Mercedes makes some really good cars. Their good cars become even better when the letters AMG are attached to the model name. But the most diabolical of Mercedes cars do not belong to the name AMG. For that, there is a different name- Brabus. It is a name revered in car circles around the world. Perhaps one of the most famous aftermarket tuners in the world, Brabus is responsible for some of the gnarliest Mercedes cars that snarl and spit fire. To be honest, that is not an exaggeration either. Ask Mr Clarkson. 

With all that pedigree, I was truly intrigued when I got to know that they have announced a motorcycle. Looking at the pictures online, my interest was piqued and I kept poking them till they let me ride one. Soon enough, I found myself in Bottrop, Germany. And finally, I got to feast my eyes on one… and got my hands on one- the Brabus 1300 R. 

Based on a KTM 1290 Super Duke R, the Brabus 1300 R is a very special and rare motorcycle and to have gotten my hands on one was a special feeling. And to be able to do that where it all started, the Brabus HQ, just made my day even better. In the process, I also met Mr Tobias Grindel who handles project management and business development at Brabus. He is also the product manager of the Brabus 1300 R, so he is the man to talk to if you want to talk about Brabus’ first motorcycle. 

You can watch the video of Brabus 1300 R and the full conversation with Mr Tobias Grindel below.

We had a long chat with him in which we talked about what the brand is all about and how exclusivity and power are the pillars of Brabus’ product philosophy along with design and comfort. From cars to motorcycles, it was a long journey for Brabus because they needed the right bike. When their imagination met what the folks at KTM had to offer, they came together quite quickly. The same went for the project timeline as they started in 2020 and the Brabus 1300 R was launched in February 2022. 

The name Brabus is derived from the last names of the two founders; Klaus Brackmann and Bodo Buschmann. The first three letters from each of their last names came together for the name Brabus. When the motorcycle was launched, there were 145 units up for sale, 77 each for the two variants; Magma Red and Signature Black. Deservedly so, they were sold out in under two minutes.

Now it is time to talk about the bike a bit. Before all that, I did not get a lot of kilometres on it. Despite that, getting to ride it where it is made was special. In terms of the ride, it is difficult to put it into words. It rides quite like the KTM 1290 Super Duke R but it is different too. When you sit on it, you see the Brabus logo and then the number plaque tells you that you are riding one of the 77 examples ever to be made.

Then there are the aesthetic changes. With a slew of carbon fibre parts, redesigned front fascia, the intakes on the tank, and the beautiful seat; premium is something that the Brabus reeks of. More than a wonderful motorcycle to ride, the Brabus 1300 R feels like a collector’s item, a collector with very good taste. 

My personal opinion is that Brabus has taken its legacy of extreme tuning and its 40-year-old history and poured it into the Brabus 1300 R. They have had a good customer base and people who are buying an 8,00,000 Euro car can afford a 39,000 Euro motorcycle as well. People who buy cars from Brabus, also buy into Brabus’ philosophy. And that very philosophy is embodied by the Brabus 1300 R as well. 

Whether one wants to ride the Brabus 1300 R or they want it as something they’d have in their bedroom, the 1300 R makes sense for someone interested in exquisite examples of engineering and craftsmanship. And the fact that this motorcycle is such an example is evident from the fact that despite specializing in cars, Brabus decided to take up such a project. It hints at the fact that the folks at Brabus are truly passionate about motorcycles as well. If not, something like this would not have been possible. And the same can be said about at least some of the customers of Brabus who might seem like they are only into cars. 

It was an honour to have visited the Brabus HQ and to have ridden the Brabus 1300 R around the place where it is made. And the motorcycle itself is top-notch. If I were to buy one, I would keep it at MotoVilla. And despite wanting to ride it, I would have only taken it out on the racetrack. And I am pretty sure that Brabus 1300 R would do well there. It is not only because I got to ride it a bit but also because the motorcycle it is based on is already a fantastic motorcycle. And if you shave around 6 kg off of a 180 bhp KTM Super Duke R, you can expect some serious fireworks. 

Anyway, it was definitely a very special day for me. I just hope that it is not the only motorcycle that Brabus ever makes. Moreover, with quite a few car manufacturers making bikes, I hope that this trend continues and we get to see the motorcycle world grow bigger and bigger. Ride Safe. 

This article was published in the Oct-Nov’22 Issue of the xBhp Print Magazine. Order your copy here, or read it online here.