2022 KTM 1290 Super Duke R Dyno Review

2022 KTM 1290 Super Duke R Dyno / Handheld Review

KTM has always been a big name in the bike world, especially with their high-performance engineering magic. And one of their popular offerings is the KTM 1290 Super Duke R. The KTM 1290 Super Duke has been a fan favorite since it first hit the streets in 2014. Then came the third-gen model in 2020, dubbed "The Beast 3.0," and man, did it live up to the name. It came with a whole new frame, updated suspension, and a beefed-up 1201cc V-Twin engine. 

The latest 2022 model? It's a more aggressive mean machine on the road. They've cranked it up with an extra 3 horsepower, hitting a wild 180hp at 9500rpm and 103 pound-feet of torque at 8000rpm. It’s all about that adrenaline rush, with sharper handling and a semi-active electronic suspension that just screams 'ride me!'

In this comprehensive review of the 2022 KTM 1290 Super Duke R, we'll explore how it performs with our BT Moto ECU Flash and show you how the flash has addressed some of the common customer complaints with this bike. Let's get started.

Firstly, 2022 KTM 1290 Super Duke R Stock Tuning Review

On the road, the 2022 KTM 1290 Super Duke R is a beast that rips and shreds effortlessly, even without the quickshifter (which you can toggle on or off in the electronics menu). Sticking to manual shifts, the torque blew our minds. But anyone familiar with its predecessor might find this model a bit more subdued. The previous version had a raw, aggressive vibe—almost Ducati-like—but no real complaints here. When you dial it in just right, this bike is an absolute blast, and we mean a serious blast.

This bike tips the scales at 441 pounds wet, shaving off about 20 pounds from the earlier model. That might not sound like much, but it’s a game changer for a bike cranking out 180 horsepower. The power is ridiculous; I even saw the front tire lift off in third gear! Oddly, it didn’t smooth out as well in second gear due to some initial fueling quirks, which we later fine-tuned on the dyno.

The semi-active suspension with its Comfort, Street, and Sport riding modes is another highlight. Among the suspension settings, the Street mode offers a really comfortable ride, and unlike some Ducatis, it doesn’t roast your thighs, which is a huge plus. The seat height delivers a more track-focused riding style and the sound is robust but not overpowering. Simply put, it's a joy to ride around town.

Next, we cranked it up to Sport mode to test the stock tuning at the top end stuff. The increase in torque was immediate, and thanks to a stiffer chassis, the bike handled corners with precision. The throttle might feel a bit jerky in Sport mode, but the sheer power makes you forget about that minor hiccup. The brakes are solid too—really impressive. However, something felt a bit off, like it wasn’t living up to its full potential. We suspected a fueling issue, which seemed to hold back some of that beastly power.

Overall, the 2022 Super Duke R is fantastic, but it felt like there was more power under the hood just waiting to be unleashed on the dyno. But before that, we decided to check how the bike performed on our stock 60-130 mph test. 

As expected, we got a pretty good result for a stock bike: 6.49 seconds. But obviously, there was room for a lot of improvement on the dyno.

2022 KTM 1290 Super Duke R Dyno Tuning and Results

We strapped the 1290 Super Duke R onto the Dyno and the results were quite interesting. In the image below, you'll see the red line represents the tuned performance, while the blue line shows the stock settings. Straight away, one standout feature of the tune is the extended rev range—it adds an extra thousand rpm.

Taking a look at the Dyno chart, it's clear that the tune made a significant impact. From the stock settings, we're seeing a boost of about five horsepower and four units of torque at peak, which might not sound like a lot in the car world, but on a bike like the 1290 Super Duke R, it's a huge deal. That’s a substantial jump—five horsepower and five torque units can seriously transform how this bike feels on the road.

Beyond just the numbers, the whole RPM range on the bike smoothed out noticeably. The tune also enhanced the quickshifter's performance, making gear changes quicker and sharper. Additionally, we tweaked the bike’s electronics and speed limiter, giving the rider more control and removing any restrictions to truly unleash this beast’s potential. 

Back on the road, the post-flash 1290 Super Duke R felt like a whole new beast. The surge in power was so intense it reminded us of a V4 Street Fighter with our stage 2 setup. This time, the KTM was transformed into an absolute monster, especially with its newfound strength in the mid-range. The bike began lifting its front tire right from the get-go, something it struggled with in second gear before the flash. Interestingly, we didn't switch out the exhaust; it was the BT Moto flash alone that resolved the fueling issues and got the exhaust valve to open properly.

All we did was flash the bike, and the difference was like night and day. On the dyno, the five horsepower increase may not seem monumental, but it pushed the bike from 166 to 171 horsepower, and on the road, that extra power and torque made it wildly exhilarating. The bike now behaves much better—no more jerkiness.

 Next, we were eager to check out the Stage 1 top-end power after the flash. There was a bit of jerkiness at the tipping point, which makes sense considering the bike now handles around 100 foot-pounds of torque. Our advice? Keep the RPMs low and let the torque do its thing for more controlled throttle inputs during tipping. The power coming out of turns was downright scary, adding both excitement and a bit of anxiety because of the massive torque available at any RPM.

So, if you’re chasing that raw, heart-racing power similar to what you’d feel on a Ducati, this post-flash 2022 KTM 1290 Super Duke R will not disappoint. 

Next up, we did the 60 through 130 mph post flash test to see how the 2022 KTM 1290 Super Duke R performed with increased horsepower and torque. The result was, as expected, impressive three tenth of a second faster than the stock: 6.20 seconds.

The Key Takeaways

Overall, we were absolutely blown away by how the 2022 KTM 1290 Super Duke R performed after the flash—it was a total blast to ride. With the crackles and pops, it truly delivers a complete riding experience. The stage 1 flash brought us a significant bump in performance, adding 5 wheel horsepower and an equal boost in torque, which noticeably enhanced the feel of this machine. We enjoyed smoother tipping, and the extended RPM limiter now takes us beyond 11,000 RPM, broadening the power band and reducing the need for shifting on the track.

The sound of the bike post-flash is pure music to any bike lover's ears. We also dialed back the cruise control's limit speed and removed all the governors and limiters, freeing this beast to reach its full potential. After the flash, the Super Duke R transformed into an even more incredible and exhilarating ride. It's something worth trying for sure. 

And there you have it. If you have any questions about the BT Moto flash for the 2022 KTM 1290 Super Duke R, or anything else, don't hesitate to contact us. We're always here to help and look forward to hearing from you soon.