KTM 1290 Super Duke R review, test ride

Yes, KTM has aptly nicknamed their impressive new 1290 Super Duke R “the beast”. After all, at the heart of it is the motor from their RC8 Superbike. Only, it’s now bored and stroked to 1301cc with power up to a claimed 180bhp, making for a heady benchmark in the street naked category. That’s not it though. Not by far, because it’s the 14.6kgm of torque from the character rich V-twin motor that makes the 1290 Super Duke R really super. 

Around the Andalusian mountains, the Super Duke R proves to be as exhilarating as expected, when riding a bike with such an impressive spec sheet. The engine erupts when you cross the 4000rpm mark, the strong waves of torque sending pulses of power to the specially developed rear Dunlop. If you aren’t really careful, the 180kph mark can be breached in a blur. The rev limiter cuts in at a relatively low 9800rpm, a bit surprising, but you get used to this soon enough and the shift warning beacon lights up giving just enough of an advance heads up. Yes, the Super Duke R is a beast, but it’s still no brute. The engine is actually pretty controllable and civil at low speeds and KTM’s new R makes a happy, really potent companion on the highway too.