Cheers BB that's some good feedback ! I still want to test one and it's bigger brother, would have done so by now had it not been for work and other things consuming my time. Still very interesting to read your experience living with it for a year. Thanks for sharing.
No comments on the gearing? That's about my only complaint so far... 6th gear is way too low, and is barely a change from 5th. Would be nice if they made 6th taller to use as an "overdrive" gear for highway cruising/ long trips. 1st gear a bit lower would also be nice, but that one isn't too bad. I like 2-5.
I have no issues with gearing, so no comments about it! But I thought I had bought the more focused track ready version of the bike so ‘overdrive’ for highway cruising wasn’t high on my list of expectations!!! It's a bit like dating Megan Fox and complaining that she can't cook!
Nice... I got same bike and went 2 France n Spain end of May.. awesome. I've left u message about problem I'm having...hopefully here from u soon..
Hi mate, yes saw the message & replied. It was a great trip but after riding with my mates on sportsbikes it made me lust after another one, so have bought a KTM RC8R, pick it up Sat, and the RS is going.
A mate has the ordinary MT09, I set it up for him, suspension is a bit budget, he said he wished he had gone for the SP, to be fair I have not been at all unhappy with the 765RS, I just get the itch to change after a while, the longest I have owned any bike was my KTM Superduke which I had for 4 years.
I was in the same dilemma but back then I chose the SDR 1290. I had it for a year or so. Impressive engine but but coming from 4/3 cylinder bikes you lose the first 4k rpm. Absolutely the most comfortable naked/sport bike for my 183cm height. The wind does not bother until 150 km/h. Sixth gear was too tall. Changed the front sprocket to -1. Gearing ok then. Rear tyre does not last very long. I think the engine was above the chassis and suspension. It felt kind of dangerous at speed. I think most of these problems were solved in the 2017 version. Then I changed to a Street Triple RS. Much more balanced bike. The engine has a power curve moved up a little bit. It reminds me of a 600RR. Cool electronics and dashboard. Very good brakes, suspensions and sublime chassis. Now I installed an aftermarket exhaust and reflashed the ecu at Hilltop.Absolutely happy with the bike but I can't help remembering the amazing ktm punch in mid and high revs that kept the traction control very busy. I only had the courage to disconnect the TC once. Absolutely brutal!
I rode my mates KTM SDR 1290, you're right, it is a handful, a very good bike but it takes a brave man to turn off the TC as it just wheelies for fun, and with 170bhp on tap it will always be hard on tyres. Strangely though when we were in the Pyrenees he couldn't keep up with the 765RS when I upped the pace, but power isn't the whole story with motorcycles as you are finding by the sound of it.
i Absolutely agree. Power is not everything. Besides the power I also would remark that the SDK 1290R is by far the most comfortable naked/sport bike I´ve ever rode. It is taller, more like a Supermoto, and that helps a lot in the leg room department. Also the front mask covers you against the wind more than you would think of a naked bike. But...everything is so easy on the RS!! It is more human sized. Not having a very strong response on mid RPM sometimes help. If you want things to speed up just leave the gas fully opened after 9000RPM!! I´d like to test the new Duke 790.
I agree on the comfort of the SDR, my mate is a very lanky 6'4" and he says it is the most comfortable bike he has ever had. On the 765RS set in race mode (so that the TC is still on), you can literally pin the throttle to the stop while still cranked over with no drama, the TC light flickers at you letting you know that if you switched it off & did the same you would end up on your arse! But my point is rev the bugger, it loves it, most of the fun happens over 9,000rpm.
