The countdown clock is at zero, and that means the wait is over for the 2014 KTM Super Duke 1290 R. 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.
Braking is handled by Brembo, with 320mm discs up front, mated to Brembo M50 monobloc calipers. Fully adjustable WP suspension pieces are fore and aft as well.
Technical Specifications of the 2014 KTM Super Duke 1290 R:
| ENGINE TYPE | 2-cylinder, 4-stroke, V 75° |
| DISPLACEMENT | 1.301 ccm |
| BORE/STROKE | 108/71 mm |
| POWER | 132 kW (180 HP) at 8.870 rounds/min |
| STARTING AID | Electric starter/12V 11.2Ah |
| TRANSMISSION | 6 gears |
| ENGINE LUBRICATION | Pressure lubrication with 3 Eaton pumps |
| COOLING SYSTEM | Liquid cooling |
| CLUTCH | PASC slipper clutch, hydraulically operated |
| ENGINE MANAGEMENT/IGNITION | Keihin EMS with DBW, double ignition |
| FRAME | Chromium-Molybdenum-Steel trellis frame, powder coated |
| HANDLEBAR | Aluminium, konifiziert Ø 28/22 mm |
| FRONT SUSPENSION | WP-USD Ø 48 mm |
| REAR SUSPENSION | WP-Monoshock |
| FRONT BRAKE | 2 x Brembo four piston, radially bolted caliper, brake disc Ø 320 mm |
| REAR BRAKE | Brembo fixed mounted two-piston brake calipers |
| BRAKE SYSTEM | Bosch 9ME Combined-ABS |
| CHAIN | X-Ring 5/8 x 5/16″ |
| STEERING HEAD ANGLE | 65,1° |
| WHEEL BASE | 1.482 ± 12 mm |
| GROUND CLEARANCE | 140 mm |
| SEAT HEIGHT | 835 mm |
| TANK CAPACITY | 18 l Unleaded premium fuel (95 RON) |
| DRY WEIGHT | 189 kg |
Source: KTM
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