KTM Superduke 1290R vs Triumph Speed Triple 1200RS

I've been thinking about selling my KTM Superduke 1290R 2017. The mileage is climbing, so I figured it's time to explore options. The bike that came to mind was the Speed Triple 1200RS 2023. After all, the Triumph is marketed as a Supernaked and a competitor to the KTM. So I borrowed one from Triumph City Melbourne. This is a back-to-back review of the KTM and Triumph.

Engine, Power and Noise

Let’s compare apples with apples and assume both bikes are completely standard. The KTM is rich in power and torque, exactly what you'd expect from a 1301cc V-Twin. It will frighten you and let you know that you can’t just twist the throttle without consequences. The front wheel is coming up whether you like it or not. The Superduke grabs you by the neck and says "we wheelie when I say we wheelie". It's a monster, and your job is to tame it. The "wow factor" of this bike is second to none. Unsurprisingly, what it lacks is noise. You'll need an aftermarket exhaust to tick this box.

Here's where the Triumph comes in. This bike sounds amazing, even with the stock muffler. It pops, bangs, and the induction noise sounds like there's a hornet’s nest right beside you. However, don't bother looking to the Triumph for power. I tested this bike with the assumption that I’m comparing apples to apples. Both bikes seem to offer almost identical power figures of approximately 180hp, and yet, the Triumph doesn’t really offer you any thrill until you commit to accelerating beyond 8,000RPM.

Even then, you'll be thinking "Oh, is that it...?". I was so underwhelmed about the acceleration to the point where I pulled over just to make sure I wasn't in Rain Mode. As it turns out, I was in Sport Mode. The Triumph’s power delivery is smooth and makes a lovely note, but where is my 180hp!? Oh.... it's at the top of the rev range where I need to go to a racetrack just to access it. Great. Because that’s what Supernakeds are all about… Triumph seem to have forgotten the name of this bike. It's called the Speed Triple, not the Gradual Speed Triple.

Handling and Comfort

When it comes to handling, it's all Triumph here, lads. It's silky, refined and it's confidence inspiring. It's stiffly sprung though, so if you want to commute on this bike, make sure you find an aftermarket comfort seat, since Triumph don't offer one (surprisingly). Your weight will naturally travel towards your wrists. Why? Because there's f*ck all leg support from the tank (it's surprisingly difficult to squeeze with your legs) and because the handlebars are a bit of a reach from your hips, you’ll feel every vibration in your palms.

Enter the KTM. As it turns out, the Superduke is a pillow on wheels that is delicate on your arse cheeks and cares about your prolapsed disc. It's plush and spongy for commuting, and it has the ability to be dialed up for the track. You sit taller on the KTM so, no, it isn't as track-oriented as the Triumph. Unfortunately, neither bike is equipped with electronically adjustable suspension. At both of their price points, this is disappointing.

If the goal is track riding, look no further than the Triumph. But if 80% of your riding is on the road (whether you commute or you’re a weekend warrior), the KTM would be the right choice for you.

Electronics and Dash

Once again, it's all Triumph here, but there's a slight catch. Everything seems to work without a fuss on the Triumph. Everything is easy to find and the interface is relatively intuitive. You have anti-wheelie functions (not sure why, since the power isn’t going to lift that front up very high), ABS and traction control systems to keep you safe. Annoyingly though, you can’t disengage anti-wheelie without also disengaging traction control. You'll also need to put up with a bit of lag. The entire dash likes to take it’s time, but it's forgivable. What helps you forgive the Triumph for its lag is the quickshifter. If you think you know what the word 'smooth' means, try the Triumphs quickshifter. It’s simply amazing. It feels like a DSG transmission. I was shifting from 1st to 2nd, then back to 1st at 3,000RPM and it didn't jerk once.

In contrast, the Superduke will cough into gear if you use the quickshifter below 5,000 RPM. The minute I got back onto my Superduke, "No Fob Detected" (it was in my left pocket). "Front Brake Switch Failure" (there’s nothing physically wrong with the brakes). Sigh... The electronics on the Duke are great... until it decides to do it's thing and throw meaningless fault codes at you. But when the electronics behave themselves, the Superduke seems to really deliver. Slide control, anti-wheelie, cornering ABS… KTM will spoil it’s riders, until it can't detect the fob that’s 32cm away from the sensor and turns off the engine at the lights.

Brakes

Where the Triumph underdelivers in acceleration, it more than delivers in deceleration. Once you finally get to up to speed, you’ll be able to get back to a standstill in no time. The bite on the front brakes is phenomenal, truly confidence inspiring. Lots of feedback is given to the rider. It makes the Superduke's system feel wooden and agricultural, and there is absolutely nothing wrong with the Superduke’s system. They're powerful and get the job done without a fuss. The Triumph’s brakes are simply better.

Small Details

The fit and finish of the Triumph will help you understand it’s price. It’s premium, and you know it from the second you start it up. The paint, the heated grips, the L.E.D everything, it's all lovely. Engage first gear, hand off the throttle and slowly let out the clutch, and the bike will gently increase it’s idle speed to help you get off the line without risk of stalling. Your own personal throttle butler to help you at the lights. It feels elegant. You can almost hear the classical piano playing in the background as the Triumph cruises around. It’s the little things that help you forgive the Triumph for its shortcomings.

Meanwhile, the U.S Army tank on crack is doing 140km/h on one wheel through a 60 zone. The KTM doesn’t do “small details”. It’s all about the engine and it doesn’t apologize for it. The fit and finish is decent, but it's quality reflects that of a $13,000 bike (use the switchgear for 5 minutes and you'll know what I mean).

Almost every machine has a personality.

If the Speed Triple was human, it would be Roger Federer. Athletic and well mannered.

If the Superduke was human, it would be doing the ‘Haka’ in front of the Pope.

Final Thoughts

The Speed Triple is Triumphs desire to respond to KTM's Superduke. Triumph wanted to join the ‘Supernaked Club’. They started to respond correctly by giving you a single sided swing arm, 180hp and aggressive styling. But then they lost their point halfway through their response. It’s power is only really accessible on the track. It doesn’t scare you, it doesn't put a smile on your face and make you feel 7 years old. I guess you could call it a Supernaked, but the ‘super’ part is only really going to be experienced on the track.

In my opinion, Supernakeds are meant to be street-focused. And yet, the Triumph is too forgiving, too underwhelming and too tame below 8,000RPM. It may as well be a Honda CB1000 rival (sorry Honda fanboys). The best way to summarise the Triumph is by saying that it's a refined track bike that can be ridden on the road.

The KTM on the other hand is not refined. The words 'refined' and 'V-Twin' shouldn't be in the same sentence. But who wants refinement from a bike like that? If you're in the right gear and traction control is disengaged, I'm quite sure the Superduke has the torque to rotate the earth about an alternative axis. I'm not 100% sure about that but I'm pretty sure. Maybe I'm being overly critical of the Speed Triple. Maybe the Superduke has ruined me. The Speed Triple is a fantastic bike in it's own way. It's a gentleman's machine.

Turns out I'm not a gentleman.

I'll be upgrading to the Superduke 1390R.