RideFast Aug2020

“The fueling map
installed by Maestro
Mike in the RAD KTM
kitchen was smooth
as silk, but still
packed that punch
– it’s Tyson Fury in a
Louis Vuitton gown.”
I get many people asking me how good the new KTM
1290 SuperDuke R is, and my answer is always the same;
“It surprises me every time I ride it.” It really does. I’ve
spent a bit of time on the bike now out on the road and
on track, short and long, and every time I find myself
surprised with just how good KTM have stepped up the
overall performance of the bike – from engine to chassis –
the complete package is simply spectacular!
The team from RAD Moto KTM in Sandton then asked
me to take their demo bike for a test ride. Me being one
that never shy’s away from riding any sportbike I gladly
accepted and took their 2020 demo model out to RSR to
test along with the other 5 naked bikes we had on test.
The RAD KTM demo model is equipped with a host
of stunning official KTM Powerparts, but the main
improvement comes from the full Akro pipe and map
installed to the bike. Up till now, I had not tested a new SD
1290 R with this fitted so was keen to see if it made the
big difference the team from RAS had promised me it did.
Simple answer, it did make a massive difference, and it
truly opened up the machine and gave it its true powers –
it was true SuperDuke fully unleashed!
Power all through the rev range was stronger and more
responsive, while the roaring sound from the LC8 motor
was amplified to a very satisfying
and seductive sound, one to which
my ears and body reacted to with
sheer delight!
The extra punch out of the
corners was huge, compared to
a stock 1290, and the one we
featured in the naked bike test
with just the slip-on fitted. The
fueling map installed by Maestro
Mike in the RAD KTM kitchen was
smooth as silk, but still packed
that punch – it’s Tyson Fury in a
Louis Vuitton gown.
The KTM Track Pack had also
been installed on this bike, so there
was less interference from the
electronics, but still just enough to
help keep everything in check and
keep my “I’m Brad Binder and can
do anything” feeling while riding this
bike in check.
Overall, another incredible job
done by the team at RAD Moto
KTM who really know how to get
the best out of their products. On
top of that, they also managed
to crack the indicator dilemma.
When the full pipe is fitted, the
ECU does not allow the indicators
to work, as installing a full system
is actually not allowed in most
markets around the world, but
here in SA, we don’t mind loud,
roaring machines. So, Maestro
Mike once again put his skills to the
test and was the first to crack the
code so to speak, and they can
now install the full pipe and have
the indicators working. Well done
guys, great job all-round!
If you are in the market for a
new sportsbike and are keen
to test ride the new 1290 SD R
then give RAD KTM a call and
arrange a test ride on not only
this marvelous 1290, but they
also have a 890 Duke R demo
available, which is also a real treat
having had the RAD Touch!
Tel 011 234 5007
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