The Beast beefed up. KTM 1390 Super Duke R
THE KTM 1390 SUPER DUKE R – THE BEAST, REBORN
The 2024 KTM 1390 SUPER DUKE R and KTM 1390 SUPER DUKE R EVO have erupted into the Naked segment without warning, sending a clear message to the competition: there is a new BEAST on the prowl.
With 2024 marking 30 YEARS OF DUKE, the all-new KTM 1390 SUPER DUKE R and its high-tech stablemate - the KTM 1390 SUPER DUKE R EVO - have evolved into their most fearsome iterations yet.
The numbers tell the story - 1,350 cc, 190 Hp at 10,000 rpm and 145 Nm of torque at 8,000 rpm, ripping into the tarmac with pure ferocity and a new, more aggressive look to match. Impressive figures aside however, it is its effectiveness at getting power to the ground that makes it even more potent.
For 2024, THE BEAST has undergone a striking aposematic evolution, sending a clear warning message to anyone brave enough to take it on. An all-new LED headlight unit dominates, with new tank spoilers and added winglets making it known that it is not to be messed with. A further reduced subframe cover eliminates the brake light making for an even sharper look and riding experience.
With a lower overall profile and more emphasis placed on the compact chassis, the KTM 1390 SUPER DUKE R looks more muscular and aggressive than ever before. In short, KTM upped the attitude by lowering the altitude.
A redesigned air intake and airbox see a revised fuel tank with an overall tank capacity of 17.5 litres - an increase of 1.5 litres over its predecessor. This not only takes the riding range up to around 300 km / 185 miles but also performs an important ergonomic function. In the hunt for grams, every panel has been calculated for optimum thickness and minimised where possible, with new tank spoilers and added winglets increasing downforce.
However, it is the lightweight and ‘smart’ headlight design that makes the biggest visual impact. Weighing in at nearly 700 g less than the previous unit and boasting an alien-like design, it adds an all-new aggressive glare to the KTM 1390
SUPER DUKE R. Position and daytime running lights are located on the profile of the headlight, which auto-adjusts in intensity according to ambient light conditions.
Additionally, the KTM 1390 SUPER DUKE R and KTM 1390 SUPER DUKE R EVO are fitted with Coming Home light functionality as standard. Here, the headlight will remain on for a short period of time after the ignition has been switched off, allowing for greater ambient visibility. This not only illuminates the surroundings but provides a level of safety when parking in dark areas.
Backing up its muscular stance, at the heart of this ferocious BEAST sits an enlarged powerplant - an updated version of the LC8 - further marking its territory as the alpha. The bore is increased to 110 mm to achieve an engine displacement of 1,350 cc, with an all-new cam shift integrated on the cylinder heads. This provides more power and torque throughout the rpm range and allows for a more differentiated fuel mapping to meet the latest EURO 5+ emission regulations.
Getting that power to the ground comes courtesy of new, lightweight MICHELIN Power GP tyres with dual-compound technology, as well as a new WP APEX shock absorber which is fully adjustable, allowing for separate high and low speed adjustments, rebound and toolless pre-load adjustment. Improved DCC settings provide better pressure balance resulting in less compromise between suspension comfort and performance, while new 48 mm WP APEX Open Cartridge forks with split function provide optimised settings.
On the KTM 1390 SUPER DUKE R EVO however, the suspension management is taken to an all-new level with the latest generation of WP Semi-Active Technology (SAT). As the most advanced suspension system on the market, it features electronically controlled magnetic valves for variable damping, providing a wide range of adjustability – from maximum comfort to track-ready stiffness. Here, the SCU (Suspension Control Unit) adapts the damping rates via the magnetic valves in real-time, reading the road surface and rider style to automatically adjust the suspension on the fly.
The technology feast doesn't end there, with both the KTM 1390 SUPER DUKE R and KTM 1390 SUPER DUKE R EVO debuting updated PERFORMANCE and TRACK MODES, complete with lap timer and telemetry stats, as well as optional ENGINE BRAKE CONTROL and an updated SUSPENSION PRO module for the KTM 1390 SUPER DUKE R EVO.
The KTM 1390 SUPER DUKE R and KTM 1390 SUPER DUKE R EVO are available in select 30 YEARS OF DUKE colourways, reminiscent of the orange scheme found on the 2005 KTM 990 SUPER DUKE. Both 2024 models will be available from January 2024 onwards, UK pricing below:
2024 KTM 1390 SUPER DUKE R - £17,999 OTR
2024 KTM 1390 SUPER DUKE R EVO - £19,599 OTR