BIKERELIABILITY Reg check
League table/ KTM 1290 Superduke GT 18/vs Triumph Speed Triple
Head-to-head · 2005–2025

Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025

KTM 1290 Superduke GT 18 vs Triumph Speed Triple

The KTM 1290 Superduke GT 18 passes its MOT first time more often than the Triumph Speed Triple: 91.1% vs 85.6%, a 5.5-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

first-time pass rate, outright fail rate and tests analysed · 2005–2025
Metric KTM 1290 Superduke GT 18 Triumph Speed Triple
First-time pass rate 91.1% 85.6%
Outright fail rate 4.7% 7.3%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted) +3.5 pts -0.2 pts
Engine size 1,301cc 1,050cc
Rank among all models #659 of 5428 #2333 of 5428
Median miles at test 10,016 12,419
MOT tests analysed 682 74,618
Most common failure brakes brakes

First-time outcomes on normal tests, 2005–2025. "Most common failure" is the component group with the most recorded defects on failed tests. Read pass rates against test counts: a smaller sample is noisier. Source: DVSA anonymised MOT results.

"Vs comparable bikes" is the first-time pass rate minus the rate expected for each bike's own mix of age, mileage and test class, in percentage points: positive means better than comparable bikes. How this works.

What fails, side by side

share of each bike's MOT tests that failed on the component · lower is better
Component KTM 1290 Superduke GT 18 Triumph Speed Triple
Lights & signalling 1.2% 3.2%
Brakes 1.8% 2.3%
Tyres & wheels 1.8% 1.6%
Steering & suspension 0.7% 1.6%
Structure & body 0.3% 0.7%
Fuel & exhaust 0% 0.3%
Drive system 0% 0.2%

A test that fails on two components counts once in each. Component links go to the bikes most likely to fail on it.

Pass rate by test year

first-time MOT pass rate in each calendar year both bikes were tested
Test year KTM 1290 Superduke GT 18 Triumph Speed Triple
2021 93.8% 86.6%
2022 91.2% 87.2%
2023 91.4% 87.3%
2024 87.7% 87.3%
2025 92.4% 87.7%

Each year mixes bikes of different ages, so a fleet that is getting older tends to slip.

Pass rate by mileage

first-time MOT pass rate by miles on the clock at test
Mileage KTM 1290 Superduke GT 18 Triumph Speed Triple
0k-10k miles 92.3% 88.2%
10k-20k miles 89.2% 85.5%
20k-30k miles 94.6% 82.8%

Bands with fewer than 30 tests for either bike are left out.

KTM 1290 Superduke GT 18 vs Triumph Speed Triple FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the KTM 1290 Superduke GT 18 or the Triumph Speed Triple?

The KTM 1290 Superduke GT 18 passes its MOT first time more often than the Triumph Speed Triple: 91.1% vs 85.6%, a 5.5-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the KTM 1290 Superduke GT 18 still comes out ahead: +3.5 points vs comparable bikes for the KTM 1290 Superduke GT 18, -0.2 for the Triumph Speed Triple. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the KTM 1290 Superduke GT 18 fail its MOT on most?

Brakes: 1.8% of KTM 1290 Superduke GT 18 MOT tests failed on it, then tyres & wheels (1.8%).

What does the Triumph Speed Triple fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 3.2% of Triumph Speed Triple MOT tests failed on it, then brakes (2.3%).

Which holds up better at high mileage, the KTM 1290 Superduke GT 18 or the Triumph Speed Triple?

At 20k-30k miles the KTM 1290 Superduke GT 18 passes first time more often: 94.6% for the KTM 1290 Superduke GT 18 vs 82.8% for the Triumph Speed Triple.

See each bike's full report (trend, mileage curve, failure breakdown and rivals) on its own page.