Brabus 1400 R on Way

[Hugh Janus]

The Brabus and KTM collaboration continues with an upcoming trio of models similar to the 1300 R Masterpiece Edition seen here. (Brabus/)

Brabus has been a name synonymous with modified Mercedes since the late ‘70s but made the leap to two wheels with the Brabus 1300 R in 2022 and has found there’s plenty of customers prepared to pay high prices for a Brabus-branded bike. Now the company has filed three trademark applications for new Brabus 1400 R models—essentially confirming its collaboration with KTM is set to extend with more Super Duke–based bikes.

The original Brabus 1300 R was based on the KTM 1290 Super Duke Evo, adopting its engine and chassis (unaltered) and wrapping them in distinct styling that included a round headlight borrowed from Husqvarna. The first generation was made in a limited run of 154 bikes (77 in red and 77 in black) to mark the company’s foundation in 1977. Despite a price equivalent to nearly $45,000 and no performance advantage over the $19,000 Super Duke Evo it was based on, all 154 were sold within two minutes of the order book opening.

The original Brabus 1300 R. (Brabus/)

Unsurprising, then, that Brabus added a second-generation version of the bike in 2023, the 1300 R Edition 23, with production increased to 290 examples. Again, these were split 50/50 between two colors, Superblack and Stealth Gray, and there were tweaks to the styling including a new headlight cowl and air intakes. Once again, they were snapped up fast, and Brabus launched the third version, the 1300 R Masterpiece Edition, just a few months later. This was more exclusive with just 50 made, 25 in white and 25 in black, and Brabus promised it was the last in the line.

The latest Brabus is based on KTM’s new-for-2024 1390 Super Duke. (KTM/)

Now, of course, the KTM 1290 Super Duke is gone, replaced for 2024 by the 1390 Super Duke, so there’s scope for Brabus to do it all over again with a line of bikes using the updated 1,350cc LC8 V-twin engine from the new model. Complete with a shiftcam-style variable valve timing and lift system, the new motor puts out a claimed 190 hp at 10,000 rpm and 107 lb.-ft. at 8,000 rpm, up from 177 hp and 103 lb.-ft.

That engine, along with the latest Super Duke Evo’s chassis, suspension, and brakes, is sure to be the underpinnings of the new generation of Brabus bikes. The three trademark applications filed so far suggest that Brabus might be looking at the same idea as before, of offering three separate runs of bikes. The first trademark is for the name Brabus 1300 R Rocket. “Rocket” is a title that Brabus already applies to some of its limited-edition, high-end Mercedes cars so it’s a logical way to connect the two- and four-wheeled output of the brand. We’ve already seen with the Ducati Streetfighter Lamborghini and Diavel for Bentley limited-edition bikes that there’s an appetite from collectors to buy bikes that match their high-end automobiles. But it’s not hard to imagine that Triumph, which already sells bikes using the name Rocket, might object to Brabus’ plans to make a Rocket-branded motorcycle. We’ll have to wait and see whether the trademark application gets approved.

The second trademark application is for the term “Brabus 1400 R Signature.” Again, Brabus already uses the term “Signature” on its existing output, but for its range of high-end boats rather than its cars. Nothing says you’ve got money to spare more than an exotic boat, except perhaps having a matching motorcycle to go with it.

Finally, at least for the moment, there’s the trademark application for the title “Brabus 1400 Tailor Made.” The Tailor Made name digs back into the past for Brabus, as the company made a line of expensive, modified versions of the Smart ForTwo minicar under the same branding back in 2010.

Source

[Buckster]

@Tango’s new bike?

[Tango]

3 hours ago, Buckster said:

@Tango’s new bike?

I could buy several decent bikes for that money!

[Marcel le Moose Fondler]

Well it looks better than the ktm from the front..