Can the KTM 1390 Super Duke R Evo turn you into a wheelie-pulling god? | MCN investigates

#KTM #Wheelie #Superduke
Who doesn't love a good wheelie? To find out if the electronic wheelie assist features on the 2024 KTM 1390 Super Duke Evo help you go further, we sent Neevesy along to an airfield for a play...
You can also read our full review on the bike here: www.motorcycle...
We'd love to hear your views so get them down in the comment section!
Find your next bike with the experts at MCN Bikes for Sale: www.motorcycle...
MCN Compare is your one-stop bike insurance shop: www.mcncompare...
Check us out on social media:
Facebook: @MotorcycleNews
Twitter: @MCNnews OR @MCNSport
Instagram: @motorcyclenews
Visit the MCN website for all the latest news, reviews, advice and bikes for sale:
www.motorcycle...
Subscribe to get MCN every week, in newspaper or digital format: bit.ly/3rEIjaP

[@nicholasmooney9611]

Most important advice for wheelies I’ve ever got : “make sure your rear brakes pedal is adjusted correctly so you can cover it correctly

[@k1ortia]

i just send it...

[@exothermal.sprocket]

Send the rear brake, bash the front down, set up that speed wobble, and have a nice day.

[@panchochilli11]

Thanks for explaining it in detail! Most of the reviews tend to not even get into it.

[@A.J.1656]

I just put a deposit on mine about 2 hours ago. I'm so excited!

[@enjoy87mx]

Hope you will love it. I can't stand for that horrible new headlight

[@A.J.1656]

@@enjoy87mx I like the exposed version over the old "camel toe" headlight. Haha I'm loving it. It goes in next week for the first service and my Akrapovič exhaust system will be installed mid-July.

[@exothermal.sprocket]

KTM seems to require a second deposit at some point.

[@billysharp2242]

So how it the bike?? I bet it's bad ass!!

[@A.J.1656]

@@billysharp2242 It's really amazing. The raw performance was mind blowing at the very beginning. I'm finally getting to the point that it feels like it's my bike not a new bike. I have the Akrapovic exhaust, a Evotech fender eliminator and swapped the black wheels for orange. I'm starting to get more comfortable pushing it and knowing just how it will react. Unfortunately, it just got a nail in the rear tire last week, so it's been down the last few days. I have a set of Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa SP V4 tires being delivered tomorrow. I'm excited to see how they feel on the twisty roads.

[@LambChopRides]

Some corkers there Michael!! 👌

[@K-carbon]

The aint fun police will be disgusted with this feature 😂

[@flippy66]

The "aint fun" police? Do you mean the fun police?

[@exothermal.sprocket]

KTM would have never been able to manufacture in Switzerland.

[@philbarrett3739]

Genius video. Love the humour compared to all the other reviews on the 1390.

[@BN1960]

This sort of thing is much more interesting than the interminable launch ride, seen one, seen 'em all reviews everyone seems to now do

[@skynative0099]

Corner exit power wheelie is the coolest looking riding and feeling !!👌

[@maxpowers646]

Please check the 10mm bolt that holds the rear brake lever before wheelies. It has locktite but it will fall out causing the rear brake lever to drop out. Not a good feeling at all, I check everything now!

[@575ban]

It's funny because I used to be able to wheelie, but I've lost something, I've lost my Mojo and can't anymore. I dream I'm doing 3 gear mingers again and can feel the balance point and throttle control, but when I'm back bike on the bike all I can feel is my arse falling out of itself 😂🤣

[@jarlborg1531]

Same mate, I bought an 890 R last month with visions of me doing mile long stand ups like back in the day, and the first time I cracked the throttle with the wheelie control off I nearly crapped myself. 😂

[@575ban]

@@jarlborg1531 lol 😂😂🤣🤣

[@nombatu6505]

same here I bought a 1290 Evo after not riding 3 years and I can,t wheelie anymore haha

[@kmac5849]

My ears pricked up at the mention of landing the wheelie, as a veteran of slamming it down crossed up….double hip fracture 😢 basically because I very rarely use the back brake and ride on the balls of my feet, so the foot position was way off the brake.Learned the hard way 🙂

[@Caksy12345]

It’s strange to see you without your arai livery helmet

[@Platoon01979]

🤣🤣🤣 love the intro!

[@GiacintoMarcellino]

Would be really nice to do same video with the Ducati 698 wheelie assist (not anti wheelie 😂)

[@MusicMadJohn]

Agreed! This is the content I need.

[@AdamBrowne-eg1eb]

That’s a wheelie cool feature

[@nicofonce]

😆

[@ReplyNI]

Is it just the demo mode of the tech pack that expires after 1000 miles? I bought tech pack at time of buying bike mine better not expire 😂

[@exothermal.sprocket]

So the advertised price is nowhere near the actual price? Sort of like how BMW does it?

[@x-soldier4216]

Can you please test the lift control on the mt10?

[@jacksonjames1279]

This one is a must

[@exothermal.sprocket]

I'd buy an MT-10 about 6 times over before buying a KTM. Because reliability.

[@leanit5756]

@@exothermal.sprocket I had a '19 MT 10, traded and got a 1290 SD-R, traded it and got the current gen MT10 and was sorely disappointed as the Euro 5 treatment cut the nuts off it. What a let down. Now I am picking up a 1390. Hoping for the best. My previous 1290s (SD-R and ADV-R) had some design issues I did not like, but didn't have any QC problems.

[@daveo9844]

Top work Neevsey 👏🏼 and showcasing the skills 😎

[@ShaftDrive]

Hit 1000 km and the wheelie control comes off at 12 o’clock.

[@paulocarreiro5855]

😂😂😂

[@Angry-Lynx]

Your abs paid subscription ended, good luck 😁

[@exothermal.sprocket]

Someone should test that. Pull a big dank wooly just before crossing that mileage mark and see if the electronics spank the front back down or allow it to flip over backward.

[@EVILSPAWN1003]

I still can’t believe i have one of these in my garage🤩 And it’s amazing🥳

[@joeplem5329]

I'm terrified enough of the front lifting off on my 2020 z900 much less something like this SMH

[@DamnItCarl-]

This is a question I’ve had for ages and never found the answer to till now. Nice one 👌

[@laz1go286]

Soo cool, thanks Michael, KTM an MCN! Great video

[@Graz23]

now we are waiting for ducati 698 wheelie assist

[@steveman1982]

I've only intentionally wheelied once. Felt like I had to appologize to my MT-03 (660cc single) afterwards, it just felt so abusive :D Much to my surpise some time later I found that I had probably been pulling a very shallow wheelie everytime I set off from a stand still. I only noticed this when shortly after the red light turned to green I had to turn right. I turned the handlebars to the left... and nothing happened for a fraction of second until the (very narrow) power band expired and the wheel every so gently re-contacted terra firma.

[@davidcolin6519]

Still debating wehether to get this or the GT, I can get both at the same price ATM, presumably because the next gen GT is just around the corner. I know that the R is probably a step above, and probably significantly better/nicer handling, and I really like the adjustability of the wheelie control, but the GT is still brilliant fun and so much more useable and "practical" (if you can possibly consider a 170+bhp V twin practical).

[@ethansmart386]

And now the radiator is a water fountain 🤣

[@exothermal.sprocket]

It's that evaporative cooling. Like the boys with the turbo intercooler squirter. Gives you that extra boost.

[@alexmatthews9536]

Awesome, thx for making this !

[@Zwiepmoto]

Great explanation! It's a good thing the nice and high wheelies you can do only by yourself 😋👍

[@geoffsmith1616]

Great old Dennis healeys there my man 💪

[@genemounce8302]

My 1st Gen 790 Duke can hold its own. . ON an airstrip of course.

[@urbanstrencan]

This machine is just crazy

[@Birky_41]

I have a '21 Tuono 1100 & it has a feature that cuts power aggressively when you wheelie for over a mile. Not nice when you try land that

[@rickd955]

Even better advice, don't make wheelies on public roads. This coming from a guy who drove on the rear tire 70% of the time. In the city center, between cars and other motorcycles, on the highway, in tunnels, up the mountain, down the mountain. With lot's of power modern naked bakes are very easy to wheelie and it's a lot of fun. But at one point you forget the risks involved interacting with other traffic.

[@omerfarukhan4542]

Hello Does it turn off the gas on its own after lifting it to mid-level in wheel mode? or Does it keep it at the set level no matter how much we press the gas?

[@TheBhumbak]

Very important information

[@lordgibbness]

Medium and High modes on a trackday then was that?

[@bearwolffish]

Clutch up and back brake, if the bike doing all the work that ain't no whoolie.

[@Birky_41]

Great video btw 💪

[@PursueYouu]

Wish they would make better look headlights already.

[@renetand]

Will this software be available for the 1290 superduke R?

[@churchofbrap876]

For closed course competition use only

[@michaelkoerts3168]

i got a 2018 model how high does the wheel then go ?

[@Bugside]

If you're in a budget, MT09 does the same for half the price

[@bobodyuknow]

Does the 09 hold you in the wheelie? Or can you still loop it?

[@Bugside]

@@bobodyuknow it's the same as he says in this video. If you power wheelie it holds it, if you clutch up, it can loop

[@paulhope3401]

Although similar they likely wont behave the exact same. The MT09's LIF control just slows down the rate it comes up rather than the angle. There are only 2 LIF settings though vs 5 on the SD..

[@Bugside]

@@paulhope3401 I respectfully disagree. I've seen people online saying that it only "slows down" but in practice it's three levels of intervention, keep it down, keep it low, let it point way up

[@bambaklats2891]

MT09 worst looking bike on the planet, pls do not compare.

[@bosundave121]

"EVERYBODY loves a good wheelie!" Never a truer thing said!!

[@jeanmilaalvarez]

Génial pour la vidéo merci

[@mortaljorma69]

I can't get it up 😂

[@boostaholic7116]

Wheelie's are big and wheelies are clever and the bigger they are the cleverer they are... Fast bikes 1998! We ❤️ wheelies 👍👍🔥🔥

[@mark675]

Got wheelieitis? Lol

[@boostaholic7116]

@@mark675 Pc Bacon pulled a few good ones if I recall..🤣🤣🤣

[@mark675]

@@boostaholic7116 🤣🤣

[@svenpb1996]

Meanwhile in Brazil 15year olds on BMW GS1250s

[@kostasrestas]

this ktm have the same sasi like duke 990?

[@StygianX]

Damn i need this i suck at wheelies... ;( ..but i'm also too broke tho buy it.. ...bummer... :D

[@mahinuchiha6339]

me who does wheelies on 155cc yamaha r15

[@fizzy49cc]

in 2024 I say Thank you sir.

[@HarryCallahan-tf3qr]

Only people with money can afford bikes like this!

[@exothermal.sprocket]

2016 it wasn't that way. 2024 it's moved up an entire social economic class.

[@HarryCallahan-tf3qr]

@@exothermal.sprocket People got more money than sense today.

[@exothermal.sprocket]

@@HarryCallahan-tf3qr Less people have money today than ever before. Inflation is sky high.

[@HarryCallahan-tf3qr]

@@exothermal.sprocket Wny has my comment been Removed???

[@exothermal.sprocket]

@@HarryCallahan-tf3qr Which comment? Google is anti-free-speech.

[@deanwaring6100]

Think I need one 😊

[@Jones-xx2gc]

Nice bike. So you have to pay nearly £ 20 grand, then they want another £ 1000.00 to keep the app or what ever it is.

[@mosca3289]

Lovely

[@terryomara9403]

Scary neeves

[@waskus]

wheelie control:D

[@SuzanneFleming-nj5cc]

Brown Joseph Martinez Sandra Anderson Kimberly

[@oneeyeman6258]

It'll wheelie in 4th gear coming out of a corner? WTF?

[@TheItalianZone]

Yeah. check out the track review, crazy stuff.

[@exothermal.sprocket]

Imagine if it was a cable throttle without any ECU capping the throttle response or intake velocity. It would be unrideable.

[@flippy66]

Seems pointless now since you can't wheelie anymore without getting banned 🤦‍♀

[@robertlawrence2748]

I the countries I have lived, wheelying a motorcycle is very illegal. As it is in the UK. So it is odd that it gets so much emphasis with the motorcycling press.

[@flippy66]

Agreed. It's pretty much an automatic ban in the UK now. Just not worth the risk.

[@exothermal.sprocket]

Always governments prohibiting fun.

[@specialized500]

20k on a stunt bike ?

[@NoddinSummit-j5t]

Taylor Betty Johnson Richard Hernandez Anna

[@chrisk3754]

Man, I would like one of those things. I am not going to get one because it’s so expensive and I might kill myself.

[@Beaver314]

what is this bollocks about the tech pack expiring and you having to pay again for it?

[@sam_milton]

You pay for it once, but they offer a demo mode if you dont with everything unlocked for 1000 miles

[@KristaWalters-p2x]

Garcia Daniel Johnson Donald Williams Margaret

[@johnnyhun1]

you have to pay 350€ for the "turn off anti wheelie" option. Typical KTM ...

[@NancyDell-m6y]

Walker Maria Williams Mark Martin Robert

[@andrewbozhozr]

How to be a hero without being one.

[@nicodiaz627]

That's a bargain to learn how to wheelie.

[@QyjscMsvdioal-j6e]

Allen Joseph Jones Melissa Gonzalez Nancy

[@dougfreeman3229]

Stupid F'n obvious question. Why MCN is low on my list.

[@mbal4052]

Phew! As a wheelie connoisseur, I’m glad this doesn’t make the average Joe capable of pulling big stinkers. Took me years to learn my trade

[@TeslasSecret]

As a Wheelie Connoisseur, what would be your advice to an aspiring wheelier ? I ride a Zero FXE (electric SuperMoto-ish thing) and a Hypermotard 950 and I’m starting to enjoy the feeling of a power wheelie but don’t quite find the balls to go further than that.

[@JahanaraImam-w5w]

Lopez Kenneth Lee Donald Martinez Susan

[@airdevil21]

Do it yourself or don't...

[@user-hf8ie8mf3n]

Fun vid, even though I don’t do wheelies. 👍🤪🏳️‍🌈

[@therealslimgamey1]

Test rode one disliked it. It handles like a dog considering the money spent on suspension etc. Too top heavy no feel on the front end.

[@whiskeytangohotel6624]

The original 1290 felt the same. I sold mine. Was a fun bike, had crotch rocket speed but didn’t handle like a crotch rocket.

[@pabloblascocarrascosa5425]

Neevesy pulling a big fat Wheelie in a brand new 1390 People: 😮🙌 He inside the helmet: Pedro pedro pedro... 🥰❤

[@rossseed1451]

Ace!:D

[@salvaquest2123]

🤷‍♂️ quite why you’d want to learn how to try destabilise a 20k bike by riding on one wheel on a public road when your in mid life is beyond me … if its not irritating enough having asbo teenagers cycling on one wheel in the middle of the road the adults want to try to harness the skills that will get you nicked 🤷‍♂️ grow up people & leave the wheelies to the experts who entertain the paid crowds …

[@bensmith7536]

KTMs are all fun and games right up until the electronics fail, the dealer doesnt want to know you, the parts are on open ended order and you have a useless pile of motorcycle you wished you didnt pay for. So you take the loss, and buy a 1250 GS. EDIT: My experience exactly. Skip the KTM, buy a GS.

[@abymathew295]

GS is for really old people..😅

[@flippy66]

@@abymathew295 Generalisations are for morons 😉

[@ianwright3971]

Child....

[@arturama8581]

I couldn't care less about wheelies. Wheelies are for kids. For a lot less money I'd get me a new ZZR-1400 PS. If I were still able to ride 😥

[@exothermal.sprocket]

So wheelies are for kids. Who are stoppies for? Skids? Drifting?

[@markobutkovic5414]

Come on , Neevsey , we all have some serious jobs and working all day , and You are making a video about a wheelie , what a job . Makes me cry man.🫣 Fantasitc