KTM 1290 Super Duke RR 2023 — Specifications

The Super Duke RR is back. Following a stunning success in 2021, where the entire production run sold out in less than an hour, KTM has decided to do it again. Radical roadster enthusiasts will be able to indulge themselves, with a machine that has revised colors but has not relinquished its circuit-ready Mad Max potential.

Let's see what's simmering inside. The same cocktail as the previous edition; and we never tire of discovering it. At Katoche, they add an R for more aggressive models or to enhance the original capabilities. These 'enhanced' models quickly complement the standard machines. Except for the Super Duke 1290, which arrived directly in RR trim, never without.

So, when the Austrians add another R on top of that, it smells like gunpowder (already lit) and burnt rubber before even making contact. The Super Duke 1290 RR, let me tell you, sliders are almost mandatory when you approach it.

Imagine a Super Duke and an RR placed side by side, with a checkered flag nearby. The twins are warming up, shaking the surrounding air with their ferocious pulsations. No jealousy here, the same force throbs in the cylinders. Big, unreasonable, a 180 horsepower engine churned out by a 1301 cm3 displacement. It's at the top of the breath that the R starts to grimace, because the RR benefits from a titanium Akrapovic silencer with some carbon fiber parts. Louder, more exhilarating, lighter, it represents only the surface of the threat. The extra R means more efficiency for this hyperfighter and a significant weight reduction. 9 kilos less!

That's it, we're sweating! With 180 horsepower for 180 kg, the Super Duke RR announces the magic power-to-weight ratio of 1:1. It almost matches the 1200 Speed Triple RS but pulls harder with almost 2 mkg of torque more than the English bike. 1.5 kg have disappeared thanks to the forged wheels. Double benefit for agility by removing unsprung weight. A lithium-ion battery saves 2.5 kg, we reduce the license plate holder to the bare minimum to gain more mass, the rear lights are integrated into the turn signals, the CNC-machined steering stem removes another 320 grams; and for the rest, the manufacturer grafts a good series of carbon fiber parts. The fiber has been used for the rear fairing supporting a single-seat, part of the bodywork and the tank console, the heel protectors and the rear fender including the chain guard.

Often to lighten, sometimes to combine with additional efficiency. Look at the Brembo Stylema brake calipers. Not only does the equipment equip the best sportbikes on the market, but here, its cooling is optimized with specific air ducts. The front fender adopts a specific shape, shortened at the nose to change wheels more easily.

When all the lights are green and the eyes are bloodshot, you could almost wonder if it will hold up at the tire level. No problem, it's Michelin Power Cup2, a tire on the edge of competition. More than that, open it wide, and weld faster than expected because the throttle is quick-action. 65° angle of rotation instead of 72°. We will have taken care before leaving to adjust the height of the footpegs - the Gilles Tooling footpegs are made for that, with 12 possible positions. Note also the presence of a brake lever protector.

To really exploit all of this and push the limits, a higher-quality suspension kit will finish transcending the monster. WP brings out its Apex Pro kit, with components made of aluminum. The 48 mm inverted fork is adjustable everywhere, as is the 7746 shock absorber. The latter was custom-made for this RR. A very accomplished part that allows you to adjust the rebound, preload, the length of the shock absorber from 353 to 360 mm as well as the compression at high and low speed. This duo of shocks announces better rigidity in driving phases. Last damping element on board, the steering damper 7117 (Apex Pro as well) has 30 positions. The frame retains its specificities, with the engine as a stiffening element fixed to the steel trellis. We will twist our jaws before twisting such a frame.

The gearbox in Mattighoffen has put a lot of effort into electronics for its latest beast. There are two additional riding Modes – already available as an option for the 1290 R but installed as standard here. We will detail them a little later. So, the driving assistance equipment is comprehensive: 5 riding Modes, a cornering traction control (9 levels), engine slip regulation (deactivatable), an ABS cornering with Supermoto mode to deactivate the rear monitoring, a quickshifter Up&Down, an anti-wheelie (deactivatable), a launch control – all reconfigured for the track temperament of the Super Duke RR… and to complete the high-tech: a speed regulator, tire pressure monitoring, automatic turn signal deactivation, a 5-inch TFT color screen, the KTM My Ride app to pilot the smartphone and its music, all LED lighting, an adaptive taillight, and a keyless start and locking system.

Hypersports have lost the territory of the road, now dominated by combat roadsters. Their protected hunting ground, the circuit, is now also threatened by machines as sharp as this Super Duke 1290 RR. KTM has developed a ferocious tool, for demanding enthusiasts; those who eat vibrator for breakfast. Production will be, like in 2021, limited to 500 units, for a rather toxic price.

To get even more sensations, KTM also offers some PowerParts parts. It hits hard but given what it took to case the RR.... By chance, let's see what it looks like with the Akrapovic kit: more torque available, 5 horsepower added to the engine, 6.4 kilos removed! A 185 hp Super Duke at 173.6 kg, that should hurt the tarmac.

M.B - Photo manufacturer

The riding Modes of the KTM Super Duke 1290 RR:

- 'Rain' is an extremely simple Mode for slippery conditions, which translates to maximum traction control, a very soft throttle response and reduced power to 130 hp.

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- 'Street' : As the name suggests, the 'Street' Mode is made for urban driving on a daily basis. To maintain good control on the road, it uses full power, a default throttle response and limited traction control for slip.

- 'Sport' : Calibrated for more daring courses, the 'Sport' Mode intensifies the throttle control, slightly reduces traction control and allows the front to lift during sudden acceleration. It allows you to release all the power of the engine.

-'Performance' : This is the most aggressive road riding Mode. It allows you to partially customize traction control and deactivate the anti-wheelie. It also allows you to switch the launch control and offers some practical features such as the speed regulator and the KTM My Ride.

- 'Track' : To get a real racing behavior, the 'Track' Mode offered as standard on this Super Duke RR allows the driver to adapt certain functions to his driving style, such as the level of slip allowed by the traction control or the possibility of deactivating the anti-wheelie. The TFT screen visibility is also improved; it only displays the information that the driver needs. In this mode, the speed regulator and the KTM My Ride are deactivated.