Is this 2024's best bike? KTM 1390 Super Duke R Evo review 

Well, I have a lifetime total of 15 KTM’s, (Yes, I have motorcycle addiction.), 7 of which had either electronic or mechanical problems while still in warranty, the last two had more problems than a two year old discount store string of Christmas lights. I swore off KTM, said never again…….then I spotted a “good deal” on a “left over”….and I couldn’t resist 😆. So far 🤞 no issues. And yes I know…..”The very definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results” 😆😆😆guilty 🤪!

Enjoyed that Tim 👌

Excellent review as always! I've had my 1290 Evo for a year now and it's still my favorite bike, I like the new headlight and radiator cowl on the 1390 but don't love the missing brake light and weird new turn signal mount. I still wanna try one, though. For anyone else interested in KTM, if you wait til the end of the year, they generally slash a *lot* off prices. It pays to wait a bit.

You'd have to win the Lottery to be able to Afford a bike like that.

Thanks for bringing back all my Grandma / Pegging related trauma.

Great review. However, the almost £6k premium on the 1290SDR and that headlight will mean I won’t be trading my 1290sdr soon. I will just have to cope with the underpowered 180hp and 140nm of torque. (possibly a little more since I changed the stock exhaust and had a remap) The electronics seem better though

a bargain.... I for one love that head light.... I love the KTM looks and I love orange... Its a yes for me....

Very funny review, Tim 😂

I've had two gen 3s, no way I'd ever ride anything else! 💥

be picking mine up in couple of weeks from fowlers, in goes the tuono, i had gen 3 sdr miss it like crazy especially 2 up riding with the insane wife 🤣💪

I purchased the 2023 non evo with 4 x year warranty. Some good deals to be had. Had no issues so far and have the four year warranty for peace of mind. I did test the Evo and to be honest kept my cash instead. Let's see how the new 1390 settles in but if looking good in a year or so perhaps I will trade this one in or sale on. Great for the next buyer (and easier to re-sale) as they will still have a nice chunk of warranty.

Yup id be terrified to ride it

Thanks Tim! Great review. Keep it up. For some reason you remind me of Jeremy Clarkson 😂 Just a younger version of him 😂😂

I was leaning towards the M1000R, now I’m leaning the other way again lol. Good honest review.

Waiting for the GT

Great review..... I'm biased as a M1000R owner, in that i prefer the look and the toys of the BMW. The M1000R also feels light in tipping into corners. Agree that nothing beats the instant torque of the Duke's twin setup.

Cool af looking.

Based on a few comments now about the slowness of handling of your MT10, perhaps you should try what I have done...? Firstly, Darren at MCT told me not to raise the ride height as that causes traction issues, so firstly, "better" suspension can help (but you've already got that part pretty sorted with the SP). What I have done, is drop the forks through the yokes as much as you can, which is 20mm. This makes the steering noticeably quicker and the bike more nimble, and the trade-off in stability I don't think is too bad, and certainly worth it IMO!! Give it a try and see what you think!!?? ;) :) :D On the 1390, great video, as per usual, thanks!! ;) :) :D :D

I'm 193 myself as well and i never saw a naked where it looke okish... now this looks okish :O I'm impressed

great video thanks Tim

Think you notice a step up back to back with gen 3 . Nice to see they put pitches to show slip control. I can never remember if 1-9 max or min . Great review 👍

Fantastic motor for sure.

So much fun but also so much money 😂

You never mentioned the M1000R for its competition!! M1000R is the best hyper bike out there..

06:07 info we def did not need to know Tim!😏

Don't get me wrong, I like a big powerful bikes as much as the next guy, but it's pointless for the UK roads.. with how shit our roads are, the increase in static n mobile cameras, and the speed limits being lowered. It's a pointless bike for the road unless it's for track use or for waving their knobs about at bike meets/online. 😂

The police rang. They’ve asked me to tell you to drop your licence off at your local station. You won’t be needing it for a few months 😂

Fingers crossed that the new engine proves to have minimal teething issues in the first couple of production years.

Cor, that's a spicy pricey!

The SDR1 was pretty sloppy, the SDR2 is when things started to really come together, the SDR3 was the refinement needed and this new model is perfection. I've owned 2 of the 3 models to date... I plan to make it 3/4.

Hi Tim, have a 22 1290 with all the trimmings. Is it worth upgrading from that?

Thinking of getting a used one of these, (Feb-Apr 2025) once they've come down in price a bit. Predominantly road riding (UK) with a bit of track use... I do wonder whether staying in 2nd and 3rd the whole time on B-road twisties would become a little, well, unfulfilling.

People seem to be forgetting the v4s and just doing vids of the m1000r and the 1390 when bikeworld did a drag race that v4 smashed everything even the zh2

What made you go for your new MT10 over the old 1290R Tim? Just fancied a change after the SAS?

The problem with big twins is they're very clunky at low revs. I find this worst on roundabouts, where you need to smooth things out with the clutch.

Who makes your jacket?

“Peg you with it”…

Now imagine if KTM had the quality and reliability of Japanese bikes. One can always dream.

Sooo. Tim this or your beloved mt10

You will gave 150,000 subs before you know it... 👍

1390 SD A2 compliant??? How does that work?

Subscribed for the burp

can't wait for a street fighter v4s comparison from you

As much as I would like there is no way that I can own (or even test ride) a bike like this. I would be in jail with a VERY long tariff and no chance of parole within a week of taking delivery. 👍

What’s happened to the KTM dealer network? All the dealers anywhere near Portsmouth (except Trevor Pope) keep going either going bankrupt or dropping KTM for other manufacturers.

I better get my sausage out for this

Powerul bikes without wind protection are rich boys toys .

What is pegging?

You're a great bike reveiwer, just stay away from my grandmother please.

Every time I get marginally tempted on a bonkers KTM, I see yet another RU-vid vid saying what a reliability nightmare their KTM has been (Latest is Crazy Legs on a bike) Not a chance I would trade my super reliable MT10 for one.

I really don't get the "problem" of the engine sound. Personally, I absolutely LOVE the sound of a big V twin, ANY big V twin, and the bigger the capacity, the better. Of course, I'll draw the line at H-Ds, but I even like the sound of Indians. I know that loads of people rant about the sound of Trumpet Triples, but I'll still choose a big V. As for UJMs and V4s, meh.

I'm seriously tempted by this even though I think it's hideous 😂

So much fun until something breaks down and the ktm starts to fuck you up for asking for help

Can't wait for the cam shaft to turn into deformed junk after 10k miles on this bad boy!

Hate the new front🤮like the rest but too much🤑

Fitten fronte tyren nein needenich das powerplanten ist wunderbar!

Diavel v4

Get your mug out of the visibles and I might watch it....

It's not a supersport bike, so no, it's not the best. Next.

Warum haben wir zu einem Vorderreifen gepasst? ... do I win something?

Ugliest bike ive ever seen 😮

Too bad they’re unreliable