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First-of-Its-Kind KTM 1290 Super Duke RR Roars Onto the Naked Scene With 180 HP

“The true definition of ready to race,” these are the words used by Austrian bike maker KTM to describe its freshest and most extreme product to date, a naked monster on two wheels called 1290 Super Duke RR.
KTM 1290 Super Duke RR 15 photos
Photo: KTM
KTM 1290 Super Duke RRKTM 1290 Super Duke RRKTM 1290 Super Duke RRKTM 1290 Super Duke RRKTM 1290 Super Duke RRKTM 1290 Super Duke RRKTM 1290 Super Duke RRKTM 1290 Super Duke RRKTM 1290 Super Duke RRKTM 1290 Super Duke RRKTM 1290 Super Duke RRKTM 1290 Super Duke RRKTM 1290 Super Duke RRKTM 1290 Super Duke RR
In the motorcycle industry, the RR moniker is not to be taken lightly. These two letters combined have always been reserved for the top-of-the-range models, and KTM has so far steered clear of using them. Until this beast came along, that is.

To be made available for pre-order on the European market on April 8 (for other regions you’ll have to contact your local dealer), the brand new RR, developed with the 1290 Super Duke R prototype as a base, packs some very impressive hardware and performance figures. It will become the flagship motorcycle of the brand in the immediate future.

The engine that sits in its frame is 1,301cc in displacement (“the biggest Euro5-compliant V-Twin engine currently available in a Hyper Naked motorcycle,” according to KTM), sturdy enough to develop 180 hp and 140 Nm (103 lb-ft) of torque. Given how the entire machine tips the scale at 180 kg (397 pounds), that would mean the bike comes with an impressive 1:1 power-to-weight ratio.

The engine breathes through an Akrapovic Slip-On Line exhaust system and spins lightweight wheels wrapped in Michelin Power Cup2 tires. The front forks are fully adjustable WP APEX PRO 7548 close cartridge pieces, while the shocks at the rear come as customized APEX PRO 7746 pieces of hardware. Carbon fiber used throughout, a unique seat design, and redesigned LED lights complete the look of the motorcycle.

The bike maker says it will make this new top-of-the-line model in a limited run of just 500 units, available globally complete with a dedicated range of KTM PowerWear. At the time of writing, pricing for the model is unknown, but we'll keep an eye out on the official website and update you when that changes.

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About the author: Daniel Patrascu
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Daniel loves writing (or so he claims), and he uses this skill to offer readers a "behind the scenes" look at the automotive industry. He also enjoys talking about space exploration and robots, because in his view the only way forward for humanity is away from this planet, in metal bodies.
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