Spy Photos Capture Near-Production KTM 1290 Super Duke

Spy photographers have snapped shots of what appears to be a near-production prototype of the KTM 1290 Super Duke. The test mule in the pictures show some differences from the 1290 Super Duke R prototype revealed at the 2012 EICMA show.

The spy pictures reveal a stacked headlight design similar to the component used on KTM‘s smaller naked models such as the 390 Duke. Also notable is the rather large exhaust canister mounted on the right side of the rear wheel. The EICMA prototype had a custom Akrapovic system with one small silencer running up along the subframe and a second, more subtle underslung exhaust. The new larger exhaust is disappointing in comparison, though it was unlikely the EICMA bike’s exhaust would make be retained in a production model, even for the inevitable R version.

Gone are the flashy orange wheels and matching trellis frame, though we should expect the orange powder-coated frame on the R model. Pictures of the left side of the Super Duke reveal a unique-looking single-sided swingarm design. The instrument panel appears similar to that used on the 1190 Adventure with dual LCD screens and an analog tachometer.

The V-Twin engine derived from the 1195 RC8R remains exposed, though there is still no indication what the exact displacement will be on the Super Duke. What we can see is a rather unsightly coolant reservoir, reminding us that this is still very much a prototype.

The final production version should be revealed this November at the 2013 EICMA show. Expect more spy photos to emerge over the ensuing months.

[Source: SuperDuke.net, MotorradOnline.de]

By Dennis Chung