1290 Superduke RR vs 1390 Superduke R Evo

[airsafari87]

Anyone on here ridden both the 1290 Superduke RR with its non electric WP Apex Pro forks and the 1290/1390 Superduke R Evo with the WP Apex leccy bouncers?

I went to look at a new 1390 Evo today to replace my Tuono, but while I was there it was mentioned that a 1 year old 1290 RR with very few miles was due in soon.

I’m very tempted by the RR, but won’t be able to have a proper test ride of it before buying so I’m not sure how that Apex Pro stuff would be for the road?

Whichever bike I potentially buy will be 100% road bike, but I won’t just be pootling around on it.

My Tuono has the electronic Ohlins and I’ve ridden a 1290 Evo before so I’m already familiar with electronic suspension.

[Golgarth]

I do not have the SDR but I do have a SAS. The electronic suspension I thought would be a bit of a gimmick, it's not, it's a dark magic art of wonderfulness.

You can go from track hard to wallowy cloud in the flight of a switch. Always thought that a good setup once dialled in would be best, but the roads aren't all the same

BUT, it's a MASSIVE difference in price

[SteveKTMer]

My 1290GT has WP electronic suspension and it’s very effective, but it depends how you ride and where. I’d not be keen to go back to non-elec suspension on a touring/road bike now.

[robinh73]

I have a 2023 non Evo (non electronic suspension) and it is mega. For me the extra price wasn't worth it and I figured it was more to go wrong having the electronic bits. I don't regret it one bit and would certainly recommend one. Can't comment on the 1390 but as a bike I love the 1290. I prefer the looks of it and I really don't think it lacks in ooomph at all.

[Caddyshack]

Elec suspension is worth the extra based on the bikes I have ridden with and without (non KTM)

[airsafari87]

I don’t mean standard non electric vs electric.

The RR comes with higher end non electric forks, shock and steering damper to the single R.

[robinh73]

airsafari87 said:

I don’t mean standard non electric vs electric.

The RR comes with higher end non electric forks, shock and steering damper to the single R.

Apologies, I didn't pick up on the RR bit. I was having a good look at an RR in my local dealer yesterday, lovely bit of kit indeed. This one had the full Akra race system on it and looked superb. I can't comment on the riding experience so this isn't much use really! I want to get mine dialled in for my weight over the winter and make it even better. All I can say is that with the R being so good the RR must be amazing.

[airsafari87]

robinh73 said:

Apologies, I didn't pick up on the RR bit. I was having a good look at an RR in my local dealer yesterday, lovely bit of kit indeed. This one had the full Akra race system on it and looked superb. I can't comment on the riding experience so this isn't much use really! I want to get mine dialled in for my weight over the winter and make it even better. All I can say is that with the R being so good the RR must be amazing.

No worries

Wasn’t a dealer in North Yorkshire by any chance was it?

The one I’m looking it has the full Akra system on it too but I’m getting battered on insurance quotes for it at the minute.

[Caddyshack]

airsafari87 said:

I don’t mean standard non electric vs electric.

The RR comes with higher end non electric forks, shock and steering damper to the single R.

For me it’s the multiple options such as making it soft on damp and bumpy roads, I always knock mine to soft in town, then being able to firm up when you ride more quickly and sport for if you ever find great tarmac. I have ohlins on my Cagiva Mito and that is quality damping but it’s nice to have switchable options.

[robinh73]

airsafari87 said:

robinh73 said:

Apologies, I didn't pick up on the RR bit. I was having a good look at an RR in my local dealer yesterday, lovely bit of kit indeed. This one had the full Akra race system on it and looked superb. I can't comment on the riding experience so this isn't much use really! I want to get mine dialled in for my weight over the winter and make it even better. All I can say is that with the R being so good the RR must be amazing.

No worries

Wasn’t a dealer in North Yorkshire by any chance was it?

The one I’m looking it has the full Akra system on it too but I’m getting battered on insurance quotes for it at the minute.

No this one was in Colwyn Bay KTM and it was a customer's bike. Very nice bit of kit indeed. I do still remain on the fence with the electronic suspension though. I get that they can be adjusted on the go and settings can be tailored but for me I would always feel that I could have had a better setting for a certain road or this or that could have been changed. I had the option of electronic suspension on my race bike and declined it, where even at something like the Ulster Grand Prix I personally preferred the conventional set up. It is the same with throttle modes on the Superduke, I just stick it in performance mode and leave it there.

[airsafari87]

I see where you’re coming from and it’s why I’m umming and ahhhhing.

My S1000R’s and V4 Tuono have all had electronic suspension that I always have set up for my weight and riding style and 99.9% of the time I just leave it alone and don’t bother with swapping any of the modes.

It does have a tendency to do weird things at weird times though, when I was out on Friday the back end was all over the place and I was convinced I had a puncture, but nope, it was just the electronics being a bit bi-polar.

I’m sure the Apex Pro stuff on the RR will be a bit stiffer, but with being higher end stuff with rakes of adjustability I’m sure I’ll be able to get it dialed in to how I like.

I did read one comment on the RR was that it’s like riding the 890 R which is known for being really good handling, but with the 1290 power. I guess the lighter wheels will go some way to that though.

I’m going to have a look at the RR this week as I haven’t seen it in the flesh yet, but I’m 99% sure I’m gonna go for it. It should hold its value and sell fairly easily if I do decide to ship it on.

[robinh73]

airsafari87 said:

I see where you’re coming from and it’s why I’m umming and ahhhhing.

My S1000R’s and V4 Tuono have all had electronic suspension that I always have set up for my weight and riding style and 99.9% of the time I just leave it alone and don’t bother with swapping any of the modes.

It does have a tendency to do weird things at weird times though, when I was out on Friday the back end was all over the place and I was convinced I had a puncture, but nope, it was just the electronics being a bit bi-polar.

I’m sure the Apex Pro stuff on the RR will be a bit stiffer, but with being higher end stuff with rakes of adjustability I’m sure I’ll be able to get it dialed in to how I like.

I did read one comment on the RR was that it’s like riding the 890 R which is known for being really good handling, but with the 1290 power. I guess the lighter wheels will go some way to that though.

I’m going to have a look at the RR this week as I haven’t seen it in the flesh yet, but I’m 99% sure I’m gonna go for it. It should hold its value and sell fairly easily if I do decide to ship it on.

I would love the RR and this topic may get me looking at adverts! The stock suspension is pretty decent on the bike I have but lighter carbon wheels would be a big bonus. Plus they look very cool indeed. Not sure what the residuals are like on the RR but I suspect they will be very good indeed. When I was in the process of buying mine last September, the dealer has a new RR available which was very tempting indeed but at the time I didn't quite have the spare cash for it.

[airsafari87]

I’ll close this off properly tomorrow after I pick it up.

But I bought this this morning. Tracker is getting fitted at the dealer today and I’ll call down and pick it up tomorrow.

[carinaman]

Congratulations on the new bike. I've never noticed that little balance pipe before.

[SteveKTMer]

I bet that’s quite a ride !

[robinh73]

airsafari87 said:

I’ll close this off properly tomorrow after I pick it up.

But I bought this this morning. Tracker is getting fitted at the dealer today and I’ll call down and pick it up tomorrow.

Congratulations! They are quite stunning and you are in for some fun times. Even though mine is just the standard Superduke, it still makes me laugh out loud and giggle wildly. The engine is an absolute masterpiece and the chassis truly sorted. Keep us posted!

[airsafari87]

Cheers all.

It’s a decent dry day here so it should be a good giggle collecting it and riding it back home.

I believe that the ‘RR’ stands for Really Reliable, which will be a pleasant change after 3 years with my Tuono.

[Tonberry]

Very nice. I can't even imagine what the acceleration of a twin feels like with that much power.

As for reliability, it'll either be fine or you'll be longing after the Tuono. Either outcome is valid based on anecdata.

[trickywoo]

Tonberry said:

Very nice. I can't even imagine what the acceleration of a twin feels like with that much power.

As for reliability, it'll either be fine or you'll be longing after the Tuono. Either outcome is valid based on anecdata.

They make 25bhp more everywhere in their rev range compared to a Tuono. Some people complain about lacking a top end but it’s a revvy engine and by the time you are at 10k you will be flying.

I’m 4k miles and two years counting on my Evo and it’s been fine reliability wise.

I had a scare with it not wanting to start properly, running rough, but I’m pretty sure it was dodgy shell v power.

[SteveKTMer]

trickywoo said:

I’m 4k miles and two years counting on my Evo and it’s been fine reliability wise.

Mine is at 28k miles and 5 years, perfect reliability apart from the propensity to eat batteries, but that's a small price to pay for the monstrous riding experience.