Took a KTM 1290 Superduke R out for a 1 hour spin with the missus today, been thinking about selling my GSA so wanted to see a) how good it was and b) how comfortable and pillion friendly so not a beserk test ride but got a good feel for it nonetheless. Happily our local KTM dealer is very close to come of my favourite local A and B roads so I had the chance to give it a proper blat despite her indoors on the back. First slight surprise was that the bike was completely standard so no optional Q/S / autoblipper activated and no track mode with the crucial 'anti wheelie off' present - although listed as factory optional extras costing a good few hundred quid it turns out that its just a case of the dealer downloading the appropriate software after the first service which I thought was bordering on being a bit of a rip off. Nonetheless the appealing thing with this bike is that you can spec it very similarly to an S1K ie in addition to the electronics it comes with std cruise plus optional heated grips, comfort seats, carbon bits and so on, which ticks a lot of boxes for me.
Onto the bike, a 49 mile example fitted with familiar Metzeler M7RR's, straightaway the riding position feels right, nice and comfortable, straight bars, decent leg room, although the gearshift was a bit close to the left peg for my size 11 TCX's but that can be adjusted out. No initial complaints from my passenger so off we go, like most sports bikes there's no grab rail fitted (I have one on the S1K) so I've got the Oxford 'love handle' belt on which while not perfect does the job.
First roll off of the throttle see's the missus piling into the back of me, forgot how much engine braking big V twins have so a bit of right wrist moderation required when slowing down! After a few miles we arrive at Bourne where the real fun can begin, so far the bike's proved to be very docile, giving the throttle a bit of a handful sees decent, torquey progress but despite the claimed 177 bhp the huge rush you get with an S1000RR, or indeed a 1299s isn't there, I'm sure if I'd been on my own it would have been more evident but despite appearances this isn't a violent beast of a bike. Of course the other thing to mention at this stage is that obviously there is no fairing, the last unfaired bike I rode was a mates Z1000J back in 1990(!) but despite the unfamiliarity I found it comfortable enough up to 90mph which is generally enough.
Onto some fast B roads and I'm instantly impressed with the supple WP set up, fantastic flickability and accurate steering, despite being two up we're absolutely tonking along, blasting past a Harley riding local between a couple of corners and despite the brand new tyres getting some decent lean on. I thought I might find the front end a bit vague being fairing less but I'd go as far as saying that on this particular road I'm finding it a better set up than my S1K, very impressive and very easy to get on with although I am finding using the clutch up and down the box a pain - amazing how quickly you get used to new tech isn't it? We pull into a pub car park for a quick chat and photo before turning back to do it all over again.. From a pillion point of view, there's a tick for seat comfort and leg room, although the seat isn't quite perched as high as my BMW so the view from the back isn't so good but this is improved with the optional comfort seat set up.
Back at the dealers and I'm quite taken with it, no its not as fast as an S1K and although miles better than an early RC8 I once owned still retains that slightly agricultural KTM feel versus BMW's 4 cylinder polish although it's way smoother than my liquid cooled GSA. I thought the engine would define the bike but its the fun and capable handling and comfort that has made the biggest impression on me. The question is can I justify one of these so go touring on (cough!) and an S1000RR, hmm!
Onto the bike, a 49 mile example fitted with familiar Metzeler M7RR's, straightaway the riding position feels right, nice and comfortable, straight bars, decent leg room, although the gearshift was a bit close to the left peg for my size 11 TCX's but that can be adjusted out. No initial complaints from my passenger so off we go, like most sports bikes there's no grab rail fitted (I have one on the S1K) so I've got the Oxford 'love handle' belt on which while not perfect does the job.
First roll off of the throttle see's the missus piling into the back of me, forgot how much engine braking big V twins have so a bit of right wrist moderation required when slowing down! After a few miles we arrive at Bourne where the real fun can begin, so far the bike's proved to be very docile, giving the throttle a bit of a handful sees decent, torquey progress but despite the claimed 177 bhp the huge rush you get with an S1000RR, or indeed a 1299s isn't there, I'm sure if I'd been on my own it would have been more evident but despite appearances this isn't a violent beast of a bike. Of course the other thing to mention at this stage is that obviously there is no fairing, the last unfaired bike I rode was a mates Z1000J back in 1990(!) but despite the unfamiliarity I found it comfortable enough up to 90mph which is generally enough.
Onto some fast B roads and I'm instantly impressed with the supple WP set up, fantastic flickability and accurate steering, despite being two up we're absolutely tonking along, blasting past a Harley riding local between a couple of corners and despite the brand new tyres getting some decent lean on. I thought I might find the front end a bit vague being fairing less but I'd go as far as saying that on this particular road I'm finding it a better set up than my S1K, very impressive and very easy to get on with although I am finding using the clutch up and down the box a pain - amazing how quickly you get used to new tech isn't it? We pull into a pub car park for a quick chat and photo before turning back to do it all over again.. From a pillion point of view, there's a tick for seat comfort and leg room, although the seat isn't quite perched as high as my BMW so the view from the back isn't so good but this is improved with the optional comfort seat set up.
Back at the dealers and I'm quite taken with it, no its not as fast as an S1K and although miles better than an early RC8 I once owned still retains that slightly agricultural KTM feel versus BMW's 4 cylinder polish although it's way smoother than my liquid cooled GSA. I thought the engine would define the bike but its the fun and capable handling and comfort that has made the biggest impression on me. The question is can I justify one of these so go touring on (cough!) and an S1000RR, hmm!
