BRABUS 1300 R Masterpiece Edition (2024 - on) Review

Brabus are all about creating 'modern, individual luxury'. Known for giving their stealthy, aggressive stance to some of the biggest car brands in the world, their catalogue covers everything from supercars to globe-trotting superboats. And now, with their third venture in the two-wheeled arena, the Brabus 1300 R Masterpiece Edition super naked continues that trend, oozing a sense of exclusivity and luxury that just about matches the monstrous £37,000 price tag. There will be just 50 models up for grabs, with 25 of each of the two colour schemes, ‘Onyx Black’ and ‘Diamond White’ on offer.

Much like how they operate in the four-wheeled world (taking an existing model and sprucing it up) the Masterpiece Edition is essentially a KTM 1290 Super Duke R Evo, sharing the same thumping LC8 engine, chassis and suspension.

Pretty much all of the Super Duke R Evo componentry, from those chunky, Monobloc Brembos, to the WP semi-active Apex suspension to the Bridgestone S22 tyres remain the same, in order to comply with homologation rules and make life easier for the (relatively) small Brabus outfit to fire it out of their doors.

As with the previous generations of motorcycles from Brabus, it's then been given an aesthetic overhaul, that makes the Masterpiece Edition's silhouette look incredibly distinctive. Although it instantly demands attention from afar with its sharp lines, it's up close where the Brabus looks so special. From the perfect detailing on the seat to the red backlight on the KTM branded dash, it really does cut the mustard in terms of eye candy.

As you’d imagine, the Brabus performs incredibly well dynamically, with that pounding, torquey 1301cc playing the central role. In ‘Street’ mode the Masterpiece Edition is impressively docile, with a smooth throttle pick-up that only judders at the very lowest reaches of the rev range.

Yet in ‘Sport’ mode, the engine is scintillating in its eagerness to arrive at licence-losing speeds very quickly, even with slight inputs on the throttle grip. It’s a truly addictive motor, that is supremely suited to a super naked, being eager, yet still playful, with an electronics package that helps to keep everything in check without being too aggressively intrusive.

But it handles mightily well too, with a myriad of settings available from the electronically adjustable WP Apex suspension. The softer, ‘Comfort’ mode offers an impressive level of plushness on bumpy roads, while the more aggressive modes are far more suitable for track use, and plusher tarmac. Adjustability through the dash is an absolute doddle that only takes seconds through the easy-to-use switchgear, and the swanky, red TFT dash.

This isn’t a machine built for regular bikers, oh no. This is an exclusive toy, aimed at the very wealthiest petrolheads on the planet - an accessory, to go alongside their Brabus car, and even boat. Think of it as an alternative the £42,000 Norton V4CR, and it makes far more sense.