2017 KTM 1290 Super Duke GT Video Review

Kevin Duke
by Kevin Duke

The ultra-sporty sport-tourer looks even better in motion!

Photos by KTM | Videos by Sean Matic and Kevin Duke

If you saw my text review of KTM’s new SD GT, you witnessed an old grown man gush about a new Austrian motorcycle. If I had to choose a bike to ride across this vast country to a trackday, it’d probably be this one.

An evolution of the Super Duke R, our 2014 Motorcycle of the Year, the GT ticks all the boxes on my list of ideal sport-touring qualities: reasonable comfort; high-grade handling; an inexhaustible well of power; automatically adaptable active suspension; world-class brakes; adjustable windshield; top-shelf electronics; 6.0-plus-gallon tank; and standard hard-shell saddlebags. In fact, the 94.5% I scored it is the highest number I’ve ever awarded on our single-bike scorecard.

Downsides are few and minor, assuming a price tag around $20k doesn’t frighten you away from this orange and black gem. I might like it better with flashier color instrumentation, and I’d prefer the electronic rider aids were independently adjustable rather than tied to the bike’s ride modes. And perhaps while traversing Nebraska on the way to Virginia International Raceway I’d wish for a bit more wind protection.

Otherwise, the Super Duke GT is pretty much my conception of the ideal sport-touring rig. I’d happily suffer through lubing the chain every couple of days on my transcontinental slog to VIR. And here’s what I thought about it after a day ripping around Mallorca…

Kevin Duke
Kevin Duke

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  • Old MOron Old MOron on Mar 14, 2016

    Alright, alright, I admit it. You MOrons tempted me with the S1000R, the new Brutale, and now the new Thruxton. But damnit, I will not pay $20K for a motorcycle. The KTM is out. Uh, good vid, though.

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    • Sayyed Bashir Sayyed Bashir on Mar 17, 2016

      I spent $22K for my 2007 Harley Softail Custom and $22.5K for my 2015 KTM 1190 Adventure R. The Harley included a 5 year extended warranty and a pre-paid maintenance plan. The KTM included crash guards, luggage rack, alarm system, heated grips and riding apparel for myself.

  • Mugwump Mugwump on Mar 18, 2016

    You're going to be at VIR in May? I'll look for you and the bike. Gen 1 FJR, NY plates, tent camping area.

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