2020 KTM 1290 Super Duke GT Review - More than just a sports tourer?

[@rogerwilliams2902]

Excellent review, many thanks !. Went out on my GT the other day, only 13 degrees , that heat from the engine is most welcome 😀, especially at this time of year.

[@mancavemoto]

Thanks, and thats a very good point!

[@JarodThurley]

Thank you. I enjoy the content you create. I found this review informative.

[@marcjohnson7734]

Always good to know about any minor points 👌, though I thought it had a 23 litre tank maybe that's the 2021 ? This is the kind of real world reviews that we need👍

[@mancavemoto]

You are right, I appear to have got that wrong! Thanks

[@richardpearson4248]

Great video stay safe looking forward to next one 🇬🇧👍🏻

[@mancavemoto]

Cheers Richard

[@TheCannonRoar]

The tank is 23l, just a small correction. Recently bought one, I didnt have heat issues on small countryside tours even when hot. maybe in traffic that would be different. Very nice overall package, one thing I expected better was wind protection but aftermarket windscreen should easily fix it.

[@mancavemoto]

Thanks, I realised my mistake after I’d uploaded.

[@Kismetix]

Great review and absolutely 'spot-on'. I've owned a lot of bikes and the 1290SD GT is by far the best one ever. I have absolutely no complaints about ergonomics, handling, or power. All of those things are absolutely stellar, and surpass what other competitors have on offer in my opinion. It is far more machine than could ever be used on the road... As for aesthetics, I too wasn't all that jazzed about the GT or any other KTM product but after a while it has sort of grown on me. I think it looks good now, but it took a while to get used to it...

[@johnbini1929]

Very nice review mate! One question about the handling: is the bike quite nimble in the tight corners and stable on the wide range turnings? Cheers from Rome Italy.

[@mancavemoto]

Thats, yes its surprising nimble in the tight stuff

[@dalehawkes1698]

Great video I do like the Katoom but went with a Bmw XR for the reliability the KTM is growing on me looks wise 👍

[@tomtraynor5384]

Always curious about the reliability issue as I believe Harley and BMW rate worst on reliability.

[@mancavemoto]

yep, I'm still not sold on the looks.

[@josey1972]

​@@tomtraynor5384 I had read that the BMW reliability issues were primarily due to the recall for possible brake fluid leak on the calipers during the 2019-2020 model years which turned out to be on over 9k bikes. Also some brake light recall issues.

[@masterspin7796]

My Dragster RR puts some heat on my left leg during hot days...any bike that makes a lot of H.P. and has a higher compression ratio is going to put out some heat..It has to go somewhere...

[@snowboardinpassout]

Awesome review. Cheers. Would you rather have this or a BMW S1000XR?

[@mancavemoto]

Thank you,, and a good question. I’ve not had an opportunity to ride the BMW, but I do like the look of it. I think it’s a nicer looking bike than the KTM but the proof would be in the riding.

[@karlosh9286]

I had a ride of the Super Duke R, bonkers and brilliant. I needed post traumatic stress counselling afterwards, probably a bit more bike than I need, I can understand it's appeal. Although the looks don't do it for me either .

[@mancavemoto]

:) true

[@mickyflakes]

I'm looking at buying one of these bikes, did you find any issues with the led screen blacking out?.like going off and on...Great video...👍

[@mancavemoto]

Hi Michael, I can't say that I did no. Is that being reported by other owners?

[@rgthomson1]

Does this bike come standard with quick shifter or is it like the sdr and you need a tech pack or track pack, so really asking do you pay more for the software as usual on the others

[@mancavemoto]

No the quickshifter is an optional extra

[@kugangles9860]

Since they are updating the 2021 model with a lot of the new superduke R tech would you wait to buy or spring for a 2020?

[@mancavemoto]

Depends what deals they are doing on the 202 models I guess. The differences in spec maybe won't be stellar but the price difference could be?

[@DJPTEXAS]

I had a 2017 model and it was very hot on my legs, rear cylinder area.... my Ducati Multistrada is so much better made and more comfortable....

[@mancavemoto]

Thanks for sharing

[@mundanemoments322]

How's the stock engine sound compared to the Triumph water cooled 1200s, the Thruxton R or Speed Twin?

[@mancavemoto]

Not as much character maybe, a bit more ‘mechanical’ sounding on tick over, but once you get moving it sounds pretty good

[@mundanemoments322]

Views from the Man Cave Just test rode one. Great sounding bike/great bike. May buy it if they can offer the right deal.

[@mancavemoto]

I think they are doing cracking deals at the moment

[@calbee8233]

How do you find the vibration? I currently ride a Kawasaki Z900 and it feels a lot smoother. Text rode a 2019 SDGT and the mirrors were useless at 120 kph they were shaking so much from vibrating.

[@mancavemoto]

I didn’t experience too much in the way of vibration, but with a big Twin you’d expect some, certainly compared to an in-line four. I don’t know if they have made any changes to the 2020 model that has improved it in that respect?

[@exothermal.sprocket]

Z900 makes vibration comparisons unfair. It really is one of the most smooth inline-4 engines on earth today.

[@Kismetix]

I ride a 2020 GT and the mirrors are crystal clear at any speed. Absolutely no vibration whatsoever, it is unbelievable...the image is perfect. The only vibration issue I've had is that it seems the bike is way too high geared - and maybe it is just me but when in 6th gear on the highway, to be vibration free the speed has to be above 110km/hr. At speeds below that it, it seems like it should be in 5th gear to avoid engine vibration. I think maybe the rear sprocket should have had an extra tooth or two from the factory....FWIW I think I'll install a slightly larger rear sprocket when the OEM one is worn out.

[@smg1707]

Would you take this over a Ninja 1000SX?

[@mancavemoto]

I've not ridden the Kawasaki, but its a nice looking bike

[@wykittypreps5794]

How's the passenger comfort on this bike?

[@mancavemoto]

Sorry, no idea, I didnt take a passenger on it

[@52yamahar1]

Is the quickshifter smooth ?

[@mancavemoto]

Yes, it’s pretty good

[@karlosh9286]

re 13:15 Reving in tunnels, that has to be done !

[@mancavemoto]

of course!

[@losteden]

what top speed on this thing?

[@mancavemoto]

No Idea sorry

[@exothermal.sprocket]

Per 9500 redline, mechanical gearing allows 174 mph limit. Will it reach that? Probably not. Is it electronically or horsepower limited from reaching that? Probably. Rottweiler Performance out of California offers engine performance parts, BrenTuning offers ECU corrections for modifications. The gains are substantial with both.

[@ballerblocks]

For someone who likes to own things outright, 17k for a bike is a mad idea, it's not a GS, it's a KTM, you dare put miles on it and it depreciate faster that a 7 series BMW.

[@blockchainshark1392]

Your opinion is subjective. This is superior bike in every way to equal BMW. The BMW can't compete with power, handling or even technology. So I fail to see why you claim this bike is overpriced compared to BMW which is inferior is every category

[@exothermal.sprocket]

R1250GS is a brilliant bike, but not the same category as the 1290GT. KTM makes a 1290 Super Adventure S and R and that is the direct competition. Both ways, KTM makes substantially more power and the engine configuration provides more character and excitement. Reliability? I suspect BMW might be a little better over a long period of time, but it's not that consequential when most people don't keep their motorcycles that long.

[@lostwheels5951]

No much more than 1290 SAS but makes also fun on track: kzbin.info/www/bejne/noPXqXx_ZddsgNU

[@mancavemoto]

Thanks for the video! its good to see it performing on a track. I like the little 'bobble hat' for the brake reservoir too :)

[@lostwheels5951]

@@mancavemoto Thanks watching friend and replying ! Yes the bobble always smiles 😀

[@udaykumarponnada5370]

Is it compatable for adventure????

[@mancavemoto]

Not great ground clearance, but with some different tyres it'll deal with fireroads and some dirt tracks

[@udaykumarponnada5370]

@@mancavemoto hello brother if you don't mind can you clarify my doubt about BMW r1250 or KTM 1290 superduke gt???

[@mancavemoto]

Two very different motorcycles, the KTM is very much a road focused bike. The BMW also makes for an excellent tourer both on and off road

[@udaykumarponnada5370]

@@mancavemoto okk brother thank you so much for your kind information I'm a huge fan of ktm 1290 superduke gt I really love it

[@karlosh9286]

re 6:56 . Lol !

[@mancavemoto]

couldn't resist, i've been hanging on to that clip for ages.

[@beozzie690]

For starters, the bloody thing sounds like a sewing machine! Get a proper exhaust on it for starters. Up the Chelsea!

[@mancavemoto]

A big sewing machine! Always hard to capture the true depth of an exhaust note on video. Under load as the revs rise it sounds pretty bloody good for a stock can.

[@tomtraynor5384]

And that plus remap solves cylinder heat issues.