K
TM's 1290 Super Duke
has come in for a few
tweaks for model year
2023, the Austrians shav-
ing a bit of weight here and
there to make a lighter overall
machine, while keeping the
mighty 180 horsepower/103
lb-ft V-twin at its peak.
As for the engine, there's
1.7 pounds shaved off the
crankcase that now has the
motor and linkage mounts
integrated into the structure.
This will make for a stiffer
connection to the tubular
steel chassis and has result-
ed in a 5mm higher swingarm
pivot point, which in turn
helps anti-squat when the
gas is wrenched on.
The double-wall oil delivery
line has been replaced by
an alloy one, there's a new
intake, airbox and air filter,
resonator chamber in the
cylinder heads, and a quick-
action throttle that's had the
twist action reduced by seven
degrees for faster and more
responsive acceleration.
As for the chassis, 4.4
pounds has been saved by
the use of thicker diameter
steel tubes with thinner walls.
The suspension is still taken
care of by WP's Semi-Active
Technology (SAT), as it was
in 2022, with variable modes
for basic commuting and full-
blown track attacks.
The remainder of the
electronics have the stan-
dard Rain, Street and Sport
modes, and the optional
Track mode that allows you
access to the nine-stage vari-
able traction control and for
the MSC (Motorcycle Stabil-
ity Control) to be switched
off–the same goes for
anti-wheelie. There's also an
optional Performance mode,
which is basically Track mode
for the street where you can
adjust throttle response, anti-
wheelie and slip, but lets you
keep all the street functions
like cruise control and KTM's
My Ride electronics suite.
It'll be available in De-
cember 2022 and priced at
$20,399 in orange and black
colorways.
CN
FIRST LOOK I 2023 KTM 1290 SUPER DUKE R EVO
P54
2023 KTM 1290
SUPER DUKE R EVO
2023 KTM 1290
Super Duke R EVO
