KTM 1290 Super Duke R

Test: KTM 1290 Super Duke R (Baujahr 2019)

A like no

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Now let's leave out all the superfluous, take a V2 engine, a lattice tube frame and a tank. With the saved coal we let it really crash and grab the 177 hp engine, which is standing around on the shelf. The KTM 1290 Super Duke R, called "the beast", is ready. Sounds like viiiiiel fun? We thought too and got one for the test.

Quickly? But for sure.

Despite her minimalist Naked Bike build-up, the Super Duke can be seen from afar falling into a bucket of magic potion as a child. The whole bike is the opposite of discreet, only the tank apparently grips around the headlight like with claws. The lattice tube frame, which is only partially painted orange, underlines the Duke's wide-legged appearance.

The data sheet tells Dietmar and me that 174 hp hits only 204 kilos of live weight. I find it even more impressive that the engine does not emit less than 100 Newton metres of torque in any speed range. The question arises as to whether the loved ones have just said goodbye with the necessary seriousness ... "It's always been nice with you, but I have to go to the Duke now"?

As always, a planned suicide is certainly not a trip with the KTM. The Austrians packed everything you have today with electronic rescue anchors: in addition to traction control, the Super Duke also has a standard curve ABS. Generous from KTM? Well, how to take it. After all, you have to transfer a whopping 17,099 euros to the friendly dealer's account before you start your journey, there should be something like that.

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The GT is responsible for travel

There is not much more, here is the Duke typical Naked Bike. So in terms of concept, it's ideal for a day out with the guys. If you want to stay outside longer, you should take the GT equipped with a windshield and suitcase kit (for a slim 18,999 euros). After all: The Super Duke accommodates not only the rider but also the passenger comfortably, which is a rarity with Naked Bikes.

For me, Keyless-Go is one of those typical sham innovations in motorcycles. You are constantly looking for the key, which is slightly larger than normal due to the transmitter, and which you need except for the ignition lock. The fact that this system is highly at risk of theft somehow does not make it any better. The Super Duke has keyless go, but that's the only thing you can expose to usability – so let's go.

The pressure on the start button brings it to the fore: I am a guy who somehow never got out of his puberty. How I can look forward to this half-strong "Ready to race" lettering on the display makes Dietmar shake his head.

Otherwise, the concentrated electronic power is hardly visible. You can set anything, but you can just as well be. The pretty display is reasonable to read and does not distract from driving.

Then we want to get the whole car going.

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The drama stays out

First surprise: We actually expected the KTM to go off like a rocket with a killer sound anytime and anywhere. Okay, the sound of the V2 is simply great and signals with every puffthat that a testosterone-dripping moped is coming here. But the hustle and bustle that characterizes many athletes, for example, of Ducati, is alien to the KTM.

The first contact is therefore a surprise: the KTM is a performance monster, but a cultivated one. It does not fall out of the frame unpleasantly. It goes off like a rocket, but you can use the power wonderfully dosed. Excessive reactions or load changes are alien to her.

It's strange: you buy the 174 hp at any time, but you don't notice it very much. This is probably also due to the fact that motorcycles are basically quite fast. There's a motorized as powerfulast as the Super Duke, but it shows the limits of adhesion and physics: its acceleration zero hundred isn't much better than bikes, which leave it at 100 hp.

But the torque of always, always, always over 100 Newton meters? Yes, that too is there. And palpable. But honestly? Hardly mobile: At low speeds, the V2 shakes itself quite nicely, so it pulls powerfully from 3000 revolutions. But low speeds are not fun for him and subsequently for the driver.

The fact that the big drama is not there is also due to the safety net of the KTM: During our extensive test drives, the road was always wet, sometimes rain was added. The excellent traction control does not intervene too hard here, but rather measures the performance in a targeted manner. This is a great match for the KTM engineers, but the dramatic is lost.

In the video recordings I exaggerated it once and braked the KTM on a wet track. What went straight ahead during the brake test thanks to the very good ABS (see in the video at 13:00 min), ensured a short pushing of the rear (19:15 min) during the hard braking before the bend in a slight inclination. The KTM thought I wanted to have a bit of fun, but I was just too fast.

Normally, the brakes are a force. They can be operated almost with one finger, dosed wonderfully and do not let up. That is how it must be.

On the chassis: Especially at the backhand, one wanted a tick more precision, as many Italian motorcycles get, but this is whining at a high level.

Conclusion - but no beast

Is the Super Duke the Beast, as KTM calls it? No. Despite all the formidable performance that is always available, it has hardly ever been presented so responsibly. There is nothing wrong with it. The Super Duke will produce tears of joy rather than fear sweat.

The KTM is an affable motorcycle that does not feel uncomfortable even in the city. For a Naked Bike, the suitability for the sun is compatible, but the windscreen ... Well. If you ever want to try out the top speed of 280 km/h, you should hold on well or fix it on the bike with 30 meters of double-sided tape.

Otherwise: thumbs up!

The test bike was provided to us by Motorrad-Ruser.

Price / Availability / Colours / Years of Construction

  • Price: €17,099
  • Used (3 years old): from 10.000 €
  • Years of construction: since 2013
  • Availability: very good
  • Colours: black, white
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Zubehör für die
1290 Super Duke R

  • Moneta
  • Polo
  • Amazon

Pro & Kontra

  • powerful motor
  • Stable chassis
  • Operation
  • Electronic helpers
  • Brakes
  • Sociable suitability
Von unserem Team geprüft:

General

Type
Naked
Eia
€20,299

Dimensions

Weight
198 kg
Ab. Weight
415 kg
Seat
835 mm
Wheelbase
1,497 mm

Driving Performance & Range

0 to 100
3.1 s
Tank contents
16 l
Consumption
5.57 l
Range
287 km
Highest-speed
250 km/h

Motor & Power Transmission

Engine design
2-cylinder, 4-stroke, V2 75°
Number of cylinders
2
Cooling
liquid
Displacement
1,301 cc
Hole
108 mm
Hub
71 mm
Performance
180 HP
Torque
140 NM
Number of gears
6
Drive
Chain

Suspension & Brakes

Frame
Lattice tube frame, powder-coated
Suspension front
WP-USD x 48 mm
Travel:
125 mm
Strut rear
WP-Monoshock by deflection
Travel:
140 mm
Suspension rear
Single-arm swingarm
Brakes in front
2 x Brembo Stylema Monoblock Four-piston radial caliper, brake discs, floating
320 mm
Tyres at the front
120/70 ZR17
Brakes rear
Single disc, Brembo two-piston fixed saddle
240
Rear tyres
200/55-17
Abs
Two-channel anti-lock system of type Bosch 9.1 MP