2022 KTM 1290 Super Duke R EVO Final Review: Worth It?

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[Firestorm]

I have owned 2 Super Dukes. That engine is unbelievable. All that horsepower and torque all below 9500 rpm. Love the headlights.

[pyrodoll]

I owned a gen 2 until last year which was a bit of a harsh ride, especially on sections of poorly maintained roads. I bought the evo a few days ago and the difference in the ride is night and day. Well worth the extra dosh I'd say. Can't wait to get it run in.

[cpuuk]

As a 1290SAS rider I had the Pro Suspension option, and no regrets. The fully Auto option is OK except on rough roads where it can be fooled into a twitch, so I switch to manual settings when I need to get jiggy- the ease with which you can change suspension is a plus point.

[mynameisfrank]

I have one it’s awesome. Still not broke in so I can’t really get on it. Super easy to use electronics and screen. Full akro exhaust and everything unlocked.

[Firestorm]

In the 70’s-90’s many cars offered disc brakes in the front and drums in the rear before all wheel disc. Horrible front end dive with emergency braking. All discs seem to solve that problem. Electronic suspension on motorcycles is a magic carpet ride. Worth the upgrade especially with antidive

[Firestorm]

Ducati Streetfighter is track rpm, Super Duke is street rpm. Super Duke makes more horsepower and torque, on the dyno, than H2 and Streetfighter to 9500 rpm.

[gmc]

One of the best rapid transit options around!!

[howardfreedman]

If you have the means to buy the Super Duke R EVO in the first place, the extra $1, 500 shouldn't change your lifestyle. Go for it.

[aurorajones]

I had a friend who showed up on a ride w/ one of these. We all had sports bikes, i was on an RSV4 Factory w/ race ECU ceramic bearings and some other goodies. Yea its fast as fk. So im like... "try to keep up" and he throws such a smack down on me w/ this bike. Not the R even. I was humiliated and shocked. Hot damn those are fast bikes yo

[nunyabidness]

You wanted to hear from people who have experience with electronic suspension, so here's mine:

I got an R1M in 2015 and still have the bike. The suspension is really stiff as it's basically a track bike. I have a mode set up that I refer to as the "I've been strafing back roads on this fucking thing for 5 hours, I'm sore and want to limp home" mode, which is basically full soft on compression and rebound at both ends-it is in fact softer and a little nicer than the standard or track modes but is still not what I would call "plush".

Then I got an EBR1190RS Carbon Edition, with proper Race Ohlins on it and not the Road and Track spec units that Ohlins puts their adjustable guts Holy hell, what a difference. This bike is twice as plush as the Yamaha and a MUCH better handling bike because of the suspension quality. Most people never get to a level of riding where they can objectively discuss suspension and think that it's a matter of maybe Company O puts lower friction stanchions in their forks or maybe fancy coatings or minute differences in valving to end up with similar results to Company W, but I'm here to tell you that the difference between Good suspension and GREAT! suspension has nothing to do with automatic modes or how many clicks of rebound and compression it it's down to how sophisticated and how responsive the valving is in the initial portion of the stroke. This is what makes the bike composed over small bumps and yet take big hits in compressive loads.

I know that the suspension companies that supply forks and shocks have to worry about what they will sell next year and the years after if they give the best they have, but I am here to tell you in no uncertain terms that the suspension you get even on an expensive up-spec motorcycle is really not that special, outside of the fact that now there are things they can do with damping electronically. The guts are still a decade or more old and frankly not much better than Showa BPF's.

If you want good suspension, you have to buy race units that are manually you just won't care once you take your first ride.

[marcusgeorge]

Nice review Bob. Thank you. I remember, in the late 80’s, “anti-dive” went as quickly as it came onto the scene. You need an amount of dive on corner entry to improve the flick ability of the bike and assist with the braking and weight transfer.

[dukie]

Certainly not for everybody. Yes I think this bike is worth owning. Love the looks now but it took awhile for me to appreciate it.

[simosmaximos]

06/23 i wanted a 1290 because you could get them dirt cheap brand new because of the intruduction of the 1390SDR, my dealer got me an 1290R Evo and i never regretted geting the Evo package. You use it everyday and it just makes it so more felxibal on longer rides

[Firestorm]

Japanese bikes are on every corner just like Harley’s. European bikes pull on my heart strings. I own a Super Duke and a MV AGusta Dragster 800rr Pirelli edition. Love V2’s and Triples. Triples are Similar to V4’s with torque and horsepower but more character. Triples easy to wrench on vs a V4.

[skyworks]

I drove my KTM 1290 super AD S for 1500 km so far and found that the rear shock even in comfort is to hard on a bit bumpy or not perfect road when riding. And the bike kicks you on a bump so I will have to upgrade to suspension pro.

[pyrodoll]

Just sold my 2019 SDr because I don't ride it enough but I can't help thinking I'll be buying an evo soon haha.

[hockeymann]

Winglets; I am right there with ya on those. Silly for my type of riding.
I would definitely go for the active suspension on the Duke for the reasons you mentioned. Who would think a 180hp Super Duke could be so practical?

[mollybell]

Thank you for this. I ride a 790 duke and love it, AND it's really all I need, but the super dukes do make my mouth water. 😁

[vtranmoto]

I race a KTM RC8C (yes the 1 in 100, and yes race competitively) and also track a 2022 Duke 890R. And work with a riding coach who rides a 1290R (former pro KTM racers) and I got to ride his 1290R a bit.

95% of people should not be riding a 1290, it is SO much bike, it is absolutely insane. If you’re going to be on track or in the twisties you’re going to be able to use and enjoy a 890R much more than tip toeing around on a 1290.

The semi active suspension is great, I had it on my Aprilia Tuono Factory and it’s really good for street riding and cruising. But again, if you’re one of those riders that wants to “push” and actually push your bike in the corners whether it’s on track or in the twisties, grab a middleweight naked and ride that properly over barely scraping the surface of a 1290’s capabilities. It’ll be easier in your pocketbook and you’ll be a better rider for it. 👍

[micaKTM]

I have the previous generation Semi Active Suspension 2020 Super Adventure S. It is superb, can't imagine it being much better. Certainly a lot more adjustment options on the new gen. Aside from off road bikes, I don't think I will ever own a bike without SAS.