BEN KTM 1290 SUPER DUKE R
THIS MONTH I HAVE MOSTLY BEEN… “Saying ciao to the old girl...”
That moment I’ve been dreading has finally arrived and I’m now left, sitting here penning my final article for my beloved Super D with a box of Kleenex mopping up my tears. Rewind nine months and I clearly recall the excitement I had building for the arrival of this beaut, but never did I foresee falling head over heels like I have, leaving me contemplating selling my body to earn the money needed to buy one for myself – although the wife is bizarrely against the idea.
Thankfully, I managed to get one half decent ride in before I lost my partner in crime, with a 300-odd mile round trip to Bristol to get a reading off the dyno at JHS Racing, which saw this 2017 model pulling 163 ponies and an eye watering 130Nm of torque, which I didn’t think was too shabby.
It may not be everyone’s cuppa with its looks dividing opinion, and its slightly agricultural feel turning people off before they really get a feel for what it’s all about, but I’ve fallen wholly and truly in love with the beast. I’ve experienced my fair share of bikes over the years, but none have stirred my soul quite like this weapon. Yes, it may not have the slickest box going, or be the most rapid in a straight line but it does have bags of character and an eager willingness to give you everything and more that you want from it.
Come rain or shine, it’s smashed big mile trips, it’s transformed the mundane squirt to work, we’ve shown up racers on track days and I’ve pulled bigger wheelies then I ever thought I had in me. Needless to say it’s been an absolute hoot!
The 1290SDR is what I would define as a ‘proper’ super naked; it has the attitude that you expect of a true naked. Compare it to its direct competition and in my opinion, the MT-10 feels more tourer than naked, the S1000R seems to lack charisma and refinement, but then the Tuono feels like a race-prepped superbike.
For me, the Austrian manufacturer has hit the nail on the head for a bike in its niche, giving us a well rounded road bike that’s loaded with all the latest bells and whistles while retaining the pure, brutal attitude that you’d expect, all in a beautifully refined package that is so incredibly easy, yet rewarding to ride.
Now, I loathe having to moan, so there’s nothing better than giving me zilch to whine about, and having covered 5,000 odd miles, I’m pleased to report I’ve experienced no issues whatsoever. The only wee gripe I have is that I find the fuel gauge a little unreliable. It tends to fluctuate, displaying a 60 mile range one moment and then a mere 20 miles a moment later, but hey, if that’s the only issue I have then frankly it can be forgiven.
Although I feel gutted to be saying ciao for now to my dearly beloved, I’m also buzzing to see what the new, eagerly anticipated 790 brings to the middleweight naked scene. If it shares the DNA of its bigger sibling then I’m sure it’s going to cause an absolute riot when it goes head-to-head with the likes of the new Triumph 765 Street. Next year can’t come soon enough!