The KTM That Makes Every Twist Of The Throttle Count
Austrian specialist KTM is known for producing aggressive, sharp motorcycles that are “ready to race.” Whether you pick the humble 390 SMC R or the flagship Super Adventure, every KTM has a personality that’s unique in its respective segment. That’s the KTM character that makes us love the brand despite its many shortcomings.
Among all the KTMs, however, none embody that character quite like the bike in question here. It’s a naked bike that stands out not just for offering an exhilarating riding experience that the Austrian specialist is known for, but also a unique character that’s now missing in the segment otherwise dominated by V4s and inline-fours.
A Super Naked Is Perfect When You Want Every Ride To Be Special
Any reason to ride a motorcycle is a good reason, sometimes, even when it’s raining outside. Yet, not every ride is going to be a fun one. For example, sports bike riders don’t enjoy straight road rides as much as they enjoy mountain runs, while cruiser riders will be cursing through a bad patch of road. Heck, you might have a 200+ horsepower superbike that you hate riding on the road, thanks to its committed riding position. So, even if you do enjoy riding, not every ride is going to be special.
That’s unless you pick the right kind of motorcycle that can turn every ride into an occasion without much compromise along the way. Usually, these bikes are of the super naked variety, bringing superbike-level performance and hardware in a more comfortable, easy-to-live-with package. With the right rider, these super nakeds can shame a superbike on a track, too. Most major manufacturers make such super nakeds, like the Aprilia Tuono V4, Ducati Streetfighter V4, and Kawasaki Z 1100.
However, none of these four-banger nakeds offer the kind of riding experience you’d get with a KTM super naked. KTM is famous for one thing: an aggressive character, and nothing defines that quite like the flagship Duke. In a market where four-cylinder bikes focus on knife-like finesse, this Austrian super naked brings a sledgehammer-like performance. If you haven’t guessed it already, we’re talking about the KTM 1390 Super Duke R Evo.
The KTM 1390 Super Duke R Evo Is A V-Twin Sledgehammer
We’ve all come across hundreds of posts online of owners calling their motorcycles beasts. For the most part, such posts make you cringe because the apparent beast in the photo is just a parallel-twin middleweight naked. Not all motorcycles are beasts, but KTM’s flagship naked, the 1390 Super Duke R Evo, is an exception. KTM calls it the Beast, and one look at it and you’d agree with that title. It’s a masterclass in Austrian engineering, offering exhilarating performance that will make every ride unforgettable and every twist of the throttle count.
Old-School Big-Bore V-Twin Performance With A Modern Twist
KTM
What makes this Super Duke such a beast is its V-twin engine. It runs the latest and fully revised version of the LC8 V-twin engine, and over its predecessor, it features more displacement and an all-new cam-shift variable valve timing tech. This 1,350cc 70-degree V-twin lump offers 187.4 horsepower at 10,000 RPM and 107 pound-feet of torque at 8,000 RPM. That’s superbike-level power and Harley big-twin-like torque, by the way. And since the bike weighs just 467.38 pounds, it also gives it a near 1:1 power-to-weight ratio (horsepower to kilograms).
It’s not just the power figures that make the Super Duke special; it’s how it delivers that power. This is a big-bore V-twin with a heavy torque advantage compared to its four-cylinder rivals. As a result, it will have you pulling power wheelies even in higher gears. Unlike the older Super Duke, the engine’s new VVT should improve the top-end, too. The engine is mated to a 6-speed transmission with an optional quickshifter.
Power Modes Let You Tune Engine Performance
With nearly 190 horsepower, the Super Duke R EVO can be a handful in some riding conditions. Fortunately, it comes with 5 ride modes. Street mode offers full power but backs you up with traction control, limited front wheel lift, and an easy throttle response. The Sport mode sharpens the throttle response and allows more wheel slip. The Rain mode dials down the power to just under 130 ponies.
KTM also lets you “unlock” two more riding modes for an extra penny: Performance and Track. The Track mode improves TFT readability by removing secondary information and lets you turn off the anti-wheelie system. With the available launch control, it also lets you get perfect starts. There’s also an optional motor slip regulation system. This is where the Super Duke starts losing points as it locks such features behind paywalls, a theme you’ll also notice in the hardware.
Top-Spec Hardware Paired With Performance-Focused Ergonomics
In true KTM fashion, the Super Duke R Evo uses a chrome molybdenum steel trellis frame with a composite subframe. The frame uses thick-diameter tubes with thin walls to balance stiffness and weight, and it uses the engine as a stressed member for better torsional rigidity. KTM says the frame offers extremely precise handling, which should make for an effortless and confidence-inspiring ride. So, whether you’re cornering on a mountain or just hooning around on the road, the Super Duke R Evo should feel thoroughly exciting.
Advanced Semi-Active Suspension From WP
The frame sits on Gen 3 WP Apex semi-active suspension that can adapt to road surfaces on the fly. It features a beefy 48mm open cartridge fork that is said to offer more precise and consistent damping, paired with a linkage rear shock with an automatic preload adjuster. The suspension features electronically controlled magnetic valves for variable damping, offering a wide range of adjustability.
But like the ride modes, the best parts of this suspension are hidden behind a paywall. Enter the optional Suspension Pro package, which offers more setup adjustments by adding two additional damping modes: Track and Pro. It also adds the ability to turn anti-dive mode on and off, along with three auto-leveling preload settings. The optional Factory Start can also drop the rear height like a MotoGP during launch.
High-End Brakes And Tires
Ensuring the power is delivered to the road properly, the Super Duke R Evo uses lightweight Michelin Power GP tires. These are dual-compound tires that are said to offer exceptional track performance. Meanwhile, braking comes courtesy of Brembo, including Brembo Stylema monobloc radial calipers up front and a Brembo twin-piston one at the back. There’s also the Brembo MCS radial master cylinder.
Sporty Yet Versatile Riding Triangle
The Super Duke is a hardcore naked motorcycle, and it doesn’t pretend to be anything else with its ergonomics. KTM says the riding triangle is designed for sporty riding, with a low-set handlebar that should offer more control and a V-shaped tank design that should offer support during braking and cornering. Meanwhile, the 32.83-inch seat is designed to offer comfort across the board. KTM also says nearly all shifting and braking controls are adjustable, including the option for a reverse shift pattern.
Predator-Like Headlights And A 5-Inch TFT Display
The Super Duke R Evo is not a pretty motorcycle, but it doesn’t need to be. It’s a lean, muscular bike that is designed for an exhilarating ride, not to win design awards. That’s most visible in its face, as it wears the controversial predator-like headlight setup, featuring automatic low beam, auto-adjust DRLs, and a welcoming headlight animation display. There’s also a 5-inch TFT display; however, KTM has kept KTMconnect phone connectivity behind a paywall. This is a feature that’s standard (and free) on the 390 series, by the way.
The KTM 1390 Super Duke R Evo starts at $22,149, but expect the price to be a little higher as you’ll want to tick most of the options boxes. For that price, you get a motorcycle that’s unapologetic and uncompromising. In a world of inline-fours and V4s, the Super Duke R Evo keeps big-bore V-twin alive, and it does so in a way that will make you want to whack the throttle open every chance you get.
Source: KTM
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