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Could KTM’s refined and updated 1290 Super Duke GT hooligantourer actually be the best road bike of 2019?
There’s little doubt KTM are the ‘coming force’ of European motorcycling. The Austrian off-road specialists’ adventure bikes have long been up there with the best; their tiddler singles, such as the Duke 125, set the benchmark for teenage tomfoolery and they’re a leading marque not just in MX but, increasingly, Moto3, 2 and even GP as well.
Yet it’s also true that KTM’s larger road bikes remain a relatively rare sight. Despite the original 1290 Super Duke GT getting impressive reviews, it was a case of ‘close, but no cigar’ due to minor irritations, question marks over build, and
a seemingly expensive price tag. So, with the introduction of a significantly new version for 2019, with uprated specification, performance and more, all for just a £500 premium, the only question is: Is the Super Duke GT finally good enough to part us from our cash? You’d be forgiven for thinking there’s little substantially different about the 2019 version but the changes are significant.
The 2016 original, though praised for its 173bhp punch, high quality spec and class-leading electronics, also had question marks against its value and irritations such as a fiddly screen, cruise control and LCD/analogue clocks that were obsolete pretty much on release. The sort of things, which, when you’re about to sign on the dotted line for a premium, Ducati/ BMW-rivalling, £16K motorcycle makes you think again.
Much of that has now changed. An all-new front cowling holds not only a flashy new 6.5in colour TFT dash, derived from the 1290 Adventure S, but also an improved, adjustable screen, uprated LED headlight plus keyless ignition and a couple of surprisingly useful cubby holes. The backlit switchgear has been uprated to work in tandem with the dash while KTM have also taken the opportunity to sensibly reposition the cruise control to the left bar (being awkwardly on the right was among the criticisms of the old bike). The LC8, 1301cc V-twin now boasts lighter titanium inlet valves which help raise the rev ceiling by 500prm, in turn boosting peak power a smidge to 175bhp from 173. While the quickshifter now operates up and down with dramatically more aplomb. There are also mapping and suspension tweaks, a new optional Track mode, USB charging point, plus a conspicuous improvement in fit and general finish; all for an extra £500 over the old.
In short, it’s as if KTM have addressed every single one of the few faults the old GT had, then added a few further improvements besides. And you certainly notice it from the outset. I freely admit I often approach new, all-singing, alldancing models with their ultrasophisticated screens and systems with a sense of dread – for fear of it taking an age to work them out. Not so with the new GT. Within minutes