It’s happening, KTM is getting ready to announce a more ‘beastly’ version of its Super Duke R after emissions documents not only revealed its existence, but also some key details.
Rumours of a more honed, track-focused version of the Austrian firm’s sporty flagship have been circling for some time but existed only in the rumour mill until documents filed in Germany proved it is on the way.
We’ve not long had the latest generation Super Duke R but having been launched in the middle of a ‘hyper naked’ frenzy of unveilings alongside the Ducati Streetfighter V4 S and the Kawasaki Z H2, it did get a little lost in all the excitement, partially because - compared to its main rivals - its 177hp falls a touch short for some.
KTM 1290 Super Duke R REVIEW
However, perhaps surprisingly, the new ‘RR’ doesn’t up this with 177hp being quoted on these documents too. It means we can surmise that this will be honed under the skin to give a more focused performance on the road and track, so we can assume WP have been at the suspension, with Akrapovic working its magic on the exhaust.
At the time of the original rumours it was suggested the Super Duke RR would be a limited edition model only, potentially to celebrate the firm’s fantastic season of MotoGP during which it not only won a race for the first time, but went on to win three via Brad Binder and Miguel Oliveira.
Also on its way for 2021 is the latest generation Super Adventure S and Super Adventure R with more leaks about its details coming courtesy of KTM itself after it apparently accidentally posted it on its own website before quickly taking it down.
Nonetheless, Motorcycle.com were able to get a snapshot of the details, which confirms the integration of a radar assist system for safer riding and an unchanged power output of 160hp as well as larger fuel tank with an electronically opened cap, two separate radiators, an updated transmission and a new 7-inch TFT display.
