After pictures were released of the 2014 KTM 1290 Super Duke R in apparent production guise, we posted a video of Jeremy McWilliams riding a prototype at Goodwood. Now, a new video has surfaced showing a pre-production 1290 Super Duke R dicing with a BMW S 1000 RR on track.
Although this new video looks suspiciously like a stealth KTM promo, it is still quite impressive to watch. Quite simply, naked bikes are not supposed to be able to play games like this with the world’s most powerful production superbike on a race track. You can argue that the BMW backs off at times, particularly in the braking zone, to allow the KTM to come back into view, but you must remember that riding a naked bike at speeds like this likely creates much more wind resistance than a slippery superbike.
Not surprisingly, the big KTM leaps out of corners where the BMW is clearly hard on the gas. Fun to watch. Here is the video:
Loads of people missing the point… Punch out of the corners, the KTM is all over the Beemer. He’s using all of the SS to keep with the KTM, and then only just… When a naked bike hits 130mph (210ish kph) the rider is just basically trying to hold on, the wind buffeting your shoulders is immense… So obviously the BMW would just f*** off into the distance at those speeds. Wouldn’t make for a great video though would it!?
I have a KTM SDR and an Aprilia Factory track bike so speak from some experience…
Having done many a trackday with Triumph triple and KTM Superduke R (current version) riders this is a fair promotion of the product. Up to 200 kph with the balance of a naked bikes power down low they can run with the big dogs while the superbikes walk away once approaching 200 kph and more. Personally I am glad to see it and cannot wait to see more. Nice of them to use the S1RR; I own one and love it.
Beemer out braked by a ktm every time
wait, I just remembered. this is a KTM street bike. it would take an ACT OF CONGRESS before any of my local franchisees put one on the street. 🙁
nope, and neither is the SD a fully faired inline 4, if thats what you want go get one. ill wait for the 1290 thank you very much.
Yeah, cool video. Who cares if the Beemer rider is lagging behind the ktm and not giving it full stick. I’m sure taking good lines with a 600 on boil could stay ahead. Reminds me I need more track time too!
When compared against a MotoGP rider (Jeremy McWilliams – retired), most people would look like they were “sandbagging” – I for one would not be as hard on the brakes before or as hard on the throttle in a corner as a MotoGP rider! 🙂
Maybe I missed the part where the BMW got anywhere close to a full on throttle jump to anywhere near redline. Entertaining video though 🙂
The only way the KTM would beat the BMW in a race is if I were riding the BMW. This is obviously not a race despite the “vs” cleverly added to the video title. A more appropriate title would be ” An S 1000 RR tolerates the new KTM Super Duke for marketing purposes”…..which I enjoyed immensely.
There’s no need for the gnashing of teeth over rev rates, engine braking or resevoir levels of the BMW because the video is not about the BMW. KTM, unfortunately, still thinks they have to convince the buying public their machines are “as good” and worthy of your consideration; which is probably correct although a shame.
I enjoyed reading all the comments. The bottom line is it is a fun video to watch, no need to take sides…
Nowhere is it implied that the Duke was “giving it” to the BMW. It stands to reason that to take good footage of a high performance bike on the track, the camera vehicle needs to be faster with a better rider in order to have control of the camera’s position. That’s all this is. The BMW rider let’s off everywhere in order to make good images of the KTM.
One must beg the question, if KTM made this, why didn’t they use an RC8?
very good points indeed, maybe because of the SR it’s a way better known machine than the RC8?
yeah, the S1 is considered “top o’ the food chain” performance wise. conveniently, it’s also a product of their Deutsche cousins to the north.
re: “why didn’t they use an RC8?”
2:24, there’s your RC8.
I think it’s time for the Beemer dude to change brake fluid, or at least until then top it off man!!
Heh-heh. Agreed Gary, I was distracted by that and it might cost me a second or two around the circuit ;^). The vid does appear to be kinda promo, but maybe the Katoom rider wouldn’t have been so dominant against a topped off reservoir.
Jeez, my Ducati Diavel would give that S1000RR rider fits.
Advertising, pure and simple. Obviously, the BMW could own that KTM any time it wanted. Still, it was a nice effort by a naked bike.
Just like BMW’s own vid of a new GSw giving an RR fits on the racetrack. Uh, huh.
I don’t understand why the beemer rider is using engine braking on downshifts. I find it painful to listen to when he’s letting the clutch out before blipping the throttle. I mean, isnt that what brakes are for? Or is this what everyone does when they have slipper clutches?
Agreed, the BMW is definitely holding back some. Several points where the BMW rolls off the throttle or holds rpm’s steady, some odd line choices, early braking compared to the KTM, etc. Not to say the performance of the KTM isnt very impressive but this definitely wasn’t an unbiased video.
yeah, that beemer had that twin covered… but a naked twin with 1190 cc’s is a handful and you could see that exiting the corners and such… just not built to be an all out track bike, but loads of fun… 🙂
that beamer just screams… I want one!!!
re: “a naked twin with 1190 cc’s”
1290. the USP is in this being a “performance” 1300.
Fun video, wonderful bikes. That said, the S1000RR rider appears capable of passing at will.
I don’t know why, it cracks me up seeing brake lights on the track.
That BMW is sandbaggin’. Use the motor dude.
This is the same thing I tough
You can clearly see how at 1:39 the SR leaves the KTM behind….
The SR it’s on my opinion holding on the gas.
oh man ill take the KTM anyday over the cookie cutter BMW. so much more interesting and most of us dont ride on a track anyway, why ride a racerboy bike on the streets?!
Totally agree:
(just for performance sake, and I will not publicly accept we all are kinda power junkies; would have love to see the KTM go toe to toe with the SR).
-better ergonomics (worst in the sense it does not have wind protection)
-different spirit in the form of sound (v twin rumble), and how power develops (more torque)
-with the amount of power it has; the KTM is not precisely the most forgiving or appropriated street motorcycle you know? (but I will still take it)
cookie cutter bmw???? what?
yeah cookie cutter, looks like all the other race reps out there!
KTM has its own thing going on with design.
Well, they weren’t riding on the streets, were they?
nope, and neither is the SD a fully faired inline 4, if thats what you want go get one. ill wait for the 1290 thank you very much.