2021 KTM 1290 Super Duke RR First Look
Tue, 06 Apr 2021
Double-R model upgrades suspension and adjustability while trimming off 20 pounds
KTM is taking its flagship naked bike to the next level with a limited edition 2021 1290 Super Duke RR. KTM will produce only 500 units of the Super Duke RR, but haven’t confirmed whether it will be offered in North America.
The Super Duke R is already a high performance beast, so, what went into KTM granting a double-R badge on a bike for the first time?
The biggest difference is a 20-pound reduction in weight compared to the Super Duke R, with KTM claiming a dry weight of 397 pounds and a wet weight of 441 pounds. This was achieved through the use of lightweight materials such as carbon fiber. The front fender, rear fender and chain guard, and fuel tank cover are all made of carbon. KTM also added a carbon brake cooling duct kit and ignition lock cover, two elements not included on the Super Duke R.
The Super Duke RR also receives a new subframe made of carbon fiber with an aluminum support that KTM claims weighs just 1.8 pounds. As we can see from the image juxtaposition above, the new subframe supports a single seat and rises up to a sharper point than on the Super Duke R. The LED taillights and rear turn signals are incorporated into the tail with a significantly smaller license plate holder.
The forged seven-spoke wheels were developed using data from KTM’s RC16 MotoGP bike, with KTM claiming a 3.3-pound reduction in unsprung weight compared to the Super Duke R’s rims. KTM claims it originally wanted even lighter wheels, but test rider Jeremy McWilliams said they weren’t stiff enough and didn’t provide enough feel to get the most out of the chassis. The wheels come clad in Michelin Power Cup2 tires which KTM claims offer an ultra-grippy dual compound architecture and quicker warm-up.
Other weight-saving measures include an Akrapovič slip-on exhaust made of titanium with a carbon fiber end cap and a lithium-ion battery.
For the Super Duke RR, KTM upgraded the suspension to a fully adjustable WP APEX PRO 7548 closed-cartridge fork and WP APEX PRO 7117 steering damper. At the rear, the SDRR uses a WP APEX PRO 7746 shock. In addition to adjustable compression (high and low speed), rebound, and preload, the 7746 also offers adjustable length between 13.9 and 14.2 inches, allowing riders to fine-tune the suspension geometry. KTM also added a new lighter CNC-machined triple clamp.
The 1301cc V-Twin engine is the same as the one powering the Super Duke R, claiming an output of 177 hp at 9500 and 103 lb-ft. at 8000 rpm. While the power numbers are the same as the SDR, KTM made changes to the throttle control. The electronics package offers a Track mode as standard and a new Performance mode. The traction control system is less intrusive in all modes while KTM reduced and smoothed the anti-wheelie system in some ride modes.
KTM also adjusted the throttle grip, giving it a 65° opening compared to the standard Super Duke R’s 72° opening. KTM claims the change improves throttle response while reducing the rider’s wrist angle and elbow drop at full throttle.
KTM modified the ergonomics on the Super Duke RR with a focus on higher-performance riding. We’ve already touched on the adjustable suspension length, and the RR also offers adjustable hand and foot controls and an adjustable handlebar position. KTM also angled the fuel tank slightly outwards to provide the rider more support under hard braking and when leaned over. At 33.3 inches, the seat height is a half-inch higher than on the Super Duke R, but the adjustable shock can bring that down to a slightly more manageable 33 inches.
And if the 1290 Super Duke RR isn’t already enough, KTM is offering a number of optional upgrades from its powerparts catalog.
As of this writing, the KTM 1290 Super Duke RR has only been confirmed for European markets. There is no word yet on North American availability, though it should be noted the Super Duke RR has been certified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency so we expect an announcement to come for the American market.
2021 KTM 1290 Super Duke RR Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Engine Type | Liquid-cooled 4-stroke, 75° V-Twin, eight-valves, DOHC |
| Displacement | 1,301 cc |
| Bore/Stroke | 108 / 71 mm |
| Power | 177 hp at 9,500 rpm (claimed) |
| Torque | 103 lb-ft at 8,000 rpm (claimed) |
| Compression Ratio | 13.5:1 |
| Starter / Battery | Electric starter / Lithium-Ion battery (12 V 96 Wh) |
| Transmission | 6 gears |
| Fuel System | Keihin EFI (throttle body 56 mm) |
| Lubrication | Pressure lubrication with 3 Eaton pumps |
| Engine Oil | Motorex, SAE 10W-50 |
| Primary Drive | 40:76 |
| Final Drive | 17:38 |
| Clutch Pasc | Slipper clutch, hydraulically operated |
| Engine Management | Keihin EMS with RBW and cruise control, double ignition |
| Traction Control | Cornering MTC (lean-angle sensitive, 5 Modes, disengageable) |
| Drive | 525 X-ring chain |
| Silencer | Akrapovic Slip-On Line |
| Frame | Chromium-Molybdenum-Steel trellis frame, powder coated |
| Subframe | Cast alumnum / Carbon |
| Handlebar | Aluminum, tapered, Ø 28 / 22 mm |
| Front Suspension | WP APEX PRO 7548 Close Cartridge front fork; preload, compression, and rebound adjustable; 5.1 inches of travel |
| Rear Suspension | WP APEX PRO 7746; compression (high and low speed), rebound, hydraulic preload adjustable; 5.5 inches of travel |
| Front Brake | Dual Brembo Stylema Monobloc four piston, radially mounted calipers, Ø 320 mm disc |
| Rear Brake | Brembo two piston, fixed caliper, Ø 240 mm disc |
| Abs | Bosch 9.1MP 2.0 (with cornering ABS and SUPERMOTO ABS) |
| Front Wheel | 3.50 x 17´´ forged wheel |
| Rear Wheel | 6.00 x 17´´ forged wheel |
| Front Tire | 120/70 ZR 17 |
| Rear Tire | 200/55 ZR 17 |
| Rake | 24.4° – 25° (depending on rear shock length) |
| Trail | 3.9 – 4.1 inches (depending on rear shock length) |
| Wheelbase | 58.7 – 58.9 inches ± 0.6 inches (depending on rear shock length) |
| Ground Clearance | 6.3 inches |
| Seat Height | 32.9 – 33.3 inches |
| Tank Capacity | Approx. 4.2 gallons, 0.9 gallons reserve |
| Dry Weight | Approx. 396.8 pounds (claimed) |
| Wet Weight | Approx. 440.9 pounds (claimed) |
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Dennis has been a part of the Motorcycle.com team since 2008, and through his tenure, has developed a firm grasp of industry trends, and a solid sense of what's to come. A bloodhound when it comes to tracking information on new motorcycles, if there's a new model on the horizon, you'll probably hear about it from him first.
More by Dennis Chung
For all you guys who wish their 600's had liter bike power.
- See 5 previous
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David K on Apr 10, 2021
Care to elaborate?
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Mad4TheCrest on Apr 12, 2021
Since 'dootin' ain't tootin, I will hazard a guess:
It's a common desire to have a small nimble excellent handling bike with the power you get in larger displacements. The hope is to avoid the weights and more sluggish handling you get with bigger bikes. Of course, beginning way back with the original CBR900R Fireblade, manufacturers have been making big-cc sportbikes with middleweight dimensions, so the goal is basically already done.
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David K on Apr 12, 2021
I can understand that but having owned many bikes I wouldn't buy a 600 class bike expecting or wanting more horsepower. Also, I don't believe the CBR's were called Fireblade's in the US until this recent incarnation. Fireblade is a European name thing.
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Mad4TheCrest on Apr 12, 2021
"Also, I don't believe the CBR's were called Fireblade's in the US until this recent incarnation. Fireblade is a European name thing"
Uh, anyone either side of the pond who knows the CBR knows the name Fireblade, or should.
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David K on Apr 12, 2021
Not really, I heard of it and owned a CBR but never once thought of it as a Fireblade or even liked that name. The magazines that I subscribed to or read at the library never called a CBR 900, 929, 954 a Fireblade. It's a European gimmick just like tyre is for tire.
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Dootin on Apr 14, 2021
Its a very small and light bike with a shitload of power.
I enjoy imagining that I could actually use this machine for its intended purpose...to wrinkle every road in my neighborhood of the Ozarks. The reality is I would be wasting an incredible machine on public roads with my butt on it. This thing needs a bit of a fly screen, a talented and fearless rider and a race track.
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See also: Church of MO: 2001 KTM Roll-Out, 2021 Middleweight Adventure Motorcycle Shootout, 2021 KTM 890 Adventure R Review - First Ride.