There I was, crammed into a ridiculously thin seat of Qatar’s ‘finest’ airplane, and we all know how that feels, as in terrible. Then an announcement reveals we have a delay as Johannesburg decides to keep us planted on the runway with a farewell thunderstorm, nice! Predictably a huge dude sits next to me but he is holding a South African bike magazine, great, but at least I can chat about motorbikes as the temperature rises inside the cabin, then, after an hour and a half of stagnation we’re all off to the Middle East on a diet of plastic food with a large dose of turbulence to wash it all down – tremendous.
After finally getting off the plane in Qatar, or disembarking in airline speak, with an arse like I’ve been used for cricket bat practice my thoughts turned to the unique delights of entering a Country I’ve never been to and an interesting one at that. Then! Knock me down with a KTM crankshaft, the driver taking me to the much awaited hotel drives straight into a large Nissan and I have to get out while they throw death threats at each other, I think, because it was in full Arabic and, after they’d spat phlegm at each other for 10 minutes I’m told, in English, to get out and wait for another car because the police are coming seeing as they possibly want to stab each other, WTF! Nice way to enjoy Qatar and Doha for the first time early in the morning, right? However, the beckoned car arrived and eventually and thankfully we turned into the hyper-posh Pearl Hotel with familiar orange KTM banners adorning the entry road and I remembered why I was here – to ride the latest incarnation of one of my favourite naked bikes ever made, the KTM 1290 Super Duke R. Instantly the excitement returned as I was greeted with friendly smiles by the sexy KTM hosting girls and quickly the woes of travel tales dissolved away as I’m shown into my five-star room with angel-wings for pillows – ahhhh…
Anyway enough of ‘Getaway’ like tales let’s get into what I was there for, to ride the new 1290 Super Duke R around Doha’s streets and then the following day I’m off to the famous race track at Losail for day and night track time, just like the MotoGP riders enjoy, but obviously much slower because I’m too old and drink too much, anyway…
To me the Super Duke R is still the most adrenalin developing naked bike on the planet and I’ve enjoyed it many times already. So KTM will surely have their handlebars full to improve on that recipe, or so I thought. But I can tell you right now that they have and all the other manufacturers are going to have an even harder time to stay with this one, which KTM call the ’Beast 2.0’, or second edition. Look, it’s not a totally new machine, more of a refinement in a lot of areas and, of course, loads more electronics, which is what modern day riders demand and enjoy, and me, well, maybe, perhaps.
The thumping heart of the 2017 1290 Super Duke R is still that monster 75-degree, LC8-V2, displacing 1,301cc that has been given around five horsepower more to push out 177hp and 141Nm of torque, enough for you, well it was for me that’s for sure, but it is a few kilograms heavier so we’re orbiting the same parameters of the first one really. The weight increase comes from all this new complicated computer stuff in case you’re wondering. Still, a couple of new and interesting beneficial factors found inside the engine are titanium valves and shorter intake funnels inside air-box which allow the engine to rev 500rpm higher before slamming into the rev-limiter, which is still a bit abrupt when it appears but are you man enough to go there? Of course you are! KTM has also gone to great lengths to make the power delivery smoother, making the road riding cycle a more pleasant experience than the first model, utilising lessons learned from their current GT model.
Their current GT bike is riddled with electronics and now so is this 2017 Super Duke R. I hate waffling on about all this stuff and you’re probably best going to www.ktm.com for their promotional technical brief but if you’re not into that then let me assist – yawn, here we go then.
First we have MSR (Motor Slip Regulator), which is basically a slipper-clutch. Next is MTC (Motorcycle Traction Control), which speaks for itself and KTM’s Ride-by-Wire operates the huge 56mm throttle bodies. Then we have fancy ABS that not only works in a straight line but also at various lean angles, developed by Bosch. This can be set to normal ‘Street’ mode and ‘Supermoto’ mode so the rear wheel can be locked up for impressing the kids outside the school gates as you’re sliding sideways around a corner whilst on the brakes, or turned off completely so you don’t impress them by falling off during the same scenario, but they will video you and put you on Bookface for sure, so make sure you smile. To add extra button fiddling there’re three ride modes. ‘Street’ and ‘Sport’ are the same but ‘Sport’ gives a more aggressive throttle response and a ‘Rain’ mode that clips the power to 130hp with a much softer power delivery. Oh yeah, there’re also cruise control, tyre pressure monitoring systems (TPMS) and a new keyless transponder ignition fob, so no mechanical key is needed, all found on the 2017 1290 Super Duke R. Is that enough electronics for you? Oh no wait, there’s much more folks!
We now have, for 2017, an all new ‘Performance Pack’ and ‘Track Pack’ which are optional extras and some of which are simply activated by your KTM dealer, obviously at an extra cost. The first option includes a quick -shifter and Motor Slip Regulation (MSR) and smartphone integration KTM MY RIDE. Then the ‘Track Pack’ has all that plus ‘Track’ ride mode with anti-wheelie off function, launch control and freely configurable throttle response. The MSR, in case you’re wondering, gives nine levels of wheel spin control that works in conjunction with the traction control function. Thankfully in ‘Track’ mode all settings remain, so I’m told, when the key is turned off but this is all still a bit complicated and fiddly for me if not a little confusing. But everything is beautifully relayed to the rider by the new TFT colour dashboard that adjusts automatically to outside light, very nice and without doubt one of the best improvements on the new bike, not that you see much of it whilst hurtling around the race track though.
You can wake up now because the science lesson has concluded but as far as a visual lesson goes you’ll notice the new ‘waspish’ face and the side covers are longer for a more predatory look, so KTM say. The seat unit has been made smaller and thinner to show off the rear sub-frame as well. Incidentally the frame and swing-arm have not been changed but the WP suspension has been updated and that’s about it (as far as I can remember) for the changes, now onto the ride…
That afternoon we all met for our road ride around the roundabouts or circles littered throughout Doha, just for a few hours with the odd photo stop. First thing I noticed about the 2.0 are the ‘bars are in a noticeably different position to the previous model - 18.5mm further forward to be exact and 20mm wider and 5mm lower, forcing the rider over the front end more and therefore much better for high speed ‘entertainment’. The seat is also new and softer, which it needed, and those new clocks really add flavour to the Super Duke when in motion. In fact the ride is definitely much more refined in all areas because of the smoother motor and more compliant suspension that hide its violent and mental nature nicely, until you whack open the throttle that is and rudely get a face full of petrol tank. A trait that became quite common around the track it you weren’t paying attention. That’s the beauty of this revised massive V-twin engine during road riding; it can either trundle along sending you to sleep, sort of, or wake you up like an unwanted tsunami entering your garden! After all this is primarily a road bike right…until you take it to a thoroughbred GP circuit that is, which is exactly what happened the next day.
‘Anyone not been here before?’ was the first thing I heard after the very professional technical presentation. Well that would be me then, along with a cool dude, now friend, called Sander from FHM Holland and we both looked at each other like we were about to be attacked by 50 Russian football fans - gulp! Worriedly we heard the 26 bikes lined up outside being warmed up with the familiar KTM big-twin anthem. The ‘rest’ though had been here many times before and the ‘rest’ had many ‘proper’ racers among them. Ah well, I’m here now so let’s get on with it shall we.
The Losail racetrack is nothing like it looks on TV might I add. It’s flat and featureless and very hard to learn, never mind at night and it’s most certainly in the middle of a desert! So my first session was a bit intimidating to say the least but after many loud swear words and appalling apex lines the first session was over and Sander and myself found ourselves wondering why we were here.
Never mind, during the second session something began to bond with track, the bike and me. I had the bike in ‘Sport’ mode to start, with everything else turned off and, after seeing my first 265kmh down the long 1.2km straight and braking hard into the tight right turn with knee rasping away on the immensely grippy tarmac, I was happier than an Arab with a thousand oil wells, well nearly. The Super Duke now came alive after it scoffed at my feeble inputs from the earlier attempts to go quickly. It just wanted more and took me there. Is this really a naked road bike? Then the track started to make sense, what a stunning circuit to be playing on and then some. Initially I was riding in a gear too low for the corner I was in and revving the Duke too hard, so once I remembered this is a big V-twin and not an in-line four (as in idiot in Qatar), I decided to use the wealth of torque instead and only needed 3rd and 4th until that amusing main straight appeared again when 6th was used. Just roll on the throttle and the Super Duke will pull from zero rpm out of any bend with its stunning mid-range delivery, with the front wheel hardly touching the road as you lean over the front in an effort to keep it there, lovely stuff and highly memorable. 
By now I didn’t want to come in after my 20 minutes or so as I reveled in the outstanding grip of these new Metzeler M7 RR tyres. No matter how hard I ‘stuffed it in’ they never complained as much as I had and I doubt you would ever change them for anything else, if you do you’re an idiot! Even during my third stint when I entered, now very brave of course, into ‘Track’ mode with full aggressive throttle response and no wheelie control they never, ever gave me any problems or concerns. To the point of totally forgetting about any grip issues and instead I absorbed and adored the outstanding performance of this amazing engine. Want wheelies? Third gear with a flick of clutch and you’re heading past 160km/h (100mph in English) and into the distance. Highly intoxicating, highly amusing and fiendishly addictive.
So the new 2017 Super Duke R is very easy to turn, ride quickly, holds the line sweetly and sounds great until, that is, KTM offered me a lap or four on their race prepared version…
Same bike, same engine, full Akrapovic, slicks, higher/harder race seat, rear sets, Braking wave discs and WP factory race suspension. The result was dramatic and the best thing I’ve ever ridden around any circuit, ever, and I want one. Until you’re told the suspension conversion to closed cartridge forks and posh factory rear shock costs around R40,000 without the other bits! er ok then. Still racing is never a cheap exercise, so there.
I just didn’t want to stop riding this particular Beast and the quick-shifter with ‘auto-blip’ were perfect, which was also fitted onto the road bikes because they were all in full spec trim, well worth every cent if you decided to go that far. That means once you’ve let the clutch out to get moving you can jab up and down the gearbox without using the clutch, unless you desire to point the front wheel towards Venus that is. 265km/h in 6th hard on those mega-powerful Brembo M50 radial brakes, stamp down three gears with the slipper clutch doing its part and turn hard right, you with me? Eventually though and annoyingly I was told to come in, like a child who’s stayed out too long on a boating lake, and give someone else a ride and told to get back onto the road bike for an immediate comparison – booo!
Now the road bike felt too soft and didn’t turn anything like the race bike, so I asked the WP suspension guy to firm up the rear, as did many others, and it improved things a lot. But we are back on the naked road bike at a GP track remember so maybe riding the race bike might not have been a good idea after all, but many thanks anyway because I now only wanted to ride that. Spoiled brat and all that! 
Before the night time session began under the millions of lights the main straight was turned into a drag strip with start lights to test out the new Launch Control mode. Coming from a successful drag racing career this was for me, I thought. Until I soon realised it’s not very good this new Launch Control thing and I didn’t like the way it worked, it just felt flat and slow when engaged and I soon turned back to normal ‘I’m in control thank you’ mode, much better. The worst part of the new bike I believe and not for me but, if you prefer ‘Come Dine with Me’ to ‘Come Launch with Me’ you might enjoy it. Personally I’d give it a miss from the options book for now, but it is something else to fiddle with besides yourself in a shed I suppose.
Nighttime arrived and so did the GP circuit as seen on TV and it’s nothing like it feels during the day let me tell you. You just have to trust the bends are there and where they were earlier and, unfortunately, due to excessive sweating in the day time my visor kept misting up (weak excuse). So after only one session I was done, physically and mentally, and I now have a whole new respect for the GP riders doing their thing at Losail. But not as much respect as I now have for the 2017 1290 Super Duke R 2.0, a truly remarkable motorcycle and I believe it’s one of the best motorbikes ever made to date and that’s before I’ve had a pint. 
The day was over and we returned to the hotel passing all the amazing new skyscrapers being built in Doha. Not that amazing though because most are just empty and nothing more than a decadent sign of unsurpassed wealth to impress the World, artificial city or what? But what else can you do with a trillion dollars a minute gushing out of the sand; buy another skyscraper that’s what.
Sadly after all that it was time to fly home to South Africa and bounce around with another spectacular turbulence dance across northern Africa, lovely that! But once my nerves had ‘rebooted’ after a day or two I then understood that KTM have done a fabulous job with improving their flagship model. Is it worth buying one if you already have the earlier model you ask? Well is it worth buying an iPhone 6 if you already have an iPhone 5 and so on? But if you’ve never owned a Super Duke R sell everything you own and buy this 2.0 version, estimated to be around R215,000 in its basic form, it’ll wake you up that’s for sure.
Personally it’s STILL my favourite naked bike simply because of its devastating performance and now even more so. If I had ‘sand money’ by the barrel I would have one in my bar just to look at and constantly rekindle my few days spent in Qatar and that incredible Losail circuit that I once played on, what more can I say.
Go to www.ktm.com to see their new 2017 range.
