German tuner links up with KTM for a special iteration of the 1290 Super Duke R Evo

Not content with 1,000bhp+ Mercs and boats named after clandestine military operations, Brabus is now modifying motorbikes.

Yep, the German tuner has entered into a collaboration with KTM to produce its first ever two-wheeler. It’s called the Brabus 1300 R and you might be surprised to hear that there’s no more power over the bike it’s based on.

That’s because underneath it’s a KTM 1290 Super Duke R Evo, which already makes 180bhp and 140Nm of torque from its 1.3-litre V-Twin engine. Plenty, in other words. 

Brabus takes the KTM and adds plenty of carbon fibre, some new air intakes, forged wheels, a custom heated seat trimmed in red leather, a retro-look headlight, new mirrors, a twin-exit exhaust and LED rear lights. Blimey. 

The 1300 R will only be available with a black or red frame, and only 77 examples of each will be built to celebrate the year of Brabus’ birth. 

The excess of carbon means it’s 5kg lighter than the Evo it’s based on, and each one will get KTM’s semi-active suspension with six different damping modes. Looks mega too, don’t you think?