Are Naked bikes still the rage? Looking at KTM’s Street portfolio then you’d think so with at least two new models coming to showrooms this year in the forms of the KTM 1290 SUPER DUKE R and the KTM 890 DUKE R. We asked some key figures in orange – as well as ex-racers like Jeremy McWilliams and Chris Fillmore – if the genre remains vibrant and in-demand as the new decade begins…
The KTM 1290 SUPER DUKE R was presented and tested by international press for the first time in and around the Portimao race circuit in Portugal in early February and here – with the help of the bike’s originator – are four reasons why THE BEAST had the experts growling…
Celebrating 25 years from the release of the very first KTM 620 DUKE back in 1994, we take a closer look at the impressive history of KTM’s iconic single-cylinder machine through the last quarter of a century.
Those who want to travel far and fast don’t need a lot, but they do need the best. KTM builds ADVENTURE series bikes for touring enthusiasts, and has been doing so for precisely 20 years now. At KTM, ADVENTURE means much more than a big tank or a chrome-plated exhaust, and bikes adorned with stickers reminiscent of Rally successes – ADVENTURE has been KTM’s philosophy since 1997, back when the 640 LC4 ADVENTURE made its debut.
Over 20 years ago the original DUKE set the tone of KTM’s return to street bikes. We find out if age has been kind to the original single-cylinder bad boy.
Statistically speaking, you spend 22.37 years of your life in bed. Another 16.63 years are spent at work and you’re ill for 4.29 years …. That leaves about 5.2 years for DUKE riding. All in all, not too bad an outlook. Just DUKE it! Advertising for a motorcycle may have been unusual 20 years ago, but so was the motorcycle.
