My only concern is stability at speed tbh. I had one the early 1290gt models. Very wayward (read frightening) at speed if you hit even small imperfections in the road mid- corner. Bar risers will be a must, apparently limited to around 30mm with the tft display mounting and also rather short cables. Then a small screen to be sourced, Puig looks ok. Then it will be mostly back tyres…they have a bit of an appetite!
Omg I absolutely love the brand KTM,and in a weird twist of fate,this is why I'm now riding a Ducati...... As originally purchased a 21 plate SDR,and travelled to Denmark,Norway and Sweden on it,and after 10k miles I fell in love with the engine,the brand etc etc...... So then purchased a brand new 23 plate SDR EVO,and that's where the twist of fate occurred lol...... As 3 months in,I actually lost count of MTC failure,and preload failure,and with less than 1k on the clock,the bike had to go........ So with the greatest of knee jerk reactions,I ended up trading in the SDR for a SF...... But definitely look at the Evotech tail tidy,as sexy as hell,as are the rad guard and crash bungs !!!! Also...... Definitely unlock the QS as part of the tech pack. Last year,I ended up in Slovenia,Croatia and Bosnia,on a borrowed mates SDR... And coming from the usual suspects of inline fours,the SDR had me smiling the whole time...... Ya gonna love it, ENJOY !!!!
Pre load failure avoided by going with the none Evo version I assume. MTC failure avoided with the healtech gizmo, I have read… I am looking at buying an R. The change can be spent better shock etc if required. Did the cannonball bike run last year (Europe..) and there were a lot of KTMs. Apparently battery condition is critical according to the owners there.
Maybe that’s how they can do these huge discounts, a lot of the extras are fitted as standard anyway and it’s a “dealer unlock” your paying for, and it’s probably the dealers that are taking the brunt of the hit with the discount?
I’ve bought the non Evo as I didn’t feel that the electronic suspension was worth the extra. £750 to unlock the full tech pack which includes the track pack seems decent enough considering the bike was under £14k. You’re not getting much in the way of high end bikes for that money these days
Having experienced electronically controlled suspension, I would say it is over priced. Also that it does not always work any better, though convenience can be good, I can soften the ride on my GS on the fly, good for rough roads and speed bump strewn villages.More shit to go wrong though and the worst version I have had was on the 1290gt. Better quality, manually adjusted would be my preference. With an easily reached rear pre load adjuster. Quality upgrades can be fitted that will work better, only requiring some set up imo. I had Ohlins on my Monster 1200r and tbh did not even adjust pre load. It just rode nice, firm(ish) yet compliant. No drama. Quality rear shock for the Duke around £1300, cartridge kits for the front end similar….if needed. Going to look at two 1290s tomorrow if it stays dry! Btw, the RR does NOT have electronic dampers!
I fitted a Hyperpro steering damper on my 2014 SDR, it improved it a lot, the original did nothing and was a bit wobbly at 140mph+, Park straight at Cadwell was always interesting after the dip. I'm sure they're fitting much better ones now. Forks were a bit hopeless, so fitted a cartridge kit, my bike was pre Apex, so again I'm sure they are sorted now.
I’m sure the standard suspension will be fine for the road as it won’t be going on track. Im still keeping my track bikes and the Panigale V4S
Had several over the years , speed triple, speed triple r, mt09, z900 and finally a gsx s1000 but I didn’t try any of the high end/high power current ones A nakeds a second bike and only so much I was willing to spend as much as I fancied a v4 street fighter On my 120 mile demo ride, tight, twisty b roads in mid wales it felt brilliant, the same front end confidence as my panigale Suspension cracking as is Tailtidy and rad guard on, some ppf where my knees will rub still to go on Stupid petrol cap packed up the third time I tried to fill up, put a non locking one on instead
One of the lads at works just bought the 890R. Hoping to catch up with him in the summer and swap bikes to try but they’re supposed to be mega by all accounts and might even be a better option for the road over the 1290
Some stupid good deals out there. I got Tech Pack, heated grip, a fly screen and delivery from Swansea all for under list price. I got off her on test ride and thought "i could really irritate some people in Donny Inters on this". Can't wait for Friday..,.....
There was a lad at Knockhill last year on one and he was absolutely taking the piss. I'll see if I can find the YouTube video
Cracking bike, Rob. You will not be disappointed. As you know, handy track tool too. I used to love riding mine to Cadwell for a cheeky summer evening track session. Then riding it home and sinking a few cold ones. Marvellous!!
