A new touring version of KTM’s 1290 Super Duke R, spied testing in Spain this week.
The camouflaged test bike has been given a bigger sub-frame and seat unit to hold those new full-sized touring panniers, which are also supported by the pillion peg hangers.
It’s been given a screen, a new headlight assembly and higher, wider bars for a more upright riding position.
Otherwise it looks identical to the 1290 Super Duke R, with a 1301cc V-twin engine making a claimed 180hp and 106lbft.
Despite being marketed as ‘The Beast’ by KTM, the 1290 Super Duke R was received by journalists as a highly useable road bike, with a sophisticated electronics package including Bosch traction control and anti-wheelie.
That should mean KTM won’t face too much development work to get the touring version in production by 2016.
