- 2020 KTM 1290 Super Duke R unveiled at 2019 EICMA
- Gets new styling, updated electronics and revised hardware
- Continues to be powered by the same 1301cc, V-twin motor
The wait and ogling at the teasers is finally over as KTM has officially unveiled its flagship naked, the 1290 Super Duke R. While the big-daddy Duke retains the same engine, it has been majorly overhauled in terms of styling, cycle parts and electronics.
Aesthetically, the new Super Duke looks like the beefed-up version of its predecessor. While the design of the headlamp section has been retained, now it integrates a ram air intake amidst the split LED lamps. The fuel tank looks more muscular with sharp extensions which house air intakes and aero winglets. At the rear, the streetfighter gets an underseat cowl, as opposed to the exposed sub-frame of the previous model while the design of the LED tail lamp has also been tweaked.
The main highlight of the 2020 Super Duke R is the all-new frame which is three-times stiffer than the previous chassis. As per KTM, this unit is 2kg lighter and aids in better handling and front-end feedback for the rider. This is coupled with a revised sub-frame and a longer single-sided swingarm for improved feel and traction.
All of this propelled by the same 1301cc, LC8, V-twin motor which continues to pump out 177bhp and 140Nm of torque. There’s ample of electronics to keep that power in check. This includes four riding modes (Rain, Street, Sport, Track), lean-sensitive traction control, launch control, rear wheel lift control, quick shifter and cornering ABS with Supermoto mode. The 2020 model also gets KTM’s Bluetooth-enabled full-colour TFT instrument cluster.
While KTM will roll out the 2020 Super Duke R in a couple of days in the international markets, the Indian market is unlikely to get it anytime soon.
