The new 2017 KTM 1290 Super Duke R has simplified the relationship between bike, road, and driver, making curve handling and darting on a highway look and feel like second nature.

KTM gave the 1290 Super Duke R an unyielding raw aesthetic, allowing the steel trellis frame to reveal a full display of the Austrian motorcycle giant’s most powerful LC8 engine ever built.

This LC8 engine packs 177 horsepower and 104 pound-feet of torque, and it’s linked to a 6-speed transmission for a rocket-like riding experience. On top of the power, KTM has added new resonator chambers on the cylinder heads that make the engine more fuel- and eco-friendly, cutting the bike’s carbon dioxide footprint by 10 percent.

Bringing it all together is a front and rear suspension from WP Performance systems, Brembo brakes, and a full list of software enhancements to improve the riding experience. Some of the tech advancements include Bosch Motorcycle Stability Control, Motorcycle Traction Control with a trio of settings, and Supermoto mode for ride drift.

The KTM 1290 Super Duke R starts at $17,999.