2017 KTM 1290 Super Duke GT First Ride Review

2014 Ultimate Streetfighter Finale

But it would be unfair to think of the GT as just an R with a windscreen, as it underwent a cornucopia of changes: KTM claims the GT’s development required more than 30 man-years of work. That might sound a bit hyperbolic until all the upgrades are added up.

The GT brings a host of electronics previously unavailable on the SDR, including a semi-active suspension, Cornering ABS, cruise control, heated grips and KTM’s first quickshifter. The GT also receives as standard equipment electronic tire-pressure monitoring, self-canceling turnsignals and LED cornering lights.

All that said and we haven’t yet gotten to the new bones of the GT. The headlight is pushed forward and mounted on a nylon composite bracket that also supports the sharply angled fairing, windscreen and the VDO instruments we’re accustomed to seeing on KTMs. Fuel capacity is upped from 18 liters to tour-worthy 23 (6.1 gallons). At the rear, a bespoke subframe is built from aluminum tubes, a structure that supports a longer pillion saddle and integrated mounts for the saddlebags developed internally by KTM rather than using off-the-shelf bags. The panniers are optional in Europe but standard in North America.

Ergonomically, the GT’s 25mm-wider handlebar places hands 5mm higher than the SDR. Further adjustments are available by reversing the handlebar clamp, which brings the bar ends 12mm closer to a rider, and the clamp also has an alternate mounting hole that provides another 10mm of adjustment. And, as with any one-piece handlebar, it can also be rotated in its clamp to suit individual taste. Footpegs for both pilot and pillion have been lowered for extended legroom. Nubs for shifter and brake pedal can be set to three positions to suit feet of different sizes, and both hand levers are adjustable for reach.

Mallorca is an island off the east coast of Spain known to race fans as the home of three-time MotoGP world champion Jorge Lorenzo, and it’s also a kissing cousin to the party island of Ibiza. It now adds host of the Super Duke GT launch to its C.V. Happily for our group of hooligans, a dearth of traffic enforcement seems to be part of the charming island’s many endearing features.

The Super Duke GT is a fairly gangly steed, with a seat perched 32.9 inches from the ground. But considering it houses 1301cc of power, the bike is remarkably manageable. Clutch pull is surprisingly light for being able to handle such a stout motor, and the precise transmission requires just a soft nudge to navigate through the gears.

I began our ride in Sport mode and with the WP semi-active suspension toggled to its Comfort setting, both fairly easily navigable once the system is learned via the four buttons on the left switchgear. Sport mode has reasonably smooth throttle response and also allows modest wheelies if they’re smoothly pulled. The quickshifter programming proves to be excellent for street use, adapting to the way the bike is ridden by incorporating ride-by-wire throttle control, rather than just simply cutting fuel and spark, when the internal mechanism is nudged.

The suspension’s Comfort mode is amazingly plush in normal use and automatically dials in firmer damping when ridden more aggressively. It’s fine up to about a seven-tenths pace when it begins to feel too loose. WP claims its active damping valves adjust within just 10 milliseconds.

Comfort and Street modes have anti-dive programming that keep the longish-travel suspenders (4.9 inches up front; 6.1 out back) from pitching awkwardly. Surprisingly, Sport mode doesn’t use the anti-dive strategy of the other modes, causing noticeably more front-end dive. This has the benefit of steepening the rake angle and delivering slightly easier turn-in response, but I preferred the even-keel balance of Street mode. The Sport mode has baseline damping similar to the SDR but automatically adjusts itself through a range depending on riding style, speed, etc.

When talking about any Super Duke, meaty engine performance is always part of the story, and so it is with the GT. Big power is packed from top to bottom, pulling smoothly and strongly from 3500 rpm, allowing a rider to run a gear or even two taller than what might be optimal. The knockout punch comes into play at about 6500 revs when a tidal wave of torque threatens to loft the front end without additional provocation in the bottom three gears.

The V-Twin’s exhaust note is sweet and mean, with a stimulating burble on overrun. The noise from the titanium Akropovic slip-on doesn’t sound much different from the OEM muffler. Vibration from the 75-degree Twin can get intense at high rpm, but it’s not an issue at cruising speeds. It’s spinning at 5000 rpm at 85 mph. The footpegs do without vibe-defeating rubber inserts, which shows that problematic vibration wasn’t evident during the GT’s developmental stage.

Smooth deceleration is aided by a slipper clutch and by the system combining a bit of rear brake when the fronts are applied; actuating the rear brake doesn’t apply pressure to the fronts. Further help can be provided by the optional ($200) Motor Slip Regulation system which slightly lifts the throttle plates to prevent the rear wheel from locking during sloppy downshifts. MSR levels are, like TC, tied to the three ride modes, so they can’t be set independently to suit rider preference.

And that’s part of one of the GT’s few shortcomings. Competitors from Europe allow independent adjustments of most of their electronic rider aids, but KTM links them to the ride modes. So, for example, if you prefer the throttle response of Street mode, you’re stuck with its associated TC setting that is too intrusive for my tastes and pretty much nullifies any wheelies.

Additionally, traction control and MSR are linked, so if you want the TC off, you’ll have to also deal with no MSR. Meanwhile, Ducati typically provides eight levels of TC, which can be set independently, and three levels of Engine Brake Control which can be set individually. KTM allows a rider to switch off TC, which is nice if, say, you’re a wheelie hound, but it always switches itself back on when the engine is shut off, even when leaving the key switched on, necessitating another trip through the menu system.

A potential foible for traditional sport-touring riders is the GT’s wind protection. While the windscreen’s adjustment can be conveniently done on the fly to seven positions, it comes up short on coverage compared to a typical sports tourer. With the screen set in its highest position, wind hits me (at 5-foot-8) firmly at shoulder height.

Ergonomically, the GT’s layout is near ideal for my body and preferences. I liked the slight forward lean that feels sporty but places almost no pressure on my wrists. the one-inch wider handlebar provides the leverage to quickly bend the GT into corners both slow and fast. Legroom is plenty adequate, and the seat never caused discomfort. Long-distance riders might want to consider springing for the accessory comfort seat that coddles a butt in plushness and includes a three-position heating element. It comes at the cost of being about 10mm higher and a price yet to be determined.

Standard features that deserve praise are the handy tire-pressure-monitoring system that supplies readouts in the LCD menu screen and includes a warning light on the primary screen if pressures drop critically low. We also appreciate the inclusion of self-canceling turn signals that automatically switch off after 10 seconds (the clock ceases counting when the bike is stopped) or 150 meters, whichever comes first. Optional Hill Hold Control ($225) engages and releases smoothly and is a nice feature for anyone with short legs or who is carrying a passenger or heavy load. Oddly, it switches itself off and releases the brake after five seconds.

And then there’s electronic cruise control which we’ve come to regard as necessary equipment for any bike designed for touring use. The KTM’s can be set in third gear or above and is noteworthy for allowing set speeds to be as high as 125 mph!

Speaking of high speeds, it’s worth mentioning KTM has established a speed limit for riding the bike when equipped with saddlebags. If you recall from our epic 9-bike Sport-Adventure shootout last year, we experienced some weave when caning the 1190 Adventure and 1290 Super Adventure at speeds above 100 mph when fitted with panniers. For the GT, KTM says speeds should be kept below 113 mph with the bags. I was able to exceed 125 mph without any stability issues. No, I didn’t attempt to set the cruise control! As with the SDR, the GT is equipped with a WP steering damper.

While the GT’s MSRP hasn’t yet been set, it’s expected to retail right around the $20,000 mark when it becomes available in the U.S. in September or October. At that price, it’ll be about $2800 more dear than its older brother. And while one certainly could tour on a Super Duke R by tossing on some bags and a windscreen to create a facsimile of the GT, you’d have to do without highly desirable features like active suspension, cruise control, adjustable wind protection and tire-pressure monitoring.

Ultimately, the Super Duke GT’s performance capabilities – engine, chassis, brakes, electronics – vault it to the top of the list of ultra-sport sport-tourers. KTM continues on its impressive roll to solidifying itself as a leader in motorcycle excitement.