KTM  SMT Spied

SPIED: Tourer version of KTM 1290 Super Duke, 125 and 390 spotted in Spain

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Austrian two-wheeler manufacturer KTM is testing the touring version of its recently introduced 1290 Super Duke and the 125 Duke and 390 Duke in Spain. The spy photographs of the test mules were reported by automotive website Visor Down. The 1290 Super Duke based tourer was expected given the fact that KTM was selling a touring version of its earlier most powerful naked motorcycle, the 990 Super Duke. What’s new is the sighting of the 125 Duke and 390 Duke based touring motorcycles. The 990 Super Duke based touring motorcycle was named 990 SMT and so we expect KTM to call these tourers 1290 SMT, 125 SMT and 390 SMT.

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Sadly though, only the photograph of the 1290 Super Duke based touring motorcycle was available so let’s talk about that first. What’s different between the 1290 Super Duke and the touring variant? Well, firstly, the sub-frame has been extended to house a comfortable pillion seat and provide ample space for full-sized touring panniers. The touring variant also receives a windscreen, new headlight assembly and a high raised handlebar for a more upright riding position. The powermill is expected to be the same 1,301cc V-twin engine that would churn out 180hp of power and 144Nm of torque. The gear ratios are likely to be tweaked to match the touring characteristics of the motorcycle.

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Now although the photographs are not available, Visor Down also suggests that the near-identical looking Duke 125 and 390 based touring motorcycles were also spotted along with the 1290 Super Duke based tourer featuring revised rider and rear-sets, different sub-frame and different indicators. The 390 also had a side-mounted exhaust instead of the current model’s underbelly silencer. This means that we will see a touring specific version of the KTM 390 Duke very soon!

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Why a 1290 Super Duke based touring variant when the 1290 Super Adventure already exists you ask? Well, adventure touring motorcycles embrace dual-sport motorcycle designed specifically to provide long range touring capabilities both on roads and off roads with the intent of making virtually any destination reachable. The Sport tourers on the other hand are a combination of superbikes and tourers, allowing long-distance riding at higher speeds but with more emphasis on sport-like performance. The 1290 Super Duke based touring motorcycle will have the characteristics of a sports touring motorcycle as oppose to the on-road/off-road capabilities of an adventurer tourer like the 1290 Super Adventure.

Stay tuned to Motoroids for more updates from motoring industry.

Source: Asphalt and Rubber

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