The orange hype machine continues for the upcoming KTM 1290 Super Duke R, as the Austrians have finally given us a decent look at the next iteration of their streetf-ighting superbike.
From the video teaser, it looks like KTM will go the “prototype” route once again with the Super Duke R, teasing “The Beast” in not-for-production form factor, and this is troubling for several reasons.
First, the prototype looks pretty good to our eyes, which means that we are in for a disappointment when the bike’s headlights, mirrors, license plate, etc are all added back onto the machine for production trim.
The other issue is that it brings up the possibility that the new KTM 1290 Super Duke R will be a 2021 model, and not a machine for next year.
That seems unlikely, given how much airtime the Austrians are devoting to teasing this new model, but we do remember how the original 1290 (and 790) came first in prototype form, and then a year later debuted their production unveiling.
Whichever the case may be, we hope that the pointy tail section remains, and that the lines made by the split headlight with the air intake prominently in the center remains a visual elements.
We expect the full KTM lineup for 2020 to debut in two weeks’ time, at the EICMA show in Milan. Be sure to check A&R for all the last bike releases and news from this event.
Source: KTM
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