‘THE HANDLING IS SUBLIME…’
KTM’s limited-edition 1290 Super Duke RR shines, even when the weather doesn’t
‘Just 500 of the RR models are being built’
Only 60 of the 500 new KTM 1290 Super Duke RRs built will make it into the UK.
It costs £21,499, but before you go reaching for your wallet, don’t bother because they’ve sold out already. That’s a shame because it means performance bike fans are going to miss out on something special. Not only is the RR a big step ahead of the 1290 Super Duke R, it’s also one of the best handling road bikes around. The fortunate chap who owns this one (No207 of 500) is Nick Lachevre (see right).
An adrenalin junkie’s dream, the 1290 Super Duke R is a super-naked with the spirit of a supermoto. It’s rapid, grunty, lives for wheelies and corners and in its major update last year enjoyed even more refinement, in a bid to tempt riders away from V4 Tuonos and Streetfighters.
At £15,749 the R is cheaper than its big-hitting rivals, but if you want all its rider aids enabled you’ll need to tick the £859.87 Tech Pack box to get its nine-stage traction, adjustable engine maps, the ability to disable the anti-wheelie, launch control, an up/down shifter, engine braking control, an adaptive brake light and Performance and Track riding modes to give you more delicate control over traction, wheelies and engine braking.
A Super Duke on a diet
The RR is more expensive still, so what do you get for the money? Well, all those electronics for a start and less weight, to the tune of 9kg. KTM claim a 1:1 power-to-weight ratio, but that’s based on the engine making 180hp (hp is slightly more than bhp) and weighing 180kg bone dry. More realistically the RR weighs a claimed 189kg ready to go with no fuel and 200kg with its 19-litre tank 90% full. It’s also lighter than most rivals except the new BMW S1000R (199kg) and Triumph Speed Triple 1200 RS (198kg). KTM’s monster 178bhp, 1301cc V-twin is unchanged from the R, but with fewer kilos to lug around acceleration is that bit livelier, not that it was that easy to hang on to in the first place. Its responsiveness is helped by a quicker-action throttle with a 65° opening - seven less than on the R. A titanium Akrapovic slip-on can doesn’t make any difference to performance or add loudness, but a full racing system will and KTM will sell you one for an extra £2264.28.
Impeccable handling… even in the wet
Sadly, we couldn’t push the new KTM as hard as we’d have liked. Rain stopped play during our day at Oulton Park and we had to take to the roads instead, mostly to save Nick’s semi-slick shod pride and joy from an appointment with the tyre wall.
As it turns out the RR is perhaps even more impressive than it would’ve been flat out in the dry. Plush WP forks and shock not only give a sumptuous ride but find grip where lesser suspension wouldn’t and the Michelin Power Cup 2 tyres dig in harder in a straight line than they have any right to in the wet.
New 1.5kg lighter wheels help the RR turn easier, too. KTM could’ve used lighter ones still, but they were shelved after tester and ex-MotoGP ace Jeremy McWilliams noticed they flexed at full lean.
The Brembo brakes have masses of power and cornering ABS, but we didn’t trouble either in the conditions.
Perfect ergonomics
With its upright riding position and lots of space between pegs and seat, the Super Duke has always been one of the roomiest in its class. The RR keeps that friendliness but locks you in, to let you feel more of what’s going on beneath you. Its new seat is 12mm taller (847mm and can be adjusted down to 837mm via shock length and the wide bars are four-way adjustable (and can be moved 22mm front to rear). In their standard position your weight is slightly more over the front wheel – a bit like clip-ons, but not as wristy. Tweaks to the fuel tank give you more elbow room at full lean, too. Front brake and clutch levers are adjustable (but Nick has fitted his own master cylinder) and Gilles 12-position CNCmachined ali rearsets have carbon heel guards and short, grippy pegs for track work.
The rear brake and gear lever (which can be turned around for ‘race shift’) are three-way adjustable, too.
Light fantastic
The RR’s lithium-ion battery is 2.5kg lighter than the R’s and everything from the front mudguard, brake cooling scoops, ignition lock surround, sculpted fuel tank infill panels, undertray, hugger and chain guard is carbon fibre.
Trick bits aside, the RR’s new suspension, wheels, tyres and riding position are what really makes it feel so special and it’s breath-taking how sublimely it rides and how nimble and direct it feels, even in the wet.
‘It’s breathtaking just how well it handles’