RideFast July 2020 2

Pictured here is the
Prototype version of the
2020 KTM 1290 SD R,
which this local custom
build is based upon.
Remember how sexy Salma
Hayek was in the movie ‘From
Dusk Till Dawn’? That oh-sogorgeous
body being flaunted
in that devilish Bikini, seducing us
men with her perfect curves and
that oh-so-deadly smile. Well,
she has nothing on this KTM 1290
SuperDuke R by RAD KTM. Just
like Salma in that Bikini, this 1290
SuperDuke R has that same sexy,
deadly look and is also dressed
half-naked. It also has all the right
curves in the right places, enough
to make any man or women weak
at the knees.
The KTM 1290 SuperDuke R has
always been a mean looking and
riding machine, and for the 2020
version things just get better, as
both myself and Donovan Fourie
have found out and reported on.
The world’s first glimpse of
the new 2020 1290 SD R was
actually a prototype model
(pictured left) and this got
fans like myself drooling at the
mouth properly – sharper edges,
meaner look, faster lap times
– what more could we possibly
want. It also came out dawned
in this oh-so-racy livery that just
complimented the entire bikes
raw, yet defined look. But alas,
KTM were just teasing us as the
production versions came out
with a slightly more refined and
corporate look, which still excites
from every angle.
But, there are fans out there
that want that prototype racy
look, one of those being Mr.
Graeme Stretton who was the
first recipient of a new 2020
KTM 1290 SD R here in SA. This is
how I got to meeting Graeme as
I asked him for an article on his
new bike before us press were
able to test it. He also had gen 1
and gen 2 models so it was great
to hear his feedback. He then
went on to show me his plans
for his new machine, sending me
pictures of the bike being done.
Eye popping stuff for sure and
I immediately told him that we
would do a feature on the bike
once complete.
The amazing team from RAD
KTM in Sandton did all the graft
on the bike, stripping it down and
ordering all the official Powerparts
from the endless catalogue they
have – it really is like reading a
porn mag but for bike parts. Once
the panels and wheels had been
The workmanship
on this local build is
simply sensational.
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