Customize Consent Preferences

We use cookies to help you navigate efficiently and perform certain functions. You will find detailed information about all cookies under each consent category below.

The cookies that are categorized as "Necessary" are stored on your browser as they are essential for enabling the basic functionalities of the site. ... 

Always Active

Necessary cookies are required to enable the basic features of this site, such as providing secure log-in or adjusting your consent preferences. These cookies do not store any personally identifiable data.

No cookies to display.

Functional cookies help perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collecting feedback, and other third-party features.

No cookies to display.

Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics such as the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.

No cookies to display.

Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.

No cookies to display.

Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with customized advertisements based on the pages you visited previously and to analyze the effectiveness of the ad campaigns.

No cookies to display.

KTM crowned SA Bike of the year

Home Front Page News KTM crowned SA Bike of the year

JOHANNESBURG –  KTM’s 1290 Super Duke took the honours in the the 2014 Pirelli SA Bike of the Year award, with the BMW S1000R and R 1200 GS Adventure as the runners-up. The winners were announced on Friday 8 August at a media breakfast at the opening of the 2014 Amid Motorcycle Show held at Nasrec in Johannesburg.
Like 2013, the competition was once again very close, with the BMW S1000R actually being more the judges’ and readers first choice – but the KTM winning on overall score.
The award was the culmination of a process facilitated by Harry Fisher and Mat Durrans, the presenters of DSTV’s The Bike Show.
Motorcycle manufacturers and importers were asked to nominated new-for-2014 models, from which nine finalists were chosen by the panel of judges.
The KTM’s 1290 Super Duke is probably the most-hyped bike to hit Southern Africa this year but there have been grumblings in the media that the bike’s sophisticated electronics have tamed the beast overmuch.
On paper the Super Duke is awe-inspiring with impressive peak power and torque, combined with light weight and a small frame. By rights it should be practically unmanageable but electronics do a great job of keeping all that power in check.
The bike sports a typical KTM minimal look that seems to consist of only the bare essentials needed to make it roadable. It seems to be made up of little more than the big V-twin mill, a tank, a seat, two wheels and a (very visible) frame.
Seating is comfortably upright, allowing a commanding view over the surrounding traffic. Controls are light and easy to reach and the secondary multi-function display offers a bewildering variety of information on multiple pages.
Even with the riding aids kicking in every so often the bike offers immense punch on the road. KTM claims that the Super Duke makes more torque at 2000rpm than its predecessor did at peak revs.

Handling is sharp, as can be expected from a short-wheelbase machine. (Wheels24)

 

 

KTM 1290 SUPER DUKE R: It’s probably the most hyped motor-cycle of the year but rode off with the SA Bike of the Year title this month.  (Image: DRIES VAN DER WALT)