class. For taller riders, it offers a tremendous amount of legroom. New for this year are adjustable rearsets that allow riders to raise or push the footpegs back. You can also switch to GP-shift by moving one bolt, and choose from a long or short stroke on the shift lever. I never once found myself dragging toes, as I did on the previous bike. The 4.2-gallon tank is redesigned and offers more support when braking, which genuinely helps reduce fatigue. 13. Fresh suspension is aboard the Beast 3.0. A newly designed, fully adjustable 43mm WP Apex fork can be tailored to your needs, and for the first time on a Super Duke R, it features adjustable spring-preload. On the street, the damping is controlled and supple enough to hide most of the rough stuff. On the track, it’s more than up to some hard-braking zones, while also keeping front end confidence high. A physically larger cartridge sits in those fork tubes, while a new machined recess in the fork caps prevents the springs from jostling around, improving the actuation. The all-new fully adjustable WP shock has separate damping reservoirs and circuits to ensure consist behavior as the shock heats up. It also comes with a remote spring-preload adjuster. In practice, the shock performed admirably, helping keep the Super Duke R nice and tidy on and off the circuit. 14. The Beast hits the gym and cuts the fat. KTM engineers made it a goal to shave weight where they could. It wasn’t achieved by dropping weight from one part in particular; a few grams here and there all add up. It’s done in some smart ways, with the bodywork being thicker at stress points and thinner in less critical areas. Borrowing a page from the 790 Duke playbook, the Super Duke R’s subframe is now one lightweight unit of aluminum and composite materials, as opposed to the streel trellis subframe. The fuel tank also lost a half-gallon of capacity, further reducing the curb weight. Virtually all components from the frame, engine, suspension, wheels, have dropped a few grams. The result is a curb weight of 462 pounds, about 10 pounds lighter than last year. 15. Brembo delivers the goods once again. Up front, we have the coveted Brembo Stylema four-piston monoblock calipers clamping onto dual 320mm floating rotors. In the rear, a dual-piston caliper seizes upon a 240mm rotor. In practice, the feel at the Brembo lever is impressive and offers more than enough stopping power to halt The Beast in its tracks. The rear, which you’ll use on this bike, has great feel and can be used to tighten up lines or as wheel control. 16. The <strong>2020</strong> KTM 1290 Super Duke R gets some fresh kicks— it’s all-new wheels and tyres for the orange machine. Redesigned alloy wheels are lighter and stronger, and have 120/70 and 200/55 Bridgestone Battlax Hypersport S22 tyres mounted. While they are Bridgestone S22s, Bridgestone developed the OEM rear tyre specifically for this model, utilizing the same carcass construction from its race rubber to improve grip and feel. As far as street tyres go, they communicate the information well and performed admirably on the track, session after session. 17. The Beast is still one of the comfiest in the class. In <strong>2020</strong>, the sub-33-inch seat height returns, with the handlebar lowered and pushed forward slightly to put even more weight over the front wheel. The handlebar can be adjusted forward nearly an inch. Even with those changes, it’s still easily one of the most comfortable machines in its 18. A fresh five-inch TFT display and new hand controls await. The last Super Duke R’s TFT display certainly wasn’t bad, but this is clearer and displays information more thoughtfully. Importantly, new hand controls are much easier to use while riding, and KTM wisely included paddle buttons to adjust TC settings while in track mode. When in standard modes, those paddle buttons control your cruise control speed. There is Bluetooth connectivity and, when coupled with the KTM My Ride navigation app, riders will be able to see turn-by-turn navigation displayed, as well as answer phone calls, should they be utilizing an in-helmet audio system from Sena or Cardo. 19. The <strong>2020</strong> KTM 1290 Super Duke R is a serious evolutionary step, and a welcome one at that. KTM engineers should pop the sekt, because the <strong>2020</strong> Super Duke R is now equally at home on the street or track. Previously, I lamented about the Super Duke’s softer chassis when pushed on the circuit and now, you won’t hear me say such a thing. It feels sportier, fiercer, and far more pointed than previous generations while retaining the streetable mannerisms that make it suitable for a weekend getaway, quick canyon rip, or track day. Beyond that, the updated TC is stellar. Do you like insane amounts of torque and power wheelies? Get yourself in the saddle of a <strong>2020</strong> KTM 1290 Super Duke R as soon as possible. For more info regarding price and availability contact your nearest KTM dealer. 58 RIDEFAST MAGAZINE MARCH <strong>2020</strong>
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