A year after showcasing it as a prototype, KTM has finally unveiled its 1290 Super Duke R as a production model. A screaming line on their website – KTM 1290 SUPER DUKE R – THE BEAST UNLEASHED AT GOODWOOD! – announces the arrival of this lean, mean naked machine.
Jeremy Mc Williams, a well-recognised rider in the UK, took control of the handlebars of this bike at UK’s Goodwood 2013. The prototype bike was finally seen in full public action at that event. Before that, it was all about trailers, teasers consisting of smoking videos and patriotic paint jobs. A few weeks back, there was another teaser with a heavy metal track bursting at the seams.
KTM has been true to its characteristic with regards to the 1290 Super Duke R. Conventions and customs have been tossed away, with only attention being paid to eye-catching maverick nature and eccentricity of the bike. The 1290 Super Duke R is powered by KTM’s 75-degree V-Twin engine, this time enlarged to a 1301cc displacement. Whereas the engines on the RC8 R and the 1190 Adventure have a bore of 105mm and a stroke of 69 mm, the Super Duke R is bored out to 108 mm while the stroke is a bit longer at 71 mm.
KTM claims an output of 177 hp at 8870 rpm. Peak torque is claimed to be 106 ft-lb., with an ample 74 ft-lb. available at a measly 2500 rpm. According to KTM, the 1290 Super Duke R can sprint from 0 to 200 kph (124 mph) in just 7.2 seconds. The fuel tank has a capacity of 4.75 gallons while the dry weight of the 1290 Super Duke R is 417 pounds.
Going fast also means you have to stop faster! Taking care of that aspect are radially-mounted Brembo M50 monobloc calipers biting around twin 320mm front discs. There is another Brembo two-piston caliper grabbing the rear disc with utmost urgency. At the front, there is a set of 48 mm Upside-down WP Fork. A WP Monoshock does cushioning duty at the rear.
The bike is loaded to the hilt with premium features. Here’s the list :
- Standard Daytime Running Lights
- Single-sided swingarm
- Die-cast wheels
- Dunlop Sportsmart tires
- Six-speed transmission with Anti-Hopping ( Slipper ) clutch
It is also armed to the teeth with the latest electronic guardians. There is a Traction Control System along with Combined-ABS, and a Ride-By-wire system that lets the rider select various modes as well as control the Traction Control and ABS.
The various modes are :
- Rain Mode – Limited Power from engine with early traction control intervention
- Street Mode – Regular Levels of Engine Power with a slightly later Traction Control intervention
- Sport Mode – Full Engine Power with very little Traction Control interference
- SuperMoto Mode – Turns off ABS for rear wheel, thus allowing it to slide freely
It should also be noted that both Traction Control and ABS can be fully deactivated by the flick of respective switches, thus allowing pure, unadulterated fun to seep through the rider’s veins.
How many of you want this to come to India?? We, for example, are bought over. 😉