EICMA 2019: 2020 KTM 1290 Super Duke R Revealed

After a series of teasers, the 2020 KTM 1290 Super Duke R, the flagship model from the Austrian motorcycle manufacturer, has been finally revealed at the EICMA 2019 motorcycle show in Milan, Italy. The new KTM 1290 Super Duke R is lighter, with more grunt and has also received a cosmetic facelift for 2020, and will compete head on with naked rivals like the Ducati Streetfighter V4 and Kawasaki Z H2. The 2020 KTM 1290 Super Duke R comes with a brand-new chassis, based on the KTM RC8 superbike. It also sports an updated electronics suite which makes the new model even more compelling in the litre-class streetfighter segment.

The 2020 KTM 1290 Super Duke R gets lighter, a new chassis, new engine internals, and new electronics suite

The reworked LC8, 1,301 cc twin-cylinder engine puts out 177 bhp at 9,500 rpm, as well as 140 Nm of peak torque at 8,000 rpm. KTM engineers have given thinner engine cases, along with revised cooling and oil mounts, as well as new top-feed fuel injectors and 56 mm throttle bodies which are said to have given the 1290 Super Duke R greater control of fuelling, claiming to improve both performance and fuel consumption.

The next generation KTM 1290 Super Duke R sports a revised frame, new wheels, and minor cosmetic upgrades

A new crankcase, and a lighter aluminium/carbon composite rear subframe have contributed to the weight savings, with a claimed 189 kg dry weight. Other weight savings come from lighter wheels, brakes and swingarm. A new six-axis inertial measurement unit (IMU) has been added to the electronics package, which helps power the traction control, wheelie control and cornering ABS. The anti-lock braking system also gets a 'supermoto' mode, which can completely switch off ABS intervention on the rear wheel to lock the rear wheel and slide out of corners. Braking duties are handled by Brembo Stylema calipers gripping 320 mm discs on the front wheel.