RIDE REVIEW I 2022 KTM 1290 SUPER DUKE R
P106
rear spring preload to be set via the
dash with up to 20mm of adjust-
ment over 10 steps in either 0-100
percent or in 2mm increments.
There's also an optional Sus-
pension Pro setting, which gives
you different preload modes for
high speed/high force braking to
stop the suspension from plunging
through its stroke. In here are three
settings, Track, Advanced and
Auto. Plus there's an automatic pre-
load auto-leveling at Low, Standard
and High. You got that?
Aside from the springers, there's
new colors and the throttle uses
a new 65° quick-turn twist tube,
similar to a race throttle, so you get
more go earlier in the twist.
Aside from that, everything else
is the same as in 2020. Along with
the suspension you get three riding
modes (Rain, Street and Sport),
and the optional Track Mode, that
gives you access to the launch
control, nine-stage traction control,
anti-wheelie, etc.
There's been no motor changes,
so those 180 Austrian horses are
still at your beck and call, as is the
rather ridiculous 103 lb-ft of torque.
Having such grunt in your right
hand is a powerful feeling and one
I never tire of experiencing. There's
so, so much torque that you find
yourself pulling fourth-gear wheel-
ies simply because you can, and
hardly any other street bike on the
road today will do so.
But that motor is probably the
most flexible V-twin ever created.
Bank the Super Duke in an max
out the grip from those excellent
Bridgestone S22's. The Super Duke
really is the complete package.
