KTM’s big V-twin Super Duke has proudly been one of the fiercest and most potent supernakeds money can buy, ever since the original 990 was launched in 2005. The 1290 version followed in 2013, bringing monster power and pioneering (but imperfect) electronics, although these were successively improved. Now, launched in 2024, there’s even more cubes (1301 to, oddly, 1350cc), increased power, a refreshed look and even more sophisticated electronics.
The result can be intimidatingly fierce, as ever, but a key improvement this time is enhanced refinement and rideability. KTM’s signature single-minded and overtly angular orange style won’t be for everyone; the company’s reputation has taken a bit of a hammering in recent years (although it now claims it’s coming out of the woods) and it’s not cheap, but you can’t help but admire the consistency of KTM’s product, delivering uncompromised potency and sophisticated speed with the Super Duke.
Always one of the punchiest super nakeds (and now, with Ducati switching to V4s, one of the few V-twins remaining), the new 1390 is even more of a beast thanks to its 49cc boost in capacity, modified airbox and bigger throttle bodies, which combine to boost peak power from 177 to 187bhp.
Whack the throttle open and it leaps forward with the strength to pull arms out of sockets but there’s more sophistication and civility here than you might expect, too. Now with variable valve timing and an adjustable anti-wheelie device, not to mention the previous slide control, customisable riding modes and more, this is not only a roadster with near-race level performance but also the sophistication and refinement to match. It’s also one that takes not just skill and a degree of bravery, but also thorough understanding and patience to master.
It’s worth mentioning here that two 1390 Super Duke variants are offered. We have tested the cooking ‘R’ version, while there’s also a higher-spec ‘Evo’ available. The latter comes with electronic, semi-active, self-adjusting suspension via a series of electronic settings, while the cheaper ‘R’ has conventional, manually adjustable suspension, although this has been modified and upgraded compared to the outgoing 1290.
Whichever you choose, it’s firm and focussed with nimble steering that belies its size and a refinement and sporting pedigree you’re unlikely to get anywhere near exploring fully on the road. But although also lacking plush comfort (a very notion that is alien to the Super Duke), it’s also more than tolerable as a road bike.
As one of the most potent super nakeds you can buy, the 1390 Super Duke R is still an aggressively poised, flat-barred, slightly canted forward roadster with everything that goes with that. So, the saddle is fairly high and firm, its pegs slightly rearset, the handlebars quite flat and the riding position overall sets you forward into a slightly sporty crouch with no fairing to protect you from the windblast.
That said, it’s also not quite as extreme as that sounds. Though tall, being a V-twin (as opposed to a transverse or vee four), means it’s pleasingly narrow and lighter than many, and on board at speed it’s all quite natural and not too intimidating. I still wouldn’t much fancy doing many motorway miles or being a pillion on one, though…
Supernakeds are, by definition, uncompromising performance roadsters with few practical considerations for practicality and the 1390 Super Duke is no different. There’s no weather protection and little possibility for luggage. Comfort comes second to performance and the premium price/spec is unsuited to the daily commute in any case. If that matters, KTM also build a sports-tourer variant, the GT, complete with fairing, more comfort and extra luggage capacity, which is a far more practical.
That said, the 1390 Super Duke does make a better all-rounder than you might expect. Sure, motorway miles don’t appeal (although it comes with cruise control) and it’s also too precious for year-round use, but the revised engine makes it easier to ride gently and means it’s ok around town and excellent on spirited Sunday rides. If you do want to add a modicum of practicality, some (small) luggage and screen accessories are available and, through it all, it’s a ‘real world’ performance bike like little else…
The 1390 Super Duke R is impressively equipped… if your taste in equipment is no-compromise performance sophistication. Everything (with the exception of cruise control) is either about raw speed or electronic control. The uprated TFT dash (and accompanying new switchgear) is a dazzling compendium of switchable electronics that’ll take weeks to master.
There’s even a colour-coded graphic of the bike showing fuel and coolant levels. Cycle parts are the best available, including WP suspension, Brembo brakes and near-slick Michelin PowerGP tyres, and the list goes on. There are no surplus frills and even its satin finish seems sparse, but as a no compromise performance bike it wants for nothing.
The Super Duke has long been among the Austrian manufacturer’s flagship bikes, and the new 1390 Super Duke R was initially priced at £17,999 with the Evo £1600 more at £19,599. However, due to KTM’s woes, plenty of promotional deals are to be had which can save thousands and accordingly as we write the R is actually priced at £15,299, which is over £1000 less, for example, than Yamaha’s MT-10SP.
Overall, the new 1390 Super Duke R still stands out by virtue of its brazen style, beastly reputation, impressively roomy proportions and now unique V-twin powertrain. For some devotees that attitude and ability is enough – and now, in 1390 form, it’s more sophisticated, road-relevant and currently affordable than ever. For others, KTM’s testosterone-overdose image and recent reputation remains something of a barrier but there’s no doubt that the 1390 Super Duke remains one of the purest, most potent and most sophisticated performance machines you can buy.
KTM 1390 Super Duke R Specification
Price: £15,299 (at time of writing)
Engine: 1350cc V-twin, DOHC, four valves per cylinder, liquid cooled
Power: 190bhp (140kW) @ 10,000rpm
Torque: 145Nm (106.6lb-ft) @ 8000rpm
Transmission: Six-speed, chain
Frame: Tubular steel trellis
Suspension: (F) 48mm WP Apex USD telescopic forks, fully adjustable (R) fully adjustable WP Apex single shock.
Wheels: Cast aluminium, (F) 17 x 3.5in (R) 17 x 6.0in
Tyres: Michelin Power GP (F) 120/70 x 17, (R) 200/55 x 17
Brakes: (F) 2 x 320mm discs, four-piston radial calipers, (R) 240mm disc, single-piston caliper. Cornering ABS
Weight: 201kg (dry)
Wheelbase: 1,491mm
Seat height: 834mm
Fuel tank: 17.5 litres
Fuel consumption: 47.9mpg (claimed)
Service intervals: 9300 miles/12 months
Warranty: 48 months unlimited mileage
Contact: https://www.ktm.com
Words: Phil West
Photos: KTM
