New up-spec EVO Super Duke R with semi-active suspension

2022 KTM 1290 Super Duke R Evo

The 2022 KTM Super Duke R gets some new colours for 2022 but the big news is the debut of a new Super Duke R EVO complete with the latest generation of WP’s semi-active suspension.

KTM’s flagship street motorcycle underwent its most radical re-invention in 2020, boasting a number of tweaks and engineering improvements that included some weight savings and a reworked LC8 engine. The electronics package was also updated.

With new Semi-Active Technology (SAT), the KTM 1290 Super Duke R gains an even wider range of usability that can instantly transform from a comfortable rocket on poor road surfaces, to an apex-splitting weapon at the press of a button.

Three different damping modes – COMFORT, STREET, SPORT – are available as standard.

In addition, the spring preload of the rear suspension can be set via the TFT menu to up to 20 mm in 10 steps, depending on the requirements of the rider. In this case, the adjustability setting ranges from 0% to 100%, in 10% or 2 mm increments.

In addition to the standard suspension settings, the optional SUSPENSION PRO package offers three more damping modes, namely TRACK, ADVANCED, and AUTO.

– TRACK provides the stiffest available setting developed internally by KTM test riders to provide the ideal setting for track days and specifically for faster race tracks where you need additional support under hard braking

– ADVANCED allows the rider to select the level of damping for the fork and shock on a scale from 1 to 8. This suits more technical riders who are looking for the smallest marginal gains and want to fine-tune and tailor their suspension settings for their riding styles.

– AUTO is the most intelligent of the trio and is capable of detecting different riding styles and automatically adapting the suspension damping, being softer and more comfortable when cruising through the city, and harder and more focused when riding aggressively on a fast mountain pass. This auto adjustment between modes happens almost instantly without any interference in the ride.

SUSPENSION PRO also offers three automatic preload auto-leveling settings – LOW, STANDARD, and HIGH. In this instance, the suspension is able to adjust the preload automatically in accordance with the weight of the rider and recreate 3 defined geometries:

– AUTO-STANDARD: neutral and balanced geometry.
– AUTO-LOW: relaxed, less aggressive, more comfortable geometry, with a lower seat height.
– AUTO-HIGH: aggressive, agile track attack geometry, with a more loaded front end.

Another optional feature on SUSPENSION PRO is an anti-diving setting that keeps the front-end high under hard braking. As with most electronic functions, it can of course be switched off if desired.

The KTM 1290 Super Duke R and KTM 1290 Super Duke R EVO continue to feature the RAIN, STREET, SPORT, and optional TRACK and PERFORMANCE ride modes, affording riders improved feedback about what the engine is doing, with less intrusive traction control and anti-wheelie mitigation. Selecting any of the above settings can be performed on the fly.

Throttle response is given a further boost with the addition of a new quick-turn throttle twist grip, reduced by 7 degrees to 65 degrees. KTM R&D developed this solution not only to offer a faster and more responsive throttle, but also to reduce the rider wrist angle as well as the elbow drop at full throttle.

A familiar blue and orange livery is flanked by an all-new silver and orange and of course both models feature the signature KTM orange frame – reserved only for KTM ‘R’ models.

Stocks of the new Super Duke R and EVO models are expected to arrive in Australia from February, 2022, but pricing is yet to be announced.

2022 KTM 1290 Super Duke R Evo Specifications

Engine – 1301 cc , 2-cylinder, 4-stroke, V 75°, liquid-cooled
Bore x Stroke – 108 x 71 mm
Maximum Power – 132 kW (180 hp) at 9500 rpm
Maximum Torque – 140 Nm at 8000 rpm
Compression Ratio – 13.5:1
Transmission – Six-speed
Clutch – PASC slipper hydraulic clutch
Fuel System – Keihin EFI (throttle body 56 mm)
Engine Management – Keihin EMS with RBW and cruise control, double ignition
Lubrication – Pressure lubrication with 3 Eaton pumps
Oil – Motorex, SAE 10W-50
Primary Drive – 40:76
Final Drive – 17:38
Traction Control – Cornering MTC (lean-angle sensitive, 4 Modes, disengageable)
Frame – Chromium-Molybdenum-Steel trellis frame, powder coated
Sub-frame – Cast aluminum / Carbon composite
Handlebars – Aluminium, tapered, Ø 28 / 22 mm
Front Suspension – WP SAT FORK (Gen. 2)
Adjustability – Comfort, Street, Sport (TA: Auto, Advanced, Track)
Rear Suspension WP SAT REAR SHOCK (GEN. 2)
Adjustability – Comfort, Street, Sport, Preload (TA: Auto, Advanced, Track, Auto preload)
Suepsnion Travel – 125 (F) / 140 mm (R)
Front Brakes – Brembo Stylema Monobloc four piston, radially mounted caliper, brake discs Ø 320 mm
Rear Brake – Brembo two piston, fixed caliper, brake disc Ø 240 mm
ABS – Bosch 9.1MP 2.0 (with cornering ABS and SUPERMOTO ABS)
Rims – 3.5×17″ (F), 6×17″ (R)
Tyres – 120/70 ZR 17 (F); 200/55 ZR 17 (R)
Chain – 525 x-Ring
Silencer – Stainless steel primary and secondary silencer with 2 catalytic converters
Steering Head Angle – 64.8°
Trail – 106 mm
Wheelbase – 1,497 mm ± 15 mm
Ground Clearance – 160 mm
Seat Height – 835 mm
Fual Capacity – Approx 16 litres / 3.5 l reserve
Dry Weight – 191 kg
Wet Weight with full fuel tank nd all fluids – 211 kg