2017 KTM 1290 SUPER DUKE R
FIRST TEST
P66
NO MORE KEY
As is becoming the norm for high end
motorcycles these days, KTM has
graced the 2017 Super Duke with a
keyless ignition. The steering lock is
also electronic, activated by turning
the bars to the left and holding the
ignition (LUB) switch for two seconds.
The My Ride system is optional
fitment on the Super Duke and
allows you to pair your smartphone
to the bike and your chosen headset,
enabling you to make or take calls,
and change the music you're listening
to via the TFT digital dashboard.
Duke under lights, just like KTM's
new golden boy, Brad Binder.
Qatar has one of the longest
straights I've ever been on, and
even on a Super Duke it takes
quite a while to get down it. But
it also has one of the hardest
braking points of any MotoGP
track in the world immediately
preceding it, and here the Super
Duke really shines.
The engineers from WP have
used a heavier spring in the fork
to allow a bit more track prowess
and you can feel it in the 2017 ver-
sion. It will hold itself up a bit bet-
ter under brakes than the 2014-16
machine and when matched
with the slipper clutch and the
optional Motor Slip Regulation
The exposed subframe
looks tough as nails.
suspension and ergonomics give
a comfortable, smooth ride, one
you can ride to the café as easily
as you can thrash the daylights
out of on the track, just like the
bike it replaces.
TOE-TO-TOE WITH
THE BEAST 2.0
Ready to Race is KTM's motto.
Has been for years. So there's
no better way to exploit this com-
pany philosophy than by bang-
ing its premier naked sportbike
around the incredible track that
is the Losail International Circuit,
commonly known as the place
MotoGP kicks off its season
every year.
This facility is h-u-g-e. From the
width of the racetrack to the run-
off to the pit complex, it makes
Laguna Seca's facilities look de-
cidedly second rate. And we got
the opportunity to ride the Super
See the guy in the
background? He
backed off when
on launch control,
and the bike
didn't like it.
