KTM 1390 Super Duke R (2025 - ) review

The design of the new 1390 Super Duke fascinates and impresses for a variety of reasons. While its core recipe – tubular steel trellis frame, 75-degree LC8 V-twin engine, WP suspension, Brembo brakes and ultra-aggressive super naked style - have remained unchanged since the 2005 990 original successive updates have become increasingly powerful, sophisticated and, well, menacing. The same is true of the new 1390. Capacity, power, electronics and aggression are all amped up but, while still ballistic, refinement and rideability are also improved. KTM’s signature styling won’t be for everyone, the brand’s reputation has taken a bit of a hammering in recent years even if it now seems to secured its future and it’s not cheap. Even for all that you can’t help but admire the consistency, potency and sophisticated speed of the Super Duke.

The 1390 Super Duke R is one of the most potent super nakeds you can buy, which tells you pretty much everything you need to know about its riding position. Unlike many rivals it’s not simply a naked version of a sports bike, setting it apart from the likes of the Aprilia Tuono V4, BMW S 1000 R or Ducati Streetfighter V4) while still an aggressively poised, flat-barred roadster with everything that goes with that. So, the seat is fairly high and firm, pegs slightly rear-set and the handlebars quite flat for a canted-forward, 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 the V-twin means it’s pleasingly narrow and lighter than many, and at speed it’s all quite natural, and not too focused or intimidating. Still wouldn’t much fancy being a pillion on one, though!

Super nakeds like the 1390 Super Duke are primarily designed as roadster versions of high-performance superbikes, with little consideration for practicality. Meaning there’s no weather protection, virtually zero possibility for luggage and the sense this is an expensive, premium machine more for Sunday best than life on the daily commute. In the Super Duke’s case this is further complicated by the fact that KTM also builds a sports-tourer GT version, complete with fairing, improved comfort and extra luggage capacity, which is a far more practical alternative. With that said the 1390 Super Duke makes a better all-rounder than you might expect. Sure, even with cruise control motorway miles may not appeal and it’s too precious to use year-round but the revised engine makes it easier to ride gently, it’s OK around town, excellent on spirited weekend rides, (small) luggage and screen accessories are available and, through it all, it’s a ‘real world’ performance bike like little else…

This is really what the Super Duke is all about. Always one of the punchiest super nakeds, and one of the few remaining V-twins, the new 1390 more than lives up to KTM’s ‘Beast’ billing. Thank the increase from 1,301cc to 1,350cc for this, bigger throttle bodies and a new airbox also contributing to an increase in power from 180 horsepower to 190 horsepower. So, yes, it’s a potentially fearsome performer. Whack the throttle open and it leaps forward with the strength to pull your arms out of their sockets. And yet… there’s more sophistication and civility here than you might expect, too. That extra power comes hand-in-hand with improved mid-range and refinement, supported by electronics so sophisticated and capable you’ll struggle to get your head around them at first. Now with variable valve timing there’s adjustable anti-wheelie and slide control, configurable rider modes and more, meaning the 1390 is a roadster with near race-level performance but sophistication and refinement to match. It’s one that takes a degree of skill and bravery to master, not to mention a thorough understanding and degree of patience. Braking is a similar, but thankfully shorter, story. The Brembo Stylema radial calipers are carried over, and offer phenomenal braking power and feel while enhanced even further for the 1390 with a new adjustable master cylinder.

It’s worth mentioning there are two 1390 Super Duke variants, comprising the R tested here and – like the 1290 – a fancier Evo version. The main difference being the latter has electronically controlled semi-active suspension, the R sticking with conventional passive forks and shock. Elsewhere, however, KTM’s signature tubular steel lattice frame and the Super Duke’s traditional single-sided swing arm remain. Suspension-wise, the R now sports a new WP Apex rear shock and matching 48mm inverted forks with a five-way dial on top of each fork leg to adjust rebound and compression damping. Firm and focused it is, with nimble steering that belies its sizeable proportions but also a refinement and sporting pedigree you’re unlikely to get anywhere near on the road. Comfort isn’t really on the agenda for the Super Duke but there’s plushness to the damping that makes it a more than tolerable road bike.

High-end KTM ownership never comes cheap, and the Super Duke has long been among the Austrian manufacturer’s flagship bikes. At the time of writing the R seen here starts just under £18,000, the fancier R knocking on £20,000 with its fancier suspension, though there are deals available. Running costs are also hit hard by residual values which aren’t as good as many, high insurance premiums and an inevitable hunger for consumables such as tyres, brake pads, fuel, chains, sprockets and so on.

A bit of a tricky one, this. KTM has had a somewhat patchy reputation when it comes to reliability, with the Super Duke reportedly suffering from niggles such as warped discs, minor oil leaks and electronics issues. At a corporate level KTM’s financial struggles have also been widely reported, though the company has since found backing from Indian partner Bajaj. Saying all that, the new 1390 is a substantially new model with uprated engine and electronics as well as more power. It’s still early days but we’ll hope these improvements, KTM’s premium positioning and fact the Super Duke is built with proven and high-quality parts bode better for reliability.

The 1390 Super Duke’s warranty and servicing position both have been improved over the old 1290, which should be reassuring for many potential owners. Although the enlarged engine is based on the old 1290 LC8 unit and standard annual services are due yearly or around every 9000 miles, the more involved, expensive valve clearance check has now been doubled to nearly 40,000 miles). The standard warranty is also improved from three years from first registration to four years under what KTM calls its Premium Manufacturer’s Warranty, which kicks in for free once the first service has been booked and carried out at an authorised dealer.

If talk of equipment conjures visions of luxury and comfort, things like heated grips, adjustable screens, fancy communications systems and even luggage you may need to readjust your set. By its own terms the 1390 Super Duke R is still impressively well-equipped, assuming your measure of that is pure performance and the electronics to help you enjoy it to the full, any which way you choose. Up to and including cruise control! The uprated TFT dash (and accompanying new switchgear) is a dazzling compendium of switchable rider aids, ranging from wheelie and slide control to power modes and variable engine braking. 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. The list goes on. Of course there are no surplus frills, little comfort or practicality and even its satin finish seems sparse. But as a no compromise performance bike it wants for nothing.

There are two camps when it comes to super nakeds like this, given you can opt for more versatile roadsters with bags of performance like the TEXTYamaha MT-10, BMW S1000R or Honda’s punchily pricedCB1000 Hornet. Or you can go for the ultimate, no holds barred option. This latter group has long been led by versions of the Super Duke, along with the likes of the Aprilia Tuono V4 Factory, Ducati Streetfighter V4 S and BMW M 1000 R. All are purist picks but the new 1390 Super Duke still stands out for its brazen style, beastly reputation, impressively roomy proportions and V-twin powertrain. The pumped-up image and KTM’s broader reputation may remain a turn-off for some, but while the 1390 remains true to this it also has greater sophistication and remains one of the most potent and sophisticated of its type.