RideFast Magazine March 2020

WORLD LAUNCH TEST: 2020 KTM 1290 SUPERDUKE R
MANAGED
ANGER
The 2020 KTM 1290 Super Duke R has kicked off the year right with an
extensive revision. KTM’s sportbike flagship comes out swinging with a
completely new stiffened chassis, revised geometry, updated electronics,
weight savings, and engine updates that tease out a few more ponies.
Words: ultimatemotorcycling.com | Pics: Simpson (Świat Motocykli)
Dubbed The Beast 3.0 by
KTM, the 2020 Super Duke R
marks the third iteration of
the Austrian brand’s beloved
V-twin powered wheelie
ambassador. Importantly, all
the updates aim at making
it an even sportier, trackcapable
weapon, without
compromising its street
readiness.
I packed my bags and
headed off to the curvy
backroads of the Algarve
region in Portugal—plus
a visit to the dynamic and
demanding circuit that is
Autódromo Internacional do
Algarve, otherwise known as
Portimão—to see what the
2020 KTM 1290 Super Duke R
had in store. Without further
ado, here are the Fast Facts.
1. The Beast’s 1301cc LC8
75-degree V-twin heart
is stronger than ever,
producing three additional
ponies on the trot. If you
enjoy gigantic, quick-revving,
torque-rich V-twins, look no
further—your chariot has
arrived. The Super Duke R
has always delivered those
qualities in spades, and
now promises a dyno-chart
stomping 180 horsepower
at 9500 rpm and 140Nm of
torque at 8000 rpm, with
roughly 86-percent of that
torque accessible at 4,500
rpm. It’s buttery-smooth,
linear, and comically
powerful, yet maintains a
civilized personality when
cruising about town without
the excessive lumpiness
that twins of this size
52 RIDEFAST MAGAZINE MARCH 2020