Nils: Hello dear 1000PS viewers.
Sometimes we have an internal fight and today my colleague Kot and I had such a fight at the racetrack.
For that we used the BMW S 1000 R and the KTM 1290 Super Duke R.
At the end, it was a really close fight.
When the season started I thought that the Super Duke is unbeatable.
And because I’m such a big fan of this bike I decided to buy one for myself.
But when it came to the first tests between these two bikes we realized,
that the S 1000 R is a real rival, even with 20hp less. Kot and I had some really exciting duels.
As far as I know, you like four cylinder more. How have you been on the track?
Kot: As you already said, I’m not a big fan of bikes with two cylinders.
And because I have to evaluate both bikes this could be a problem.
When I rode with the KTM it was hard for me to keep up with you.
Later on, when I got the BMW it was much easier to keep up with you.
I also have to say that I’m a chaotic rider and sometimes I make mistakes.
I had the feeling that the electronics on the BMW helped me more and worked better than on the KTM.
Nils: I think, this is because the BMW has the better basic equipment than the KTM.
The S 1000 R has a quick shifter and the dynamic chassis.
For the test we only changed the chassis of both bikes.
On the BMW we have mounted the Diablo Rosso 2 and on the KTM the Sportsmart 2.
The set up of the BMW was the best. It's easier to shift and the bike was more stable then the KTM.
And because of these reasons the BMW was the faster bike.
But I’m still not convinced that the BMW is better than the KTM.
In the Infield the Super Duke had an advantage.
We had some nice duels with our super bike colleagues
and because of a wider handlebar and the upright sitting position the KTM was easier to drive.
Another thing is that you reach the 144 Nm very early
and that gives you also an advantage if you accelerate out of a curve.
But this racetrack has very wide radius and it was incredible how stable the BMW was.
Kot: For me this is the biggest difference.
If you ride with the KTM you can see that it has Supermoto roots.
It's easier to correct a mistake. Wit the BMW you have to drive a more accurate line.
If you don't do that you'll have problems with the radius.
But once the BMW is in the curve, it corners as if it were on rails.
The Dynamic Damping Control helps a lot and for me the DDC is just awesome.
Some years ago the combination of ABS and Traction Control was not very good,
but nowadays it works fine. On my current level this helps me a lot
and sometimes I was in a situation where the DDC saved me from an accident.
Nils: People which come from the supermoto / offroad will prefer the Super Duke.
The torque of the KTM is insane and out of a curve the acceleration is brutal.
People which come from the Superbike will prefer the BMW.
With this bike you have to drive much more precise.
And even if the BMW has 20 hp less, both bikes had nearly the same acceleration.
The reason could be the quick shifter of the BMW and the better transmission tuning.
Kot: Yeah, thats true. You can't feel the 20 hp less of the BMW.
But the racetrack in Brno has long straight lines and I’m looking forward to the test
on the Pannonia circuit. There are more more curves and this cut be an advantage for the KTM.
The S 1000 R has more torque than her sister, the RR, but still not as much as the Super Duke.
Nils: On the Pannonia circuit the KTM can score because of her enormous torque.
Right now we can't say which of these two very high-qualitiy bikes is the "better" one.
The next duel of them will be held late April on the Pannonia circuit. Thanks for watching.