The Beast gets better! 2024 KTM 1390 Super Duke R tested on track | MCN Review

#KTM #Superduke #1390
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[@scha0306]

LOVE this guy. Solid review. Especially at the end when he's talking about reliability, the bane of these otherwise stellar machines.

[@AlpineTreeCare]

Great straight forward info without all the obvious superlatives (repeated over and over....). Looking forward to the long term test results.

[@jamesthomas7032]

Best value death machine, love it.

[@Whillie_Whonka1]

Great review, no BS. Some of the other channels led you to believe this thing is a monster compared to the previous model.

[@mikehatten5738]

Yeah I have the 2020 and wanted to upgrade but I’ll probably pass now. Shiftcam tech is so overrated mostly just for meeting emissions in euro 5. The headlight is iffy too. But I love the orange

[@Fly876]

Wait, Neevesy did not go to the mighty 1390 superduke launch??

[@babyfknblu]

i saw on instagram i think he did the 990!

[@Squiserker]

He does not do the review but is riding in the video (eg at 5:52) :)

[@nickrider5220]

Nicely done Chris 👍🏻

[@TROdesigns]

Great review on this savage beast of a bike. Thought I'd miss Neeves talking about such an important bike, but i didn't

[@worldtraveler8613]

Dare I say I like this bike better than the street fighter??? Its more unique. Its not just a supersport minus fairings, but the chassis and engine were designed just for this bike, and it's a gorgeous and fast super naked. What's not to like? I love the electronics package on this bike as well.

[@zix_zix_zix]

It's a good package but better than Ducati SF?? It is not, in my opinion.

[@richardkillian5657]

​@zix_zix_zix for the road I would say that this SDR is definitely better than the SF. The SF has its power right at the top of the powerband and, with its gearing, means that it's very hard to deploy its power properly on the road. This is the reason I bought a Tuono Factory over a Streetfighter last year. Apart from the sound/powerband, everything on the SF I preferred. The superduke's powerband is even more beneficial on the road than the Tuono...

[@zix_zix_zix]

@@richardkillian5657 Obviously, both the SF and the new SD are amazing bikes and would like to have either one of them; BUT the SF seems to be a more sophisticated machine. The V4 engine is so special; it is high-revving (which I like) and full of character. Also, styling and equipment (wheels, suspension etc) are definitely a level up, compared to the SD's. Now, I have not ridden any of these bikes, so I cannot comment on the actual riding experience. I don't mind my bike producing its power high on the revs though. I now ride an old MV Brutale 750 and really enjoy that feeling!

[@PLAYER2035]

Build quality of KTM isn’t even close to Ducati. Charging Ducati money for this half Chinese junk is a joke

[@paulvanhout9695]

High quality review and insights- well done👍. Could not agree more regarding KTM commitment to quality assurance and reliability. Love the performance and dynamics of KTM motorbikes but they need to raise their QA game. Should not be hit or miss on whether you get a good one or not.

[@avothfis]

Great review, even greater track footage

[@stuartkraven]

I saw one in the shop when i picked up my 2nd hand 790 adventure. Very good looking bike.

[@jimhanle2971]

I had a first Gen 1290 and never had a problem in 5 years. May get the 1390 next year when my Tuono factory goes up for sale after 6/7 years of ownership. Great review

[@ninja12lawbreaker]

I have a black Gen 2 but will have to sell it to buy a Rocket 3. I will miss it so much

[@juicy9592]

​@@ninja12lawbreakerscrew that rocket man. Go get that superduke

[@MJW59]

I had a RC8R and it had a ton of stupid issues. My buddy's has been rock solid. And that's what he's talking about. KTM still has quality control issues. Some are great, some not so much.

[@valebliz]

Even KTMs without obvious problems still lack in general materials and build quality, but most owners don’t have a clue.

[@Supernova12034]

Great review, thanks!

[@UrbanoModa]

solid honest review

[@vaidotasz1]

When you will test it on the road ?

[@ozbiker5311]

great review Bud 👍👍when are you going to do a road test 🤷‍♂🤷‍♂or super naked review comparison 🙏🙏

[@UP-BEATMUSIC]

Wow, awesome aesthetic look ❤

[@remigusker6024]

Moving up from my MT-09 to one of these. I'm incredibly hype for it!

[@mikehatten5738]

Just be ready for reliability issues I’ve had so damn many! That said that LC8 is a thing of wonder you’ll love that aspect. Unfortunately KTM is still having many issues

[@andrewglass2010]

Thank you for that review. It looks great. It’s like an animal. I like it

[@61greybeard]

Great review Chris I really like your style of reporting. On the Ktm I had a 690 Duke a 990 smt and I’m on my second 1290 Gt over a 12 year period totaling 75000 miles on all bikes never let me down the only warranty work was a rear shock seal went which was all sorted no problem and I have changed the clutch slaves to Oberon ones as they are better I think. 👍👍

[@Jones-xx2gc]

A nice looking piece of kit.

[@stp7049]

Great review, thank you, give this man a pay rise!!👍

[@phillychee5e200]

How’s does this compare to the ZH2?

[@leanit5756]

Did they fix that weird 4,X00 RPM opening of the throttle plates(?) and corresponding lurching on deceleration that the 1290 Superdukes have?

[@user-ez1ch2vf3s]

Please make a comparison with Tuono V4, including drag race and top speed.

[@PaulSamps-gf6yz]

Good talk, well done

[@Graz23]

can you explain why 5 setting for wheelie control?

[@smithjon71]

Wheelie, wheeelie, wheeeelie, wheeeeeelie, wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeelie

[@timothymills733]

Refreshing to see a reviewer call out a manufacturer for lack of reliability. I am wondering how long it will take for someone from the distributor or KTM corporate to place a call to MCN management😉 "No more KTM launches for you."🤣

[@MJW59]

No BS review. 👍

[@AldredsquashUk]

The first journalist to actually comment on how unreliable the 1290 Superduke R is....I applaud you from an x owner that had reliabilty issues, it was the best road bike I have ever owned but if your rolling a dice everytime you take it out whether your going to get home on it, or by recovery truck then this becomes an issue, KTM you need to sort this reliability out rather than wasting millions having bikes in Motogp!

[@scottyuk]

What? It's always commented about. Do you not read MCN?

[@AldredsquashUk]

@@scottyuk no I don't read MCN

[@jonathanosullivan2418]

I have a 1290 Gen 1. Hasn’t let me down yet. Usual things that could happen to any bike, fork seals, chain and sprocket…. Things wear.

[@scottyuk]

I have a 2017 gen 1 1290GT. 40k miles of all weather so far. 👍

[@erich8756]

I have a 2021 gen 3. No issues whatsoever in 12k km's. 🤷‍♂️

[@EDcase1]

They should have a fared one like the RC8

[@tsarnevits]

I'm coming form a 2021 MT-09 SP and I am looking to upgrade. If I were to mainly do street riding (+ the occasional highway) and >3 track days per season, what would you suggest the most out of the following: the 1390 SDR Evo, the BMW M1000R or the Streetfighter V4S? Cheers.

[@TIMHARTTT]

I don’t because i was in the same position with the same choices snd it is such a pain in the ass to buy one one without testing it, at the end after my very intensive research I decided not to go with any bike from the list, the reliability is really the most important thing for me and non of those gave me the confidence I wanted, i hope you find your bike an think really well before you consider one.

[@Celana1]

If it's any help here's my opinion, don't get the BMW it is so boring and soulless. As far as the SDR or the Ducati as much as I like what KTM has released, it is a model year one and that usually means there will be issues that come up, did Ducati has been out for a few years and the street fighter is a blast to ride so that would be what I go with.

[@linserr90]

I have the newest gen ducati streetfighter V4S and for me it's a good street bike and great on track. My previous bike was a Triumph street triple RS and the Ducati blew me away the first weeks!

[@pauledwards5630]

I hope I can help, I have had an S1000R (not an M), a 1290 SDR and a SF V4S. 4:11 The BMW is very good but I found that it was almost devoid of character, if you want something very effective but clinical, it’s great. The V4S is brilliant but I couldn’t pass a fuel station and it lacks cruise control which the other 2 have, I found I rely on this a lot in 30s and 40s to remain a good boy, but it’s also useful on the motorway. The 1290 SDR felt like an engine with wheels and bars, it has tonnes of character and the ride is amazing in every way, at low speed it can be well behaved and I found it easier than the V4S through town, on back country roads it feels raw and exciting. I suffer with lower back (coccyx) pain, the V4S was the worst for this even with its super plush seat, the 1290 SDR has a firmer seat but I found it suited me better in terms of seating position. I had no reliability issues with any of these 3 bikes with just a recall for some wiring loom cable ties on the SDR. I’m now looking for a new bike and the 1390 is top of my list.

[@linserr90]

​@@pauledwards5630 the V4S is indeed very thirsty but cruise control is something I personally find useless on these bikes. I rode the latest version of the 1290 superduke and it was fun with all that torque but what bothered me was the way you are to much over the front which made it uncomfortable for me. In the end it all comes to personal preference. Just test ride every bike and then make the choice for yourself 😉

[@UP-BEATMUSIC]

Wow, awesome aesthetic look ❤ 0:58

[@nuttyisms]

Why no mention of the full Akra system fitted to the EVO? On my 2022 EVO, this is a track only option unless you figure out the indicator delete issue. Also, no mention of the weird fueling that plagues the 2022 bike (around 7,000 RPMs) which is really annoying on the track, especially when holding 2nd gear heading into a turn. So much so, I ended up getting a 2023 ZX-6R just for track duty...When someone at the track asked me why I wasn't tracking my Super Duke anymore, I replied: "Well, I can't afford to crash the ZX-6R, but I can afford to crash it more than the KTM" $3,000 for a new gas tank!!!? Other than that, I love the EVO; puts a smile on my face every time Iride it. I wish it had the new model's variable wheelie control. It's either Off or ON.

[@mochabear88]

ty

[@hlpang1075]

Love this bike. Great suspension, high top gear, handles great, super comfy posture. Reasons why I did not buy it: fuel consumption is mental, looks, build quality. But there is no other bike I’d rather ride.

[@valebliz]

Fuel consumption had never been bad on the lc8, quite the opposite. If it’s bad it’s because you did some poorly done mapping.

[@HyperBiker]

I've just been on the KTM configurator and specced it to a reasonable level (wheels, footpegs, TeckPack and a bit of carbon) and it comes out at just under £26,000. Same as my M1000R Comp.

[@PLAYER2035]

That’s a joke

[@sabref4i290]

I have a question is it risky to buy the first year of a new motorcycle?

[@ionutalexandruradu9873]

I would wait at least 8-9 months before buying a new motorcycle mode, and especially a KTM, you don't want to be a beta teste considering there are a lot of changes to the engine.

[@PLAYER2035]

Why is there no mention that the bike doesn’t even come with a quickshifter as standard, when bikes 1/4 price do???

[@peterkoning21]

I've never thought I would EVER say this BUT....is this not too much ?? I rode the 'old' 1200 and it was mind blowing ! Lovely....but too much !

[@jamesbarker2555]

So don’t trade in my ‘22 Evo?

[@nickyyoung1992]

Beast off a bike that thing some grunt aff her class

[@carlsitler9071]

My last superbike was in the '80s (V65 Magna) and although my Bandit 1200S specs are a bit better (especially the weight) the era placed it as a meer hooligan. Next month I'm trading my Triumph America for a Stage 3 Screaming Eagle Sportster 1200 Custom Low. I love the comfort of the Triumph but it doesn't have that work of art V-twin.

[@ktmdays]

How many hp is it

[@fabiena1787]

yes

[@stephenchapman8344]

Interesting to see the actual road test review. Too expensive to start with. With a bike at that price range you should not have to pay an extra £1000 to keep the tech pack. BMW every time.😀

[@SSS-mp8th]

Looks really good but at $21.5k in the US before adding in access to the electronics its Streetfighter V4 or M 1000 R money with likely less reliability. Unrelated question is a new Speed Triple RR at 12,700 GBP make up for the ergos and quirks? For some reason Triumph always has the ST RR, Rocket 3 and Tiger 12 heavily discounted (previous year models). Happens every year at least with the Rocket and RR.

[@Steve-motorcycles]

Obviously not rode the 1390 but it seems like a minor refresh to keep Euro 6 regs happy rather than a major update. The electronics seem the best update. The headlight the worst.

[@Lucifer-ch8es]

Review????

[@loztagain8278]

I'd love a KTM, or Aprilia tbh. It's just there isn't a dealer near me. Triumph, Ducati, all the Japanese ones, a specialist that does Chinese bikes, yeah. Even BMW isn't too far away. But Aprilia or KTM and I'm out of luck. :( I've a honda for now, maybe a triumph or ducati next... :|

[@A.J.1656]

I hope someone makes an exhaust that does away with the automobile muffler under the bike.

[@PaulSamps-gf6yz]

It would be nice if they used a Japanese radiator.

[@daverae7544]

This guy can ride the ***k out of this bike!

[@natural9743]

This is what dancing with death looks like 😅

[@tgmwright]

Adding 👏 preload 👏 doesn't 👏 firm 👏 suspension 👏

[@richiektm]

Who's that what's that can do better

[@resitelbir]

Sorry Chris, but where is Neevesy..

[@natural9743]

He crashed it but is ok

[@crunks420]

I am biased because I have a '23 1290r evo, but I just don't like the 1390. The headlight is a big "no" for me, but rest of the styling is awesome. If the cams are flopping back and forth around 5K rpms that's gonna be really weird for how I ride on the street. The new electronics sound promising, but, as of now I am really glad I got the 1290 evo.

[@valebliz]

Thank god someone talking about KTM’s abysmal build quality and reliability. At this point most of the reviews around are made by KZbinrs wannabe journos that dick ride every brand to get free bikes and invitations.

[@TheDaemon66]

Just do an onboard video, talk while you ride. Don’t just talk with outboard shots.

[@onlyoneromeo]

Ktm will make this monster but won't make a sport bike ? I don't get it.

[@csabafarago8834]

Chris, I don't understand what you're saying. Slow down dude.

[@rolan2dr]

Review the 390 the cost of this bike is too much.

[@markaquino9485]

What are these comments

[@shadowred1980]

Bots mate.

[@josh786manchester]

Buy MT-10 more reliable

[@taipalerm]

Guy reading the brochure instead of Neevesy actually reviewing the bike? Wtf?

[@BarnettSpeedSuzukiThou]

So it says 1390 but is 1350. Well im not buying then. Hate fakery.

[@johnblack9037]

I’ve ridden a couple of super dukes, good power, stiff chassis. BUT! dull and no feedback soulless!

[@Jpowellsuckballs]

Thanks for this balance review. All other reviewers like 44teeth is touting the 1390 R as the next best thing since slice bread and soooo much better than 1290 R, glad to hear that might not be the case, it is more evolution than revolution

[@rolan2dr]

Review the 390 the cost of this bike is too much.