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When KTM slaps an extra “R” on the Super Duke, motorcyclists know something special is coming – and they were absolutely right. The 2025 KTM 1290 Super Duke RR is back, a ultra-limited edition hyper-naked that pushes performance and exclusivity to new heights. How exclusive? All 500 units worldwide were reportedly sold out in a matter of minutes after online orders opened. This blindingly quick sell-out mirrors the frenzy of the first Super Duke RR in 2021, proving that demand for KTM’s ultimate streetfighter is as ferocious as the bike itself. So what makes the RR so coveted? Let’s dive into this rare Beast. The KTM 1290 Super Duke RR returns as a statement of KTM’s engineering ambition and exclusivity.
KTM 1290 Super Duke RR — Ultimate Performance Specs
The 1290 Super Duke RR takes KTM’s already outrageous “Beast” (the 1290 Super Duke R) and turns every dial to eleven. It retains the heart of the standard bike – a 1301cc LC8 V-twin – but the RR benefits from a bit of fine-tuning and, crucially, weight reduction. The LC8 engine pumps out a claimed 180 horsepower and 103 lb-ft of torque, which in a naked bike is a recipe for pure adrenaline.
With the RR’s weight trimmed by roughly 20 pounds compared to the base model, the power-to-weight ratio is essentially 1:1 (one horsepower per kilogram) – truly superbike territory. Achieving this meant extensive use of carbon fiber and other lightweight goodies. The subframe and body panels are carbon, contributing to a svelte dry weight of about 180 kg (397 lbs). Even the wheels are super light forged alloys (some rumored a carbon wheel option as well), reducing rotational mass for lightning-quick handling.
The result of this weight-shaving and tuning is explosive. The 1290 Super Duke RR rockets from 0-60 mph in the low 3-second range, and if you can hold on, it will easily crest 170+ mph. It’s not just about straight-line speed, though – KTM optimized this machine for track performance too. They fitted top-tier suspension front and rear: WP Apex Pro components derived from KTM’s race catalog.
The fully-adjustable forks and shock are tuned for sharper handling, keeping the chassis taut and communicative when you’re carving up corners or setting lap times. Riders who have tested the RR mention that it feels noticeably more precise than the standard R model, especially when pushing hard – this bike is basically a super naked ready for track days out of the box.
KTM 1290 Super Duke RR — Exotic Components and Style
Beyond the raw numbers, the Super Duke RR distinguishes itself with exotic hardware and an aggressive aesthetic. KTM left no stone unturned in making the RR both perform and look like a special weapon:
Braking is handled by premium Brembo Stylema calipers biting on twin 320mm discs up front, with a Brembo radial master cylinder for superb feel. Stopping power is instantaneous – exactly what you need when taming 180 horses.
Exhaust: An ultralight Akrapovič titanium slip-on exhaust (with carbon end-cap) comes standard, delivering a thundering V-twin soundtrack and shaving weight. For track aficionados, KTM offered an optional full Akrapovič race system to eke out even more performance (and sound).
Electronics: The RR carries the full suite of electronic aids seen on the Super Duke R Evo – multi-mode traction control, cornering ABS, anti-wheelie, launch control, and the quickshifter+ – all recalibrated to match the RR’s ferocity. There’s even a unique Track mode and Performance mode allowing fine-tuning of throttle response and slip settings, underscoring that this bike means business.
Carbon Fiber Everywhere: Visually, the 1290 Super Duke RR is sinister and gorgeous. It wears a gloss black and matte carbon fiber bodywork accented by bold white graphics and KTM-orange highlights on the frame and wheels. The minimalistic carbon fiber single-seat tail (no passenger accommodations here) is particularly striking, as are the carbon winglets near the tank – yes, winglets on a naked bike, providing a touch of downforce at high speed and tons of visual flair.
Finishing Touches: Little details like CNC-machined rearsets and levers, a lightweight lithium battery, and a special RR serial number plate on the triple clamp further set it apart from the standard model. Each bike is not only high-performance but also a collector’s piece.
KTM 1290 Super Duke RR — Sold Out Sensation
KTM announced the 2025 Super Duke RR in a limited run of 500 units globally, and hardcore enthusiasts pounced immediately. In fact, KTM’s online reservation system was reportedly flooded, and the entire allotment was spoken for in under an hour (some regions saw it gone in 10 minutes!).
This mirrors the reception of the previous RR edition, showing that riders are more than willing to pay a premium (approximately $30,000 USD, depending on market and options) to own one of the most extreme production motorcycles on the planet. The exclusivity is a huge draw – each owner joins a very small club. Many markets implemented a lottery or first-come deposit system, and bikes were gone before many potential buyers even finished typing in their credit card info.
For those lucky (and quick-fingered) enough to secure an order, deliveries of the 2025 1290 Super Duke RR are expected to begin mid-year. And if you missed out, you might catch a glimpse of one at a track or bikes-and-coffee meet – the RR’s distinctive look is hard to miss. Its presence is low, menacing, and purposeful, like a caged tiger ready to spring.
One could argue no one “needs” a bike like this on the street, but that’s hardly the point. The Super Duke RR exists to celebrate unbridled motorcycling passion – it’s KTM flexing their engineering might and giving purists a track-capable masterpiece for the road.
KTM 1290 Super Duke RR — The Ride Experience
Those who have swung a leg over the Super Duke RR (journalists and a few early owners) report that it is an intense yet surprisingly accessible ride. The riding position is sporty but not punishing (you’re still upright enough for leverage), and with the electronic aids you can tame or unleash the Beast as needed. In Performance mode, for example, you can dial back traction control to allow a bit of rear tire slide, or disable anti-wheelie if you fancy lofting the front – the bike will do power wheelies in third gear with ease given the torque on tap.
The handling is sharper thanks to the weight loss; transitions are quick and the bike feels more eager to turn in, with the suspension keeping it planted and communicative. Essentially, KTM took an already stellar streetfighter and honed it into something truly track-ready. It’s the kind of machine that can embarrass full-on superbikes at a track day, then ride home with a license plate on the back.
Final Thoughts
The return of the KTM 1290 Super Duke RR in 2025 reinforces KTM’s mantra of being “Ready to Race.” It’s a halo product that casts a performance glow over the rest of KTM’s lineup. While mere mortals might end up on the standard Super Duke R or the slightly tamer Super Duke GT, it’s the RR that captures the imagination and headlines. It shows that even in the age of ever-more-complex electronics and regulations, there’s room for motorcycle manufacturers to build machines that are delightfully excessive.
The 1290 Super Duke RR is raw, rowdy, and refined all at once – a true modern hot-rod. And if you weren’t able to purchase one, don’t despair; history suggests these limited KTMs sometimes inspire a few of their upgrades to trickle down into special accessory kits or future models. But for now, the 2025 RR stands alone as the ultimate expression of KTM’s naked-bike know-how. Hats off to those who snagged one – the rest of us will be craning our necks for a closer look (and listen) when one rips by in the wild, its proud owner grinning ear-to-ear under the helmet.
