BMW R 1250 RS vs KTM 1290 SUPER DUKE GT
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Scores, summary & seat (optional) Estimates and auto text from specs — open if you want them.
Technical score (estimate)
Weighted mix of power, torque, power-to-weight, top speed and lighter weight within this comparison only. Not a real-world verdict — riding style and roads matter.
Usage fit (estimate)
Rough scores for city riding, touring, sporty riding and new riders — mix of specs and bike category. Same caveats as the technical score: traffic, skill and tyres matter.
City / commute
Touring / long rides
Sporty riding
New rider friendly
Seat height (cm)
Figures are as in the database; boots, suspension sag and road surface change how tall the bike feels.
- BMW R 1250 RS 82 cm Lowest seat here
- KTM 1290 SUPER DUKE GT 83 cm Tallest seat here
Spread in this comparison: about 1 cm.
Rough guide: comfortable flat-foot reach often needs inseam roughly in the same ballpark as seat height (varies a lot by ergonomics).
Auto summary from specs
Generated from the numbers in the comparison — not a review.
- Power spans 136 hp (BMW R 1250 RS) up to 173 hp (KTM 1290 SUPER DUKE GT).
- Torque spans 141 Nm (KTM 1290 SUPER DUKE GT) up to 143 Nm (BMW R 1250 RS).
- Weight spans 209 kg (KTM 1290 SUPER DUKE GT) to 243 kg (BMW R 1250 RS).
- Engine sizes are very close.
Reader votes so far — total 1: BMW R 1250 RS (1); KTM 1290 SUPER DUKE GT (0).
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| Specification | BMW R 1250 RS | KTM 1290 SUPER DUKE GT |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | BMW | KTM |
| Model | BMW R 1250 RS | KTM 1290 SUPER DUKE GT |
| Engine size | Above 1000cc | Above 1000cc |
| Power | 136hp | 173hp |
| Torque | 143nm. | 141nm. |
| Cylinders / valves | Twin cylinder, 8 valves | Twin cylinder, 8 valves |
| Weight | 243kg | 209kg |
| Front brake | Twin disc brake, floating brake discs, diameter 320 mm, 4-piston radial brake caliper | 320mm Brembo four-piston radial fixed calliper, brake disc |
| Rear brake | Single disc brake, diameter 276 mm, 2-piston floating caliper | 240mm Brembo twin-piston fixed calliper, brake disc |
| Seat height (cm) | 82cm | 83cm |
| Front tyre | 120/70 ZR17 | 120/70 17 |
| Rear tyre | 180/55 ZR17 | 200/55 17 |
| Cooling | Liquid cooling | Liquid cooling |
| Front suspension | Upside-down telescopic fork | WP Semi-active suspension USD Ø 48 mm |
| Rear suspension | Cast aluminum single-sided swingarm with BMW Motorrad Paralever, WAD shock absorber, spring preload continuously adjustable hydraulically by handwheel, rebound damping adjustable by handwheel | WP SAT (semi-active technology) shock absorber |
| Motorcycle type | Touring | Touring |
| Top speed | 230km/h | 260km/h |
| Fuel capacity / consumption | 18 L – 5.5 L/100km | 23 L – 6 L/100km |
| Service network | ||
| Service quality | ||
| Parts availability | ||
| Price | $15695 | $19799 |
| Brand price lists | View BMW price list | View KTM price list |
| Extra features | -TFT display with BMW Motorrad Connectivity, Full LED headlight, Dynamic Traction Control (DTC) -Integral ABS Pro (lean-optimised ABS), 3 riding modes (Eco, Rain, Road), Hill Start Control (HSC) -USB charging socket, Intelligent emergency call, Dynamic Brake Control (DBC) -4-way mechanically adjustable windscreen |
-Euro5, Heated Grips, -Riding Modes 4 Different riding modes: Rain, Street, Sport, and Track -7 inch TFT Dashboard, Twin Ignition Technology, Slipper Clutch, Wind Shield |
Opinions
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2023 BMW R 1250 RS vs 2023 KTM 1290 SUPER DUKE GT: listed specifications
The 2023 BMW R 1250 RS and 2023 KTM 1290 SUPER DUKE GT are closely matched in torque and displacement, while the 1290 SUPER DUKE GT has more peak power, and the higher listed top speed and a lower listed weight.
Engine displacement
R 1250 RS and 1290 SUPER DUKE GT have very similar engine displacement (1100 cc vs 1100 cc).
Peak power
1290 SUPER DUKE GT has a clear listed power advantage (173 hp vs 136 hp).
Torque
R 1250 RS and 1290 SUPER DUKE GT have very similar listed torque (143 Nm vs 141 Nm).
Listed top speed
1290 SUPER DUKE GT has a clear listed top-speed advantage (260 km/h vs 230 km/h).
Cooling
Both motorcycles are listed as liquid-cooled.
Weight and seat height
1290 SUPER DUKE GT is notably lighter on the listed weight (209 kg vs 243 kg). R 1250 RS and 1290 SUPER DUKE GT have very similar seat heights (82 cm vs 83 cm).
Conclusion
The measurable differences are therefore concentrated in peak power, listed top speed and weight, while displacement, torque and seat height remain relatively close.
Frequently asked questions
What is the top speed of BMW R 1250 RS vs KTM 1290 SUPER DUKE GT?
KTM 1290 SUPER DUKE GT is listed at 260 km/h (162 mph) vs 230 km/h (143 mph) for BMW R 1250 RS.
Which has more horsepower, BMW R 1250 RS or KTM 1290 SUPER DUKE GT?
KTM 1290 SUPER DUKE GT has 173 hp compared with 136 hp on the BMW R 1250 RS.
Which is lighter, BMW R 1250 RS or KTM 1290 SUPER DUKE GT?
KTM 1290 SUPER DUKE GT is lighter at 209 kg vs 243 kg for BMW R 1250 RS.
Which is better, BMW R 1250 RS or KTM 1290 SUPER DUKE GT?
It depends on your riding style. Compare top speed, weight, fuel use and price in the table on this page, then vote for the bike you prefer.
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