Being One of the Most Anticipated Bikes in Recent Years, Ktm's 1290

group test

Words: Alastair ‘non-smoker’ Fagan Pics: Jonny ‘Sat Nav’ Gawler

Being one of the most anticipated bikes in recent years, KTM’s 1290 Super Duke R has to take on the class leader...

prilia’s Tuono V4R has been busy transformed sportsbikes and created a new and just as able as a fully-faired superbike, crushing its naked opposition in breed of fairingless hooligans that have to be offering undiluted hedonism mixed with A recent years. Equipped with added to your wish list. Manufacturers believe everyday comfort and unadulterated joy. WSB-spec plums and true RSV4 DNA, the this too, choosing to plough big-bucks into 2014 sees the arrival of BMW’s all-new S Tuono hasn’t had a rival to play with in a naked bikes and all-new projects instead of 1000 R and KTM’s 1290 Super Duke R. There dynamic sense. Until now, that is. developing slow selling superbikes. To the are several other fresh naked bikes making 2014 is the year of the supernaked. Whether complaining purists out there, the harsh reality debuts this season, like the Kwak Z1000 and you like it or not, an exciting evolution has is that bikes like the Tuono are just as rampant Ducati Monster, but they’re second-tier stuff.

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When some ‘journos’ say a Super Tractor on two wheels to keep up. compromises so it can make bold claims. Ténéré can upset S 1000 RR riders in the Upright bars and no clothes are where Now it’s showdown time. twisties, they’re lying. These new-gen the similarities end with these two. The Rather than risk another week of rain, naked bikes genuinely spunk all over Aprilia is, essentially, an RSV4 stripped of potholes and police, we trekked down to RSV4s, S 1000 RRs and Fireblades, packing its fairings and clip-ons, gently tweaked the south of France. The Millau Bridge just as much punch but saving you a big for a liberal lifestyle. The KTM, on the offers an idyllic backdrop and some chiropractor's bill. Rider parity means you other hand, is a thoroughbred naked unbelievable roads where we could let need something with skills, not a Chelsea monster of a machine, with no these two rip. Bon voyage! may 2014 www.fastbikesmag.com 31 group test KTM 1290 Super Duke R ne of the Super Duke R’s biggest downfalls was ‘The OBeast’ in prototype form, ridden by Jeremy McWilliams. Months of choreographed teaser snippets released by a deft PR campaign left most of the motorcycling world drooling – and customers formed a long queue at the showrooms to lay down big deposits. In reality, emission laws and road regulations meant the finished product resembles very little of the prototype’s beastly conduct and awesome aesthetics (notwithstanding we all boast very little of Jeremy McWilliams’ supreme skills...). On paper, and judging by the ridiculous amount of money you have to hand over in order to own one, the Super Duke R should wipe the floor in 2014. It boasts a brutal power-to-weight ratio controlled by race-inspired electronics and You want info? anchored by über powerful Brembo You've got it! Monoblocks. It’s still a beast, just not the rabid fiend we were expecting... Whereas previous KTM’s have heard, toggling between and the rear brags a bounty of been relatively agricultural and fairly the array of electrickery is mechanical grip that you’re rarely basic, the SD-R is a complex animal, a pain in the arse, with relying on the TC as a safety measure. packed with different power modes the bike resetting itself Turning off the electronic rider and rider aids. As you may have when the ignition is cut. aids won’t kill you. Apart from the But it’s still a cinch to ride health and safety Nazis swarming, ktm 1290 super duke r £13,999 fast, and slow speed everyday stuff is KTM could well have released the also easy peasy. bike without the traction control and Other than that sexy swingarm/ anti-wheelie, such is the finesse. rear wheel partnership, there’s no Granted, the systems function doubting the KTM’s redeeming perfectly on a fast road jaunt, subtly feature; the engine. It is epic, exactly taming to improve pace. You just what you’d expect from a booming can’t hoist fatties on demand. The big-bore v-twin. It owns lashings of buttons are there, the throttle works lowdown grunt that usually (if the both ways. Get over it. electronics are switched off) means As aggressive as it looks, there massive wheelies and bigger grins aren’t any nasty surprises lingering in then develop into a lively midrange the SD-R’s handling traits. The KTM that continues to flourish until the excels in flickability and lesser lean redline. But one of the initial standout angle manoeuvrability, scything features was the SD-R’s action when I through twisty sections with supreme closed the throttle for the first time. aptitude. It changes direction far Born from the hearty RC8's motor, this new Highlights Nothing happened. No agricultural quicker and sharper than the Tuono, engine has been modified into something ˲˲1,301cc nutty motor engine braking threatening to lock the swivelling on the front-end pivot far more potent. Bore goes up from 105 to engine ˲˲Lots of buttons rear wheel. No chain clatter. Nothing. point, but it feels a little more edgy, 108mm, and stroke increases from 69 to 71mm. Pistons use an F1 design, and though larger, ˲˲Awesome Brembos One of the biggest gripes that too. Its bump management and road are 47 grams lighter than the RC8's. Cylinder ˲˲WP suspension previously aggrieved us was the holding is also sublime – far more heads are fitted with dual-ignition, utilising ˲˲189kg dry weight fuelling and throttle response. The adept than the Aprilia's when coping separate maps for both. Service intervals are ˲˲150bhp old 990 Super Duke, as awesome as it with any bumpy sections. But such is near 10k miles and the lump weighs 62 kilos. was, fuelled like it was drinking stale the softness and lack of control track 8 during the initial stoke, the stupidly Far from out of place. Irn Bru. Now, although the gearbox is still a little notchy and is crying out powerful Brembo brakes could be a The frame is typical KTM, and still the right fast road 9 colour. It's a trellis chrome-molybdenum Proper road scalpel, needs q/s. for a quickshifter, there’s a certain little too fruity for the standard construction weighing less than 10kg. Every newfound refinement that comes set-up, so the ABS is welcome.

chassis manufacturer wished they had suzzie gurus hooligan 8 All the ingredients... with the 1290. Every throttle like WP in their pocket, a big reason why increment is crisply controlled KTM's all handle very well. Giant 48mm new rider 4 Verdict 8/10 WP forks grace the front, fully adjustable, Still brutal, too tall without losing any sensitivity. There’s Excellent return to naked madness for the Super Duke. though no preload is available. Brakes desirability 7 still an element of arcade-ism that It's just not what we were expecting. KTM? Refined? Er... are top notch Brembo M-50 calipers. Not 'The Beast' but still über cool comes with a super-direct throttle + motor, electronics, throttle, stunts action, but the engine is so tractable - not a riot, electronics, price

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Rootsy's opinion

The 1290 has lots of amazing elements to it, but for me they don’t quite create the ultimate naked – but that promised machine is not far away. Certain parts of the bike would look brilliant on the fourth plinth of Trafalgar Square, while others look like its designer grumpily penned it to meet legal or engineering obligations. The motor is nothing short of amazing. Soft at the bottom, gradually getting ever harder through the midrange, to a knock out top end, it offers the full gamut of performance. Clinical injection, excellent TC and surprising manners mean your preconceptions can stay in the garage, because it’s a breeze to ride – and a beauty on the back wheel!

real deal turning off the electronic rider As the SD-R is so in demand, you'll be lucky aids won't kill you... to get anything off the ” price. So prepare to do a hold up!

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Thankfully the ABS can be turned off... Aprilia Tuono V4R hen a bike leaves the when the wheels are turning. showroom floor with an Dynamically, there’s nothing else W arsenal as extensive as (yet) that can match the Aprilia’s skill the Tuono’s, you don’t mess with it. set. Take it to a trackday and enjoy Launch control, traction control, the most comfortable fastest laps anti-wheelie and a V4 motor; this you’ve ever set. Its APRC electronics concoction is unrivalled – and these are lifted straight from Guinter’s and aren’t pointless gizmos. The updates Melandri’s race bikes, but it’s just as for 2014 are insignificant, in that the caustic on the highways. Tuono would still be #1 in its slightly Its world beating genetics are older guise. New ABS (which is pretty evident as soon as your botty touches nifty), some racier electronics, the wafer thin seat. Despite the suspension tweaks, a few extra suspension changes, which do aid ponies and a bigger fuel tank further bump management, a quick bounce distance the V4R from its rivals. reveals a very stiff set-up, particularly It’s blatant that a naked version of at the shock. You’re more on top of RSV4 was an afterthought for Aprilia. the bike, with big wide bars, and high The Tuono is a little tatty, unfinished pegs primed for big lean heroics. even, and build quality is certainly The chassis is everything you’d not as premium as the KTM. The expect from a GP-derived superbike; engine and frame castings look poor compact, stiff, unforgiving, and but that goes firmly down the pan highly sensitive. Lacking the

power doesn't start gushing until the midrange, polluting the air with a v4 soundtrack...” 34 may 2014 www.fastbikesmag.com Sponsored by

Rootsy's opinion

As ever, I get on any Aprilia expecting it to be a belligerent bastard of a bike, but the Tuono responded to box fresh hoops and a winter weary rider by offering a very easy introduction to the world of nutty nakeds. Of course, the fruity stuff was to come, but the initial hit of the Tuono is from a velvet glove, not an iron fist. The riding position is close to perfection, the bike doesn’t sit too high, the suspension hits a sweet spot and the fuel injection is cock on. That makes the first few photo passes a breeze – and then you build on this initial enthusiasm. The faster you go the better the Tuono responds (and sounds), and bar the injection turning wheelies into a knife fight, you feel like you’re on a full on sportsbike.

The Tuono just keeps on leaning and leaning aprilia tuono v4r £12,632 whippet-like nimbleness of the KTM, the Tuono makes up for it with mid-corner stability, a complete lack As the roads open up and corners of weight transfer and an all-round get wider, the Aprilia’s motor is poise. Steering, although slightly allowed to be unleashed. Power slower, is far more neutral and doesn’t start gushing until the precise, constantly yearning to be midrange implodes, polluting the air flung onto its sidewalls. The Avon with a highly addictive V4 Storm rubber, which is essentially a soundtrack, seamlessly churning downgrade in outright grip from through the cogs as you abuse the OE tyre, did nothing to the natty quickshifter. punish the handling. There’s very little between Hell-bent on real deal the bikes in straightline The older model is priced manufacturing the at around £8,000 in used performance, but the Compared to the RSV4, the Tuono has Highlights world’s fastest naked trim, with little performance Tuono certainly feels the revised timing, fixed intake ducts, a heavier ˲˲RSV4 sans fairings bike, Aprilia has loss, if any. You know faster. You'll barely notice flywheel with increased inertia, shorter gear engine ˲˲APRC electronics furnished the Tuono with it makes sense! the ride-by-wire when ratios and a lower rev ceiling, at 11,500rpm. Compared to the previous model, changes ˲˲New ABS horrendously tall gearing, both wheels are gracing the include reduced internal friction ˲˲Engine and suzzie tweaks equating to 160mph-plus Tarmac, but that glossy throttle improvements, better sump ventilation, ˲˲185kg terminal speeds with your head turns into Satan’s trigger finger when new mapping and some clever redesigned ˲˲156bhp blown off just as you click top. While attempting a wheelie. It’s internals in the exhaust system. the KTM digs in, grips and rips from unexplainable just how bad it is. track 9 Only half a second off RSV4! slow speed sections, you’ll have to be For a bike that should be so a GP hero onboard the Aprilia to tail badass, the Tuono is remarkably well The chassis and swingarm is the same as fast road 9 found on the RSV4 and no changes have been Tweaks help road holding. the Super Duke R. Delivery is very behaved, and remains a class act. made here. The suspension, Sachs at both smooth and well controlled, but there

chassis ends, has had revised internals and damping hooligan 4 Worst wheelie bike known. Ever! simply isn’t the grunt-infested bulge settings in the 43mm fork, and revised settings in the lower half of the revs. Like the Verdict 9/10 at the rear. The tank is also new, now holding new rider 5 18.5L. APRC settings mimic the RSV4 and Enough aids to help a newbie. RSV4, the internal updates change We're still trying to fathom how everyone in the UK isn't riding a Tuono. Best naked since Samantha Fox. now includes a three-way adjustable ABS desirability 9 some of the engine’s linearity, not by system from Bosch, using Aprilia software. Sounds like God singing... much, but enough to boost a + Sound, engine, handling, rider aids midrange thump at 6-7,000rpm. - FInish not quite there, wheelie ability

may 2014 www.fastbikesmag.com 35 group test tech data � KTM 1290 Super Duke R � Aprilia Tuono V4 R � Mxxxxxxxxxx � Sxxxxxxxxxxxx ˪˪Bike name Type 1,301cc, liquid-cooled V-twin 999cc, liquid-cooled, 16v, 65-degree V4 Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx 21. Spec Copy Lite Cnd Bore x Stroke 108 x 71mm 78 x 52.3mm Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx 21. Spec Copy Lite Cnd

engine Compression 13.2:1 13:1 Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx 21. Spec Copy Lite Cnd Fuelling Electronic fuel injection Marelli electronic fuel injection Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx 21. Spec Copy Lite Cnd Tested Power 150bhp @ 9,450rpm 156bhp @ 13,000rpm Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx 21. Spec Copy Lite Cnd Tested Torque 125m @ 8,000rpm 102Nm @ 10,250rpm Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx 21. Spec Copy Lite Cnd

Frame Steel trellis Twin-spar adjustable aluminium Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx 21. Spec Copy Lite Cnd F Suspension 48mm USD fork, comp and rebound adj' 43mm USD Sachs fork, fully adjustable Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx 21. Spec Copy Lite Cnd Monoshock, compression and rebound adj' Sachsmonoshock, fully adjustable Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx 21. Spec Copy Lite Cnd chassis R Suspension Front Brakes Four-piston ABS calipers, 320mm discs Four-piston calipers, 320mm discs Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx 21. Spec Copy Lite Cnd Rear Brakes Two-piston caliper, 240mm disc Two-piston caliper, 220mm disc Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx 21. Spec Copy Lite Cnd

Wheelbase 1,482mm 1,445mm Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx 21. Spec Copy Lite Cnd Seat Height 835mm 835mm Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx 21. Spec Copy Lite Cnd Dry Weight 189kg 185kg Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx 21. Spec Copy Lite Cnd

dimensions Fuel Capacity 18L 18.5L Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx 21. Spec Copy Lite Cnd

Price £13,999 £12,632 £xxxxxxx £xxxxxxx 21. Spec Copy Lite Cnd From KTM UK Aprilia UK Xxxxxxxxxx Xxxxxxxxxx 21. Spec Copy Lite Cnd price www.ktm.com/gb www.uk.aprilia.com 000000000000000 000000000000000 21. Spec Copy Lite Cnd www.ktm.com/gb/ready-to-race www.xxxxxxxxxx.co.uk www.xxxxxxxxxx.co.uk Make bold Cnd Ital.com www. fowlers.co.uk

power The Severn Bridge has never looked so good 180 Dyno data supplied by: BHP 160

140

120

100

80 Highest peak power: 60 Aprilia @ 156bhp

2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 rpm x 1000

KEY: Aprilia RSV4 Factory ktm 1290 super duke r

torque

130 Nm 120

110 Highest peak power: KTM @ 125Nm 100

80 � KTM 990 SM R � Ducati Hypermotard EVO ˪˪Bike name ˪˪Bike name ˪˪Bike name 0-6070 3.55s 3.69s 22. Tech Copy Med 22. Tech Copy Med 3.02s Dyno data supplied by: 0-100 7.50s 8.84s 22. Tech Copy Med 22. Tech Copy Med 5.69s

speed 0-12060 11.67s 16.05s 22. Tech Copy Med 22. Tech Copy Med 10.98s 12.20s @111.49mph 22. Tech Copy Med 22. Tech Copy Med 10.36s @ 144.99mph Stg50 ¼ Mile 11.67s @ 120.16mph Standing Mile 31.99s @ 136.96mph 33.61s @ 132.09mph 22. Tech Copy Med 22. Tech Copy Med 26.36s @ 175.84mph Top Speed2 4 6141mph 8 10 12 14 134mph16 22. Tech Copy Med 22. Tech Copy Med 185mph rpm x 1000

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� KTM 1290 Super Duke R � Aprilia Tuono V4 R � Mxxxxxxxxxx � Sxxxxxxxxxxxx ˪˪Bike name Type 1,301cc, liquid-cooled V-twin 999cc, liquid-cooled, 16v, 65-degree V4 Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx 21. Spec Copy Lite Cnd Bore x Stroke 108 x 71mm 78 x 52.3mm Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx 21. Spec Copy Lite Cnd engine Compression 13.2:1 13:1 Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx 21. Spec Copy Lite Cnd Fuelling Electronic fuel injection Marelli electronic fuel injection Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx 21. Spec Copy Lite Cnd Tested Power 150bhp @ 9,450rpm 156bhp @ 13,000rpm Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx 21. Spec Copy Lite Cnd Tested Torque 125m @ 8,000rpm 102Nm @ 10,250rpm Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx 21. Spec Copy Lite Cnd

dimensions Fuel Capacity 18L 18.5L Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx 21. Spec Copy Lite Cnd

Price £13,999 £12,632 £xxxxxxx £xxxxxxx 21. Spec Copy Lite Cnd From KTM UK Aprilia UK Xxxxxxxxxx Xxxxxxxxxx 21. Spec Copy Lite Cnd price www.ktm.com/gb www.uk.aprilia.com 000000000000000 000000000000000 21. Spec Copy Lite Cnd www.ktm.com/gb/ready-to-race There simply isn't a more exciting www.xxxxxxxxxx.co.uk www.xxxxxxxxxx.co.uk Make bold Cnd Ital.com pair of bikes on the market www. fowlers.co.uk

If you're looking for a great all round tyre, then the Avon Storm the verdict 3D X-M is it! hankfully, we returned from France pointless and a waste of time. A world with two very important assets – superbike is designed so that both wheels Tour licences and the bikes. While are in contact with the ground, and that’s speeding and looking stupid trying to apparent when abusing the Tuono. wheelie is a dangerous game on the Tuono, Switching to commercial talk, while the stunting is the KTM’s bag, baby! Both offer Tuono is a faster, more talented supernaked, very different supernaked qualities... Aprilia dealers must be wondering how to In true Fast Bikes style, with outright get customers through their doors. On the pace and ability ticking the boxes, the flipside, most KTM dealers can’t get enough Tuono takes victory. To be fair to the Super SD-Rs into their shops – we know some Duke R, the outcome was far closer than we dealers who are having to wait until July imagined. It needs to be ridden hard to before any more hit the showrooms, with properly reap rewards. most of them sold before the production The SD-R is the comfiest and can version was even released. Dealer networks contentedly hover at three digits on the and internet trolls must be the only reason speedo without risking your neck muscles. why we don’t see more Tuonos on the road. In reality, the riding position doesn’t mimic The fact you can buy a secondhand the belligerent lines, and 200 miles gets Tuono for around £8k (nearly half the chewed up with ease. KTM's price) adds another argument. The In terms of everything you want from a V4 soundtrack and its shove, the WSB- stereotypical naked bike, the KTM isn’t far derived chassis – it doesn't get better than off the epitome; brutal engine, nimble this. It's the most versatile A-to-B sportsbike handling and stunting capabilities that give out there, so go find an Aprilia dealer. Russ Swift sleepless nights. Avon 3d x-m The SD-R’s real let down is the £14k price tag. Other than Avon’s Storm 3D X-M is the firm’s new sports development costs (and those touring tyre, designed for hectic, fast road shiny Brembo calipers), we’re riding performance while maintaining decent not sure why it has to break mileage. Its wet weather and winter performance the bank, there isn't even a is right up there with the best, but also did quickshifter. Still, we're nothing to upset this pairing in the French sun. Meanwhile, back in the real world, there isn’t � KTM 990 SM R � Ducati Hypermotard EVO ˪˪Bike name ˪˪Bike name ˪˪Bikelooking name forward to the revised RC8 R in 2015... a better, more versatile tyre to cope with the 3.69s 22. Tech Copy Med 22. Tech Copy Med 3.02s 0-60 3.55s So we'd take the Aprilia UK’s current climate: one day it’s 20 degrees, 0-100 7.50s 8.84s 22. Tech Copy Med 22. Tech Copy Med 5.69sbased on pure performance. the next it’s damp and hovering around speed 0-120 11.67s 16.05s 22. Tech Copy Med 22. Tech Copy Med 10.98sAnti-wheelie on supernakeds freezing. The Avons install a huge amount of Stg ¼ Mile 11.67s @ 120.16mph 12.20s @111.49mph 22. Tech Copy Med 22. Tech Copy Med 10.36sis @ like 144.99mph going to the pub to sit Rootsy, full of joie de vivre. confidence from cold and continue to impress, It's either that or Pernod... Standing Mile 31.99s @ 136.96mph 33.61s @ 132.09mph 22. Tech Copy Med 22. Tech Copy Med 26.36sand @ 175.84mph drink water; utterly especially with the new X-M – extra mileage! Top Speed 141mph 134mph 22. Tech Copy Med 22. Tech Copy Med 185mph

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