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 P52 A sport tourer with more than a sporting edge. The GT has few rivals in this space. A SUPREME MILE MUNCHER What all this means is the GT's V-twin engine eats up tarmac with a ferocity that continues unabated until just before the revlimiter kicks in. Meaty doses of power and especially torque are always at hand, but it is truly effortless in its application, so there's even less of a need to use the six-speed gearbox hard as opposed to before. That's a pity in a way, because along with smoother performance and greater torque at lower rpm, KTM has now added an auto-blipper clutch- less downshifter to its positive, precise Quick- shifter+ powershifter package, forming part of the optional Performance Pack, which also includes MSR/Motor Slip Regulation for controlling engine braking electronically, besides the ramp-type slipper clutch included as standard. The GT's gearshift is addictively easy to use without ever touching the clutch lever after you get going, except for feathering it slightly in slow traffic or tight turns when revs drop below 2000 rpm. The gearbox ratios are unchanged, same as the final drive and primary gearing, but Hill Hold Control is now available as an option, and sampling it on the Working the menus New for 2019 is the easy-to-use 6.5- inch TFT dash which is both aestheti- cally pleasing as well as functionally effective – swapping back to the outgo- ing model showed its analog tacho and LCD speedo to be downright retro. The TFT version's full-color screen is visible in direct sunlight and features a choice of layouts, one more street focused and the other for track use. I love the way the tacho reading changes color as revs rise, going from pink through red to scarlet and then crimson as it nears the 10,500 rpm rev limiter, 500 revs higher than before. Work- ing through the bike's various menus and other functions is now done via an illuminated menu switch found on the left bar, where the switch for the cruise control included as stock has now also been positioned for greater conve- nience – previously it was on the right. There's no navigation package as such featured on the GT, but the new KTM MY RIDE smartphone connectivity feature allows you to download the rel- evant app to your phone, which makes the GT navigation ready for onscreen turn-by-turn directions and audio prompts in five languages. This lets you pre-plan your route to allow you to fol- low it turn by turn via the dash, or have audio prompts if you have a Bluetooth helmet. "You just have to get the soft- ware on your phone, plan your routes, and then it talks it out," says Greiner. Caller ID is displayed with the ability to receive or reject incoming calls, along with the facility to toggle through tracks on a music playlist.