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Bikes In The Office: Nate’s KTM
We don’t just sell parts for motorcycles, we ride them, too. We are truly a company powered by riders, for riders. When the talk around the break room revolves around rumors of a new ZX4R and what we hope a future Yamaha R9 would be like, you know you’re in good company.
It doesn’t matter which department you look at, there are riders and enthusiasts in each one. From customer service, engineering, media, marketing, and warehouse operations, you’ll be hard-pressed to not find two wheels sitting close by.
In this new series, we are going to take a look at some of the notable bikes in the office and get some insight from the lucky TST team members that own them.
First up in the series, we have Nate. He’s our Customer Service guru and handles a large list of duties related to that department. He also happens to have one of the coolest bikes at the office – a 2015 KTM 1290 Super Duke R. Let’s get into it!
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Tell us why you picked the KTM 1290 Super Duke R?
I actually saw the prototype/teaser video of the 1290 SDR back in 2012-2013. Ever since then I kept a picture in my locker at my job back then to give me something to work toward!
How long have you had it?
I picked it up back in 2016 after my 14′ FZ-09 was stolen from my apartment!
What was the most fun thing you’ve done with the KTM?
I’ve taken it to an “offroad street bike” race. The race happens every December here in central Florida on a private dirt bike track with tabletops, sugar sand, and technical obstacles. There are classes for cruisers, mini-bikes, street bikes, and more – no knobbies allowed. It’s an awesome event but they operate on rules 1 & 2 from Fight Club, can’t say anymore!
What do you wish was different about your Super Duke R – if anything?
If parts were easier to get that’d be nice! Manufacturers always seem to abandon the first-gens’ quickly, unfortunately!
Any plans to switch bikes or is the KTM sticking with you forever?
I’m definitely keeping this bike forever if I can! It’s become a passion project at this point with trying to get parts for certain maintenance procedures and replacing broken/worn parts.
What was the most recent upgrade you made to it?
I actually just overhauled the entire bike as it was showing its age! The most recent part of that was a carbon-fiber front fender to replace the chipped OEM one!
Any big plans for it in the future?
I’ve got some parts on the way from the new 2021 1290 SDR to install. There are a few cosmetic pieces that’ll transfer over and button up some of the (IMO) questionable older design choices by KTM!
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