KTM 1290 Super Duke R [2017-2018]: The Apex Predator of Naked Bikes

When KTM unleashed the 1290 Super Duke R in 2017, it wasn’t just launching a motorcycle—it was declaring war on the notion of compromise. Dubbed “The Beast,” this Austrian brute redefined the hyper-naked segment with a cocktail of raw power, razor-sharp handling, and tech that felt stolen from a spaceship. Two years later, the 2018 iteration doubled down on its predecessor’s insanity. After a day in the saddle, it’s clear: This isn’t just a motorcycle. It’s a dare.

Engine Performance: V-Twin Fury Meets Austrian Precision

At the heart of The Beast lies a 1301cc 75° V-twin that feels less like an engine and more like a natural disaster. The numbers—177 hp at 8,870 rpm and 141 Nm (104 lb-ft) of torque peaking at 7,000 rpm—only tell half the story. What matters is how this liquid-cooled monster delivers its payload.

Crack the throttle at 3,000 rpm, and you’re surfing a tsunami of torque that never really ends. The revised titanium intake valves (19g lighter than steel) and 10mm shorter intake flanges create a powerband so wide it feels like cheating. One minute you’re lugging through town at bicycle speeds, the next you’re watching the horizon rush toward you like a Looney Tunes backdrop.

Key innovations: - Ride-by-Wire Throttle: Translates wrist flicks into pure adrenaline without the herky-jerky transitions of lesser systems - Slipper Clutch: Lets you downshift into corners like you’re stabbing the brakes, then fires you out like a railgun - Track-Worthy Oil System: Three Eaton pumps keep the party going even when you’re dragging knees at 65° lean angles

The real magic? This nuclear reactor weighs just 195 kg (430 lbs) dry. The power-to-weight ratio (0.908 hp/kg) puts most supercars to shame.

Chassis & Handling: Trellis Frame Ballet

KTM’s chromium-molybdenum steel trellis frame is the Chuck Norris of chassis—it doesn’t flex, it decides. Paired with the single-sided swingarm (a 50mm axle holding that 190-section Metzeler M7RR), the setup creates a front-end that’s telepathic. Dive into a decreasing-radius turn, and the 48mm WP USD forks (125mm travel) and WP monoshock (156mm travel) make you feel like you’ve got X-ray vision for apexes.

The Brembo M50 Monobloc calipers biting 320mm discs aren’t just brakes—they’re existential crises for your internal organs. From 160 km/h (100 mph) to zero, the ABS (with lean-sensitive Cornering ABS) works like a guardian angel who’s secretly into extreme sports.

Electronics Suite: From Rain Mode to Racetrack Rampage

The 1290’s TFT dashboard isn’t a screen—it’s a mission control center. Three riding modes (Rain, Street, Sport) alter the personality from docile housecat to rabid wolverine. But the optional Track Pack unlocks the real fun:

• Supermode ABS: Lets you back it in like a MotoGP reject
• Spin Adjuster: 9 levels of rear-wheel hooliganism
• Launch Control: Holds rpm at 6,500 for dragstrip launches that’ll blur your vision

The quickshifter+ deserves its own shrine. Upshifts under full throttle feel like someone edited out the milliseconds between gears. Downshifts? Just stomp the lever—the auto-blip is smoother than a jazz saxophonist.

Ergonomics: Contortionist-Friendly Cockpit

At 835mm (32.9”), the seat height is deceptively accessible. The real story is in the adjustability: - Handlebar: 22mm of rise adjustment - Levers: 3-position span control - Footpegs: High enough to grind sparks, low enough for all-day rides

The riding position splits the difference between sportbike crouch and cruiser slouch. After three hours in the saddle, your biggest complaint will be cheek numbness from grinning.

Design & Aesthetics: Brutalist Art on Wheels

KTM’s designers channeled a chainsaw-wielding architect. The LED headlight isn’t just illumination—it’s a 6-element DRL scowl that clears traffic like Moses parting seas. The trellis frame isn’t hidden under plastic; it’s displayed like the bones of some mechanical predator. Even the radiator shrouds look like they could filet a Prius.

Competition: How The Beast Stacks Up

Ducati Streetfighter V4

• Pros: 208hp V4 scream, Öhlins suspension
• Cons: Torque curve? More like torque hill. Needs 10k rpm to wake up
• KTM Edge: Low-end grunt that tractor-pulls Ducati riders out of corners

BMW S1000R

• Pros: Buttery-smooth inline-4, cruise control
• Cons: Sterile electronics, “sensible” styling
• KTM Edge: Raw analog thrill meets digital precision

Aprilia Tuono V4

• Pros: 175hp V4 symphony, sublime chassis
• Cons: Finicky electronics, dealer network thinner than supermodel
• KTM Edge: Austrian reliability meets hooligan soul

The 1290 Super Duke R doesn’t just compete—it mocks the competition with a torque curve that starts where theirs end.

Maintenance: Keeping The Beast Hungry

Oil & Filters

• Spec: 3.5L of JASO T903 10W-50 full synthetic
• Pro Tip: Change every 7,500 km (4,660 mi) with MOTOPARTS.store synthetic kit

Valve Checks

• Interval: Every 15,000 km (9,320 mi)
• Clearances:
• Intake: 0.10-0.15mm (0.004-0.006”)
• Exhaust: 0.25-0.30mm (0.010-0.012”)
• Tool Kit: Our shim kits include laser-etched specs

Chain Care

• Spec: 520 X-ring, 112 links
• Upgrade: Swap to DID VX3 chain for track days

Brake Service

• Fluid: DOT 4/5.1 compatible—bleed annually
• Pads: Brembo Sintered for bite that matches the engine

Coolant

• Capacity: 3.2L of ethylene glycol mix
• Hack: Use our pre-mixed 50/50 coolant to prevent mineral buildup

The Verdict: Why Settle for Less?

The 2017-2018 KTM 1290 Super Duke R isn’t for the faint of heart—it’s for riders who want every commute to feel like a jailbreak. It’s the motorcycle equivalent of a nitro-injected chainsaw: brutally effective, slightly terrifying, and impossible to ignore.

While competitors focus on peak numbers, The Beast dominates the real world where torque rules and character matters. From its adjustable ergonomics to the optional Track Pack that turns public roads into personal playgrounds, this KTM doesn’t just raise the bar—it launches it into orbit.

Ready to feed The Beast? Explore upgrades that’ll make Austria proud.

Specifications sheet