It’s been an open secret for a while, but now it’s official: KTM has launched an EVO version of the 1290 Super Duke R. The 1290 Super Duke R EVO is distinguished by the second generation WP APEX semi-active suspension.
A new incarnation of the 1290 Super Duke R that delivers exactly what riders have been asking for, that’s how KTM describes the new 1290 Super Duke R EVO, which is exactly the same as the standard version updated in 2020, but with electronically controlled semi-active suspension – the suspension we already know from the 1290 Super Duke GT and 1290 Super Adventure.
The new SAT (Semi-Active Technology) has made it possible, according to KTM, to change ‘the beast’ from a comfortable rocket for poor quality road surfaces to a race-ready weapon for the track at the touch of a button .
By default, you can choose from 3 settings: COMFORT, STREET and SPORT. In addition, via the TFT color display, the spring preload of the rear shock can be adjusted by 20mm, a total of 10 steps from 0% to 100%, or 10% – 2mm – per step. If that’s not enough for you, optionally there is the Suspension Pro package with 3 additional damping modes: TRACK, ADVANCED and AUTO.
– TRACK offers the stiffest setting available, developed in-house by KTM test riders to provide the ideal setting for track days and specifically for faster race tracks where you need extra support under hard braking.
– ADVANCED allows the rider to select the damping level for the fork and shock on a scale of 1 to 8. This is suitable for more technical riders looking for the smallest marginal gains and wanting to fine-tune and tailor their suspension settings to their driving styles.
– AUTO is the most intelligent of the trio and is able to detect different driving styles and automatically adjust the suspension damping, being softer and more comfortable when cruising around town, and harder and more focused when driving aggressively on a quick mountain pass.
SUSPENSION PRO also offers three automatic preload settings: LOW, STANDARD and HIGH. In this case, the suspension can automatically adjust the preload according to the rider’s weight 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 charged front end
Another optional feature on SUSPENSION PRO is an anti-dive setting that keeps the front end elevated under hard braking. As with most electronic functions, it can of course be turned off if desired.
The KTM 1290 SUPER DUKE R and KTM 1290 SUPER DUKE R EVO will continue to feature RAIN, STREET, SPORT and optional TRACK and PERFORMANCE riding modes, the latter two giving you better feedback on what the bike is doing, with less drastic traction. – and wheelie control.
– Thanks for information from Motorfreaks.