

[Schtum]

I’m parked up here
Two guys come past left to right both knee down . One on 1290 SDR and one on Aprilia RSV. Guy on 1290 waves at me with right hand whilst knee down . Cool dude

Who did you rent that from? Always handy to know since Wolfgang closed down Dubbelju in SF.

 

[Arsey]

Who did you rent that from? Always handy to know since Wolfgang closed down Dubbelju in SF.

Twisted Road

 

[Hann]

the panniers or side bags as KTM call them are very clever in their attachment no rails or scaffolding just a couple of discreet bobbins - they are not very big tho but should just about suffice for a 2 week trip

How are you finding the KTM on a day-to-day basis, ie: not hooning or being a bit `exuberant`?
I would imagine it is one of those bikes when on the right road at the right time and when in the right mood it is totally addictive but how is it when you`re not on the ideal road, it`s the wrong time or just want/need to ride conservatively?
I rode a mates ZH2 which is a super naked and although it was blisteringly quick, agile and fun for the short time i had it i don`t think it would be for me as an only bike or long time prospect mainly due to the complete lack of any wind protection.
I like to be sat behind a screen of some sort and the completely exposed nature of bikes like this seem like they could be quite tiring after a few hours riding. How do you think you`ll cope with your 2-week tour?
The SDR`s do intrigue me though, a lot....

 

[RedRick Esq.]

How are you finding the KTM on a day-to-day basis, ie: not hooning or being a bit `exuberant`?
I would imagine it is one of those bikes when on the right road at the right time and when in the right mood it is totally addictive but how is it when you`re not on the ideal road, it`s the wrong time or just want/need to ride conservatively?
I rode a mates ZH2 which is a super naked and although it was blisteringly quick, agile and fun for the short time i had it i don`t think it would be for me as an only bike or long time prospect mainly due to the complete lack of any wind protection.
I like to be sat behind a screen of some sort and the completely exposed nature of bikes like this seem like they could be quite tiring after a few hours riding. How do you think you`ll cope with your 2-week tour?
The SDR`s do intrigue me though, a lot....

It will Bimble along as well as anything - as said the fueling is so good and the engine so tractable but then it will burn up the road with a flick of the wrist if you so desire

The lack of wind protection sort of keeps you honest but I only really notice it on Motorways above 80

I am used to the naked thing having come fro the Ducati Streetfighter which I went to Spain on a few times with no issues and I believe this will be better as it doesn't need its tits ragging off to keep up a good lolloping touring pace

 

[Arsey]

Not very powerful though

 

[EVskiy]

Not very powerful though

Have they forgot about the 1 just before the 77.8?

 

[Arsey]

Have they forgot about the 1 just before the 77.8?

No shit, Sherlock

 

[Arsey]

Some good deals on these now

 

[Nick Marshall]

Might be a good discount.
However. £22,000 list is a bit rich.

 

[RedRick Esq.]

Some good deals on these now

View attachment 382983

That will still be £18K once you add on the Electronic packages to make it rideable

 

[Rasher]

Even so compared to BMW / Ducati prices it's a "bargain", if you don't mind the risk of KTM sinking and losing the warranty....

...which is why I would buy a new KTM at what was not so long ago the price you'd pay for a 2 year old bike with no warranty anyway.

Although tried that already and had 2 KTM dealers not wanting my KTM as a px, one point blank refused to take it in, and the other was unlikely to match WBAB offer.

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

if you don't mind the risk of KTM sinking and losing the warranty....

.
Although tried that already and had 2 KTM dealers not wanting my KTM as a px, one point blank refused to take it in, and the other was unlikely to match WBAB offer.

I was in a Triumph main dealer this afternoon having a look at the new Tiger 800 Sport (very nice & saleable)

I have know the owner for 35 years and he said that he wouldn’t take any KTM in at present and couldn’t even get them underwritten by anyone in the trade whatsoever

He said that they were seriously undesirable at present until something happens to the salvation of KTM and/or the cam situation on the parallel twins is resolved

 

[markie_wales]

WBAB offered me £500 more than a KTM dealer for a just over 2 yo SD GT around April last year. End ed up trading it in for the same and that was before the latest KTM nonsense.

Cheers

Markie