1290 Super Duke R

More power, new chassis, less weight...

WHAT IS IT?

The third generation of the loveable yet ludicrous 1.3-litre supernaked. Nicknamed ‘The Beast’ by people in orange shirts, the 1290 Super Duke R is sold as a thrash-metal skids-andwheelies adrenaline fountain for cross-eyed, well-heeled sociopaths. Yet, as our test of the 2019 bike on p66 shows, in reality it’s as manic or as mellow as you want.

WHAT’S NEW?

The first 1290 Super Duke shared its steel trellis frame with the 1190 Adventure – a surprise, given dual-purpose tourers aren’t famed for their hummingbird agility or on-the-limit feedback. The 2020 Super Duke R has an all-new design, with wider tubes and thinner walls saving 2kg. The subframe is cast aluminium (like the 790 Duke’s), while the single-sided swingarm is longer and pivots from 5mm higher up for better traction. Using the engine as a stressed member, KTM claim three times the torsional rigidity of the 2019 version – which is hardly a blancmange. Suspension is WP’S latest ‘Apex’, brakes are flagship Brembos, and new Bridgestone S22 tyres have a 200-section rear. Tweaks for the 1301cc V-twin: a new ram-air system runs through the split LED headlight, feeding a redesigned airbox; thinner engine cases save 800g and the new exhaust holds two catalytic converters for Euro5. KTM looked in the back of a drawer and found more power (up from 174bhp to 177bhp) but mislaid torque (down from 104 to 103 lb.ft).

Claimed 189kg dry weight is 6kg lower than last year. The fuel tank has been sacrificed, its capacity down from 18 to 16 litres, so a kerb weight of 205¡210kg is a fair bet.

WHEN IS IT IN THE UK?

Early February. Price is £15,699 (the 2019 bike was £14,799).

Bike says: ‘Skids-and-wheelies adrenaline fountain for well-heeled sociopaths, yet also as mellow as anyone could want’