When MD tested the redesigned 2019 KTM Super Duke GT, we called it “one of the best motorcycles MD had ever tested.” To this day, we stand by that statement, and were very interested to see further refinements by KTM to the 2022 model.
All the details are in the following press release. Highlights include new EURO 5 compliant 1,301cc v-twin engine (still making a claimed 175 horsepower), larger TFT display and lighter wheels that save over 2 pounds of unsprung weight.
Take a look at the following press release by KTM, followed by a video:
In a segment that necessitates comfort and the ability to cover ground effortlessly, the KTM 1290 SUPER DUKE GT rewrites the rulebook. Designed to offer riders a unique Grand Touring experience but engineered to be a true Sports bike underneath the touring parts, the KTM 1290 SUPER DUKE GT covers ground unlike any Sports Tourer on the market.
Thanks to its EURO 5 rated, 175 HP, 141 Nm KTM 1290 SUPER DUKE R-derived, 1,301 cc V-twin engine, this is the class leader when it comes to punching a hole in the atmosphere or hauling in the horizon. But it’s not only forward momentum where the long-distance BEAST is true to its namesake.
The WP APEX semi-active suspension on the KTM 1290 SUPER DUKE GT works with a specific logic. The design approach to preload adjustability of the rear shock has been geared for the long-distance tourer and is very intuitive. The logic allows riders to set the suspension up according to four different real-life riding situations, namely: RIDER, RIDER & PILLION, RIDER & LUGGAGE, or RIDER, PILLION & LUGGAGE. On top of that, the anti-dive function is fitted as standard.
A new 7 inch-TFT display allows for quick and easy ride adjustment on the fly, thanks to a newly designed layout striking the perfect balance between information and style. The set-up is completed by the new robust switchgear that not only feels premium but also allows for intuitive interaction between the rider and the dash itself.
The wheels on the 2022 KTM 1290 SUPER DUKE GT have been lifted from the latest KTM 1290 SUPER DUKE R. These boast a weight saving of 1 kg of unsprung mass over the old set of rims; this not only improves the overall handling but also sports a more aggressive wheel design.
These all-new lightweight wheels are wrapped in new rubber, namely Continental ContiSportAttack 4. The ContiSportAttack 4 boasts a sportier and a more stable riding experience, delivering on the demand for a sportier tire to match the KTM 1290 SUPER DUKE GT’s versatile abilities.
The KTM 1290 SUPER DUKE GT will also debut an all-new navigation system called Turn-by-turn PLUS which will further enhance the touring experience. TBT+ will be available via KTM Connect. This allows navigation instructions to be projected directly on the new 7-inch TFT display, helping riders navigate more effectively. Turn-by-turn PLUS will be launched on the 2022 KTM 1290 SUPER DUKE GT, with roll-outs to other models in the near future.
Powered by SYGIC®, TBT+ can also operate offline, allowing riders to plan their journey and adventure from remote locations, with the NAVIGATION feature using industry-standard mapping to guide riders to their destination of choice. There’s also an advanced search feature, and a diverse range of POIs including gas stations, restaurants, rest stops, while the system lets you select one of your pre-saved destinations directly from the TFT dash. All the above features can be accessed directly from the new 7-inch TFT dash, while the rider no longer needs to remove their phone from the jacket pocket, making it more convenient and efficient for those quick on-the-fly changes.
The new system also allows for waypoints to be skipped without prompting a turnaround. The system will merely recalculate and find the next available route to get you back on track. Also, the last 10 destinations searched are automatically saved and available directly on the dashboard.
2022 KTM 1290 SUPER DUKE GT – HIGHLIGHTS
// Updated, EURO 5 LC8 V-twin
// 23 liter tank
// Lightweight wheels saving nearly 1 kg of unsprung mass
// All-new 7” TFT dashboard
// Turn-by-turn PLUS Navigation (TBT+)
// New handlebar switches
// Continental ContiSportAttack 4
// Optional PERFORMANCE MODE
// Optional TECH PACK
// Exclusive KTM SUPER DUKE GT specific CTG
A full range of specially created KTM PowerParts has been developed to personalize and further intensify your ride. A dedicated range of KTM PowerWear ensures riders are kitted out to tackle whatever their journey might throw at them.
The 2022 KTM 1290 SUPER DUKE GT will arrive at authorized KTM dealer floors from January 2022 onwards. For more information, visit ktm.com.
This bike and KTMs in general seem to get people’s emotions going both positive and negative which in my mind is a good thing. It’s not just another bland Adv sort of bike. I owned a ‘20 SDGT until a buzzard wrapped himself around the handlebar at speed. It was a great bike in every way just not to be mistaken as a long distance touring bike. Issues, I had none. Would I own another? Absolutely! I replaced it with an 890 Adventure just to try a mid sized bike and I am smitten is the only reason I don’t own one now (and not winning lotto). As for reliability issues the bike was flawless as is the 890 as was my other 2 KTMs. I had 1 issue with a’15 Super Adventure that KTM sorted long after warranty expired
” I owned a ‘20 SDGT …. was a great bike in every way just not to be mistaken as a long distance touring bike.”
Doesn’t GT stand for Grand Touring?
This model always reminds me of Foghorn Leghorn. I’m not sure, I say, I’m not sure why.
https://animaniacs.fandom.com/wiki/Foghorn_Leghorn?file=Foghorn_Leghorn.jpg
Maybe its me and my age. I thought the 990 Adventure was the ugliest bike I had ever seen when they came out. In the cockpit it was brilliant. I have since realized that if the thing hauls the freight I don’t much care about how it looks. Nor do I care what people think about it either.
Please post a new story; I’m tired of seeing this ugly insect when I click to see if there’s something new on Motorcycle Daily…
Ask and you shall receive. 😂😂😂
And its another KTM bwahahaha
With even uglier headlights. This Super Duke GT has the ugliest overall front end, when you include that gawdawful front fairing and how it works with the headlights to create a visual upchuck, but the headlights on their own on the new 1250 Adventure are somehow even worse than these damnable abominations.
ever ridden one..you should..you will definately change your mind and blow your mind !..good at everything except cruising..lol
To me, the bike does look insect-like. But those headlights don’t look bad to me. Especially with them on, it looks like they’re its eyes, and the beast wants you to get on and have it take you wherever you want to go. That’s not a bad thing.
I’ve owned an SDR and currently ride a Super Adventure S. Based upon my experience with related bikes, my guess is this SDGT would be a great way to go really far, really fast. I dig it.
I have the 2017 SDGT and my experience is the opposite of anonymous’. Then again I only have 5000 miles on it. The only issue I had was one from the bike, a false positive on the front wheel TPMS. That happened the day I brought it home in August of 2019 and hasn’t since. I added a heated seat and forgot to connect the electrical connection. Took me a minute to understand what the failure was lol. I did buy the bike used and anonymous is certainly correct there. That is the way to go with one of these.
As to the looks I’ve owned a 1983 KZ750, 01 Buell X1, 03 sprint ST, 04 R1150R, so you might guess I’m a fan of the naked bike. When my friend and I test rode the SDGT, all I could think man that thing is butt ugly. Once you get aboard, my attitude went to this thing is so f**king fun to ride I have to get one. I’ve ridden a fair amount of high power 4 cylinders. This thing can loaf in 4th then take your through 130 before you mind realizes it
So for the first time in our riding careers my buddy and I have the same bike(queue insensitive joke). We’ve been riding together since 1976. He rides a lot more than I do, he in the 35K mile rang. To be fair he got the SDGT a year before I did. He had the weird issue of finding a small bolt in the oil, but nothing was missing in the top end. Amazing the motor didn’t shred itself. He’s got a lot of electronics adds, radar detector, GPS and some other bluetooth thing for my tastes. But again as far as I know the SDGT has been reliable.
Remember these are both 2017s which don’t have the TFT type dash.
This post isn’t meant to contradict anonymous’ post. These bikes are pricey and to have the type of issues he’s experienced and continues to experience is not right.
This is just another data point for those who might be considering putting their license at extreme risk.
I guess I see this bike totally different than most other see it, and commented below. I worked at the dealer level for 30 years, and every year we got NEW models, all the old timers, verbally berated most every new feature, pointing out nothing could ever look, or work, better than a good ‘ol 650 Triumph. Then they looked wrong, because of sold spoke wheels, then water cooling was NG “fins dont leak”, and I can carry a set of points with me I dont need no stinkin CDI, and on and on. Today, its the beak or that pointy thing! while the first sentence claimed that Motorcycle Daily, the people who actually test the bikes, said it was one of the Best Bikes they ever tested. So when I read all the “I dont like this, I dont like that” comments, most based on how it looks on their computer screen, my eyes roll. Anonymous, seems to be the only real world commenter, and I read what he says, and believe him. KTM has issues, and he calls them out. For most of the others to criticize this, and so many other models tested, based on looks is only their view, of how a new motorcycle should look. Possibly they still think a 650 Triumph is best.
650 Triumph is best.
Yawwn..stuck in the past…
650 Triumph is best.
66 T-bird and Bonneville are icons, sharp edged, folded plastic modern bikes never, even with severely better performance.
love the Triumph too..however if im looking for comfort, handling and touring ability..it comes last…maybe a Sunday second bike..to go for coffee..
thats it
I suspect there are a few posters here like me, that really like motorcycles, and are quite happy with the bikes we already own. I don’t normally comment on KTM’s, as there seems to be a common thread on all their products: fast, expensive, unreliable, and ugly. Reliable and beautiful may overcome expensive, but fast (at least to me) isn’t enough to overcome ugly and unreliable.
KTM seems to be able to find enough people that like their bikes to be able to stay in business regardless of my opinions, so I normally keep them to myself.
As to the Triumph 650, slow, unreliable, and nice looking doesn’t make a combo that prompts me to buy, either.
I had a KTM 620 Duke. It was a great bike, and stone reliable.
First off… I’m no ‘beak man’ but I had the opportunity to ride my friends GT. For all its size, it feels very light though it is 40 pounds heavier than the non GT model. The thing flies and handles well but I have no use for the power.
The bike I swapped off of was my Kawi z900. My friend was equally impressed by how smooth the engine and how quick it is. The z900 is 114 rwhp, more than enough for backroads bombing. Reliable too.
Pretty much everything available within the last 30 or so years is way more than good enough for most people’s requirements. I have found that my skill level is independent of the bike I ride. There is no reason for me to buy something “better” because there is no improvement to my abilities when I ride something that is more powerful or more modern than what I’m already riding. In some cases, I’ve found some newer, more higher-rated bikes actually perform worse for me. Newer hasn’t always proven to be better, just typically more powerful. When you already own a garage full of perfectly amazing motorcycles that retain untapped performance levels, it takes something that ticks all the right boxes to convince me to sell something else to get it. This KTM doesn’t really tick any boxes that are important to me, in fact, there are many things that keep this bike off my radar.
Totally agree todd.
Excellent post. Past a certain point—a point which was reached at least twenty years ago in terms of usable-for-the-street HP—more power certainly does not always make for a better, more enjoyable bike.
MX-5 Miata vs 800-hp Demon. If the object is to go fast and have fun, which would you rather drive on anything other than a drag strip?
I guess we need to define what is “usable for the street HP”. If you’re talking about not exceeding the speed limit, then yea, maybe, but there have certainly been advancements in frame technology, suspension, tires and electronics in the last 20 years that have made the increases in horsepower gained in the last 20 years, safer and easier to use, not just for racers, but for common everyday rider too.
I do agree with your point that it is difficult to make the fundamentals of current motorcycle design better. The geometry for go-fast motorcycles of any genre has been well understood for at least 30 years now, and manufacturers mainly just play with the various compromises of altering the different variables to achieve a balance they feel is ideal for a given power output and use case.
Where I don’t agree with you necessarily is about the power increases not being “better”. For some people, it is most certainly better.
You mentioned your skill doesn’t increase according to your bike, which is true. But I’ve found that high levels of skill are just like high levels of power. Oftentimes, a certain amount is required to achieve a desired result, and anything above that threshold is superfluous.
I’ve lived places where the only exhilaration to be had comes from acceleration. The “curves” in such places can be navigated just as quickly as an advanced rider (safely is another story) by very intermediate riders. The extra skill isn’t going to make you faster in these cases just like the extra power won’t make you faster on the roads you ride.
Skill always makes you a better rider, but it doesn’t always make you the fastest rider. Believe me – there are plenty of places where you can rest assured you and your 690 Duke will get passed by someone far less skilled than yourself simply due to power. Much (most?) of the USA comes to mind. Honestly, most riders I’ve known over the years regardless of skill level would choose outright acceleration above all things. It’s just more accessible, frequently useable, and more appreciated by more people in more places than razor-sharp handling or light weight.
I couldn’t disagree more. If that was all street biking was about, I wouldn’t have any street bikes.
I avoid riding boring roads like the plague. I developed a policy long ago that any ride that would put a flat spot on your tires isn’t worth riding. I know that there are a lot of guys who would argue about that. They are welcome to their opinion. Just don’t ever think that I will adopt it.
Frankly – I have become bored with all these over priced, over weight, severely ugly semi dirt street bikes , and now being designed and manufactured by every country in the world, by every Tom, Dick and Harry for a PART of the total motorcycling market. “Jumping on the band wagon” comes to mind. I’m not referring to KTM, rather obscure small manufacturers who are trending in lock step. Where is the next V6 adventure touring bike, or inline 8 ?
Foowey on the beak parade.
MV Augusta bringing out big Adventure bike? At least it has no beak! But at MV prices how many will they sell?
Like NORTON trying to resurrect: Why bother??
An MV adventure bike will sell ok if it’s expensive enough. Just like this KTM, it’d be a premium high performance street/touring bike with off road styling. This is what’s selling and all of these companies are in the business of selling motorcycles.
Unlike many who frequent these comments, I tend to really like KTM’s design language. However, I can’t come to grips with this one. Maybe it looks better in person.
Think I may have mentioned it before but most KTMs do look better in person to me. I sold them for a short period of time and found that to be the case. Everybody’s taste differs though.
I dont mind the looks-after all I own a B-King{only bike}
According to CYCLE WORLD that KTM engine puts out 166HP measured , so like the B-King(160 HP rear wheel) you dont have to be apologetic about the looks.
Super goofy looking (and I actually like KTM’s other edgy designs) and tiny suspension travel, which makes no sense on real-world roads. What I’d love is a 1290 Adventure with 17” wheels instead of this. Road bikes need at least 8” of suspension travel to be usable on American 3rd-world-infrastructure roads.
The pitchiness, and suboptimal aero, of bikes with 8 inches of travel, render engines this powerful completely pointless. The SD, GT or not, has fantastically compliant street suspension for a bike this fast. It’s as if the bike was set up for the IOM TT, rather than the more smooth-track tuned suspension common on bikes this fast.
It’s a burly beast but I’m not interested. Can’t anybody make a beautiful bike except Guzzi with the new V100?
Really didn’t think KTM could make the GT’s headlights any uglier, but they found a way. These are right up there with the new Suzuki GSX-S1000, the original MT-10, and the Terblanche Multistrada in the running for Homeliest Headlights of All Time.
My god. At this point, it’s like a sociological experiment. It’s almost as if they’re trying to make the ugliest thing possible, as if to test the public’s limits.
Check out the headlight on the new R7 Yamaha. A half dome thing about an inch and a half or two inches across. Really strange looking.
The R7 headlight is more odd than ugly. It mainly just looks strange. Unfinished. Too small.
Check out the new Suzuki GSX-S1000, the naked one, not the full-fairing GT. Those are some seriously homely headlights.
Still, these new headlights on this Super Duke GT may be even worse. That rounded bump they added this year combines with the stupid, pointy leading edges of the fairing to give the front end the appearance of a bloated turkey vulture with Down’s Syndrome.
Specifically, the direct profile and front three-quarter views have to be the worst in all of motorcycling. This thing absolutely sets the new benchmark in horribly disfigured front-end design.
I bought the first 2016 SDGT available. It has been the most reliable bike I have owned in many years. A recall for a replacement fuel line that took 15 minutes, a redesigned kick stand and standard bags that leaked but were replaced with a new design. I am itching for a new bike, maybe the Multistrada V2 if I like it (available in 30 to 60 days) or wait for something better than my SDGT that has been the best bike I have ever owned. The only thing I don’t like about this KTM is the even uglier bug headlight.
Will KTM soon mimic Ducati and go to a V4?
When they win MotoGP….
More likely if they decide they want to compete in WSBK. This is the only reason Ducati and Aprilia do it. As long as KTM stays away from WSBK, they can just add displacement to their cheaper, easier to produce v and I twins to hit the hp numbers they think they need.
That makes sense.
One more reason to bring back 750 4s and 900 twins (and 800+- Triples….) in WSB, instead of WSB effectively being MotoGP with 20 kilos of weight added and even less difference between bikes.
I can’t see how anyone in motorcycling is served well by effectively eliminating all big-league racing of sportbikes more properly sized for people who would be interested in riding sportbikes.
Some may find this attractive. I’m not one of them. The beak is unnecessary and looks stupid from the side. The extremely pointy lower part of the fairing does nothing for me, either.
I say this every time I watch these promotion videos… The video is crap.
Why can’t they create a walkaround video without music, in proper lighting and highlight the features and sounds of the bike? WHY???
If they’re proud of it, do a proper presentation! Look at the money they’d save not making these crap videos.
They did the same thing with the Norden. Spent lots of money promoting an adventure, while the Tuareg came out right away with test ride and videos specific to features.
This is a very mild makeover compared to the dramatic changes from the first generation KTM Super Duke GT (2016-2018) to the second generation (2019-2021). KTMs depreciate rapidly (I’ve owned both generation GTs), so smart shoppers will focus on picking up a used or dealer leftover 2019-2021 generation GT, which is much more refined vs the 2016-2018 version. Yes, as Dirck states, this is an incredible machine. But….there is one other big concern: unreliability. KTM lacks the reliability of competitors. In the 5 years I’ve owned both generation KTM Super Duke GTs, they’ve been in the shop more times than my other seven motorcycles combined. This will be my last KTM due to lack of reliability.
Please tell me what were the biggest issues with the bike.
Biggest Issues:
1: On four separate occasions, the red engine warning light appeared. Four separate trips to the dealer later, KTM HQ supplied the dealer with a software update to fix it. Sixty mile round trip per occasion.
2: One of the hard cases stopped opening. The case was sent to KTM HQ for repairs.
3: The TFT dash on several occasions went completely dark while riding the bike. Shutting off the engine and restarting the bike made no improvement. I had to immediately ride the bike home with zero dash feedback (speed, RPM, gear, fuel indicator, etc, etc.). Riding the bike with a non-working dash felt very unsafe. Calls to KTM Customer Service provided no resolution. The TFT dash would start working again a day or two later. This is still unresolved, and I am concerned about it happening again.
4: On two occasions, the engine stopped running while riding the bike at speed on an open highway. Never in my 50 years of riding motorcycles (started riding at age 8) have I ever experienced a motorcycle shutting itself off while riding it. It’s happened twice with my current SDGT. And no, the kill switch was not accidently activated…that was the first thing I checked. On the first occasion, the bike would not restart, and I had to have it towed. On the second occasion, the bike restarted after 5 attempts, while I sat on the side of a major highway. The gas tank was at least half full on both occasions. Calls to KTM Customer Service produced no resolutions, or even any concern for rider safety. My dealer could find no electronic codes to assist in resolving the issue. This issue is also still unresolved.
Meanwhile, my 2018 Duke 690 has been flawless – well, ok, there was a gas leak from the top of the tank that I fixed with a $10 gasket.
Wow, maybe you had bad luck, but I think this is more than that. I really like european bikes, but none gives me the peace of mind like the japanese ones.
Agreed….my 1993 Kawasaki ZX11 has never let me down. Nothing but routine fluid changes and new tires. Same with my 2001 Kawasaki ZRX 1200R. Peace of mind is priceless.
Thank you for the information, accurately given. People want to think the object they buy is bulletproof from the factory. I’ve owned several different brands, each of them thought to be reliable models, from the factory on “name” alone. I can assure you, limits can be found, even with proper service intervals, superb maintenance and intact intact warranties, been there, done that with KTM, Yamaha, Aprilia, Honda, Suzuki, Kawasaki….if you haven’t, more power to you. This is my own experience as well, manufacturer’s will deny ANY fault up to irrefutable proof, but only by their factory certified dealers. Trust me!
The only thing better than the KTM 890 is this. With the right size for a gas tank. At least for my humble dreams. I just wish that my inseam were longer. Too bad the engine doesn’t come in a lowly cruiser.
Although the KTM faithful will no doubt disagree, the engine belongs in a cruiser. It’s visceral at lower revs. Could be really nice, if KTM equipped it with a flywheel. At higher revs, it’s just a droning bore, albeit a really powerful one. Given a flywheel and tuned for 130hp, I bet it would be amazing in a montainteuton version of a Diavel.
I want this bike. But it’s not being imported to the US for ’22. Maybe ’23.
In the meantime, I’m poking around looking for a leftover ’20 since this refresh really isn’t too radical. So far, only one has popped up in my search. Just waiting for a quote now.
Looks a lot like a KTM
after looking at the beauty of the Moto Guzzi V100 Mandello, this machine is striking ugly.
Yeah but this thing would rip the wings off the MG. I like the MG too BTW but would take this in a heartbeat. To each his own.
That REALLY depends on who’s riding it. It’s been my experience that the slowest riders buy the most powerful bikes.
That goes without saying. But I was talking about the bike not a hypothetical rider.
A bike is nothing without a rider.
My original comment mentioned the power of the bike. We get that a bike needs a rider.
You have beat the horse dead and buried it. Congratulations on your gift for stating the obvious. Please continue the argument with yourself.
I like powerful bikes: inflates my ego and erectile dysfunction…..
Like newtonmeters, I like fast bikes. You know what that says about me? It says I like fast bikes. I, for one, don’t know why you wouldn’t.
well, yeah. I like fast bikes. So far I’ve found that the 690 Duke is the fastest bike available. No one has ever passed me. In fact, my old 1972 RT2 Yamaha is faster than a whole horde or other motorcycles except for the 1200 Multistrada that stayed in front of me – based on a City Bike group ride around Mount Hamilton a few years ago. Heck I remember one ride where a guy on a EBR 1190RS said he couldn’t keep up with me on a ride out to The Junction on Mines Rd. I was on my 1991 K75S. Who would have guessed that an old BMW flying brick is faster than an EBR? I choose to work on my skills, not pretend that a faster bike will make me faster.
Geez todd. I like to work on my skills to and that is why I go to the track. Once again my original post only mentioned that one bike was faster than another. You brought the rider equation into it.
I get the old(er) bike thing though. I rode a well set up 2002 FZ1 for 32,000 miles and regularly rode past riders of less skill in the twisties on the latest liter sport bikes. And I realize it was just that.
Lol no todd, the 690 Duke is not the fastest bike available. It may be the fastest bike you can ride against your buddies on a couple of your hand picked favorite curvy roads in California, but this is a big country with lots of roads, and lots of talented riders, many of whom are quite capable of riding big horsepower motorcycles at a very rapid pace.
Just because you can’t ride a high horsepower bike quickly, doesnt mean nobody can.
And Im not talking about me, I’m not fast, but I seen fast riders on big bikes do things that seemed impossible.
Has a 690 Duke ever won the Pikes Peak race? Isle of Mann? Any big race? Are they popular at the track?
Let’s get realistic. Nice bike, light weight, handles well, but hardly the fastest bike available.
Exactly, mickey. I want the bike that is best for me, where I ride, and how I ride. I am not interested in a bike that performs better in Iowa.
Yeah. Agreed. These guys have some cutting edge stuff and their performance is undeniable. The design of their product needs to advance too. Still, it looks to be a nice bike.