IllustrationThe shifting mechanism components became loose, and it hindered me from shifting up - it would upshift with difficulty, then it would go from 1st gear to neutral, making for a very dangerous experience. It quickly degraded and I could not shift out of 1st gear at all.
2020 Ktm 1290 Super Duke R
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Limited comparison data
There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all 1290 Super Duke R years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 2 of 3 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Engine. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Power Train. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
0 crash reports0 fire reports0 injury reports
What owners actually said
3 reportsGEAR SHIFTER HITS THE KICK STAND IF USER MAKES THE WRONG ADJUSTMENTS. USER CAN HAVE ACCIDENT IF THEY DON'T NOTICE THEY MOVED THE SHIFTER WHEN BIKE HAS KICK STAND DOWN.
THIS FAULT HAS OCCURRED TWICE WITHIN 220 MILES (2 WEEKS). WHILE RIDING THE MOTORCYCLE AND ENTERING A CORNER (IN MOTION), THE DASH SHOWED THE ALERT OF "MTC FAILURE". THIS FAILURE NOT ONLY CAUSED THE BIKE TO BECOME UNSETTLED/UNSTABLE, BUT UPON TURNING THE THROTTLE TO ACCELERATE OUT OF THE CORNER, I DISCOVERED THAT IT COMPLETELY ST…
Read full complaint
THIS FAULT HAS OCCURRED TWICE WITHIN 220 MILES (2 WEEKS). WHILE RIDING THE MOTORCYCLE AND ENTERING A CORNER (IN MOTION), THE DASH SHOWED THE ALERT OF "MTC FAILURE". THIS FAILURE NOT ONLY CAUSED THE BIKE TO BECOME UNSETTLED/UNSTABLE, BUT UPON TURNING THE THROTTLE TO ACCELERATE OUT OF THE CORNER, I DISCOVERED THAT IT COMPLETELY STOPPED ALL PROPULSION TO THE REAR WHEEL. THE MTC FAILURE STOPS THE POWER DELIVERY TO THE BACK WHEEL ALTOGETHER, MAKING THE BIKE UNSTABLE AND UNABLE TO BE CONTROLLED THROUGH ACCELERATION (THE VERY THING THAT NEEDED FOR STABILITY ON A TWO WHEEL VEHICLE). I WAS ABLE TO PULL IN THE CLUTCH AND COAST THROUGH THE TURN, PULLING OFF THE ROAD ONCE THROUGH THE CORNER, BUT THE PROBLEM WAS BEYOND DANGEROUS NONETHELESS. HAVING SPOKEN WITH KTM AND HAD MY BIKE TO THE DEALERSHIP, I WAS INFORMED THAT THE MTC FAILURE AND BEHAVIOR OF THE MOTORCYCLE FROM THAT FAILURE WAS NOT THE RESULT OF AN ENGINE MALFUNCTION, BUT EXHAUST SERVO CABLES BEING OUT OF ADJUSTMENT. WHILE THE DANGER OF THE BIKES BEHAVIOR AND LOSS OF PROPULSION IS PROBLEMATIC IN ITSELF, THE GREATER ISSUE IS THE CAUSE OF THAT FAILURE COMING FROM COMPLETELY UNRELATED ISSUES. THE EXHAUST SERVO CAUSED THIS FAILURE ON MY MOTORCYCLE TWO TIMES NOW IN LESS THAN TWO WEEKS (220 MILES), BUT I HAVE BEEN INFORMED THAT THIS SAME FAILURE HAS BEEN CAUSED BY AS LITTLE AS A LOW BATTERY. HAVING SPOKEN WITH KTM A NUMBER OF TIMES AND CONTINUING TO SPEAK WITH THEM REGARDING THIS ISSUE, THEY HAVE NO PERMANENT SOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM. NOT ONLY THAT, THEY HAVE NO PLANS OR IDEA HOW TO PREVENT THIS PROBLEM FROM HAPPENING IN THE FUTURE. THIS ISSUE NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED AND RECTIFIED IMMEDIATELY, AS IT IS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED.
Official recalls
222V900000 · Electrical System:wiring
Dec 6, 2022
KTM North America, Inc. (KTM) is recalling all 2020-2022 1290 Super Duke R and Super Duke R EVO motorcycles. The main wiring harness may be misrouted or missing parts, which can cause wiring harness damage and result in an electrical short-circuit or engine stall.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and repair the main wiring harness installation, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 26, 2023. Owners may contact KTM customer service at 1-888-985-6090. KTM's number for this recall is KTB2211.
21V122000 · Electrical System:wiring
Feb 26, 2021
KTM North America, Inc. (KTM) is recalling certain 2020 1290 Super Duke R motorcycles. The wiring harness located in the rear of the motorcycle may be routed incorrectly, which could result in wiring damage and an electrical short-circuit.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An electrical short-circuit could cause the engine to stall, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
Remedy: KTM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the rear wiring harness, and repair as necessary. In addition, dealers will modify a piece of the bodywork called the "tail end lower part" to correct the routing of the wiring harness and add wiring protection and cable ties. Repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began March 24, 2021. KTM's number for this recall is TB2104.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.