#naked

Turn off the switchable ABS and Motorcycle Traction Control (MTC) and KTM’s new 1290 Super Duke R slips, slides, wheelies and stoppies just like in the promotional video released a few months ago (certain skillset required). Leave these two rider aids on, however, and the “Beast” (as KTM affectionately refers to it) is as genteel as a 1301cc V-Twin boasting 180 horsepower and 106 ft-lbs of torque can possibly be.

One of the most powerful “race-fighters” has now become a little bit more streetfighter. Without losing any of its racing pedigree, the 2014 Aprilia Tuono V4R ABS is now more civilized for road usage with the addition of ABS. But don’t mistake the new Tuono for being a softy — the 999cc V4 still features some serious thunder, even getting a 3 hp increase, raising max power to 170 horses. More on that later.