Super Duke 1290 R

[Schneegz]

 

With four days still on the countdown clock, we didn’t expect to see the 2014 KTM Super Duke 1290 R until its October debut, but those crafty Frenchies at Moto-Station have gotten their hands on a couple photos of Austria’s new street hooligan machine.

 

[Sport-Touring]

[R Doug]

1290  

[expatbrit]

StupidDuke!!

'only' 160hp -- tuned for torque.

[Rincewind]

Nice to see they went with a SSSA.  I think that's KTM's first one.  Overall it's a nice design and looks more cohesive than the previous model, IMO.  

[JReazor]

StupidDuke!!

'only' 160hp -- tuned for torque.

Think of all the money you'll save on front tires.

[Mookie]

UGLY

[bubba zanetti]

UGLY

Pods ... *giggle*

[Oxman]

Interesting looking Beast !  kinda got that kawi z 1000 look

[R Doug]

KTM Promo






@ Goodwood this year.

[Schneegz]

Nice to see they went with a SSSA.  I think that's KTM's first one.  Overall it's a nice design and looks more cohesive than the previous model, IMO.  

It's hard to see in the pics, but I think it's a trellis SSSA, which is really cool.

I think the whole bike looks great.  The exhaust is, as usual these days, ugly, but considering all the emissions regulations these days, one can't expect them to look good.  Besides, the stock exhaust is usually the first thing to go.

[mugwump58]

Neil Johnston needs to do a review on the Super Duke; why? See below.

KTM RC8 - Poetry as Bloodsport by OneWheelDrive

[falconati]

Mother
Of
God.






 

[expatbrit]

I repeat. StupidDuke.

Just not in a bad way.

I'm really impressed with KTMs overall lineup these days.

[coho]

"If robots were given souls this is what they'd use for porn."

[R Doug]

That made me literally laugh out loud as well.

What a great quote.

[james_g]

This might make me trade in the Tuono....

http://rideapart.com/2013/09/exclusive-2014-ktm-1290-super-duke-r-photos-specs/

[expatbrit]

This might make me trade in the Tuono....

http://rideapart.com/2013/09/exclusive-2014-ktm-1290-super-duke-r-photos-specs/

Yeah. The specs are out.

It's not a 1290, it's an oversquare 1301 !

180 hp, 106 lb ft of torque (74 lb ft at 2500 rpm), 33" seat height, 4.75g gas tank,  the same Bosch MSC as the adventure (at least according to Visordown), and the same brakes as the Pani but with stupidmoto mode to allow you to turn off the rear ABS and back it in.

I think I saw 14k GBP as a price, which is quite steep. Can't do the direct covert, but still...

Can't wait to see ride reports.

[Croak]

http://www.1290superduker.com/cms/#techspecs

[R Doug]

Wow!  180 HP and the ability to to from zero to 200 km/h (124 mph) in 7.2 seconds with a 15,000 km service interval?  I'm impressed.

[miles]

I'd hit it.  It seems as if it might be a nice cross between my old K1200R and my S1000RR.  In black it isn't too bad looking, either.

[R Doug]

[james_g]

I'm not sure I would like the riding position now that I look at it from that angle. I prefer to be on top of the bike rather than in it. But it will be worth throwing a leg over for sure.

james

[staedtler]

                               

[expatbrit]

Neil Johnston needs to do a review on the Super Duke; why? See below.

KTM RC8 - Poetry as Bloodsport by OneWheelDrive

This really does sum up how I feel about my RC8 -- and I have the new, gentler twin spark. Love the review, every time.

[Rincewind]

Sure looks similar to the new Z1000 silhouette, shapewise.

[R Doug]

It's not like the current generation Z1000 and 990 Super Duke are all that different in appearance.

[Croak]

It's not like the current generation Z1000 and 990 Super Duke are all that different in appearance.

There's a recurring theme...

[Schneegz]

The specs are astounding.  

At EICMA last year, they called it “The Beast” and with 177hp (132 kW) coming from the 1,301cc v-twin engine, we are inclined to agree.

As svelte as it is powerful, the KTM Super Duke 1290 R tips the scales at 417 lbs dry, and comes with a ride-by-wire throttle control system, along with traction control and ABS that can be disengaged, as A&R also predicted.

Using the KTM RC8 R engine as its base, the Austrians have bored the 75° v-twin out to 108mm (+3mm), with a stroke of 71mm (+2mm), which in addition to the horsepower boost, helps give the KTM Super Duke 1290 R a peak 106 lbs•ft of torque, with 74 lbs•ft available at just 2,500 rpm.

A motorcycle with a 1300 cc V-twin (sounds more like a cruiser, right?) that pumps out almost 180 hp, 106 lb-ft of torque and weighs only 417 lb dry?  And look how tiny it is!  Are you kidding me?

[falconati]

Mother of god.

[UFO]

This bike looks like all kinds of trouble.

[Schneegz]

That sound...  

[miles]

That sound...  

Now THAT'S a bike with character!

[MisterSmooth]

Wow.  

Leave it to KTM to come up with this.    



And yet...is this much power and torque just more useable in a sportbike package?   As an ex-Tuono guy I can confirm that over 120 mph isn't really practical for any length of time on a naked, at least for a girly man like me.

At normal street speeds a bike like the Hypermotard or V-twin Tuono or even KTM's SMT has plenty of thrust even though encumbered with a mere 70 ft-lb of torque.  

I realize that this bike is not about logic, though.     It's fantastic that there's a manufacturer with the confidence and attitude to build the 1290 Super Duke.  We live in amazing times.

[Lawn Dart]

Wow.  

...

 It's fantastic that there's a manufacturer with the confidence and attitude to build the 1290 Super Duke.  We live in amazing times.

Yes it is.  

[Flyer]

Insurance Rapists, all inna line.
 

I will offer my self to be the first in line to test ride it when and IF my dealer can lay his hands on one...

[R Doug]

It's time to convince Sheri she doesn't want the Ural anymore.  


 

[Croak]

It's time to convince Sheri she doesn't want the Ural anymore.  


 

Just build a 180hp hack.

[expatbrit]

Just build a 180hp hack.

Something like this:  



Or this



(Keeping with that KTM theme!)

[Burners]

Wow.  

...that over 120 mph isn't really practical for any length of time on a naked, at least for a girly man like me.

That front wheel in the air must provide some wind protection though...  

[Schneegz]

Will KTM bolt this engine into the Adventure?  

[Lawn Dart]

Will KTM bolt this engine into the Adventure?  

Yes.  Already been done.  

[miles]

Well, I put down cash money on a deposit today.  I'll post pics when I get the bike (most likely late next year, according to the dealer).

[james_g]

Well, I put down cash money on a deposit today.  I'll post pics when I get the bike (most likely late next year, according to the dealer).

Dibs on first ride.

[miles]

Dibs on first ride.

Of course.    

[Stripes]

It's time to convince Sheri she doesn't want the Ural anymore.  

I call 1st dibs on the Ural!

This is the 1st KTM that I'm not intrigued w/... I can't put my finger on what it is exactly, but there's something aboot it that I just don't care for.

[MisterSmooth]

Well, I put down cash money on a deposit today.  I'll post pics when I get the bike (most likely late next year, according to the dealer).

Respect!    You have to wait for a year?  

[Schneegz]

Yes.  Already been done.  

The Adventure is a 1200.  I mean the 1300 in the Super Duke.

[Croak]

Don't think it'd be fit for purpose in the Adventure as-is.  Less oversquare, much lighter flywheel, higher cost, likely hotter running, much more picky about octane and probably not as durable.

And all that torque mated to the skinny-ass Adventure tires (or skinny and tall in the case of the R model) wouldn't be a very good combo, and would require a lot of traction control babysitting, in essence wasting most of that extra HP and torque.

[R Doug]

Well, I put down cash money on a deposit today.  I'll post pics when I get the bike (most likely late next year, according to the dealer).

Outstanding!!!    

[miles]

Respect!    You have to wait for a year?  

Given KTM's track record, that's what they say they expect. My name is first on the list, though, so we'll see.

[Stripes]

so we'll see.

Seeing is believing.

[Schneegz]

Don't think it'd be fit for purpose in the Adventure as-is.  Less oversquare, much lighter flywheel, higher cost, likely hotter running, much more picky about octane and probably not as durable.

And all that torque mated to the skinny-ass Adventure tires (or skinny and tall in the case of the R model) wouldn't be a very good combo, and would require a lot of traction control babysitting, in essence wasting most of that extra HP and torque.

You're probably right.  Not that I think the Adventure needs it, but I wonder if a "tuned for torque" version of the 1300 will ever find its way into the Adventure.

[falconati]

Well, I put down cash money on a deposit today.  I'll post pics when I get the bike (most likely late next year, according to the dealer).

Nice!

[expatbrit]

Well, I put down cash money on a deposit today.  I'll post pics when I get the bike (most likely late next year, according to the dealer).

I'm already jealous. Congrats!

[DogBoy]

Well, I put down cash money on a deposit today.  I'll post pics when I get the bike (most likely late next year, according to the dealer).

You got a whole year to go streetfighter on the S1000rr.

[miles]

You got a whole year go streetfighter on the S1000rr.

If I haven't done it by now I probably won't get around to it, especially now that I know I won't be keeping it.

[DogBoy]

If I haven't done it by now I probably won't get around to it, especially now that I know I won't be keeping it.

Aw...dang.

[expatbrit]

You got a whole year to go streetfighter on the S1000rr.

Isn't BMW supposed to be releasing a naked S1000RR anyway? I keep seeing rumours of them wanting to get into the supernakeds.

[miles]

If they do, we'll never see it here in the US. We don't get the K1300R, after all.

[Croak]

If they do, we'll never see it here in the US. We don't get the K1300R, after all.

That's because very few people bought the K1200R in any market.  I'm betting its a totally different story for the S1000RR naked, since it'll likely be far less expensive, it'll have more younger/enthusiast/cross-brand buyer appeal thanks to its proven track pedigree and technical bragging rights, plus it won't be a 550 pound behemoth with weird forks, funny control layout, no chain, and polarizing styling.

Don't get me wrong, I LIKE the K1x00R bikes (except for the shaft part).  But I have to acknowledge I'm one of the few that do.

On top of that, naked/streetfighters have finally started to "catch on" in the US, far more so than at the turn of the decade when the K1300 models were rolled out.

[expatbrit]

If they do, we'll never see it here in the US. We don't get the K1300R, after all.

I dunno. I think they'll try it for a year, at least. All the rest of the supernakeds appear to be coming here at this point; V4R, StupidDuke, the fabled 1198 Monster, etc.

We'll have to see. I'm not sure I agree that nakeds are catching on in the US, but we'll see about /that/ too.

[Schneegz]

New video from KTM.

[R Doug]

It looks better (and more evil) in black.

[Croak]

Petty as it sounds, the over-use (and even use) of orange by KTM really detracts from my desire to own one (detracts, not prevents, I could live with the Super Duke pictured above). 

I have the same problem with the (to me) hideous green that Kawasaki uses, except I'd never consider owning a green Kwak.

Case in point, I'm looking at a small, light, affordable new bike for use here in Malta.  Candidates included the Ninja 300...except for the fact that the Ninja 300 only comes in green here.  So it's totally out of the running, whereas the Duke 390,  I can still see myself owning, even with orange wheels and frame, as long as I peel off the decals (outside the clear coat, thankfully) and get liberal with black rim tape.  Would still prefer black frame and wheels though. 

[expatbrit]

Petty as it sounds, the over-use (and even use) of orange by KTM really detracts from my desire to own one (detracts, not prevents, I could live with the Super Duke pictured above). 

I have the same problem with the (to me) hideous green that Kawasaki uses, except I'd never consider owning a green Kwak.

Case in point, I'm looking at a small, light, affordable new bike for use here in Malta.  Candidates included the Ninja 300...except for the fact that the Ninja 300 only comes in green here.  So it's totally out of the running, whereas the Duke 390,  I can still see myself owning, even with orange wheels and frame, as long as I peel off the decals (outside the clear coat, thankfully) and get liberal with black rim tape.  Would still prefer black frame and wheels though. 

See -- I'm exactly the opposite.


I /love/ the screaming orange on the Kabooms. I swapped panels on my 950SM to get more of it, from black, and I really dig the orange wheels on my RC8.

It's definitely Not Subtle, though.

[miles]

Petty as it sounds, the over-use (and even use) of orange by KTM really detracts from my desire to own one (detracts, not prevents, I could live with the Super Duke pictured above). 

I have the same problem with the (to me) hideous green that Kawasaki uses, except I'd never consider owning a green Kwak.

Case in point, I'm looking at a small, light, affordable new bike for use here in Malta.  Candidates included the Ninja 300...except for the fact that the Ninja 300 only comes in green here.  So it's totally out of the running, whereas the Duke 390,  I can still see myself owning, even with orange wheels and frame, as long as I peel off the decals (outside the clear coat, thankfully) and get liberal with black rim tape.  Would still prefer black frame and wheels though. 

I'm with you on that.  I'm not a fan of the orange.

The RC8s that I've seen have been especially bad in that they are actually several different clashing oranges- as if the various parts suppliers were simply told to use "orange" and the exact orange was left up to them.


 

[R Doug]

 


Turn it up!

[Schneegz]

From MCN:

“Yes, the new super naked has massive amounts of power and torque, but sophisticated rider modes and engine management means that you can’t get into trouble by unleashing it all at the wrong time. For example, around town in first gear it simply won’t release all that stomp if you whack open the throttle.
 
“On the other hand, out of town in third or fourth, you can crack open the twistgrip and it simply takes off like little else. While on track – where I’m headed this afternoon – you could simply turn the electronics off and have one helluva blast. It’s even got a ‘supermoto’ mode for its sophisticated ABS system which lets you ‘back it in’ to corners, supermoto style!

Read the rest at the link.

[Schneegz]

 


Turn it up!

Typical Akra - looks and sounds outstanding!

[staedtler]

http://www.motorcycle.com/manufacturer/ktm/2014-ktm-super-duke-r-review-first-ride.html


  price cant be right!

[miles]

http://www.motorcycle.com/manufacturer/ktm/2014-ktm-super-duke-r-review-first-ride.html


  price cant be right!

No, it isn't.  $16,500 is the most popular guess from those in the know.  My dealer hedged it and guessed $17k when I put my deposit down.

[Schneegz]

From Asphalt and Rubber:

Ride Review: KTM 1290 Super Duke R
 
10/21/2013 @ 3:31 PM, BY IWAN VAN DER VALK



Overall though, we like the driveability of the ride-by-wire system. The big v-twin sounds amazing and runs so smoothly that you can use a broad RPM range in any gear, although you do need to stay above 4,000 rpm to avoid bucking.
Above that the engine truly is a beast: turn the traction control off and it’s simply impossible to keep the front wheel down in the first 3 gears. In fourth, fifth, or sixth, a tiny crest in the road will result into a power-wheelie. KTM definitely didn’t lie when they christened this bike as ‘The Beast’: the 1290 Super Duke R is faster, stronger, wilder than you can imagine.

Read the rest at the link.

[Schneegz]

From Asphalt and Rubber:

What's this?  A sport-touring mode?  


With an Akra pipe.




 

[miles]

See the orange thing on the caliper?  That's a disc lock.  Pretty trick- until you forget about it and try to roll the bike with the ignition off (yes, it seems to be activated by the ignition).

[Lawn Dart]

That thing is sexy like a degenerate, tattooed, nymphomaniac crank addict exercising on a stripper pole.

If you're into that sorta thing.  

I'd hit it.  

[james_g]

I would too. And plan on it whenever Miles gets his...

I'm really glad to see the Tuono finally getting some competition. A 1200cc Tuono????  

james

[mellow_gold]

[garry]

Between this bike and the 1190 Adventure, it's going to be really hard to not drop a big chunk of money at my local KTM dealer next year. I guess I should start planning for it now.

[Schneegz]

From MCN:

Jeremy McWilliams thrashes the new KTM Super Duke



Man, that is one angry-sounding bike!

[MisterSmooth]

Great video!     Thanks for passing this on.  

I love the sound that KTM makes.  Yow.  

[Schneegz]

Motorcycle Daily 1st ride:

This is a report from the Ascari Circuit in Spain from Albert Escoda on the new KTM 1290 SuperDuke R. Escoda was at the launch with Jeremy McWilliams (see yesterday’s article). Escoda is very fast, indeed, and one of the few journalists who can try to hang on to McWilliams’ exhaust fumes (by his fingernails, and only on occasion).

We went over many of the technical details in an earlier article for your reference. Here is Albert’s report from the launch:

I will never forget the impression the original SuperDuke made on me when I first rode it in 2005. It seemed like a dream come true. A powerful street bike with the agility of a supermotard.  The ideal bike for me and my fellow “hooligans”. The fourth version of the SuperDuke is here, and it is not an evolution, but a completely new motorcycle with power and technology never before seen in the lineage.

It is a “beast”, but a controllable one.  Carefully designed to manage the massive 180 hp, KTM has incorporated a stiff, CroMo trellis frame that weighs only 20 pounds.  The single-sided swingarm is a beefy aluminum structure.  To cope with all the torque, the rear axle diameter is huge (55 mm).

This is my favorite part.

I eventually got my chance to sample the “power parts” model that features even more horsepower (192 hp), as well as the stiffer suspension tuning and slick tires. I had much more confidence both braking and accelerating on this bike, and it felt much more stable at race pace. Unfortunately, it started to rain during this session, and after ABS kicked in a couple of times I had to back off the pace.

Because a 180 hp naked bike is so... inadequate!  

Read the rest and see more pics at the link.

[Silverbird]

Maybe someday bikes like these will come with a disk you can download into your brain on how to ride them to the limit. Matrix-style!  

[miles]

Well, as this thread foreshadowed, the SuperDuke still hasn't arrived in showrooms (it was supposed to be here in March) so I went ahead and bought the BMW S1000R. 

[kyzrex]

KTM is out and about doing factory demo rides, now that the Supercross season is over, and today they were in Murfeesboro, Tn.  ( Scheduled for Louisville, Ky. @ Commonwealth Saturday ). I rode the Super Duke.....

I only got 25 mins on it, around town, under demo ride conditions, no high speed runs, only a few turns, but....


it is the best bike I believe I have ever ridden


Smooth, easy to ride, light weight, powerful, comfortable, grin from ear to ear the whole time......

Mother of God....I WANT ONE!!

  ........way up

[miles]

So I finally got the call that the bike I had a deposit on was finally in. I went down to the dealership to take it for a test ride.

First off, looking at them in person, the black looks OK but there is no way I could stomach the orange scheme. I have nothing against the orange, but the white tail section is a complete aesthetic nightmare. On the black, if I were to buy the bike, I would have to have the tail subframe powder coated orange to match the main frame. As it is the look is unbalanced.
Otherwise, the looks of the bike work for me.
The dash is phenomenal. The main cluster has the usual tach, speedo and gear indicator, but also a real fuel gauge, which is nice. On the left is a data screen that is customizable to display the elements you care about in a nice easy to read layout. You can pick five fields for your "Favorites" screen from a range of choices like fuel range countdown clock, ambient air temp, avg speed, avg MPG, and so on. It was truly easy to configure and gave tons of info. KTM absolutely got tha info center right.

Sitting in the bike, the seat is firm and wide with the pegs directly below the center of body mass, right where they should be. The bars were too close for me, giving the bike a BMW GS- like feel, which simply doesn't work for me. I like a certain amount of forward lean and with my long arms I was absolutely bolt upright. Interestingly, the bar clamp is mounted in slots, so sliding the bars a half inch forward is easy. I'd need another inch and a half, though, so even swapping to a straighter bar wouldn't ale it perfect for me. Live able, perhaps, but not perfect.
For most riders it would be good, though, and I like that KTM did design in the adjustability in the bar clamp.

Out on the road, the bike was fun. It wheelies anytime you want, and lots of the time when you don't even think you asked. The bike has wheelie limiters, so it's never too much, but does induce a grin. The steering is very light. I think I'd have to lower the front end a MM or two to get more front weight bias, but that's a simple adjustment.
I've gotten spoiled by the quick shifter and slipper clutch on my BMW.  The lack of a quick shifter is kind of a bummer on the KTM, but I understand how hard it is to get them right for a big twin. The slipper clutch on the KTM was a bit disappointing, but that may be because the bike was fresh out of the crate and would become better with use.

More to follow.

[R Doug]

[miles]

Sorry about the choppy sentence structure in the previous post.  I typed it up on my phone.

Anyhow, back to the review.  I should add that the Superduke 1290R is a $17,000 motorbike, so it should give off an air of quality construction, and it does.  Most of the bits on it are nicely made and finished, as you should expect from a bike that costs that much.  The only really clunky-looking piece is the exhaust end can, which has all the appeal of a toaster oven.  It isn't as horrible, as say, a Z1000 muffler, but it isn't good.  Definitely tack on the extra bucks for the available Akrapovich slip-on.

Unlike on the RC8 the pegs aren't adjustable, but they're nicely made and in the right spot anyway, so I can't complain.  

Back to the riding experience.  The bike feels quick, but honestly, what I've been riding is a complete rocket, so I wasn't overwhelmed by the speed of the KTM.  In fact, it appears that KTM has been overselling the bike's power and underreporting its weight, according to the magazine reviews.  Dyno tests have reported a range from 150-160RWHP, which is plenty impressive but really no better than the V4 Tuono or the S1000R.  That said, the KTM is a giant freaking V twin, so it carries a ton of torque down low.  I rolled on from idle at 30mph to see how the bike handled to low RPMs with load, and it doesn't shake, shudder, or complain.  It simply speeds up, which is far better than the Tuono's bitter self-destructive feeling at anything below 5k when power is applied.
The Superduke just gets to the business of lifting the from wheel and scooting down the road, no drama, no fuss.  KTM really got that difficult part done correctly.  

With big motors, heat can often be a real issue, but I didn't notice it, even though the day was warm and I was in jeans.  Admittedly I didn't sit at any red lights for any length of time, but the simple fact that the engine so so enshrouded and in the breeze should keep heat manageable.

The brakes seemed good, but besides a few little stop pies I didn't have a chance to test them out much.  They use the same Bosch ABS as the BMW S1000RR I'm used to but have a very different feel.  Not bad, just different, which surprises me.