Is the KTM 1290 Super Duke R too much of a bike to commute on daily?
The nickname of 'The Beast' lauds this bike for its insane power with its aggressive styling. Some riders wonder if it’s overkill for everyday use, but with 180 horsepower on tap and a torque-monster V-twin engine, that’s not a question I have to ask. Is this hyper naked bike tameable for regular commuting, or is it more of a weekend thrill and track day kind of bike? Now that we have explored how this high-performance machine works, let’s look at how practical this machine is to use as a daily rider.
After two years of commuting on my 1290 SDR, I'm surprised how versatile it is. It's got stupid power, sure, but the electronics make it manageable. On top of that, the upright riding position is traffic friendly.
No way I'd use it as a daily. Stop-and-g traffic is just begging for that much power to get you into trouble. Save it for the weekend and instead get something more practical for the commute.
In fact, it’s great for commuting! At low speeds, the low-end torque makes it easy to putter around, and when you need to make a quick pass, it’s there in spades. I just gotta have some self-control.
Before I got mine, I thought the same thing, but it’s actually surprisingly docile when you want it to be. The riding modes really help you tailor the power delivery when you are in different situations.
It's honestly overkill for commuting. Yes, you can, but why put on all those miles on an expensive bike? Buy a beater to use every day, and save the Duke for the fun rides.
I love using mine for commuting. The seating position is much more comfortable than you would expect, and the quick steering makes it a doddle to thread through traffic.
It is doable, but you have to be disciplined. It’s addictive, that power, and you can find yourself going silly speeds very quickly if you’re not careful. Not ideal in a commuting environment.
I say go for it! Life’s too short to ride boring bikes. All you have to do is be prepared for everyone at work to be jealous when you roll up to that beast every day.
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Discussions and Questions Is The Ktm 1290 Super Duke R Too Much Of A Bike To Commute On Daily
Is the KTM 1290 Super Duke R too much of a bike to commute on daily?
14 January 2025 08:25
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