Is this 2024's best bike? KTM 1390 Super Duke R Evo review

[@Dan-56]

Well, I have a lifetime total of 15 KTM’s, (Yes, I have motorcycle addiction.), 7 of which had either electronic or mechanical problems while still in warranty, the last two had more problems than a two year old discount store string of Christmas lights. I swore off KTM, said never again…….then I spotted a “good deal” on a “left over”….and I couldn’t resist 😆. So far 🤞 no issues. And yes I know…..”The very definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results” 😆😆😆guilty 🤪!

[@cuzimaluzer777]

I've owned 4. 2 had issues that were taken care of under warranty and to be honest the 2014 1190 adventure S was probably the best bike I've ever owned, but it had issues. Currently own a 2021 890 duke and a 2023 1290 SAS. Both of those have been flawless and I give them unrepentant flogging.

[@Noony79]

I had one. The clock would gain 5 mins a week. They knew about it but never bothered to fix it.

[@512460]

So moral of the story only buy ktm new with warranty

[@h2489-m2l]

I've had a 690 smcr and a 1290sdgt and the only problems I've had have been some sticky switches and problems from a dead battery, both on the GT. The 690 never fails. Both are hilarious fun

[@michaelfrock2473]

@@cuzimaluzer777of the 890 and 1290 which do you like more. Thinking of a 990 or 1390.

[@LambChopRides]

Enjoyed that Tim 👌

[@timrodierides]

Thank you lovely!

[@thisisatestoftheemer]

Excellent review as always! I've had my 1290 Evo for a year now and it's still my favorite bike, I like the new headlight and radiator cowl on the 1390 but don't love the missing brake light and weird new turn signal mount. I still wanna try one, though. For anyone else interested in KTM, if you wait til the end of the year, they generally slash a *lot* off prices. It pays to wait a bit.

[@Neutronb0mb]

Thanks for bringing back all my Grandma / Pegging related trauma.

[@bl0r]

I can’t tell if this is positive or negative feedback

[@kevinroark5815]

🤣🤣🤣

[@Dean-does-Stuff-81]

a bargain.... I for one love that head light.... I love the KTM looks and I love orange... Its a yes for me....

[@Steve-motorcycles]

Great review. However, the almost £6k premium on the 1290SDR and that headlight will mean I won’t be trading my 1290sdr soon. I will just have to cope with the underpowered 180hp and 140nm of torque. (possibly a little more since I changed the stock exhaust and had a remap) The electronics seem better though

[@timrodierides]

How will you cope though without the extra 5 torques?!

[@Cartsp70]

I’m half Austrian and I still wouldn’t buy it, it’s ugly af and it’s probably gonna break down after 100 miles… I’ll pass

[@Steve-motorcycles]

@@Cartsp70 😂😜

[@TheValbunnys]

Underpower calm down moto Gp champion 🤣🤣

[@Steve-motorcycles]

@@TheValbunnys 😂😂

[@theoldskoolboyzzzz6958]

be picking mine up in couple of weeks from fowlers, in goes the tuono, i had gen 3 sdr miss it like crazy especially 2 up riding with the insane wife 🤣💪

[@TBiker000]

I purchased the 2023 non evo with 4 x year warranty. Some good deals to be had. Had no issues so far and have the four year warranty for peace of mind. I did test the Evo and to be honest kept my cash instead. Let's see how the new 1390 settles in but if looking good in a year or so perhaps I will trade this one in or sale on. Great for the next buyer (and easier to re-sale) as they will still have a nice chunk of warranty.

[@HarryCallahan-tf3qr]

You'd have to win the Lottery to be able to Afford a bike like that.

[@mostrov6]

Great review..... I'm biased as a M1000R owner, in that i prefer the look and the toys of the BMW. The M1000R also feels light in tipping into corners. Agree that nothing beats the instant torque of the Duke's twin setup.

[@dalemeadows225]

Very funny review, Tim 😂

[@timrodierides]

Cheers Dale!

[@robbiemcbeath6628]

I've had two gen 3s, no way I'd ever ride anything else! 💥

[@mattmutane5502]

Based on a few comments now about the slowness of handling of your MT10, perhaps you should try what I have done...? Firstly, Darren at MCT told me not to raise the ride height as that causes traction issues, so firstly, "better" suspension can help (but you've already got that part pretty sorted with the SP). What I have done, is drop the forks through the yokes as much as you can, which is 20mm. This makes the steering noticeably quicker and the bike more nimble, and the trade-off in stability I don't think is too bad, and certainly worth it IMO!! Give it a try and see what you think!!?? ;) :) :D On the 1390, great video, as per usual, thanks!! ;) :) :D :D

[@marksmith8663]

Think you notice a step up back to back with gen 3 . Nice to see they put pitches to show slip control. I can never remember if 1-9 max or min . Great review 👍

[@timrodierides]

From memory 1 is scary, 9 is boring 😂 Or is it the other way around…

[@morry27jd24]

I was leaning towards the M1000R, now I’m leaning the other way again lol. Good honest review.

[@timrodierides]

I need to try another M1000R I think - I toured on one and really didn't gel with it...

[@morry27jd24]

@@timrodierides currently on a ZX10 but the wrists and back can’t take it anymore being over 50 years old. I’ve seen both bikes in the flesh but there’s something about the rebellious nature and torque figure of the KTM that excites me.

[@gerryryan2302]

Yup id be terrified to ride it

[@DavidMegaw]

Mate. The only v twin on the market that can do round town so smoothly. Well engineered.

[@oliash92]

great video thanks Tim

[@LonelyTreeSunset]

Waiting for the GT

[@andreasonwheels]

I'm 193 myself as well and i never saw a naked where it looke okish... now this looks okish :O I'm impressed

[@timrodierides]

It's a really nice size for taller people, but not too tall for medium-size people

[@andreasonwheels]

@@timrodierides and since you tried already so many Bikes, what are the best nakeds/sportsbikes for ppl of our height in your opinion? I mean SAS is more comfy, for sure, but I'm looking for something lighter and more sporty also

[@brucekendall52]

Fantastic motor for sure.

[@mrkang4080]

The SDR1 was pretty sloppy, the SDR2 is when things started to really come together, the SDR3 was the refinement needed and this new model is perfection. I've owned 2 of the 3 models to date... I plan to make it 3/4.

[@mikemac577]

Hi Tim, have a 22 1290 with all the trimmings. Is it worth upgrading from that?

[@robertmiazek2926]

Thanks Tim! Great review. Keep it up. For some reason you remind me of Jeremy Clarkson 😂 Just a younger version of him 😂😂

[@timrodierides]

Haha, I'll take that as a compliment. I get the comparison a lot as if I'm pretending to be him… it's just how I talk.

[@gurdipaujla7939]

Thinking of getting a used one of these, (Feb-Apr 2025) once they've come down in price a bit. Predominantly road riding (UK) with a bit of track use... I do wonder whether staying in 2nd and 3rd the whole time on B-road twisties would become a little, well, unfulfilling.

[@timrodierides]

Oh you can put it in fourth and still have lots of accidental fun! I'm with you on getting a lightly used one next year. Would love one... can't afford one though!

[@inked-96]

Don't get me wrong, I like a big powerful bikes as much as the next guy, but it's pointless for the UK roads.. with how shit our roads are, the increase in static n mobile cameras, and the speed limits being lowered. It's a pointless bike for the road unless it's for track use or for waving their knobs about at bike meets/online. 😂

[@ballerblocks]

Where I live in Essex, there are no cameras, or there were cameras until them boys started to paint and lob them off.😊

[@daveo9844]

Your loss 🍻

[@jeffy3964]

You never mentioned the M1000R for its competition!! M1000R is the best hyper bike out there..

[@timrodierides]

I mentioned it briefly in the outro. But yes, the KTM defecates on it from a great height in my opinion. Not a fan of the bar vibes and power delivery of the M1000R on the road. It’s also a super wristy riding position. I took an M1000R around Europe for 1200 miles last year and we really didn’t bond

[@jeffy3964]

@@timrodierides like you said thats your opinion but again I disagree, I rode both and both great bikes but I preferred the MR1000 and I didn’t feel the vibration enough to let it bother me at all.. so we will have to agree to disagree on that one.

[@timrodierides]

@@jeffy3964 Oh absolutely! And I think BMWs are pretty variable when it comes to vibes. The one I had killed a GoPro and a Garmin sat-nav that I had mounted to the bars. As in dead, had to be RMAd.

[@brianglendenning1632]

@@jeffy3964I think some people notice vibes more than others. I have an s1000r and have never noticed the vibes, but it does generate vibes as I have had watch brackets and iPhone camera stabilisers damaged by the vibes. Perhaps Tim is just a sensitive young chap?

[@porscheoffroad]

No Jeff

[@robbattlecryawesome8549]

Cool af looking.

[@bertinfreckmann6553]

Such a euphoria Test Ride with so much Joy...always happy if someone like Tim Rodie is laughing , because of the explosive Acceleration/G-Power..... KTM 1390 Super Duke R Evo POWER !!! I wish HUSQVARNA/KISKA would create/design a "Monster" 1401 Svartpilen/Vitpilen !!!

[@RacerJuan42]

Fingers crossed that the new engine proves to have minimal teething issues in the first couple of production years.

[@DucatiDale]

People seem to be forgetting the v4s and just doing vids of the m1000r and the 1390 when bikeworld did a drag race that v4 smashed everything even the zh2

[@timrodierides]

I've ridden the SFV4 a fair bit and always want to love it… but struggle. It feels too serious, and then you're going too fast by the time it really comes alive. Quite good on track though!

[@DucatiDale]

@@timrodierides people keep going on about the torque of the 1390 as well but whenever I’ve seen it against the m1000r it gets a slight jump then reeled in like it’s tied to a stump

[@MH-xd2nd]

The police rang. They’ve asked me to tell you to drop your licence off at your local station. You won’t be needing it for a few months 😂

[@Neutronb0mb]

What made you go for your new MT10 over the old 1290R Tim? Just fancied a change after the SAS?

[@timrodierides]

Yeah, it was that plus to be honest a KTM was a lot more money to insure (we're talking £2000ish), the MT10 was £500. I still want to own a SuperDuke at some point though.

[@Neutronb0mb]

@@timrodieridesinsurance is a strange old beast. Especially anywhere near london

[@daimonmt]

​@@timrodieridesThe big insurance difference is not due to power, especially given that the KTM is made in Europe. It is because of reliability claims. A great indicator before buying a bike

[@timrodierides]

@@daimonmt I'm not so sure, my KTM 1290 SAS was one of the cheapest bikes to insure I've ever owned!

[@AndrewLane-pm2ro]

The problem with big twins is they're very clunky at low revs. I find this worst on roundabouts, where you need to smooth things out with the clutch.

[@timrodierides]

I think you'd be surprised at how smooth the 1390 engine is. It's baffling how they've done it!

[@AndrewLane-pm2ro]

@@timrodierides Interesting. I must admit I've never ridden the big KTM.

[@davmanlop333]

So much fun but also so much money 😂

[@timrodierides]

What price fun though? About £4000 on an original Street Triple to be honest

[@claqyagami6914]

06:07 info we def did not need to know Tim!😏

[@timrodierides]

A man can dream

[@otlndsh]

Now imagine if KTM had the quality and reliability of Japanese bikes. One can always dream.

[@brianglendenning1632]

Even the reliability of a Tuono would be a step up…

[@aurimerand1142]

I had 2 ktm superduke....never had a pb

[@JosephPOCKEY]

Who makes your jacket?

[@BN1960]

Cor, that's a spicy pricey!

[@FourIntoOne]

As much as I would like there is no way that I can own (or even test ride) a bike like this. I would be in jail with a VERY long tariff and no chance of parole within a week of taking delivery. 👍

[@Tadaslkz]

1390 SD A2 compliant??? How does that work?

[@timrodierides]

@@Tadaslkz it’s called a joke sorry

[@dw88241]

What’s happened to the KTM dealer network? All the dealers anywhere near Portsmouth (except Trevor Pope) keep going either going bankrupt or dropping KTM for other manufacturers.

[@timrodierides]

Oh interesting! I hadn't noticed, but my local dealer is huuuuge (P&H in Crawley). Not sure who's best on the south coast, sorry…

[@512460]

Sooo. Tim this or your beloved mt10

[@tubejorrit]

can't wait for a street fighter v4s comparison from you

[@timrodierides]

I do need to try one again…

[@Roger_Ramjet]

You will gave 150,000 subs before you know it... 👍

[@timrodierides]

That'd be lovely. A man can dream (and spout nonsense along the way)

[@Roger_Ramjet]

​@timrodierides keep being you! Cheers from Boston!

[@Banditmanuk]

Every time I get marginally tempted on a bonkers KTM, I see yet another KZbin vid saying what a reliability nightmare their KTM has been (Latest is Crazy Legs on a bike) Not a chance I would trade my super reliable MT10 for one.

[@davidcolin6519]

I really don't get the "problem" of the engine sound. Personally, I absolutely LOVE the sound of a big V twin, ANY big V twin, and the bigger the capacity, the better. Of course, I'll draw the line at H-Ds, but I even like the sound of Indians. I know that loads of people rant about the sound of Trumpet Triples, but I'll still choose a big V. As for UJMs and V4s, meh.

[@Noony79]

What is pegging?

[@Ryan46]

You're a great bike reveiwer, just stay away from my grandmother please.

[@timrodierides]

Haha thank you. I'll stay away (unless she's giving out Haribo, in which case I can't be responsible for my actions)

[@brianglendenning1632]

“Peg you with it”…

[@volodymyrshoniia2424]

I better get my sausage out for this

[@specialized500]

Powerul bikes without wind protection are rich boys toys .

[@robmance1611]

Fitten fronte tyren nein needenich das powerplanten ist wunderbar!

[@timrodierides]

Genau! Perfekt!

[@robmance1611]

@@timrodierides haha cheers! Great review so many ‘Fark en ell’s, quality!

[@alfie6426]

I'm seriously tempted by this even though I think it's hideous 😂

[@tonydare7614]

Subscribed for the burp

[@timrodierides]

Hahaha, I'd had my stomach contents lightly massaged by a few dodgy wheelies

[@tonydare7614]

@@timrodierides 🤣

[@FirstLast-ue6zu]

So much fun until something breaks down and the ktm starts to fuck you up for asking for help

[@velcrofishsticks6002]

Can't wait for the cam shaft to turn into deformed junk after 10k miles on this bad boy!

[@DucatiDale]

As long as 10k ? 😂

[@helgejohan3604]

Hate the new front🤮like the rest but too much🤑

[@trendingtopicresearch9440]

Less talk more ride.

[@daraphys]

Warum haben wir zu einem Vorderreifen gepasst? ... do I win something?

[@timrodierides]

You win 10 Tim Rodie points. They're redeemable at all chinese takeaways

[@daraphys]

@@timrodierides You're a gent 😂

[@izmesamsung2581]

Get your mug out of the visibles and I might watch it....

[@timrodierides]

huh

[@leehiggins6468]

Diavel v4

[@TheJoker-gg8hc]

It's not a supersport bike, so no, it's not the best. Next.

[@Rik448]

Too bad they’re unreliable

[@JinKazama92]

that is such bs.

[@GC-xy2ec]

Ugliest bike ive ever seen 😮