34 MOTORCYCLE MOJO SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2019
A New Visual Identity
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bikes is visual. Just looking at them
both side by side as you walk toward
them, it’s evident that the new model’s
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given the 2019 GT more presence, as
well as a greater sense of substance than
before. The new, shapelier windscreen
is also quite a bit more protective at
speed than the older model’s and is
safely adjustable with one hand while
on the go and through nine positions
over a range of 50 mm. Despite the
extra protection the windscreen
gives when raised to the max on fast
stretches, it doesn’t drum at higher
speeds. Cruising at 160 km/h with the
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surprisingly relaxing for a neo-naked
sports tourer offering excellent protec-
tion, very little residual wind blast and
no excessive noise.
The 2019 GT’s redesigned front end
also features wider and more protective
side pods for the unchanged 23-litre
fuel tank. These pods contain a pair of
storage compartments to hold stuff,
such as freeway toll tickets and the
credit cards to pay them, quite apart
from the key for the bike, which for the
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remote system. You don’t even need a
key to unlock the fuel tank, so you use
the key only for the lockable panniers.
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compartment for recharging your
phone, etc. – although be warned: there
isn’t room for larger such devices.
The GT’s facelift also features a
new and quite distinctive headlight
comprising six forward-facing ultra-
bright LEDs within a central aluminum
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daytime running lights and incorporate
self-cancelling indicators. The three-
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lights are mounted within the fuel tank
spoiler; these lights are linked to the
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TEST RIDE 2019 KTM 1290 SUPER DUKE GT
Thirty-litre side cases are large enough to hold
a full-face helmet each.
Rear subframe has been
reinforced to allow you
to haul a bigger payload
and more comfortably
carry a passenger and
optional panniers.
The powerplant, taking the
engine from Super Duke R
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Beast), produces 173 hp
and 104 ft-lb of torque.
Large 23-litre
fuel tank should
get around
400 km between
gas stations.
Handlebar is
adjustable in
four position
increments over
a range of 22 mm.
Heated grips
are standard
equipment.
Newly designed nine-position
windscreen offers added
protection and can be adjusted
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Up to three LED
cornering lights
are activated
by lean-angle
sensors. The
greater the lean
angle, the more
light you get in
the corner.
WP semi-active
suspension is
easily adjustable
via a button
on the left
switchgear, which
takes care of road
irregularities in
real time.
Dual Brembo radially mounted calipers
squeeze 320 mm discs that effectively
and quickly slow the bike when travelling
at speed. ABS settings even have a
supermoto mode for when you feel the
need to back it in.
KTM claims the Super
Duke GT’s single-sided
swingarm is the lightest
in the bike’s class and
produces less unsprung
weight than the GT’s peers.