T’S NOT SO LONG AGO

Ithat the name Super Duke was twowheeled shorthand for “mad”. The original 2005-model V-twin was a raw naked V-twin with a throttle like a light switch, a tiny fuel-tank, thin seat and a reputation for being as impractical as it was entertaining. What a difference a decade and the addition of the letters ‘GT’ make. Two years ago, the 1290 Super Duke R took the naked V-twin to a new level of performance and sophistication. Now the 1290 Super Duke GT has arrived to add a touch of comfort and refinement to the family line. And the good news is that beneath the big fuel-tank, comfy seat and clever electronics it’s every bit as barking mad as the original.

That much is clear as I’m caning the GT along a twisty road on the launch in Mallorca, following a trio of riders that includes Jeremy McWilliams, former MotoGP ace and now KTM development rider (among other things). The pace is as hot as you’d imagine, the road surface is cold, damp and slippery, and the Super Duke GT is making it all ridiculously fun despite the conditions.

The KTM is thundering out of the tight turns at a phenomenal rate, its ultra-grunty 1,301-cc motor sending it leaping forward with as little as 5,000 revolutions per minute on the tachometer, and its leanangle-sensitive traction control doing a brilliant job of keeping the rear Pirelli pointing in the right direction.

Then when the bike has demolished the next short straight and another hairpin looms up ahead, the Brembo Monobloc callipers are slowing the Super Duke hard, its cornering ABS waiting in case of trouble on the damp patches, before its comfortable yet well-damped semi-active WP suspension copes effortlessly with the bumps as I crank the light, agile KTM into the turn.

It’s a memorable ride despite the weather, and I can’t think of many bikes that would be remotely as much fun, let alone be able to keep up. Especially as the heated grips are keeping my hands warm, and the instrument panel is showing the big tank still has plenty of fuel although