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What Do You Think About the KTM 1290 Super Enduro That Will Take on the 2016 Erzbergrodeo?

Having "enduro" and "KTM 1290 Super Duke R" in the same, non-negative sentence is obviously weird. However, it looks like this is not the case for everyone, and the Czech racer Jiri Heinik has the perfect proof. Meet his KTM 1290 Super Enduro, a cross-breed between the Super Duke R and the Super Adventure machines.
KTM 1290 Super Enduro 4 photos
Photo: Jiri Heinik
KTM 1290 Super EnduroKTM 1290 Super EnduroKTM 1290 Super Enduro
And making things even crazier, you should also know that Jiri has serious plans to take this bike to the Erzbergrodeo next year.

Obviously, the Erzberg mountain is the most unlikely place to prove the abilities of a 180kg (397 lb), 180 hp motorcycle, but with the modifications Jiri added to the Super Duke R and his skills, we're dying to see this.

One of the funny aspects is seeing Jiri finding the right mapping for the Erzberg. The 1290 Super Duke R was not nicknamed the Beast for nothing; it is a savage motorcycle that's hard to master even with all the electronic systems active and taming it.

Putting 180 horsepower to work in the grueling conditions of the Austrian race seems to be one of the true challenges. If the 1290 Super Enduro can tackle the most brutal parts, such as Carl's Diner, its explosive power might give it the upper hand in climbing smoother gradients, as it can build up momentum and speed much more easily than a 450cc bike.

1290 Super Adventure suspensions needed to accommodate bigger wheels

Jiri took a 1290 Super Adventure fork and replaced that of the Beast. The longer suspension travel was mandatory for the project, as the street-focused forks of the 1290 Super Duke R were nowhere near fit for the job.

Also, Heinik installed new, bigger Kineo rims, shod with knobby tires for mud, puddles, and rocks, and with the proper suspension setup, the bike has good odds to behave like a natural born enduro machine.

The weight of the 1290 is, however, one of the things that might impact the bike's performance negatively in the Erzbergrodeo. The photos don't show any engine protection installed on the bike now, but we know Jiri would not leave his baby unprotected in the fight with the Iron Giant.

So here's one more reason to check out this race next year! Oh, and let's not forget about the KTM Super Duke R at Pikes Peak!
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