RideFast Magazine March 2020

front. ABS is permanently on
in front to comply with Euro
5. Also, Motor Slip Regulation,
an electronic supplement to
the mechanical slipper clutch,
returns as an option.
3. Several tweaks save
weight and prepare the 2020
KTM 1290 Super Duke R for
Euro 5 emissions standards.
Internally, the Super Duke R’s
architecture returns—piston,
crank, titanium valves, DLC
coated finger-follower cams,
as well as the bore and stroke,
are identical. However, KTM
engineers worked hard to meet
Euro 5 without compromising
performance goals. They also
took the opportunity to shave
nearly two pounds from the
overall weight of the engine
by slimming the engine cases
and optimizing oil routing,
reducing internal friction. Also,
a lighter-weight water pump
is new. Tighter machining
tolerances for the cylinder,
piston, and piston rings have
been introduced, in the name of
meeting and respecting Euro 5
standards for consistency.
4. The six-speed gearbox
and slipper clutch received a
serious update. New for 2020
is the Pankl-built gearbox that
now features a shorter shifting
stroke and improved actuation.
A new machined splined shaft,
as well as new bronze and
copper coatings on the shift
forks, are responsible for the
noticeable improvements over
the earlier version. The new
KTM 1290 Super Duke R shifts
with precision and less effort
than before. Better yet, the shift
lever itself can be placed in a
short or long-throw position,
allowing owners a bit of finetuning.
Feel at the clutch lever
is light, and it isn’t nearly as
grabby at lower rpm thanks to
redesigned clutch plates that
help with disengagement.
5. KTM’s Quickshifter + is
an option, but I’d consider
it mandatory. The updated
gearbox deserves a round of
applause, though the encore is
reserved for the new up/down
quickshifter featuring improved
kill times and superior shifting
across the entyre rev range.
Previously, the Super Duke R’s
up/down quickshifter could
induce lurching at lower rpm
and wasn’t anywhere as refined.
If you’re buying the new Super
Duke R, make sure you get it.
6. The 2020 KTM Super
Duke R supports a full suite of
electronic rider aids and brand
new six-axis IMU. One of the
significant electronic updates
for 2020 is the inclusion of a
six-axis IMU (previously a fiveaxis)
that improves how ABS or
traction control engages while
factoring slide control into the
revised TC algorithm. The Super
Duke R features cornering Road
ABS, nine-level lean-angledetecting
traction control,
cruise control, and heated grips.
Launch control and Supermoto
ABS are accessed through the
optional track mode. Supermoto
disables rear-wheel ABS, and
removes pitch detection and
cornering detection from the
7. Three ride modes are
available on the 2020 Super
Duke R. Rain, Street, and Sport
are standard on your Super
Duke R from the showroom
floor. Each preset riding mode
modifies the throttle map,
wheelie control and traction
control intervention. Rain offers
the most subdued throttle
response and heaviest rider
aide interventions – perfect for
damp pea-soup fog conditions
we met during the start of our
street ride. Street kicks things
up a notch with noticeably
snappier throttle response
and suitable settings. Sport is
crisp and athletic, with lower
TC settings and a WC level
that will let you loft the front
end – not too high or it will cut
power, but enough to extend
your tentacles with your fellow
cephalopods while in the
canyons. The track throttle map
is the most direct connection—
it’s as aggressive as it gets.
8. The optional R7K plus
Tech Pack includes the Track
Pack, Quickshifter +, MSR,
and adaptive brake light. This
is the way the Super Duke R is
meant to be experienced. The
Track Pack unlocks Track and
Performance modes, allowing
riders to disable wheelie control
and adjust TC on the fly with
the new paddle clickers on the
left-hand controls. Additionally,
riders can change from Road
ABS—which is used across
all preset riding modes—to
Supermoto ABS. Note that
the Motor Slip Regulation is
disabled in Track mode, or when
Supermoto ABS is engaged.
The two riding modes differ
in that Performance mode
will still display the KTM My
Ride navigation, and cruise
control can be used. If you
don’t purchase the Track Pack,
you’ll be stuck with the preset
throttle, WC, and ABS settings.
Depending on your comfort and
skill level, it could be a necessity
when hitting the track.
RIDEFAST MAGAZINE MARCH 2020 55