By NastyNils·
Motorcycle comparison · Hyper Naked
Aprilia Tuono V4 1100 (ZD4KZ-Factory) vs KTM 1390 Super Duke RR (MY2026)
Deep in a fast sweeper the Aprilia Tuono V4 1100 doesn't wallow, its front pinned to the line. The carbon-clad KTM 1390 Super Duke RR flicks between leans.
So which one do you buy?
The 1390 Super Duke RR has the edge if…
Daily commuting & city riding
Slight edge: 1390 Super Duke RR
For the Monday-to-Friday grind, the 1390 Super Duke RR pulls a nose in front. Most of that is simpler maintenance and easier everyday riding. Your own commute could easily flip it.
What makes each one tick
Tuono V4 1100
Race mode doesn't blunt the Tuono's V4: it picks up instantly off a closed throttle and still lets you meter drive out of a bend. A bump halfway through a quick bend won't knock the chassis off the arc it's chosen. The fork stays committed. Up top, the V4 pulls hard to the limiter.
Nils rode the Tuono V4 1100 in Hungary and Italy in 2021 (NastyNils Testride).
1390 Super Duke RR
Under the RR's tank, the LC8 twin with CAMSHIFT doesn't so much build speed as hurl it. A hard squeeze of the brake lever puts the WP PRO suspension's race-level damping to work as the bike sheds speed. There's less weight to haul around, with lightweight bodywork and parts trimming the RR for agility. It snaps into each new turn.
The Voice of Experience
What actually separates them
- The 1390 Super Duke RR makes more peak power: 190 hp (140 kW) vs 175 hp (129 kW).
- The 1390 Super Duke RR makes more peak torque: 107 lb-ft (145 Nm) vs 89 lb-ft (121 Nm).
- The 1390 Super Duke RR has the larger engine: 1350 cc vs 1077 cc.
Which one for the way you ride
Comfortable long-distance riding
Wrong job for both
Neither of these is a mile-muncher. If big days are the plan, keep looking.
On track days, character, and twisty roads, these two are a wash. That's where your budget and your inseam get the final say.
Who each one is built for
What's good, and what you'll live with
Tuono V4 1100
Strengths
- Throttle You Can Actually Feel
- Rear Steers You To The Apex
- Faster Without More Horsepower
- Slim Tank, Real Room
- Planted Through Fast Sweepers
Trade-offs
- Too Loud For Long Days
- More Plastic Than A Naked Wants
- Runs Hot In City Traffic
- Soft, Uneven Low-Rpm Power
- Build quality below class standard
1390 Super Duke RR
What owners say
Strengths
- Comprehensive electronics suite
- Explosive V-twin power
- Significant weight reduction
- Top-shelf WP PRO suspension
Known problems to check before you buy
Tuono V4 1100
- High coolant temperatures and overheating tendency at low speeds The Euro 5 Tuono runs very hot in slow city traffic and when idling at traffic lights, because the radiator and fan cannot shed enough heat without steady airflow. Coolant temperature climbs into the warning range and stays high until the bike is moving at a sustained pace again. Owners report having to switch the engine off during long stops to keep temperatures under control.
- Dog wear in 3rd and 4th gear with intensive quickshifter use With frequent quickshifter use under full throttle and high rpm, the dogs in 3rd and 4th gear wear faster than normal. False neutrals then occur between 3rd/4th and 4th/5th gear. Aprilia has hardened replacement parts available for 3rd and 4th gear. The problem has been documented since the V4 platform and is also confirmed for Euro 5.
- Valve guide failure requiring cylinder head replacement An exhaust valve guide in the rear cylinder can work loose or detach, resulting in substantial loss of cylinder compression during leak-down testing and severe engine power loss resembling an electronic limp mode.
- Noticeable power deficit and uneven throttle response in the lower rpm range The Euro 5 mapping causes a measurable power gap below 5,500 rpm. Throttle response at 4,000-5,500 rpm feels uneven/pulsating. When transitioning from 5-15% throttle to closed throttle, the engine can react jerkily. An Aprilia Race Map or Rapid Bike tuning kit largely resolves the problem.
- Soft paintwork, scratch-prone surfaces, corroding fasteners The paintwork is described as extremely scratch-prone — without adequate clear coat. Graphics/decals in some areas have no clear coat and are quickly damaged by stone chips. Fasteners and washers (particularly mudguard mountings) are not stainless and show early corrosion. Body panels do not fit precisely and have visible panel gaps.
1390 Super Duke RR
No confirmed faults on file yet. That's not the same as fault-free.
What they share
- Cooling
- Liquid-cooled
- Gearbox
- 6-speed
- Final drive
- Chain
- Fork
- Upside-down (USD)
- Front tire
- 120/70-17
- Rear tire
- 200/55-17
Where the spec sheets split
| Tuono V4 1100 | 1390 Super Duke RR | |
|---|---|---|
| Seat height | 32.5 in (825 mm) | 33.0 in (837 mm) |
| Tuono V4 1100 | 1390 Super Duke RR | |
|---|---|---|
| Displacement | 1077 cc | 1350 cc |
| Engine | V4 | 75° V-twin |
| Power | 175 hp (129 kW) | 190 hp (140 kW) |
| Torque | 89 lb-ft (121 Nm) | 107 lb-ft (145 Nm) |
| Tuono V4 1100 | 1390 Super Duke RR | |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel capacity | 4.7 US gal (17.9 L) | 4.6 US gal (17.5 L) |
| Tuono V4 1100 | 1390 Super Duke RR | |
|---|---|---|
| Front brake | 330 mm | 320 mm |
| Wheelbase | 57.5 in (1460 mm) | 58.7 in (1491 mm) |
What comes fitted, what costs extra
| Tuono V4 1100 | 1390 Super Duke RR | |
|---|---|---|
| Cruise Control | Standard | Not offered |
| Heated Grips | Not offered | Option |
Head to head, area by area
Both bikes on the same scale, one area at a time.
