KTM have unveiled their updated 1290 Super Duke R models. The already wild bikes have received even more changes to make this amazing bike even better!.. Press Release: KTM ANZ.
When the first KTM 990 SUPER DUKE models broke cover in 2005, they brought a surprising blend of supermoto hooliganism and street bike usability to the fore. Now it’s time for KTM to release the new generation of SUPER DUKE with the 1290….
Check out our launch review of the 2020 1290 Super Duke R here…
A new frame concept, using the engine to get 3x more torsional stiffness than that of its predecessor, while the new braced, single-sided swingarm further reduced weight while increasing stiffness by 15 per cent, improving lean angle stability and more feedback from the rear wheel. The swingarm pivot was also moved up by 5 mm for a more neutral anti-squat behavior, improving chassis balance under hard acceleration were some of the updates made in 2020.
“For 2022, that trend continues with a new blast of colour and updated technological developments with a new member to the 1290 SUPER DUKE R.”
Further weight reduction also came by way of reduced wall thickness inside the engine, eliminating the old oil channel in a double-wall, and replacing it with a lightweight aluminum oil line. The rear shock linkage mount was integrated in engine casing. For 2022, that trend continues with a new blast of colour and updated technological developments with a new member to the 1290 SUPER DUKE R.
With development focused on making fast riders even faster, while making the KTM 1290 SUPER DUKE R less imposing and easier to ride at pace – at the same time, immense effort was also made for professional riders on the track. For that reason, KTM has launched the KTM 1290 SUPER DUKE R EVO alongside the 2022 KTM 1290 SUPER DUKE R, delivering exactly what riders asked for.
Drawing on the KTM 1290 SUPER DUKE R’s already legendary status, the EVO brings more tech to the fore, adding 2nd generation semi-active suspension from WP.
With new Semi-Active Technology (SAT) from WP, the KTM 1290 SUPER DUKE R EVO retains its class-leading hyper-naked ferocity but gains an even wider range of usability.
Riders can make quick changes to the suspension through the TFT menu, like preload and dampening…
Three different damping modes – COMFORT, STREET, SPORT – are available as standard equipment, with the rear spring preload having the ability to be set by up 20mm, via the TFT menu. This is done in 10 steps according to the requirements of the rider, with the adjustability settings ranging from 0 per cent to 100 per cent, in 10 per cent (which are equivalent to 2mm increments). In addition to the standard suspension settings, the optional SUSPENSION PRO package offers three more damping modes, namely TRACK, ADVANCED, and AUTO.
TRACK provides the stiffest available setting developed internally by KTM test riders to provide the ideal setting for track days and specifically set up for faster race tracks where you need additional support under hard braking and brutal acceleration.
2022 KTM 1290 Super Duke R EVO Suspension Settings
- ADVANCED – allows the rider to select the level of damping for the fork and shock on a scale from 1 to 8. This suits more technical riders who are looking for the smallest marginal gains and want to fine-tune and tailor their suspension settings for their riding styles.
- AUTO – is the most intelligent of the trio and is capable of detecting different riding styles and automatically adapting the damping of suspension, being softer and more comfortable when cruising through the city, and harder and more focused when riding aggressively on a fast mountain pass. This auto adjustment between modes happens instantly without any interference in the ride.
- SUSPENSION PRO – also offers three automatic preload auto-levelling settings – LOW, STANDARD, and HIGH. In this instance, the suspension is able to adjust the preload automatically in accordance with the weight of the rider and recreate 3 defined geometries: AUTO-STANDARD: neutral and balanced geometry, AUTO-LOW: relaxed, less aggressive, more comfortable geometry, with a lower seat height, AUTO-HIGH: aggressive, agile track attack geometry, with a more loaded front end.
Another optional feature on SUSPENSION PRO is an anti-diving setting that keeps the front-end high under hard braking. Obviously, as with most electronic functions, it can be switched off. The 2022 KTM SUPER DUKE R retains its class-leading WP APEX forks with split function on the front and a fully adjustable WP APEX shock absorber with separate gas and oil reservoirs on the rear.
While the attack-ready stance and muscled haunches of the KTM 1290 SUPER DUKE R will be familiar to most, a new colour palette is introduced to further its beastly presence. A striking blue and orange livery is flanked by an all-new silver and orange which complement the aggressive and hard-hitting appeal of the KTM 1290 SUPER DUKE R and 1290 SUPER DUKE R EVO.
Lightweight 5 spoke forged wheels, 6.00inx17 on the rear and 3.5inx17 on the front, are finished in hot orange, complimenting the standard KTM ‘R’ model signature with specific orange frame.
Despite the new active suspension, the EVO sees a weight gain of only 2kg…
The weight increase due to the newly fitted semi-active suspension is minimal, tipping the scales at a minimal 2kg, raising the KTM 1290 SUPER DUKE R EVO’s dry weight to 191kg. But with a hefty 132kW and 140Nm propelling it forward.
Throttle response is given a further boost with the addition of a new quick turn throttle twist grip, reduced by 7 degrees to 65 degrees. This was developed to deliver improved throttle response, but also to reduce the rider’s wrist angle and elbow drop at full opening.
Selecting any of the settings can be performed on the fly, via updated switchgear which provide riders with a more premium and tactile action.
The KTM 1290 SUPER DUKE R and KTM 1290 SUPER DUKE R EVO maintain the RAIN, STREET, SPORT, and optional TRACK and PERFORMANCE ride modes affording riders improved feedback about what the engine is doing, with less intrusive traction control and anti-wheelie mitigation. Selecting any of the above settings can be performed on the fly, via updated switchgear which provide riders with a more premium and tactile action.
2022 KTM 1290 Super Duke R (EVO in brackets) Specifications
Price: $TBA
Colours: Silver/Orange or Blue/Orange
Claimed Power: 132kW[177hp]@9500rpm
Claimed Torque: 140Nm[104lbs-ft]@8000rpm
Semi Wet Weight: 198kg without fuel (Dry EVO: 191kg)
Fuel capacity: 16L
Engine: Liquid-cooled 75-degree, 1301cc, DOHC 8-valve four-stroke. Bore x stroke 108mm x 71mm, 56mm throttle-bodies, Keihin EFI, 13.5:1 compression
Gearbox: Six-speed, optional quickshifter
Clutch: Wet multi-plate slipper, hydraulic actuation
Chassis: Tubular steel cradle frame/trellis with carbon-fibre sub-frame and alloy swingarm
Rake: 25.2°
Trail: 106mm
Suspension: WP APEX 48mm forks, three-way adjustability, 125mm travel, WP shock, three-way adjustability, 140mm travel (WP Semi-active Suspension USD 48mm GEN.2, WP Semi-active Rear Shock GEN.2)
Brakes: Bembo 320mm rotors (f), Brembo Stylema calipers and Brembo master-cylinder, 240mm rotor (r), Brembo two-piston caliper, Cornering ABS
Wheels & Tyres: Lightweight 5 spoke forged wheels, 120/70 – 17 and 200/55 – 17
Dimensions
Wheelbase: 1497mm
Seat height: 835mm
Ground clearance: 160mm
Overall width: N/A
Overall Length: N/A
Overall height: N/A
Instruments: TFT (electronically adjustable suspension)
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