KTM 1290 Super Duke-based Brabus 1300R unveiled

- Brabus 1300 R hyper naked unveiled

- Based on the KTM 1290 Super Duke EVO

- Limited to 154 units only

KTM, along with the German tuning company Brabus, has developed and unveiled the 2022 1300 R hyper naked motorcycle. It is based on KTM’s flagship naked offering, the 1290 Super Duke EVO.

Although the Brabus 1300 R is essentially a KTM 1290 Super Duke mechanically, there are a lot of elements that make the former extravagant and special. As is apparent from the pictures, the design of the Brabus is nothing like the Duke but it exudes more of a power cruiser vibe. The round headlamp is flanked by angular nacelle while the fuel tank gets large air intakes with winglets. As muscular as is the front end, the rear is equally pointy and upswept. 

Interestingly, a majority of body panels of the 1300 R are made up of carbon fibre. Furthermore, the footpegs, CNC brake and clutch levers, and nine-spoke alloy wheels are all unique to the Brabus. What’s been retained from the Super Duke though is the five-inch full-colour TFT instrument cluster which gets smartphone connectivity. 

Propelling this juggernaut is the same 1,301cc, twin-cylinder, liquid-cooled engine that powers the KTM 1290 Super Duke EVO. It produces 180bhp of power and 140Nm of peak torque and the six-speed gearbox gets a bi-directional quick shifter as standard. Other rider aids include traction control, engine brake control, cruise control, multiple riding modes, and more. With the WP Apex suspension setup and Brembo Stylema brake calipers, the Brabus is just as premium mechanically as the Duke.

The Brabus 1300 R will be limited to just 154 units including 77 units of two colour options each. In the UK, it has been priced 34,549 GBP (approximately Rs 35 lakh) which is a significant premium over the 1290 Super Duke.