2014 KTM 1290 Super Duke R Patriot Edition Revealed

We’re still a couple of days away from the Fourth of July but KTM is already in the patriotic spirit. KTM invited several hundred American dealers to its factory in Austria to discuss its upcoming products. One of the new models discussed was the upcoming KTM 1290 Super Duke R, and KTM surprised dealers with a special Stars and Stripes livery.

Painted in red, white and blue, the KTM 1290 Super Duke R Patriot Edition features the U.S. flag on its body panels and several white stars. The flashy two-toned wheels from the prototype are now blue and white with stars and “USA” painted on the rim. Another highlight stylized eagle emblem and wings alongside the headlight.

More importantly, the Patriot Edition gives us a preview of what the final production version will look like. The two-toned wheels might not make it to production but the exhaust and headlight are surer bets.

The big exhaust canister looks identical to the one captured in spy photos back in April. The test mule in the spy pictures used a similar headlight as the 390 Duke, but the headlight on the Patriot Edition is new. It has a similar narrow, stacked design but the glass extends upwards and back whereas the smaller Duke has a much flatter face.

KTM will reveal the final production version of the 1290 Super Duke R this November at the EICMA show in Milan, with journalists getting their first chance to test it a little earlier. KTM says the new Super Duke will be in dealerships by December, and judging by the special Patriot Edition livery, it’s a safe bet that includes dealerships in the U.S.

[Source: KTM's Official Blog, Derestricted]

By Dennis Chung