Milan Motor Show 2012: KTM 1290 Super Duke R prototype, the beast returns

2023 Author: Nicholas Abramson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-11-27 02:44

Too long it takes KTM without completely updating its most mythical streetfighter, the KTM 990 Super Duke. A model I had for two years that only made me happy every time I went out on the road with her. And that was the first version, with its oddities and small defects that were polishing. But the renovation is very close and for example, KTM has brought to the Milan Motor Show 2012 the prototype of its successor, called KTM 1290 Super Duke R.

Go ahead that it is a prototype And as such, Mattighofen's engineering team has not had any design limitations. That is why we find prototype suspensions, brakes and competition wheels, two megaphones that they would not even pass the MotoGP homologation … But sometimes this is the beauty, creating something as you want on which to later base the final bike.

They have used the basic KTM RC8 R engine but increased displacement. As standard, this engine gives 175 hp so the one that has been mounted on the KTM 1290 Super Duke R will come to be very close to 200 hp. Around it, a chromium-moly steel chassis to which an aluminum single-sided swingarm is anchored. Of course the engine carries traction control, protection to avoid wheelies and inverted switchable and brakes with ABS.

The WP suspensions are prototype: front an inverted fork with separate tank and rear a shock absorber anchored directly to the swingarm, without links as it usually does with its PDS system. The brakes, wheels and tires have passed straight from the track asphalt to the KTM 1290 Super Duke R. Finally, the entire body has been made entirely of carbon fiber.

There is not much more data but the KTM, faithful to their particular way of seeing things, have published a datasheet of the most horny. Do not miss it.

Upgrade: Friend Hury links us to the video of how the beast is able to escape.

KTM 1290 Super Duke R

• Motor:
  • Type: V-twin derived from RC8-R with drive-by-wire system
  • Power max. dec.: Very much
  • Torque max. dec: Very much
  • Electronics: ABS, traction control, switchable anti-wheelie and anti-stoppie
• Suspensions:
  • Front: Prototype WP, inverted fork with separate tank
  • Rear: Prototype WP, monoshock with PDS system
• Brakes:
  • Front: Brembo racing
  • Rear: Brembo racing
• Wheels:
  • Front: Racing aluminum
  • Rear: Racing aluminum

• Dimensions:

  Dry weight: Incredibly low