2020 K TM 1290 SUPER DUKE R
R I D E R E V I E W
P86
Stopping the beast up front are
new Brembo Stylema calipers—the
same as on the Ducati Panigale V4
S, for example—with new, 500-gram
lighter five spoke "star" wheels fitted.
These are wrapped in Bridgestone's
S22 rubber (you can read the test of
these tires here), with a new rear tire
made especially for the Super Duke.
The belt construction is softer than
what you'd get on a base model S22
and offers not just incredible grip
but amazing longevity. Case in point:
Bridgestone didn't change the tires
after a full day at Portimao, meaning
each front and rear tire would have
done at least 12 20-minute sessions,
with plenty of grip and life still on
offer. A golf clap to Bridgestone,
please, ladies and gentlemen.
THE ELECTRONICS
When I look back at my 2015 model
SD, it looks positively archaic com-
pared to what's on offer now. I had
three riding modes, heated grips and
Supermoto mode on the ABS, Motor
Slip Regulation (MSR), and on/off
traction control. That's it.
Now, KTM has fitted five possible
riding modes (Rain, Street and Sport
as standard fitment, Track and Per-
formance with the aftermarket Track
Package), cruise control, wheelie
control, nine-stage adjustable traction
control, Cornering ABS with Super-
moto mode (disconnecting rear ABS
but keeping it on the front to, you
know, back that baby in), optional
quickshifter (you'll want this), and you
can preset two modes of all your set-
tings via the admittedly clunky looking
switch atop the right handlebar.
The shock now
works off a linkage,
and the ride
quality is all the
better for it.
