KTM Middle East Al Shafar organized the event called the KTM 1290 Super Duke R Experience recently at the Dubai Autodrome. This was the official introduction of the Austrian manufacturer’s newest model in to the Middle East region, the 2014 KTM 1290 Super Duke R. 35 riders and 25 guests and media personalities took part in the festivities. Middle East KTM dealers from Kuwait (KNS Racing), Lebanon (ANB Holding), Jordan (Darwazeh Bikes) and the newly signed dealer from Egypt (Abougahly Motors). From the media, Noel Ebdon (for the National), Darren Rycroft (Circuit Pro Digital and Top Performance Magazine), Martin Ormrod (Auto Trader) and Imthisan Giado (Motoring Middle East) just to name a few, were in attendance.

Riders of all skill levels were present at the event and got their chance on the bike. There were two ladies that showed a few of the men a thing or two about riding a motorcycle on a race track. Despite the extremely high performance envelope of the KTM 1290 Super Duke R, the state of the art electronics allow the rider to harness the power and handling.

Hussain Alkooheji and Steve Blackney, both veteran and expert motorcycle racers, put the KTM 1290 Super Duke R through its paces. “It really surprised me! The bike is extremely capable on the track,” said Alkooheji. “The bike is really good. I didn’t expect it to perform like it did since it’s all standard,” followed up by Blackney.

The VIP event featured a presentation given by Michael Winter, the Regional Sales Manager for the Middle East and Africa from KTM-AG prior to the track. Winter started off with background information about the Autrian manufacturer and its current status in the global motorcycle market. He then moved on to the details about the KTM 1290 Super Duke R and what sets it apart from other makes and models. With the innovations in vehicle assistance systems like MTC (motorcycle traction control) and the newly developed Bosch 9ME Combined-ABS (anti-locking braking system), the KTM 1290 Super Duke R is a beast of a motorcycle (180 HP) with performance limits above all others in its class, but still reachable by its rider.

Also from KTM-AG, Guenter Gahleitner, proceeded with a riders briefing. Gahleitner led the rider groups throughout the whole event on the Dubai Autodrome’s Club Circuit configuration, which was the perfect venue to showcase both the power and handling of the motorcycle without being intimidating to those who are not regular track riders.