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 P54 test bike proved it worked okay on quite steep inclines. By remapping the Keihin ECU for 2019 to incorporate further development of the ignition timing to deliver a smoother, stronger pickup from low revs, KTM's engineers have produced even more top-end performance. That's while delivering a notice- able hit of extra midrange muscle which is maintained all the way to the 10,500 rpm limiter, at which point the RBW/ride by wire digi- tal throttle simply stops building revs, rather than a hard cutout. At the other end of the rev scale, the GT has a meaty power delivery, pulling strongly off its 1500 rpm idle speed before coming on strong from as low as 4000 rpm in Sport riding mode out of the three avail- able (100 bhp Rain and full power Street are the others). I could hold fourth gear for mile after mile, carv- ing corners through the Austrian countryside, followed by straight- line squirts to the next bend, mak- ing the GT live up to its name as a grand tourer with sporting preten- sions that are constantly available at the twist of a wrist. Sure, you can knock it down one gear or even two to get added zest, but the 1301cc motor has such huge reserves of torque that in real-world riding you don't need to do this. THE BEST YET? With such serious power and ac- celeration on tap, don't think this new KTM 1290 GT, complete with more power, more torque, and a wider spread of each, is in any way an abrupt handful exiting a turn off a closed throttle, because Eisele's engineers have done a great job of taking the edge off the GT's voracious jump to terminal velocity, without, at the same time, excessive- ly neutering the initial launch. Even the Sport mode's throttle response is smooth, in offering up more power at smaller openings than Street mode, which requires just a little bit more throttle for the same yield of power until around one-third opening, where both modes then offer similar performance. Rain mode smooths out throttle response even more while capping peak power to 100 bhp, though I only tried this once thanks to the sunny weather for my ride. Of course, it's another matter if your ride takes you to a race track for a track day, at which the GT would be perfectly adept. I didn't get the chance to try this out, but among the several optional packages available is the Track Pack, which allows further adjustability of the electronic settings, as well as extra programs covering launch con- trol, spin adjuster, three throttle response settings and an anti- wheelie on/off function. Comfort without cornering com- promise. Distance without diluting performance. KTM's strap lines for the new GT are well chosen. The most radical long-distance sports tourer in the marketplace combines the 1290 Super Duke R's phe- nomenal engine performance and handling capabilities in a torqued-up package that's as happy munch- ing miles at speed as it is in carving corners. Dealer deliveries will begin in March/April in the USA of a bike that's still unique, only even better than before. CN 2019 KTM 1290 SUPER DUKE GT ($20,499) ENGINE: ........................................... Water-cooled DOHC 75-degree V-twin 4-stroke, 4 valves per cylinder, camshaft d rive DISPLACEMENT: ........................................ 1301cc BORE X STROKE:............................... 108 x 71mm COMPRESSION RATIO: ................................ 13.6:1 FUELING: ............... Electronic fuel injection and engine management system, with Keihin ECU and 2 x 56mm Keihin throttle bodies with single injector per cylinder, RBW digital throttle and choice of three riding modes (Sport, Street and Rain) CLUTCH: .......................................Wet multi-plate TRANSMISSION: ...........Six-speed with two-way clutchless quickshifter as standard CHASSIS: ............................... Tubular steel trellis FRONT SUSPENSION: .... Fully adjustable 48mm WP inverted telescopic fork offering semi- active suspension with four different riding modes and anti-dive. REAR SUSPENSION:.....Cast aluminum swingarm with fully adjustable WP monoshock and Pro-Lever variable-rate link offering semi-active suspension with four different riding modes FRONT WHEEL TRAVEL: .............................. 4.9 in. REAR WHEEL TRAVEL: ................................. 6.1 in. FRONT BRAKE: ......... 2 x 320mm Brembo stain- less steel disc with radially-mounted 4-piston Brembo Monoblock calipers and switchable Bosch 9ME Combined-ABS REAR BRAKE: ..............Single 240mm steel disc with 1-piston Brembo floating caliper with Bosch 9ME Combined-ABS FRONT TIRE: ........... 120/70R17 Pirelli Angel GT REAR TIRE: ............190/55ZR17 Pirelli Angel GT WHEELBASE: .............................................58.3 in. SEAT HEIGHT: ...........................................32.8 in. FUEL CAPACITY: .......................................... 6 gal. WEIGHT (CLAIMED, NO FUEL): ...............460 lbs. COLOR: ............................ Orange, Black/Orange S P E C I F I C A T I O N S