The KTM 1290 Super Duke R Evo Features and Specs

The third generation KTM 1290 Super Duke R burst onto the super naked scene in 2020 with a new frame, suspension components, and a revised 1301cc V-Twin engine. Still aggressively styled, still finished in orange, and still happiest on one wheel, it is now more refined than ever before – with a claimed increase of 3bhp and less weight to muscle around, yet easy to live with in town and less inclined to chuck you off the back when you twist the noise tube.

With an ant-like LED face tucked between a set of broad jagged shoulders, it looks fast standing still – with 30 seconds of riding confirming it’s even quicker on the move. It may be more grown up than ever, but it’ll still carry you from zero to jailtime faster than you can say 'sorry officer.' 

For 2022, this sophistication has continued with the introduction of a new Evo model. Pricing at $19,599 USD for the standard bike in 2022, the KTM 1290 Super Duke R Evo gains semi-active WP Apex suspension for a claimed greater usability on a wider range of road surfaces. It also gets quicker action throttle – decreasing the twist of your wrist by 7 degrees to 65 and allowing you to reach full throttle faster.

The Suspension Pro menu offers a fairly wide range of adjustability, especially when it comes to spring preload. Riders can pick between the automatic preload settings of High, Standard, and Low; the SAT system will automatically set the spring preload for a specific chassis attitude. High is for more aggressive riding with very little sag in the rear; Standard puts the chassis in a more neutral position; and Low provides, according to KTM, “a lot of sag on the rear wheel for a low seat height and low riding geometry.” The 1290 SDR is intended to handle even racetrack riding, so the spring rates are pretty stiff. Even with my 160-pound weight, the Low auto-preload setting didn’t exactly make the bike feel like a chopper. In fact, I remarked little difference between Standard and Low settings, although I wasn’t able to do any track riding where aggressive chassis pitch might make those differences more noticeable.

Riders can also manually select preload settings in six different percentage increments. To illustrate how stiff the spring rates are, consider that I did most of my riding with the preload in its lowest, or 0–20 percent, setting. Anything more than that and the rear suspension felt like it was sitting too high in its stroke; the ride also became harsh because the SAT system automatically changes the rebound damping to compensate for the preload.

2022 KTM 1290 Super Duke R Evo Specifications

MSRP: $19,599

Engine: DOHC, liquid-cooled, four-stroke 75-degree V-twin; 8 valves/cyl.

Displacement: 1,301cc

Bore x Stroke: 108.0 x 71.0mm

Compression Ratio: 13.6:1

Transmission/Final Drive: 6-speed/chain

Cycle World Measured Horsepower: 161.1 hp @ 10,100 rpm

Cycle World Measured Torque: 93.0 lb.-ft. @ 8,340 rpm

Fuel System: EFI w/ 56mm throttle bodies, ride-by-wire

Clutch: Wet, PASC slipper; hydraulic actuation

Engine Management/Ignition: Keihin EMS/dual-spark ignition

Frame: Tubular chromoly steel

Front Suspension: 48mm WP Apex SAT inverted fork, electronically adjustable; 5.1 in. travel

Rear Suspension: WP Apex SAT shock, electronically adjustable; 5.5 in. travel

Front Brake: Brembo Stylema 4-piston Monoblock caliper, 320mm floating discs w/ Bosch ABS

Rear Brake: 2-piston caliper, 240mm disc w/ Bosch ABS

Wheels, Front/Rear: Cast aluminum; 17 x 3.50 in. / 17 x 6.00 in.

Tires, Front/Rear: Bridgestone S22; 120/70ZR-17 / 200/55ZR-17

Rake/Trail: 25.2°/4.2 in.

Wheelbase: 58.9 in.

Ground Clearance: 6.3 in.

Seat Height: 32.9 in.

Fuel Capacity: 4.2 gal.

Average MPG: 35.4 mpg

Wet Weight: 437 lb.