This is Brabus’ first ever two-wheeled project and they surely have done a fantastic job
In late 2021, spy shots of an interesting hyper-naked motorcycle surfaced online. And it was later confirmed that it was an offering by none other than German automotive tuner, Brabus. Yes, the same Brabus that has given us numerous beastly Mercedes’ has teamed up with KTM to create an equally beastly (or more) motorcycle based on the 1290 Super Duke EVO.
The official debut of the bike was supposed to take place on February 11th, 2022 but the bike, and all of its details, have been leaked ahead of the unveiling.
The Aesthetics
Only 154 of these bikes will go into production. Swipe up to read in-depth about the Brabus 1300 R.
One look at the Brabus 1300 R and it looks nothing like the bike it’s based on. Gone is the razor sharp design language and in comes a more mass-appealing and dare we say ‘conventional’ design.
At the front, the Brabus 1300 R adopts a Brabus-branded circular LED headlight, not too different from what we see on KTM-owned Husqvarna bikes. This is complemented by carbon-fibre air scoops, headlight shroud, and aerodynamic winglets.
It is essentially based on the KTM 1290 Super Duke EVO but has received a major overhaul
The tail end is made of carbon-fibre and looks sleeker than the Super Duke’s rear end
The fuel tank has also been re-sculpted and appears more muscular than the already brawny tank of the 1290 Super Duke. Not to forget, the tank too gets carbon-fibre touches. At 16.2-litre capacity, though, it holds the same amount of fuel as the 1290 Super Duke.
Towards the tail end, the Brabus 1300 R sharpens up to round off the design. The tail end is made of carbon-fibre and looks sleeker than the Super Duke’s rear end. Along with all this, the bike packs nine-spoke alloy wheels and twin-barrel exhausts to set it apart from its Austrian cousin.
The tail end is again made from carbon-fibre and looks sleeker than the Super Duke’s rear
Overall, the Brabus has surely done an exciting job with the 1300 R’s design. However, a youthful audience, with a sportier taste, would still find the 1290 Super Duke EVO more appealing. But hey, design is a subjective and varies from person to person. Do let us know if you dig the 1300 R in the comments below.
The Tech
The entire electronics package is exactly the same as the KTM Super Duke EVO, even the electronic WP suspension
The design of the Brabus 1300 R may be wholly different from the 1290 Super Duke, but the German company has left the techy things untouched. So you get the same 5-inch TFT instrument cluster as the Super Duke which comes loaded with:
- Five ride modes (Rain, Street, Sport, Track, and Performance)
- Traction control
- Quickshifter
- Switchable ABS
- Wheelie control
- Engine-braking control
Along with this, the Brabus 1300 R also gets the adjustable handlebar, again borrowed from the KTM Super Duke. However, for added premiumness, you get hand-milled CNC levers here.
The Powerhouse
Gone is the steel exhaust of the Super Duke and in comes a matte black twin-barrel exhaust
Underneath, the Brabus 1300 R is essentially a KTM 1290 Super Duke EVO albeit any major changes. It is powered by the same 1,301cc, twin-cylinder engine as the Super Duke and is expected to make the same power figures (182.5PS and 140Nm). The motor comes mated to a six-speed PANKL gearbox along with a PASC slipper clutch, same as the Super Duke EVO.
The front half of the bike gets a round LED headlight complemented by carbon-fibre wings
Even the chassis housing the engine remains unaltered and continues to be sprung on 48mm WP Apex USD forks and WP Apex monoshock, both electronically adjustable. As for braking, Brembo Stylema calipers do the duty, but they gain carbon-fibre cooling ducts in the Brabus.
Brabus has also given the bike a new seat with thicker padding, which has bumped up the seat height to 843mm, 8mm more than the Super Duke.
Can You Buy One?
Leaked photos of Brabus’ first motorcycle, the 1300 R, have surfaced online
Well, in short, probably not. Allow us to explain. You see, this is a special first for Brabus and the company will only make 154 (77 for each colour option) examples of the 1300 R to pay homage to its founding year, 1977. Speaking of colours, the bike will be offered in two liveries, Magma Red and Signature Black. Pricing is yet to berevealed but it surely won’t be easy on the pocket.
Image Credits – Motorcycle.com
Keyword: Meet The KTM 1290 Super Duke’s Souped Up German Cousin, The 2022 Brabus 1300 R