KTM Super Duke recall: check your steering damper
Transport Canada has just published a recall that concerns KTM Super Duke owners. Recall 2026516, published on October 14, 2026 and updated on October 30, covers the KTM PowerParts steering damper, part number 16181T01E, fitted to certain Super Duke R and Super Duke R Evo motorcycles. The damper’s screw connection can loosen from its mounting adapter and cause a loss of steering control. The fix is free at an authorized KTM dealer.
The motorcycles involved are the KTM 1290 Super Duke R from 2020 to 2023, the 1290 Super Duke R Evo from 2022 to 2023, and the 1390 Super Duke R and R Evo from 2024 to 2026. But here is the important part: it is not the motorcycle itself that is recalled, it is the accessory. Only bikes fitted with this PowerParts steering damper — installed by a dealer or bought as a replacement part — are affected. If your Super Duke does not have this accessory, this recall does not apply to you.
The problem comes from how the damper’s screw connection was manufactured. On certain units, it may not have been made properly, and the screw can work loose from the mounting adapter. A steering damper coming loose while riding means a loss of steering control — Transport Canada puts it plainly: the risk of a crash increases. KTM presents this as a proactive quality improvement, but the risk is real, and it is not worth waiting.
How do you know if you are affected? First, check whether your bike is fitted with the PowerParts steering damper, an accessory mounted at the steering head. The part number to look for is 16181T01E: it is marked on the damper itself and on your purchase invoice if you bought it as a part. If you bought your Super Duke used, or if you are not sure, call your KTM dealer with your VIN: they can check for you.
The fix is simple and free. The dealer applies threadlocker to the damper’s screw connection and tightens it properly. KTM notified its dealers on October 13, 2026, and the update is carried out exclusively by the authorized dealer network, at no cost to the customer. In the United States, the same recall is registered as NHTSA campaign 26E071000. In Canada, Transport Canada notes that this is a voluntary recall, not conducted under the requirements of the Motor Vehicle Safety Act — but voluntary does not mean optional for your safety.
A word on what this part does, for those who have never thought about it: a steering damper slows down handlebar oscillations at high speed and over bumps. On a machine of more than 180 horsepower like the Super Duke, it is a discreet but essential piece of safety equipment — especially when you open the throttle hard on a bumpy road. A damper working loose is exactly the kind of small defect you never notice until the day it matters.
If you ride a Super Duke R or R Evo from those model years, take two minutes to check — and pass the word to another Super Duke owner you know. And you, have you checked your motorcycle’s recalls this year? Tell us in the comments. And for more motorcycle safety tips, voyagemotoquebec.com.
Photos
Main photo: KTM 1290 Super Duke R. Photo: Cjp24, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons. The motorcycle illustrates the model, not a specific affected model year.
