KTM 1290 Superduke R 18 vs Triumph Speed Triple

The KTM 1290 Superduke R 18 passes its MOT first time more often than the Triumph Speed Triple: 90.1% vs 85.6%, a 4.5-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

first-time pass rate, outright fail rate and tests analysed · 2005–2025

Metric	KTM 1290 Superduke R 18	Triumph Speed Triple
First-time pass rate	90.1%	85.6%
Outright fail rate	3.7%	7.3%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	+2.0 pts	-0.2 pts
Engine size	1,301cc	1,050cc
Rank among all models	#921 of 5428	#2333 of 5428
Median miles at test	7,976	12,419
MOT tests analysed	1,636	74,618
Most common failure	lamps and reflectors	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 R 18	Triumph Speed Triple
Lights & signalling	1.6%	3.2%
Brakes	1.1%	2.3%
Tyres & wheels	0.9%	1.6%
Steering & suspension	0.2%	1.6%
Structure & body	0.6%	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 R 18	Triumph Speed Triple
2021	89.7%	86.6%
2022	89.3%	87.2%
2023	89.8%	87.3%
2024	92.4%	87.3%
2025	90.0%	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 R 18	Triumph Speed Triple
0k-10k miles	91.3%	88.2%
10k-20k miles	88.0%	85.5%
20k-30k miles	88.3%	82.8%

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

KTM 1290 Superduke R 18 vs Triumph Speed Triple FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

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

The KTM 1290 Superduke R 18 passes its MOT first time more often than the Triumph Speed Triple: 90.1% vs 85.6%, a 4.5-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the KTM 1290 Superduke R 18 still comes out ahead: +2.0 points vs comparable bikes for the KTM 1290 Superduke R 18, -0.2 for the Triumph Speed Triple. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

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

Lights & signalling: 1.6% of KTM 1290 Superduke R 18 MOT tests failed on it, then brakes (1.1%).

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 R 18 or the Triumph Speed Triple?

At 20k-30k miles the KTM 1290 Superduke R 18 passes first time more often: 88.3% for the KTM 1290 Superduke R 18 vs 82.8% for the Triumph Speed Triple.

KTM 1290 SUPERDUKE R 18 90.1% pass · 1,636 tests TRIUMPH SPEED TRIPLE 85.6% pass · 74.6k tests

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