Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/1058408
2019 K TM SUPER DUKE GT FIRST IMPRESSION P46 The test bike's heated seat was super comfortable and looked good, seemingly a big improve- ment over the outgoing bike's when I swapped between the two. But that's when I learned that this so-called Ergo Seat and its pillion counterpart were in fact on the list of 50-odd dedicated GT aftermar- ket accessories. Really, the Ergo Seat is so comfortable that it'd be a false economy not opting for it, and the same goes for those eminently practical hard bags. It's worth noting with the luggage removed there's no ugly frame left in open (Above) Such is the cornering precision of the GT it's hard to believe it's aimed at touring rather than straight up sports riding. (Left) The main chassis remains unchanged for 2019, as does the steering geometry. (Right) Braking package is taken straight from the 1290 Super Duke R. view—the steel mounting system is very discreet, and doesn't detract from the bike's styling. The uprated 1290 GT also fea- tures a revamped version of WP's semi-active suspension, with three different riding modes available for selection by the rider—Com- fort, Street and Sport. These are obtained via an SCU/Suspension Control Unit which, according to feedback from accelerometers and stroke sensors front and rear, adapts the damping rates of WP's 48mm upside down fork and rear mono- shock to best suit the properties of FROM THE HOT SEAT Settle aboard the quite tall 32.8- in seat, which delivers a spacious riding position with the footpegs quite rear set so your toes don't touch down at high lean, nor do your legs get cramped, especially when riding for long stretches. That sense of spaciousness is extended via the wide one-piece handlebar mounted on the upper triple-clamp, which delivers a com- manding riding position via any one of the four different positions it can be rotated to—its flatter shape yields a more upright and much more relaxed stance than on the Super Duke R. The specially-designed hand guards unique to the GT gave extra protection to my hands on a chilly autumn morning, when the three-stage heated grips, again fitted as standard as before, but now with the wiring completely hidden, were very welcome. Both front brake and hydraulically operated clutch levers are of course adjustable. "The hand guards were aero- dynamically developed for the GT because it's such a fast bike," says Greiner. "Wind interference on your handlebar can be a real problem at speed, so it's critical to have properly shaped hand guards there, and I think they look really nice, too." Form follows function.