When the flagship Super Duke was released in 2014, it blew us away and reigned supreme in the super naked market. It received major updates for 2017 showcasing no plans to be dethroned as the brand that gives us outright thrill seeking motorcycles along with being competitive.

Now, KTM has been caught busy testing their next generation of the flagship that is said to run on Euro V compliant mill. On the exteriors, there isn’t much new going on but on the inside, it is a whole different story.

The Euro V regulations are making its way in the beginning of 2020 and manufacturers are already scrambling to set their machines up for the big game. With all them having to emit 30 percent lesser toxic emissions out, some very new and innovative new technologies have to be incorporated to manufacture brand new engines.

This spy shot taken by good folks at MCN reveals the same. With KTM not looking at decreasing power levels, they will have to run their new machines with a leaner air-fuel mixture making the engines hotter than normal. Hence we see the massive new radiator that’s nearly double the size of the current model's to keep the mill pumping at 180 hp.

Surprisingly though, KTM have kept their trust in the same LC8 V-Twin mill that has been running since 2014, while everybody else is onto the V4s’. Clearly, folks at KTM believe strongly in the tried and tested powerplant. On the 2020 edition seen testing here, the huge underbelly is courtesy of the enormous new catalytic converter trying to clear 30 percent more emissions.

This puts a few more kilos onto the dry weight of the bike, because of which KTM has done modifications to the steel-trellis frame. The subframe will be made of box section aluminum instead of the steel trellis, and the rest of the frame gets some slimming down. This results in a slightly new and angular bodywork making it more aggressive and mental than the outgoing model. It includes sharp design language with new tank spoilers and air intakes.

With the new exhaust unit taking up massive spaces, KTM looks to have dealt with the rear suspension swapping the direct mount shock with a suspension linkage. The single-sided swingarm will be beefed up for increased stiffness.

With the super-naked category running as hot as ever, without a doubt, has become the most competitive and crowded class in the motorcycling arena. And KTM is right at the top giving thrill seekers a weapon unlike any. Don’t expect this to roll onto the streets any time before 2020. We reckon KTM will put this on display at the 2019 EICMA.

Until then, stay tuned with us, and we will update you with fresh information.

Reference

KTM 1290 Super Duke R