KTM Brabus 1300 R 2023 – Fiche moto

Roadster

Second service for the Brabus 1300 R. After the success of the first opus last year, where the few dozen copies left in less than 2 minutes, KTM and Brabus are launching a new edition of their common customized hyper-roadster.

For a car manufacturer to partner with a motorcycle brand is rare but not exceptional. For communications operations, sponsorship, or special series. Witness Alpine and the MV-Agusta SuperVeloce, Fiat Abarth with the XSR 900, the Ford F-150 Harley-Davidson, the Ducati Streetfighter V4 Lamborghini….

On the other hand, if it is a question of creating a motorcycle, the case is more interesting. Let’s immediately forget about BMW, which began by making aircraft engines, then motorcycles, then cars, even bicycles and trotting. Let’s discover without further delay the creation of Brabus: the 1300 R. A top-of-the-range + mean animal, powered by a fire engine.

It slams, to say the least. Aggressiveness immediately points the tip of its nose, mixing taut angles and a few brocaded curves. Brabus wanted to make a device in the image of his demonic preparations. But whether the line has been influenced or not, one cannot help distinguishing reflections of Honda CB 1000 R and Yamaha MT-10 (air intake scoops). Come closer and KTM perfume will fill the nostrils.

Because Brabus has no experience or liabilities in the field of bikes. It is therefore in association with Katoche that the 1300 R was developed. Under the metamorphic skin, we find the chassis, the suspensions and the engine of the SuperDuke 1290 R Evo. The Germans therefore did not start with a clean sheet and mounted on the shoulders of the Austrians.

Let’s be honest: the realization is such that it takes time to discover the KTM below. We like to contemplate the big fork, the trellis frame, the single arm, the provocative exhaust pipes…

Where it gets stuck is that Brabus is recognized as a leading engine tuner, boosting Mercedes engines to colossal values. However, no editing, no optimization, no gain in power has been made to make the Austrian twin even more bestial. Well, it’s true that from the start, with 180 horsepower and more than 14 mkg in the cauldron, the block is strong enough to scare 95% of bikers.
Nevertheless… A small dose of extra watts would not have been refused; just for prestige.

Good, question prestige, the 1300 R does not miss some. In addition to the numerous carbon parts (mudguards, scoops, belt-sheath and tank console, engine spoiler, headlight cowling, boot protection, seat cowl, sump guards), the machine is equipped with Brabus Monoblack forged rims Z “Platinum Edition”, a specific double silencer with ceramic coating, a rear buckle in composite material, a more rigid fork crown, CNC machined footrests adjustable in 12 positions and a heated saddle very well made. Thicker, it raises the seat to 845 mm from the ground.
Other parts are CNC machined, such as the brake and clutch levers or the tank cap.
Thus, no technical or cosmetic differences between the two vintages. Except that the shoulders have been converted to carbon, that a new seat cover is available for the passenger, that new mirrors are installed and that the saddle is lined with revised padding.

All these pieces are supposed to bring luxury but also weight saving. Here, the carbon rear frame weighs only 800 grams. However, unexpectedly, the Brabus is 3 kilos heavier than the Superduke. What lead to a total of 194 kilos dry.

Thanks to its Matighoffen genetics, this concentrate of watts and debauchery can offer big gear and a lot of active safety. Forced air ducts to cool Brembo Stylema calipers let you know you can hit the brakes hard and often. Before that, the 1300 R can count on rider control and/or five Riding Modes (Rain – Street – Sport – Track – Performance), active cornering traction control, engine slip regulation, active ABS cornering with Supermoto function, cruise control, tire pressure monitoring, up&down shifter, keyless on-board system, semi-active suspensions with three adjustment modes + manual setting as well as a color TFT screen 5-inch with Brabus kinematics on start and high voltage red background.

The two-wheeled Brabus will be offered in two colors: black “Superblack” or gray “Stealth Gray”. Each manufactured in 145 copies. The public will thus be entitled to twice as many “Brabikes”. Too bad, the saddle or the tank no longer have the blood red that enhanced the verve of the style.

The fashion being for pre-orders by internet, the 1300 R can only be ordered from the web, like the 2022 edition. The service opens on February 16 at 3:00 p.m., where the staff will ask you for a 2,500 roros deposit to reserve one of 290 KTM-Brabus. A trifle compared to the 4 plates to be paid in total – The price of the bike has increased by more than 6% between two vintages.

MB – Photos builder

The key elements of the Brabus 1300 R 2023:

– Brabus Sign of Excellence with limited edition number
– Brabus ‘Platinum Black’ 9-spoke lightweight Monoblock Z forged rims
– Brabus slip-on dual outlet exhaust
– Brabus custom heated seat
– Brabus boot animation
– Brabus color scheme for the dashboard
– SINGLE black frame
– Brabus carbon fiber air ducts
– Brabus carbon fiber headlight plate
– Brabus carbon fiber belly pan
– CNC machined Brabus triple clamp
– Adjustable front brake and clutch lever, CNC machined Brabus
– CNC machined Brabus adjustable foot pegs
– CNC machined Brabus oil tanks and caps
– Brabus passenger seat cover
– Brabus handlebar end mirrors
– Carbon fiber underbody with short license plate support
– LED indicators with integrated brake lights
– Suspension semi-active WP APEX
– WP PRO COMPONENTS steering damper (WP APEX PRO 7117)
– 5 driving modes (STREET – SPORT – RAIN – PERFORMANCE – TRACK)
– Quick-spin throttle grip
– Heated grips
– Lightweight Li-Ion battery
– Various carbon fiber parts