FIRST RIDE
P44
2014 KTM 1290 SUPER DUKE R
KTM fitted the
Super Duke with
the good bits
and fitted it with
slicks for a fourlap flog around
Ascari.
from with the Sport, Street and
Rain modes all easy to access
through a switch located on the
left side handlebar control.
But even with the added power mode features, the increased
torque and horsepower of the
new 1290 Super Duke R can be
quite a handful so KTM went to
Bosch for help. Bosch came on
board and has provided the latest
in MTC traction control technology and ABS braking assistance,
giving the rider every advantage
available as to ensure that they
have full control over the motorcycle. Of course, anybody can fit
these kinds of controls to a mo-
torcycle but they will only work as
well as they are developed.
And that's where KTM got it
right. On the first evening of the
press launch in Spain, I was fortunate to be sitting with former
Grand Prix star Jeremy McWilliams and the Bosch engineer
responsible for the new ABS and
Traction Control that is standard
issue on the 1290 Super Duke R.
We talked in length about the process of setting up the new 1290 R
and how important the feel and response both traction control and
ABS are to the rider. I'm not that
familiar with TC so to have someone of McWilliams experience
involved was reassuring that the
system would be top notch.
Turns out that McWilliams was
instrumental in the overall development of the 1290 Super Duke
R, including the chassis and
even tire selection. Electronics
aside, there is still plenty to a motorcycle that needs attention.
I still can't believe that KTM
decided to redesign its RC8 R
motor in order to get more power
out of what was already a perfectly good lump. Perhaps there
is a new Superbike on the way?
Actually by re-designing the existing RC8 R motor KTM was able
to make it lighter, increase the
