Motorcycle specifications KTMSuperduke 1290 R 2021 A minotaur on the prowl

It's morning, you're not wide awake, your eyes are squinting, there's no bowl or cereal in them, and the stock of grenades to set off the fire is empty. But here's an Austrian mix to get you going. Take two good pistons, like 650 cm3 each. Place them in a V so as to make a beastly engine. Heat on a low flame until the temperature passes 80°. Make sure you disconnect the brain, then find a route as twisted as the political class. Now, take a deep breath and make sure you don't approach 10,000 rpm...

If you do, the 1290 Superduke R will go berserk. Since its debut, it's been motivated by nothing else. What if we did worse for this new generation? Oh yeah!!! More horses, a lighter frame, more neurons and less calm. Gone are the days of biscotti; it's time to spray jam.

The Superduke has become more vindictive than ever. Stung to the core by some wild competition, the most powerful production roadster currently on the market.... is no more. The Ducati Streetfighter V4, Kawasaki Z H2 and MV-Agusta 1000 Brutale have all unseated it from the top step. Should she be angry that she's now at the foot of the podium?
Not at all. It retains the title of most wattled twin-cylinder roadster. Perhaps the new queens have big numbers to put forward, but with 180 horsepower from its 1,301 cc engine, the Katoche has plenty to teach the world. This stud remains impressive, too impressive, exhilarating and phantasmagorical in the absolute. It's a little more than last time, for the sake of the sensations and the rage of the pistons.

2021 didn't give the engine any scares, as the staff took care of bringing it up to standard. The most notable changes took place beforehand. The engine-makers had reworked a number of things, including injectors, oil circulation, ignition coils, air intake, intake valves (the use of titanium saves 19 grams compared with steel previously), cylinder head resonance chambers, the water pump and the gas passage (60 mm) in the exhaust manifolds.
This added 3 hp to the engine's output, transmitted via a 6-speed gearbox optimized for smoother, quicker shifts. Bonus: 1.5 kilos of fuel for this pyre full of sulfur, coal and saltpetre, to be used without moderation but with a few precautions. Like a big experiment, for example.
But that's not where the main changes to the 1290 Superduke R took place.

KTM has trimmed the fat, without sacrificing the highly aggressive lines of its "Beast". The tank and sheared shoulders have been given more presence, the exhaust system is completely new, and the rear frame has been redesigned in composite to shed pounds. Bye-bye to the steel secondary trellis, bye bye for a few hundred grams. In keeping with this weight-saving approach, KTM has lightened certain engine casings, adopted new, slimmer rims, and... seriously redesigned the Superduke's frame. A surprising blend of new design and new identity for the Matighoffen-style steel tube assembly. The result is a winner in every respect.

Much more minimalist, the structure is fashioned from fewer tubes, but with larger diameters and finer details. It uses the engine as a load-bearing element. The benefits are twofold: two kilos less than the previous frame / three times more torsional rigidity. On theex-Superduke, it wasn't like a piece of marshmallow. Clearly, the tension in the spine has gone up a notch.
Such a revival gives carte blanche to many peripheral elements. The swingarm jumps at the chance, lengthens, and anchors itself closer to the gearbox output sprocket. This, plus a 15 mm longer wheelbase, augurs greater stability and driveability.
Then there's the suspension, as always from White Power. The 48 mm inverted fork and monoshock feature Apex technology. They are lighter and more efficient than their predecessors. Given the machine's sporty nature, it goes without saying that each can be adjusted in all directions - the rear unit can even adjust its compression at high and low speeds.

Brembo Stylema calipers... Yes, Brembo's big top... How much mass are they going to have to stop now? How much did the little lady lose?
Well, quite a lot. She's smiling down from her 189 kilos, because that's 6 less than the 2017-2019 model. A nice ratio for the hyper-roadster, not far from that of a hypersport.
Take a closer look at the 4-piston monobloc calipers..... Monobloc mounting; 320 mm discs; serious business; good looks; hot smell.... But what's this piece of cable?!?

aBS, of course. What was I thinking? For sure, he's not the only one at the party. Digesting 180 grunts at KTM, or Ducati, or Kawa, or anyone else now, is under the governance of a plethora of microcircuits. When the power flows into the 200mm-wide Bridgestone S22, it will first have been authorized and regulated by traction control, which allows three different levels of wheel drift.
The presence of a 6-axis inertial unit enables the electronic response of on-board assistance systems to be fine-tuned. All have been redesigned for greater smoothness and efficiency. Three driving modes (Rain - Street - Sport) supervise them. There are even two more in the options: Track and Performance. Details of each are given at the bottom of the page. Other options include MSR engine slip control, an adaptive brake light, and a few odds and ends from PowerParts.
Leaving this section, we return to the standard equipment, which includes cruise control, anti-wheeling, an angle-sensitive anti-lock braking system with a Supermoto Mode that deactivates the rear brake, an Up&Down shifter, ATIR function for a more comfortable riding experience.Down shifter, ATIR function to stop flashing after 10 seconds or 150 meters, LED lights with daytime running lights, keyless ignition, tire pressure monitoring, new-generation 5" TFT display and Bluetooth connectivity for the KTM My Ride app. Handy for managing music and smartphone calls. But frankly, there are better things to do with such a missile ;-).

Like grabbing the handlebars, waking up the wild beast, putting your brain in accelerator mode and feeling the machine rumble. On the left, the revised commodo is fully loaded. It's almost like a control-gamer, which is highly appropriate given the number of functions to be controlled. With Track Mode, two buttons can be programmed for one-click access to a function or setting of your choice.
Ergonomics remain unchanged, with a responsive riding position that can be modulated by the 4-way adjustable handlebars or the two-level footrests.

The clan of hyper-roadsters has grown considerably. A Z 1000, a CB 1000 R or a GSX-S 1000 can't even pretend to be among them, as the stairway has become so high. The entry ticket is 160 hp minimum - once in the ring, you need another 50 hp to become the king. Where does this KTM Superduke 1290 R stand? Over-motivated. The toast is blown, the coffee's a long way off, but with it, it's boiling. With more watts, a better power-to-weight ratio, a new chassis and a razor-sharp design to match, the Katoche is a pure menace on the road. On the track, it's a voracious beast in the making. In the palm of your hand, a piece of C4.

M.B. - manufacturer's media

rain mode

Rain mode is the natural setting in wet conditions, and induces maximum traction control, ultra-smooth acceleration response and lower power output, allowing good contact between the front wheel and the ground.

street mode

As the name suggests, Street mode is designed for normal road use. Full power, default acceleration response and limited traction control are required to maintain control on the road.

sport mode

Calibrated for more adventurous rides, Sport mode intensifies throttle control, slightly reduces traction control and allows the front end to lift under hard acceleration. The last mode, of course, unleashes the full power of the engine.

track mode (optional)

For true racing behavior, the optional Track mode allows the driver to customize certain functions to suit his or her driving style, such as the level of slip allowed by traction control or the ability to deactivate anti-wheeling.

performance mode (optional)

Riders retain the ability to adjust throttle response, wheel slip and anti-wheeling, while retaining typical road functions such as cruise control and KTM MY RIDE.