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2020 KTM 1290 Super Duke R Overview
KTM 1290 Super Duke R is a sport motorcycle, displacing 1301 cc. Power comes from a Four stroke, 75°V-twin cylinder, DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder engine, a compression ratio of 13.5:1. On the performance side, it delivers 132 kW @ 9500 rpm of peak power and 140 Nm @ 8000 rpm of torque. On the road, the 2020 1290 Super Duke R tips the scales at 189 kg, carries a 16-litre fuel tank, offers a seat height of 835 mm and spans a 1497 mm wheelbase. That's roughly 13.7 kg lighter than the average sport motorcycle in our database. The full 2020 KTM 1290 Super Duke R spec sheet below covers every technical detail, from suspension travel to tyre sizes.
2020 1290 Super Duke R - Pros & Cons
Strengths
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Strong power output: With 132 kW @ 9500 rpm and 140 Nm @ 8000 rpm of torque on tap, the 1290 Super Duke R is no slouch for its class.
Considerations
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Tall seat height: At 835 mm, shorter riders will likely be on tiptoes at a standstill - worth sitting on one before you buy.
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Chain final drive upkeep: Budget time for routine chain maintenance - it's cheap to replace but needs consistent attention to avoid premature sprocket wear.
Wear Points & Servicing Notes
Cooling system servicing
1290 Super Duke R's Liquid cooling setup is low-maintenance provided the coolant interval is kept - old, acidic coolant is the main cause of long-term corrosion in the water passages.
Brake disc and pad wear
Braking up front comes from 2 x 320mm discs, Brembo Stylema four piston, radially mounted caliper - solid stopping power, with disc and pad wear best checked on the same schedule as tyre changes.
Suspension condition on used examples
The 1290 Super Duke R's suspension runs 48mm WP APEX, USD forks at the front. The rear uses WP APEX shock absorber. Fork-seal condition and rear linkage play are the two things worth checking before buying used.
Final drive maintenance
The 1290 Super Duke R uses chain final drive, which is cheap to replace but needs regular cleaning, lubrication and tension checks to get a full service life out of the sprockets.
Frame & chassis check
Built around a CrMo-steel trellis frame, powder coated, Subframe Cast aluminium / Composite, the 1290 Super Duke R's chassis is straightforward to inspect: look for corrosion, cracks or repair welds around stress points like the head-stock and swingarm mounts.
1290 Super Duke R - Buying & Maintenance Guide
What to check before buying
Before handing over money for a used 2020 KTM 1290 Super Duke R, cover the fundamentals: service book and oil change history, chain and sprocket wear, and any sign of oil weeping around the casings. Cold-starting it yourself tells you a lot - a healthy 1290 Super Duke R should catch quickly and settle into a smooth idle.
Oil and filter changes
Nothing protects a 1290 Super Duke R's engine like disciplined oil changes - stay on the manufacturer's schedule (roughly every 6,000 km or annually). Match the viscosity grade to what the owner's manual specifies, not what's cheapest.
Carburetor upkeep
Deposits in the carbs are the usual culprit behind poor running on a stored 1290 Super Duke R - strip and clean the float bowls before the first start. Pilot jets clog first and get overlooked most, so make a point of checking them.
2020 KTM 1290 Super Duke R - Frequently Asked Questions
What engine does the 2020 KTM 1290 Super Duke R have?
The 2020 KTM 1290 Super Duke R uses a Four stroke, 75°V-twin cylinder, DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder engine with 1301 cc of displacement. It is liquid cooling.
How much does the 2020 KTM 1290 Super Duke R weigh?
The 2020 KTM 1290 Super Duke R weighs 189 kg. This is the manufacturer's dry figure.
How much power does the 2020 KTM 1290 Super Duke R make?
The 2020 KTM 1290 Super Duke R produces 132 kW @ 9500 rpm of power and 140 Nm @ 8000 rpm of torque. These are peak figures.
What is the fuel tank capacity of the 2020 KTM 1290 Super Duke R?
The 2020 KTM 1290 Super Duke R has a 16-litre fuel tank. At around 5-6 litres per 100 km, that is roughly 266-320 km between stops.
Is the 2020 KTM 1290 Super Duke R suitable for shorter riders?
The 2020 KTM 1290 Super Duke R has a seat height of 835 mm. This is towards the tall end of the spectrum and will require most riders under 175 cm to tiptoe at stops.
What brakes does the 2020 KTM 1290 Super Duke R have?
The 2020 KTM 1290 Super Duke R uses 2 x 320mm discs, Brembo Stylema four piston, radially mounted caliper at the front and Single 240mm disc Brembo two piston, fixed caliper, at the rear.
What tyre sizes does the 2020 KTM 1290 Super Duke R use?
The 2020 KTM 1290 Super Duke R runs 120/70 ZR 17 front and 200/55 ZR 17 rear tyres. A good selection of sport, touring and all-weather rubber is available in these sizes.
What gearbox does the 2020 KTM 1290 Super Duke R have?
The 2020 KTM 1290 Super Duke R is fitted with a 6 Speed transmission.
KTM 1290 Super Duke R Spec Evolution
The KTM 1290 Super Duke R was produced across 5 model years (2017-2022). The table below highlights the key specifications that changed across the production run - useful whether you are comparing years or tracking down a specific variant.
| Specification |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2022 |
| Max Power |
130.2 kW / 177 hp @ 8870 rpm |
130.2 kW / 177 hp @ 8870 rpm |
130.2 kW / 177 hp @ 8870 rpm |
132 kW / 180 hp @ 9500 rpm |
132 kW / 180 hp |
| Dry Weight |
195 kg / 430 lbs |
195 kg / 430 lbs |
195 kg / 430 lbs |
189 kg / 416.6 lbs |
180 kg / 396.8 lbs |
| Engine Detail |
Four stroke, 75°V-twin cylinder, DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder |
Four stroke, 75°V-twin cylinder, DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder |
Four stroke, 75°V-twin cylinder, DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder |
Four stroke, 75°V-twin cylinder, DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder |
Four stroke, 75° V-twin cylinder, DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder |
| Seat Height |
835 mm / 32.9 in |
835 mm / 32.9 in |
835 mm / 32.9 in |
835 mm / 33 in |
837 mm / 32.9 in |
| Fuel Capacity |
18 Litres / 4.8 US gal / 4.0 Imp galUnleaded premium fuel (95 RON) |
18 Litres / 4.8 US gal / 4.0 Imp galUnleaded premium fuel (95 RON) |
18 Litres / 4.8 US gal / 4.0 Imp gal Unleaded premium fuel (95 RON) |
16 Litres / 4.2 US gal |
16 Litres / 4.2 US gal |
| Frame Type |
Chromium-Molybdenum steel trellis frame, powder coated |
Chromium-Molybdenum steel trellis frame, powder coated |
Chromium-Molybdenum steel trellis frame, powder coated |
CrMo-steel trellis frame, powder coated, Subframe Cast aluminium / Composite |
Chrome-moly tubular space frame, powder-coated |
| Brakes - Front |
2 x 320mm Floating discs, Brembo monoblock 4 piston radial fixed calipers |
2 x 320mm Floating discs, Brembo monoblock 4 piston radial fixed calipers |
2 x 320mm Floating discs, Brembo monoblock 4 piston radial fixed calipers |
2 x 320mm discs, Brembo Stylema four piston, radially mounted caliper |
2 x 320 mm Brembo Stylema Monobloc four piston, radially mounted caliper |
| Wheelbase |
1482 mm / 58.3 in |
1482 mm / 58.3 in |
1482 mm / 58.3 in |
1497 mm / 59 in ± 15 mm |
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Key Specifications
Engine
Four stroke, 75°V-twin cylinder, DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder
Power
132 kW / 180 hp @ 9500 rpm
Torque
140 Nm / 103.3 lb-ft @ 8000 rpm
Top Speed
Not published by manufacturer
Weight
189 kg / 416.6 lbs
Fuel Capacity
16 Litres / 4.2 US gal
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Full 2020 KTM 1290 Super Duke R Specifications
Year
2020
Make Model
KTM 1290 Super Duke R
Seat Height
835 mm / 33 in
Wheelbase
1497 mm / 59 in ± 15 mm
Ground Clearance
160 mm / 6.3 in
Dry Weight
189 kg / 416.6 lbs
Fuel Capacity
16 Litres / 4.2 US gal
Displacement
1301 cc / 79.3 cu-in
Engine Detail
Four stroke, 75°V-twin cylinder, DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder
Bore x Stroke
108 x 71 mm
Compression Ratio
13.5:1
Cooling System
Liquid cooling
Emissions
Euro
Engine Management
Keihin EMS with RBW and cruise control, double ignition
Exhaust
Stainless steel primary and secondary silencer with two catalytic converters
Fuel Induction
Keihin EFI Throttle body 56 mm
Lubrication
Pressure lubrication with 3 Eaton pumps
Starter
Electric
Battery Capacity
12V 12Ah
Clutch
PASC slipper clutch, hydraulically operated
Final Drive
Chain, X-Ring 525
Primary Drive
40:76
Transmission / Drive
6 Speed
Frame Type
CrMo-steel trellis frame, powder coated, Subframe Cast aluminium / Composite
Suspension - Front
48mm WP APEX, USD forks
Suspension - Rear
WP APEX shock absorber
Handlebar
Aluminium, tapered, Ø 28/22 mm
Steering Angle
64.8°
Trail
108 mm / 4.3 in
Wheel Travel - Front
125 mm / 4.9 in
Wheel Travel - Rear
140 mm / 5.5 in
Traction control
MTC (lean-angle sensitive, 3-Mode, disengageable, Track mode optional)
Brakes - Front
2 x 320mm discs, Brembo Stylema four piston, radially mounted caliper
Brakes - Rear
Single 240mm disc Brembo two piston, fixed caliper,
ABS
Bosch 9.1 MP 2.0 (with cornering ABS and SUPERMOTO ABS)
Tyres - Front
120/70 ZR 17
Tyres - Rear
200/55 ZR 17
Wheels
Cast aluminium wheels
Wheels - Front
3.50 x 17
Wheels - Rear
6.00 x 17
Specifications are compiled from manufacturer documentation and cross-referenced
technical sources, and corrected on an ongoing basis.
Spot an error? Let us know.
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