BIKERELIABILITY
MOT DATA · GREAT BRITAIN · 2005–2025
League table/ KTM/1290 SUPERDUKE R 21
Model report · 2005–2025

KTM 1290 SUPERDUKE R 21

1301cc Petrol Class 2
90.3%
first-time pass rate
4.4%
failed outright
5,870
median miles at test
659
MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2024–2025

The 1290 SUPERDUKE R 21's first-time pass rate has risen 1.8 points since 2024, 89.1% to 90.9%.

88%90%92%2024: 89.1% pass (258 tests)2025: 90.9% pass (396 tests)20242025

What fails on a 1290 SUPERDUKE R 21

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded
Component group Share of defects Defects % of defects vs all bikes
lamps and reflectors
17 37.8 1.4×
tyres
11 24.4 2.4×
Identification of the vehicle
6 13.3 3.3×
brakes
5 11.1 0.1×
structure and attachments
5 11.1 0.7×
audible warning (Horn)
1 2.2 0.8×

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 21 beats 4 of its 4 closest rivals (TRIUMPH SPEED TRIPLE, APRILIA TUONO, HONDA CB1300).

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 21.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2022 (92.5% pass). Weakest: 2021 (89.9%).

89%91%93%2021: 89.9% pass (553 tests)2022: 92.5% pass (106 tests)20212022

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 21 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the KTM 1290 SUPERDUKE R 21 reliable?

The KTM 1290 SUPERDUKE R 21 is more reliable than average for its class: 90.3% of its 659 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #854 of 5426 models.

What does a 1290 SUPERDUKE R 21 fail its MOT on most?

lamps and reflectors — 38% of all defects recorded against failed 1290 SUPERDUKE R 21 tests.