The KTM 1290 Super Duke GT was seen in its maiden public appearance at the 2015 EICMA in Milan, Italy. A litre-class sports touring motorcycle, the 1290 Super Duke GT goes head on against the Ducati Multistrada 1200, Aprilia Caponord, Triumph Tiger Explorer and the BMW S1000XR.
The 1290 Super Duke GT shares a major chunk of its components, including the brakes, suspension, rear body panels and wheels with the KTM 1290 Super Duke streetfighter. Aesthetically, the front of the 1290 Super Duke GT gets a majorly redesigned fairing with a windshield to improve wind deflection. It gets a wider handlebar and a revised seating stance to afford a more comfortable riding position. The footpegs are set lower, while the seat is now adjustable to suit riders of different heights. The levers and handlebar are also adjustable, while the fuel tank’s revised shape complements the new riding position.
The 1290 Super Duke GT is based on the same chrome-molybdenum tubular steel chassis, though the rear subframe has been altered to handle the extra weight of the panniers. Propelling the 1290 Super Duke GT is the 1301cc V-twin engine, which puts out 173bhp and 143Nm of torque. While this output is similar to that of the 1290 Super Duke streetfighter, KTM has altered the engine’s power and torque delivery to suit the sports tourer’s character.
The 1290 Super Duke GT carries over the comprehensive electronics package from its naked sibling. This assortment includes ride-by-wire throttle with adjustable rider modes, cruise control, stability control system, traction control and cornering ABS. It also gets a semi-active WP suspension on both ends and Brembo brake setup for both wheels.
The long suspension travel and other off-road styling elements might make the KTM 1290 Super Duke GT look like an adventure motorcycle, but the alloy wheels and the road-spec tyres suggest otherwise. Even KTM is making no bones about the fact that the 1290 Super Duke GT is meant to be ridden on the tarmac, for ‘speedy travelling’ and ‘chasing supersport bikes’. KTM hasn’t revealed the prices yet. We don’t expect it to be launched in India anytime soon.
