2020 KTM 1290 Super Duke R review: the Beast is angry !
Released at the end of 2013 in the jungle of sporty roadsters, the 1290 Super Duke R makes them bend their backs with its monstrous 180 hp twin-cylinder. But all its preys want the skin of the "Beast": reason why the KTM returns to the top of its form for 2020 ! Test on the roads and circuit of Portimao (Portugal).
1290 Super Duke R test page 2: details in captioned photos
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| Big beast ! The engine is undoubtedly the centerpiece of the Super Duke R: this V-twin, 75 ° open, 1301 cc (1.3 l!) Cube with its bore and stroke dimensions of 108 x 71 mm. Highly compressed (13.5 to 1), it is managed by an electronic accelerator and receives an anti-dribble clutch. |
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| Bestial Perfs. The lowered power with Euro4 at 177 hp rises to 179.5 hp (130 to 132 kW). The torque, he culminates at 140 Nm and this while the block is reduced by 0.8 kg thanks to refined housings and the use of titanium valves. Incidentally, lubrication is improved while the single-sided swingarm binding is raised by 5 mm to reduce the tendency to pitch up. |
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| Air force-fed. To gain horsepower, the intake is supplied with fresh air from an all-new inlet located behind the headlights – directly into the steering column. The volume of the air box increases by approximately 2 liters, to the detriment of the volume of the fuel tank which goes from 18 to 16 liters ! |
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| Euro 4,5. The bike is Euro4 approved but would be "Euro5 ready", KTM assures us. The exhaust, the probes and the diagnostic socket are installed: all that is missing is the emission control software which is not "quite ready". The switch to Euro5 will have "no impact on performance or weight", announces a development manager to MNC. |
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| It’s in the box. The six-speed gearbox features a new splined shaft and copper-coated shift forks in favor of smoother and faster shifts. Optional at 392 euros, a double-acting shifter allows up and down gears without disengaging. We would like to see this device in series, also a bit catchy when lowering the gears.. |
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| Frame. The steel tube frame – reinforced with chrome molybdenum – is both lighter (- 2kg) and "three times more rigid" in torsion: the Super Duke R gains in rigor, knowing that it lacked. not in 2019! The aluminum rear buckle now ends with a wheel arch support made of carbon-reinforced composite materials. The passenger seat, the license plate holder and the light are directly bolted to it. |
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| Suspensions. The inverted 48 mm fork and the mono-shock absorber – with offset preload wheel – are new: these are the high-end "Apex" references from WP, KTM brand. The swingarm is also attached closer to the gearbox output pinion in order to lengthen it to improve stability and traction. Objectives achieved ! |
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| Brakes. The 2020 Super Duke R inherits the "Stylema" radial brake calipers from Brembo, which is currently the best available from the Italian manufacturer (out of competition). These monobloc grippers – powerful and dosable – are connected to the two large 320 mm discs via braided hoses. On the road, the very sporty feel requires a little vigilance. The rear brake is excellent: powerful and easy to adjust. |
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| The wheel spins. To replace the excellent Metzeler M7 RR, Bridgestone S22 tires with a sporty profile are chosen as original equipment to fit the new stick rims which each weigh 150 grams less. An important point for handling. |
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| Electronic. The electronics are similar to 2019: cruise control (yes, yes!), Start assistant, three standard driving modes (Rain, Street, Sport) as well as an optional Track mode. Each mode acts on injection, traction control, deactivatable anti-wheeling and angle-sensitive ABS which can also be deactivated at the rear. KTM has softened the actions of the traction control and nose-up, as well as that of the quickshifter. |
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| Track mode. The optional Track mode (344 euros) offers two advantages: to be able to adjust the anti-skating on 9 levels ("on" or "off" as standard) and to access this adjustment by rolling from the new "+ and -" triggers. on the left stalk, as on the Aprilia V4. Otherwise, these keys are used to adjust the cruise control speed.. |
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| All positions. The new six-axis inertial unit is capable of measuring the position of the motorcycle on a lateral and longitudinal plane, but also of detecting variations on its axis: the ECU intervenes in this way before the small excess of optimism sets in. transform into catapult. Discreet and damn efficient ! |
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| Dashboard. The Super Duke R receives a new tilting 5-inch instrumentation, still of the color TFT type as in 2019. This screen and the backlit arrows on the left give relatively easy access to the numerous sub-menus. It is also possible to connect it to a phone via Bluetooth with the KTM My Ride app. |
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| On the reserve. The gas tank is redesigned to become narrower between the legs. Good for ergonomics, but it is to the detriment of its capacity: this steel element goes from 18 liters in 2019 to 16 liters in 2020. Two liters less which favor the general lightening of the motorcycle: 189 kg dry against 195 kg in 2019 ! |
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| Strong arguments. In addition to the rims, the chassis and the engine, KTM has gained weight on the muffler (1 kg), the new rear loop (1 kg) and a few hundred grams thanks to the new triple trees and brake calipers, more compact. |
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