AI Damage2015 KTM 1290 Super Duke R: common problems
Owners of the 2015 KTM 1290 Super Duke R filed 6 complaints with NHTSA, most often about engine and fuel/propulsion system. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 6
- involving a crash
- 1
What fails most often
- 1 Engine 33% of all complaints
- 2 Fuel/propulsion system 17% of all complaints
- 3 Service brakes 17% of all complaints
- 4 Vehicle speed control 17% of all complaints
- 5 Wheels 17% of all complaints
- Engine: 2 complaints (33% of all).
- Fuel/propulsion system: 1 complaints (17% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Service brakes: 1 complaints (17% of all).
- Vehicle speed control: 1 complaints (17% of all).
- Wheels: 1 complaints (17% of all).
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 6 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Wheels | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 1 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
The motorcycle was involved in a crash and burst into flames. The driver caught on fire and was in a burn unit for two months. He died as a result of his burns. Other than the burns, the driver walked away from the crash.
I am experiencing pulsing breaks at low speeds as well as a whine when pushing the motorcycle at low speeds. I have replaced the pads and rotors more than once and the issue returns
As mentioned on many many website forums from existing owners I am experiencing the same issues many other owners are. Pulsing and grabbing of the front brakes, dealers diagnose as 'warped rotors' most of the bikes are street ridden and the brakes never get hot enough to simply warp.
I just purchased this bike and the speedometer is horribly inaccurate. This impacts speedometer reading, odometer, estimated range, and may impact traction control and abs.
A "low oil" warning was displayed on the instrument panel. This has happened several times and on the last incident, which occurred at approximately 700 miles on the odometer, the seals on the bottom of the engine case started to fail from the overpressure in the motor.
Upon inspection of the oem engine oil filter during the initial break-in oil change (659 miles on odo). The filter element and core was completely collapsed. Starving the engine of "filtered" oil at the most critical time, during new engine break-in.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 13,281 of 36,659 model years in the NHTSA data (top 36% most complained about).
On average one model year of the 1290 Super Duke R has 2 complaints (9 years in the data). This year has 6, above average.
What to check before buying
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Fuel/propulsion system. Fuel smell, leaks, rough running, fuel-system codes.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
- Vehicle speed control. Accelerator pedal, cruise control, throttle codes.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2015 KTM 1290 Super Duke R?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: engine, fuel/propulsion system, service brakes. Total complaints: 6. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: knocking, grinding or other noise (17%), oil leak or consumption (17%), smoke, burning smell, fire (17%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2015 KTM 1290 Super Duke R?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2015 KTM 1290 Super Duke R from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2015 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-06.