2018 KTM Super Duke R Dyno

The 2018 KTM 1290 Super Duke R has a starting price of $17,999 and is available in two colors, black or white. Powering this Austrian beast is the same liquid-cooled, DOHC, four-valves-per-cylinder, 1,301cc (108.0 x 71.0mm) V-twin used in previous models.

We ran a 1290 Super Duke R on our rear-wheel dyno in fourth gear to determine peak output from the big twin. We documented 154.66 hp at 9,960 rpm—up 2 hp at 60 fewer rpm than our 2017 model—and 92.55 pound-feet of torque at 7,390 rpm.

"So much torque everywhere! Total brain recalibration required when jumping off of one of the higher-revving four-cylinder bikes. I got into a groove on the racetrack and felt like I was flying but at the same time never felt rushed or overwhelmed."—Mark Hoyer