Test rode The Beast today. Big O came up and we slid over to the city for lunch and bike-ogling and slobbering. It's everything the mags say-monster motor, monster brakes, light weight, smooth throttle response. Definitely the smoothest big twin I've ever slapped a leg over. Here's my take:

Positives:
1. The motor. It's a torque monster, but not in the least bit abrupt. Purrs like a kitten until you twist it's tail and then roars like a lion. Very little vibration, Map was in Sport mode and traction control in 5, right in the middle of the range. A louder pipe would make it that much more fun.
2. The brakes. Brembo M50s. All the whoa to go with all the go. I came upon a tree-shrouded stop sign a bit hot and would have been in the middle of the intersection on anything else. Didn't even enter the crosswalk. ABS was on full pop and they asked me to leave it there, so I did.
3. Build quality. Exquisite welds and fine paint, although I spent more time riding it than I did looking close.
4. Did I mention the motor?

Negatives;
1. The price. A heart-stopping 18K out the door.
2. The styling. I guess Teutonic Origami would grow on me over time and it looks better in person than it does in pics. Mike commented on how narrow it is at the waist.
3. The seat. There is some room to move around, but when are bike makers going to start putting seat-makers out of business?
4. No wind protection. On a machine this fast and powerful, looking down and seeing nothing but front wheel is strange. I know, I know, it's a streetfighter thing you wouldn't understand....

The verdict: I love it, but not as an only bike. If I could afford to keep the BWII and add the 1290 Super R I buy it in a heart beat. But riding home I was reminded again what I like about the ZX-14. Traffic was my bitch! Smooth, supple and comfortable and while it's 80 lbs heavier than the KTM, that weight is only a disadvantage in certain circumstances like city squirting and really tight twisties.
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Sounds fun but already owning a zx its not going to happen. Wait a few years a get a used low mileage one for a great price. Good review, sounds like I need a test ride also.

* Last updated by: billy500 on 9/18/2014 @ 10:26 AM *

They have been having some motor and QC issues with these. I intended to buy one, but backed out deciding to wait until they get the gremlins out of it. If they have it sorted by next year there will definitely be one in my garage next to the 14!

I hear a waiting list is happening for the brute or beast? When the big4 come out and the glitches are minor, how come duc and duke have the worst sort of problems? Suckass unions and poor QC.

Thanks for the review. Good points you make

My youngest son got a great deal on a new leftover 2014, it's a fantastic bike with amazing power.
He also has a 2014 Ducati 1199 Panigale that has been trouble free.

* Last updated by: Silverback61 on 5/12/2015 @ 6:39 PM *

Sharp!
How does he like it?

He loves it.

http://www.asphaltandrubber.com/recall/2014-ktm-super-duke-r-fuel-leak-recall/

Hanging at the local spot, guy comes in on a 1290. Before he could take his helmet off, I'm asking what's wrong with the bike? Shows me both cylinder heads leaking, and the lower right side cover somewhere was one more oil leak. So much for quality control, parts used, assembled, designed not to leak?

Shiver me timbers meez reach around for a wad of B-Franklins.

I test rode the Super Duke today, and can echo everything Danno reported. I got off the bike raving about it. It felt at least 100 pounds lighter than the ZX, and about 6 feet shorter! It also dived into corners like a 250, and ripped out like, well, like a 1300cc v-twin should. Very intoxicating.

By the end of the 20 minute demo, I was already thinking about ways to justify the limited utility of this beast. But when I hit the road on my Z and cracked open the throttle I fell in love with it all over again. The Super Duke is an immensely entertaining ride, but there's nothing like a ZX14.

I'm in the market for one also. I took a 2014 for a ride and even know I had to follow the dealer sales guy that rode like a pussy I did like the bike...I wish I could have ridden it how I wanted to. I got a great price on the bike and told the dealer I was going to buy it and then backed out....I think it would be a great addition to my stable of ladies..... I was thinking I would wait until the NY bike show to see if they changed anything on the 2016 model or if the ZX10R was so sick I might need to up date mine.....lol but shit I'm wanting that KTM......she is totally different from my other bikes for sure.....

Finally rode one. Instatorque. Wheelies with a simple low mph yank, and I mean open throttle, no body english help. My kind of second bike... After a football field length up and then back... BigBloke pretty much said it all.

LOL Love it Hub! I just picked my 1290SDR up yesterday and love it! Let the modding begin! :)

LOL Love it Hub! I just picked my 1290SDR up yesterday and love it! Let the modding begin! :)

Good looking bike. I prefer full fairings. It should feel lighter than a 14, because actually is! 150 lbs lighter than a stock 14R (dry weight 416 + 30 lbs for fuel). As far as being shorter, well that's all in your head. Wheelbase is the same as 14R ~58.3", so it may feel shorter but it's not really. My guess is it's the riding position, lack of fairings ,and small pillion gives the feeling it's shorter.

As far as being shorter, well that's all in your head. Wheelbase is the same as 14R ~58.3", so it may feel shorter but it's not really. My guess is it's the riding position, lack of fairings ,and small pillion gives the feeling it's shorter.

Yeah, the lack of miles of fairing in front and a decent passenger accommodation in back make the SD actually shorter in overall length. The riding position (far forward) and low profile instrumentation let you look down on the front fender, something that's impossible on the ZX. That, and this puppy's eagerness to change direction, contributes to the short "feel" despite the equivalent wheelbase.

I have to say this Bike is SO Much freaking fun to ride..... the torque is unreal! Its everywhere. So far I've added the EVO AKR full Ti system, Rotty Intake, 80mm stacks front and rear, PVC with Auto Tune and a quick shifter. Once the mods were installed this girl really came to life! :)

You gotta love a bike that comes with a beer opener!!!

Some fun, can we trade lives for about a week or so? Make that 2 weeks, you got a lot of bikes I'd want to ride!??

I said one more time on the beast, so I head over to some 1290 thread and this guy is complaining of 'nagging problems' that he didn't detail, but that sort of sold me away from the bike. He [rider on a new beast] happens to park were I was standing, ask where the weakness is, he points to leaking base gaskets. Another mentions leaking front orings somewhere? Do I want to go thru this again?

I'll give you an example. On the ape, they use these cheezy connectors that when I snugged the wire in place it lost connection between pins. I pull the wire out to see if it was connected, sure enough I try again and the winker comes on. The price of that pile vs that connector is don't get me started.

Okay, why not. Nagging number 2 was how I'd take off with a cold engine, a code would come on. If I toned down the leave when cold, I trumped that dashing flashing crashing pile of half needing work. TPS vs heat, who knows? I'd have so many codes spitting, it schooled me how to get out of them.

The fucking air cleaner design. I had to redesign the way the element stayed in place, not a leak with it floating around if I left it alone. It didn't matter. I hub'd the intake with a prelement. Stock air clearer looked like brand new anyway. I'm crying I had to leave that rotax. A sweet engine.

Was told by an ape owner that a big problem was how the stator would burn out the connectors and mine had to have a different vo/reg to stop that issue. So lit fuse is she.

Battery cable was too short. They must have bean counted a mm off each cable just to cut costs (pun) Posi boot cover would bust off because they cheap'd on the rubber to longer lasting pour LOL. Battery, that lovely pre-service step I preformed. Yuasa was the only trouble free part on that bike. It was the original battery. Never trickled it while sitting. Every few weeks [or months gone by] I'd run a 1.5amp rate at it. So the years it sat, the other day starting it up, only buying what I know runs in a bulletproofashion.

Big Bloke come on by man you can ride the girls......The 1290 is a great bike for sure.
Hub I’m not sure what that guy’s got going on but I put 1000 miles on mine and she’s put together very nicely. She has extra key on power wires run to the front and back and a plug in play for the heated grips. You know people can bitch about even the best of things… I can tell you from working on bikes for a long time this bike is great. The air cleaner well I ditched that for the full Rottweiler intake with (2) 80mm sub stacks and a PVC and 300 Auto tune. She puts down 108 lbs. and makes you smile at every apex….lol

* Last updated by: Somefun on 12/14/2015 @ 3:15 PM *

added some more bling...:)

* Last updated by: Somefun on 12/14/2015 @ 3:19 PM *

Nice touch. Are those titanium?

Some are but some are also Aluminum:)

There seems to be KTM demo ride day nearby my house tomorrow. I am looking forward to testing out 1290 in person. I don't think I can afford to buy it but wtf I can at least try to see how it rides. I used to ride SV1000N and loved V-twin. 1290 will be a good comparison. Have a nice weekend everyone!