2023 KTM 1290 Super Duke GT: Unrivaled Power And Handling In A Premium Sport-Touring Platform

Summary

• KTM’s Super Duke GT offers immense power and refined control, making it an excellent choice for adrenaline-seeking riders.
• The 2023 model boasts advanced technology, premium features, and comfortable ergonomics on a platform designed for long rides.
• The Super Duke GT competes with top sport-touring bikes, offering unrivaled bang for the buck with its impressive performance.

Thanks to its evolving range of capable and enticingly priced street machines, KTM has come a long way since its brush with insolvency in 1992. The Austrian firm now ranks among the best-selling marques in the US and opened a new state-of-the-art regional headquarters in Southern California in 2022. The firm introduced its big-bore naked roadster Super Duke in 2014. “The Beast,” as it became known, earned a reputation for combining manic performance with outstanding agility, and two years later, KTM followed up with the first GT sport-touring version, a beast with bags.

The sport-touring segment has spent over a decade in the shadow of the booming adventure bike class, which offered riders similar performance parameters with more comfortable ergonomics and the promise of off-road capability. But few of these monsters ventured far from the tarmac, and the sport tourers are making a comeback with taller, more comfortable “crossover” machines designed solely for the street. KTM’s Super Duke GT is a shining example and goes head-to-head with Kawasaki’s popular Versys, BMW’s similarly lofty S 1000 XR, and Suzuki’s new, catchily named GSX-S1000GX+.

After a brief hiatus, KTM has returned the 1290 Super Duke GT to its lineup. The 2023 model retains its naked sibling’s performance and handling, adding long-range ergonomics, an adjustable windscreen, and optional luggage. The latest generation of its LC8 V-twin develops more torque than Kawasaki’s supercharged Ninja H2 SX and harnesses more ponies than the Ducati Multistrada V4 S. It also boasts significant technology improvements over previous models, including semi-active electronic suspension and a seven-inch TFT instrument display. With an MSRP of $20,499, the Super Duke GT promises unrivaled bang for the buck.

Note: In order to provide you with an honest and unbiased review, the vehicle reviewed in this article was ridden on a daily basis throughout the course of daily life for a period of one week. For detailed insight into testing procedures and data collection, please review our methodology policy.

2023 KTM 1290 Super Duke GT First Impressions

There is nothing subtle about the Super Duke GT’s styling, and its orange gloss and satin grey color scheme is as eye-catching as the aggressively angular bodywork it adorns. KTM’s signature aesthetics tend to polarize opinions, especially concerning the distinctive split headlight. Nevertheless, the GT’s imposing humped gas tank, tall stance, and sporting angles had me grinning with anticipation.

Our test machine came with the optional color-matched hard side cases, which offer a universal key and use recessed mounting points that leave a clean look with the cases removed. The GT’s adjustable footpegs are slightly lower than the naked Duke’s, and its larger seat offers more comfort and support. The cockpit is a sophisticated combination of complex switchgear and an extensive, minimalist tablet-style display.

Engine And Performance

The Super Duke GT shares the versatile 1,301cc LC8 engine with its 1290 Super Duke and Super Adventure stablemates. The liquid-cooled, eight-valve, 75-degree V-twin has been a KTM mainstay for nearly two decades, steadily evolving to offer more power while staying abreast of increasingly stringent emissions laws. The latest iteration gets a new ram air intake to help it breathe and a twin spark ignition system with enhanced ignition coils for improved performance and efficiency. The big GT produces 175 peak horsepower and churns out 104 foot-pounds of earth-moving torque.

A Keihin ride-by-wire engine management system handles fueling via independent 56 mm throttle bodies. The GT’s six-speed gearbox delivers power to the rear wheel using KTM’s proprietary Power Assist Slipper Clutch (PASC), which ensures the mighty V-twin can lay down all the available torque under acceleration while increasing slip under deceleration for improved handling and stability. Our test ride also includes the optional Tech Pack, which adds a Motor Slip Regulation (MSR) function. MSR complements the PASC by managing torque delivery to prevent destabilizing wheel chatter, which can accompany aggressive downshifts.

The Duke GT’s engine tuning offers a similar performance envelope to its naked Beast cousin, a bike I road-tested two years ago. The RBW system’s response to throttle inputs offers equally smooth and predictable access to the ocean of torque available, allowing for lazy meandering along backroads and the application of precise spurts of acceleration demanded by dense traffic. But the GT is at its best on open roads, blasting between corners, where aggressive throttle application rewards with staggering acceleration. The V-twin’s asymmetrical firing pattern adds to the drama with a glorious rumbling exhaust note and a grin-inducing crackle and pop after closing the throttle.

Engine And Performance Specifications

Ride And Handling

Housing the GT’s compact V-twin is a Chromoly steel tubular trellis frame with a bolt-on subframe, which utilizes thicker diameter tubing with thinner walls, helping to reduce weight and increase stiffness. An aluminum single-sided swingarm (always a crowd pleaser) exposes the rear wheel and benefits from a higher pivot point to help curtail squatting under power. The GT also shares the Beast’s sporty geometry and, surprisingly, conveys slightly more rake to the steering angle (24.9º) with the same 4.2 inches of trail. The resulting 58-inch wheelbase is short for such a big machine, keeping the Super Duke GT light on its toes, while a steering-damper helps prevent any unwanted wobbles.

A 48mm WP APEX fork and monoshock offer semi-active damping, which adjusts suspension rebound rates relative to the road surface in real time. The suspension’s control system also provides four spring preload settings, selectable from the dash, to accommodate rider preferences and a passenger or cargo, or both. Dual Brembo Stylema monoblock four-pot calipers clamp 320mm discs, providing front wheel braking that can stop a train, and a radial master cylinder provides precise lever action. A two-pot Brembo caliper clamps a 240mm disc at the rear.

New, lighter alloy wheels shave some pounds off the GT’s unsprung weight, which tips the scales at a respectable 516 pounds, fueled and ready to go. KTM’s flagship sport-tourer offers one of the best power-to-weight ratios in class and, combined with its taught, compact chassis, bestows magnificent handling characteristics. Few machines of this size offer such responsive steering and sure-footed agility. As tall and imposing as it is, the Super Duke GT dances from side to side like a featherweight in the ring.

Chassis Specifications

Technology And Equipment

The RBW Keihin system works with a Bosch six-axis IMU to furnish the GT with a full suite of active rider aids and adjustable intervention settings. Interfacing with the many options and functions is accomplished via a busy array of bar-mounted switches and an impressive seven-inch, full-color TFT display. The switchgear has more of a premium feel and is more intuitive than previous models. The light-sensitive tablet-style display is excellent and debuts KTM’s new Turn-by-Turn PLUS navigation system, accessible via the KTMconect app.

Bosch’s motorcycle stability control technology includes two-channel cornering ABS, multi-stage, lean-angle sensitive traction control, and three fully-customizable preset performance maps: Rain, Street, and Sport modes. The Tech Pack added to our test bike also unlocks a Performance and Track Mode, which includes launch control, rear-wheel slip adjuster, and the option to deactivate wheelie control. The Tech Pack upgrade also adds an optional, automated hill-hold function, which applies the rear brake whenever the bike comes to a complete stop on an incline.

Cruise control is accessible from the left bar’s switchgear. Thumb and forefinger buttons on each side of the left grip enable riders to adjust their speed or reset (reactivate) the system. Additional features tailored to touring include a nifty, manually adjustable windscreen. With the bike on its stand, simply push the screen away from its mounting to unlock it and slide up or down. The GT’s cockpit fairing hides two storage compartments, with the left-hand-side compartment offering a USB power socket. Unfortunately, they aren’t deep enough to accommodate a regular smartphone but will take a pair of sunglasses and smaller devices.

Standard Equipment

• WP APEX Semi-Active Suspension
• Cornering ABS
• Muti-Stage Lean-Sensitive Traction Control
• Wheelie Control
• Heated Grips
• Cruise Control
• Keyless Ignition
• Smartphone Connectivity
• Turn-by-Turn Navigation
• Cornering Lights
• Tire-Pressure Monitoring System
• Adjustable WInscreen
• USB Power Socket

The KTM 1290 Super Duke GT Vs Its Competitors

Among the motorcycles making up the taller, crossover sport-touring class, the 1290 Super Duke GT stands out for the immense power and torque it produces. The latest generation of Kawasaki’s pioneering Versys 1000 SE LT includes its KECS semi-active suspension and a feature-rich interface, but its sluggish performance falls well short of the Duke’s and every other bike in its class. At the opposite end of the scale, Ducati’s Multistrada V4 S delivers similar performance to the KTM and offers a dazzling array of premium components and features, but costs $7,000 more. The BMW S 1000 XR and Suzuki GSX-S1000GX+ are, perhaps, the most likely to be cross-shopped with the Super Duke GT, but how do they stack up?

How The KTM 1290 Super Duke GT Compares To The Suzuki GSX-S1000GX+

• 	2023 KTM 1290 Super Duke GT	2024 Suzuki GSX-S1000GX+
  Model	1290 Super Duke GT	S1000GX+
  Engine	1,301cc 8V, DOHC, liquid-cooled, 75º V-Twin	999 cc, 16V, DOHC liquid-cooled inline-4
  Transmission	Pankl 6-speed	6-speed, slip/assist wet clutch w. quickshifter
  Horsepower	175 HP	150 HP
  Torque	104 FT-LB	78 FT-LB
  Driveline	525 X-Ring Chain	525 Chain
  MSRP	$20,499	18,499

Suzuki launched the taller GX version of its S1000GT this year, and TopSpeed is yet to ride it. However, on paper, it compares well to the KTM and is one of the most premium Suzuki’s available, offering the firm’s first use of semi-active suspension. Although the S1000GX’s performance figures pale in comparison to the KTM’s, it still has enough on tap to promise sportbike thrills in a comfortable package. With an $18,499 MSRP, the Suzuki is the most affordable (when similarly equipped) of the three, but not by much.

How The KTM 1290 Super Duke GT Compares To The BMW S 1000 XR

• 	2023 KTM 1290 Super Duke GT	2024 BMW S 1000 XR
  Model	1290 Super Duke GT	S 1000 XR
  Engine	1,301cc 8V, DOHC, liquid-cooled, 75º V-Twin	999 cc, 16V, DOHC, Liquid-Cooled Inine-4 w. VVT
  Transmission	Pankl 6-speed	6-Speed
  Horsepower	175 HP	170 HP
  Torque	104 FT-LB	84 FT-LB
  Driveline	525 X-Ring Chain	Chain
  MSRP	$20,499	17,495

The S 1000 XR utilizes BMW’s excellent shift-cam inline-four engine and, after a recent visit to Fat Club, has shed twenty pounds, making it one of the lightest in class. The base model’s $16,945 MSRP does not include semi-active suspension, and by the time you’ve added all the goodies that come standard on the Super Duke GT, the XR’s price will have climbed to nearly $22,000. The Bavarian produces an impressive 165 horsepower and 84 foot-pounds of torque but still falls short of the Austrian’s performance. Although the BMW can claim better finishing and a better reputation for reliability, the Duke GT’s new TFT and switchgear are just as good.

Should You Buy KTM 1290 Super Duke GT?

Putting subjective opinions on styling aside, the KTM 1290 Super Duke GT is a remarkable machine with an impressive list of standard features. While serious wayfarers will need to buy the side cases, adding another $867, and the $903 Tech Pack adds nice-to-have features like a quickshifter and hill-hold control, the base price still includes an impressive array of goodies. When accounting for its extraordinary performance, excellent suite of electronics, and premium rider interface, the Duke GT promises a lot for the money.

KTM has built an enviable reputation for building street bikes that handle well, and the Duke GT does not disappoint. Its numerous rider aids and semi-active suspension bestow immaculate road manners. Fully adjustable control points and comfortable ergonomics make it a pleasure to do miles on, and a torque band shaped like a dessert mesa means you can waft along, barely ever needing to change gears. On the other hand, dial down the interventions, grab a fist full of throttle, and the big Duke seems to defy gravity, exploding out of the corners and carving through the twisties like a sportbike on stilts.