Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/786372
2017 KTM 1290 SUPER DUKE R FIRST TEST P70 O ne of the great things about KTM is they back up their products with a massive arrange of aftermarket go-fast bits via the PowerParts catalog. The new Super Duke is no different, and in the Qatar pits sitting next to a box-stock streetbike, equipped with a European license plate, is a worked Super Duke that looks rather close to my own, PowerParts-equipped first generation machine. up to 10—the engine pumps out more ponies, the suspension takes the braking, cornering and acceleration abuse far better than a standard bike and the fitment of slick tires presents ever more extreme lean angles and I crank the bike over, and over, and over, and it still keeps gripping. The extra traction control options are a welcome addition with this race-inspired model. On my first generation bike, 2017 KTM 1290 SUPER DUKE R ENGINE: ..................................75° V-twin POWER: .....177 hp @ 9750rpm (claimed) TORQUE: ......104 lb-ft @ 7000rpm (claimed) DISPLACEMENT: ...........................1301cc BORE X STROKE: ............... 108 x 71mm COMPRESSION RATIO: ..................13.6:1 FUEL SYSTEM: ...Keihin EFI, 4 x 56mm throttle bodies EXHAUST: .........................................2-2-1 TRANSMISSION: .....................Six-speed CHASSIS: ..Chromium-Molybdenum-Steel trellis frame, powder coated FRONT SUSPENSION: .................. 48mm inverted WP fork with, rebound and compression damping adjustability. 4.9 in. travel. REAR SUSPENSION: ...... WP shock with spring preload, rebound and compres- sion damping adjustability. 6.1 in. travel. FRONT BRAKE: ............................ Brembo Monobloc four piston, radially mounted caliper, 320mm disc. ABS REAR BRAKE: ......... Brembo two piston, fixed caliper, 240mm disc. ABS FRONT TIRE: .......................120/70 ZR17 REAR TIRE: ......................... 190/55 ZR17 HEAD ANGLE: ...................................65.1° TRAIL: .............................................4.2 in. WHEELBASE: ............................... 55.8 in. SEAT HEIGHT: ............................. 32.8 in. FUEL CAPACITY: .......................... 4.7 gal. WEIGHT: ............... 429 lb (dry, claimed) COLOR: ................ White/Orange, Black MSRP: ..........................................$17,999 S P E C I F I C A T I O N S THE This Qatar bike is equipped with the WP Super Competition Shock, WP Competition Cartridge Kit, full titanium Akrapovic Evo race exhaust, PowerParts triple-clamp set, and a host of other bolt-on parts including the brake and clutch lever protectors, brake and clutch fluid reservoir cover, PowerParts race brake pads, rearsets, different brake discs, carbon front guard, and the solo race seat and Dunlop slicks. The on-track performance is sublime. It really is night-and- day difference to a standard Super Duke. Everything about the performance is ratcheted running with the traction control on with brand new tires generally makes the system kick in more than I'd like. This new generation machine has the advantage in that I can dial the amount of slip I want, and maximize the drive better. Aside from the electronics and the better throttle response, this bike feels very similar to what I raced at Pikes Peak in 2016. It's sharper, faster and more fun than a standard Super Duke by a long, long way. But then again, if you tallied the parts up, you're looking at over $30K. So you'd want it to be good. Special ONE