KTM 1290 SUPERDUKE R 18

1301cc Petrol Class 2

#919 of 5426 overall #36 of 230 KTMs #42 of 205 naked bikes

90.1%

first-time pass rate

3.7%

failed outright

7,976

median miles at test

1,636

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2021–2025

The 1290 SUPERDUKE R 18's first-time pass rate has held steady since 2021 (89.7% → 90.0%).

Pass rate by mileage

how the 1290 SUPERDUKE R 18's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage 1290 SUPERDUKE R 18 passes first time 91.3% of the time; by 20k that's 88.3%.

First-time pass rate by odometer reading at test, 10,000-mile bands for this model. Mileage is the strongest reliability signal. See the full curve.

What fails on a 1290 SUPERDUKE R 18

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lamps and reflectors	33	34	1.0×
brakes	22	22.7	0.3×
tyres	13	13.4	1.2×
Identification of the vehicle	11	11.3	2.9×
structure and attachments	10	10.3	0.9×
audible warning (Horn)	4	4.1	1.3×
suspension	2	2.1	0.2×
wheels	1	1	1.0×
steering	1	1	0.1×

Defects recorded against failed normal tests, 2005–2025, grouped by DVSA inspection section. One test can record multiple defects. "vs all bikes" is how often this model's tests record a defect in the group, as a multiple of the all-bike rate.

How rivals compare

same type, similar capacity, high test volume

On first-time pass rate the 1290 SUPERDUKE R 18 beats 4 of its 4 closest rivals (TRIUMPH SPEED TRIPLE, APRILIA TUONO, HONDA CB1300).

TRIUMPH SPEED TRIPLE 85.6% pass · 74.6k tests APRILIA TUONO 88.4% pass · 34.7k tests HONDA CB1300 89.3% pass · 25.9k tests KAWASAKI Z1000 84.5% pass · 22.7k tests

Rivals share this bike's type and sit within ±30% of its engine capacity, ≥ 5,000 tests. Card colour = better/worse first-time pass rate than the 1290 SUPERDUKE R 18.

Pass rate by registration year

how each model-year cohort fares · registration year from first use date

Best year to buy used: 2019 (90.4% pass). Weakest: 2018 (90.0%).

First-time pass rate by the year each bike was first registered (cohorts with ≥ 50 tests). Older cohorts are survivors: the worst examples have already left the road, which tends to lift the earliest years.

KTM 1290 SUPERDUKE R 18 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the KTM 1290 SUPERDUKE R 18 reliable?

The KTM 1290 SUPERDUKE R 18 is more reliable than average for its class: 90.1% of its 1,636 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #919 of 5426 models.

What does a 1290 SUPERDUKE R 18 fail its MOT on most?

lamps and reflectors — 34% of all defects recorded against failed 1290 SUPERDUKE R 18 tests.

How many miles will a 1290 SUPERDUKE R 18 last?

The median 1290 SUPERDUKE R 18 shows 7,976 miles at test, and examples around 20k miles still pass 88.3% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.