Living with KTM's 2020 1290 Super Duke GT: MCN's Long-term test verdict

With a 173bhp 1301cc V-twin in the middle, bags of comfort and supported by electronic WP suspension, the KTM 1290 Super Duke GT could well be the perfect all-rounder for the modern rider. Senior Writer, Dan Sutherland spent around 10 months with a GT in 2020 and this is his in-depth round up of the bike.
Full written long-term test: bit.ly/35kwpdh
Read the full review here: bit.ly/2JUlbED
Visit the MCN website for all the latest news, sport, buy a used motorbike and even get insurance through us with MCN Compare:
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[@TRexHeliPilot]

Now that was a proper review. Not a spec rant that so many other reviewers do, but a honest what it feels like to ride and own review. Keep it up.

[@stuart6420]

MCN just gained more trust. Nice to hear a balanced review.

[@tonebonetones]

You are clearly either a millionaire or need to watch more reviews on KZbin.

[@WpgBarry]

Great thorough review Dan! I put 20,000 km on my 2019 1290 SDGT, without any issues. I agree that the rear cylinder gets hot (over 28 C out, gets really hot), and the upgraded heated seat, although nice and toasty when needed, remains hard on the butt. I put bar risers and a taller windscreen (Puig) to add to the comfort. What most people won't know is although the bike seems fast, pushing it over 6500 rpm is when the real BEAST awakens. It is an absolute touring bullet that is track ready. When the original Angel GTs wore out, I put on the Angel GTIIs, and they worked great. Saddle bags work well, but seem 90% quality of rest of bike. Easy to clean, oil changes fair pricing, mandatory dealer service intervals fair and pricing here in Canada. Wonderful bikes!

[@kevh8685]

I've had a GT for a year, first ever KTM, I rode all the competition but the gt was the bike for me I just absolutely love it, no issues so far.

[@daimonmt]

Same here, done 2500 miles in 3 months, no issues. The problem with KTM owners is that, they speak up, where other brand loyalists stay very quiet. My friend had a 2020 Africa Twin and was riddled with electrical glitches....

[@paulocarreiro5855]

I really like Dan! He knows how to do a proper review.

[@4RMS7TRONG]

Right! Its nice to see a decent review for normal people. I'm getting tired of these track day reviewers telling us that bike suspension is too soft for Donnington Park, when its actually not too soft for a bumpy pot hole UK B road haha.

[@TheMissendenFlyer]

Nice vid as usual Dan - even the looks of this are starting to grow on me.....might have to take a closer look....

[@danielryan5384]

Would be awesome to see a Ktm In your collection Tmf! Your review of the 790 along with chop's made my mind up, I collected on 12 Aug 2020 !

[@dalehawkes1698]

You have loads of bikes already TMF 🤣🤣🤣

[@BobJJ9999]

I couldn’t deal with paying that money and having reliability issues. Not good enough in my book.

[@5tevieb954]

“Andy 12 bikes”- should be your channel name 😂

[@StigRossi]

@@danielryan5384 Duke 790? Or another 790?

[@67daltonknox]

I have a 2020 1290SAS. It has been a great bike. Of the electrics: I have had a couple of spurious error messages; it eats batteries for the remote and the main bike battery died after 2 years despite use of a float charger. Prior to this I had a 2015 Multistrada 1200S which was a POS - the only bike I have owned that I wouldn't trust an inch. After the Ducati, it was a bit of a leap of faith going to KTM and I will admit that I have hung on to my 2005 FJR1300 so that I'll have something to ride in case the electrics die, but so far I've been lucky and it is a joy to ride.

[@My347LX]

I have had my 2020 for 1 year exactly and I have about 13,500 miles and it has been amazing. I hope it keeps going like this.

[@corentinalpha4784]

Great review, 24 minutes with passion and real balance.

[@ScottMcCulloughBmax419]

What a wonderful, real-world review. Respect!

[@jameshouchin5086]

One of the BEST reviews I've seen, hands down!

[@controlkeysBcccc]

I own a 2018 model and I have no issues after 35000 km (22000 miles). No other bike can match the driving pleasure that KTM gives you!! Certainly not a musty 4 cylinder

[@tonebonetones]

Utter rubbish.

[@le_kakis]

nice review! appreciated the honesty about the faults

[@sloppyjoe6243]

"and when its all working", you said a mouthful Danny. KTM is the finest most high performance motorcycle on the side of the road with a frustrated rider waiting for a tow truck. What a shame.

[@Benboy1980]

Just ordered one, took it for a test drive and fell in love immediately. Done ✔️

[@TheStuish]

Where did you get one from? Every dealer I tried was out of stock until next year, the whole UK quote had been sold.

[@Benboy1980]

@@TheStuish last one they had at the branch. I bought the demo that I test drove, with 200 miles on the clock. The dealer said it was probably last in the country until March next year. Have to say, I’m loving it, absolute beast of a bike!

[@TheStuish]

@@Benboy1980 amazing! Mine arrives tomorrow, got a demo with 480 miles on it arriving, been hunting out the right one!

[@Benboy1980]

@@TheStuish I can’t believe it took me 8 years before I tried a v-twin! Had a GSX-F, triumph speed triple, bmw s1000xr and then an s1000r and now this. It’s so smooth in urban settings, much easier than the BMWs. Less jerky, and unbelievably fast when you open up (and that’s limited) due to run in

[@rfmrs2506]

Thanks Dan, great review/update/overview

[@norbert_engel]

Great, balanced review:) I really want to love this bike, but reliability issues like this 100% prevent me from buying any KTM. I mostly use my bike (currently a Tracer 900) for long distance weekend rides and weeks-long touring, so I need to know I can trust it to work when I’m a thousand miles from home.

[@E-087]

I have the 890 advr and no issues after more than one and a half years

[@richardcerritelli9657]

That's the problem with these bikes the kind of bikes I like you got to be a mechanic to own Dependable trouble-free bikes are basically boring.

[@hatchetjack1031]

Just bought a KTM RC390. Have 1100 miles on it so far. Love it. I consider KTM to be a race bike manufacturer. The performance is worth the extra maintenance. My 390 single puts out the same horsepower as my W800 Cafe and weighs 150 lbs. Less! The road race stock seat is like a 1" thick board covered w/ fabric. The $170 KTM power parts seat looks the same! The GP version doesn't even have a seat, just skateboard tape on plastic. Comfort is not a factor when your hanging off the corners at speed! Ride safe, good review!

[@Phatdoughnut83]

I love my 2019! It's amazing. Last summer I started having gas issues where the bike would cut out really bad under load. I replaced the fuel pump and filter because I could never get it to replicate after it was dropped off at the dealer. I didn't want to loose any riding time this year so I just did it.

[@davidelizabeth4933]

Well done, Mr. Sutherland! Great overview. Really enjoyed it. 👍

[@g33keh76]

Just had my 30km(18600 miles) service (2019 GT, at 20 months ownership, lol) £900 with a new battery. I've had a sticky steering lock/ key not responding error, used the battery disconnect, like Dan did, to sort that. Also had a start up warning light (MTC failure) issue with the exhaust valve, it had got a bit corroded/ crappy with the winter riding i do and a clean up/ acf50 has sorted it I've also cleaned up the rear brake calliper, got a bit cruddy due to winter riding. Tyres, second new set of Angel GTs, 7500 miles out of each set Front Brake pads changed around 12.8k miles Been on a couple of weekends in Europe and i live where Dan rode in October! Love the bike!

[@chriscrain2878]

Well done. Fantastic review, probably the best I've seen on the GT since it's release. I'm on my 2nd GT. My '17 broke a ring in the front cylinder destroying the cylinder, the piston and the head. Thankfully it was replaced under warranty, but I was without the bike for nearly 2 months while waiting on parts. I bought a '19, which is - to me - a much more refined bike. I've had a couple electrical glitches, but nothing that would have me pass it on. The bike is simply amazing. What Dan says about it getting into his heart is the same why I feel about it. It's not my only bike, but it's the one I go to when I want to get serious about straightening some corners.

[@kevinmcdermott3559]

Yep I agree with you. In 5000 miles, I've had all your problems apart from the dash not working. The so called comfort seat, its awful, keep your money for something else and hill hold has never worked on mine, another waste of cash. However, it is such a talented bike, want to poodle along, it'll do that, want to make "progress" it'll do that too. It is a cracking under the radar bike. As for the cost, who pays full price for a KTM? choose the time of year and save thousands.

[@tonebonetones]

Or you could buy a Ducati. Bought mine in August. Nothing has gone wrong. Whatsoever. Nor will it, it's designed to provide adequate power and built properly.

[@Neutronb0mb]

Excuse my ignorance mate - when would you look to buy from KTM to get a good deal? How were KTM at dealing with the issues you had?

[@kevinmcdermott3559]

@@Neutronb0mb I’ve found the best time to buy, is from approx Oct through till end of Jan. But KTM do promotions during the riding season as well (let’s swap keys etc). Just keep browsing the dealer ads. As for issues, they have always resolved them selves, without going to the dealer. apart from the hill hold issue

[@kevinmcdermott3559]

Which I can’t be arsed sorting to be honest till the next scheduled dealer visit. Do I miss that feature ? Not really, I’ll live with it for now.

[@tonebonetones]

@J Bar Actually....yeah. Lovely sunny day about to go out on my Ducati , while many a poor sod's KTM is either in the dealers or they can't read the TFT for all the error codes lol.

[@csposir]

Great report... one of the best I’ve ever seen. Sad to hear the dash issue, I had the same difficulty on a 2007 Super Duke I owned... awful that KTM hasn’t got that type of weakness out of their products in the years since.

[@SørenBechChristensen]

Hi Dan, great video as usual. Looking for a touring'ish upgrade to my Aprilia V-twin sports bike, I'm getting ever closer to purchasing one of these myself. I rented a S1000XR for a week in the Alps, and although it is a great thing, I'm more of a V-twin guy. Everybody testing the Super Duke (GT) talks about the smile it puts on your face, and after all, that's what it all comes down to. I'll have my fingers crossed in regards to the electronics, and hope for a bug free edition.

[@daimonmt]

Just bought mine too, hope it does not come with ' free electrical bugs'.

[@Steve-motorcycles]

I love KTM’s. It’s such the shame their logo should read ‘Ready To Repair’

[@tonebonetones]

Yep, garish overrated, overpriced bikes.

[@dumbazz83]

@@tonebonetones i wouldnt say so, the are not cheap for sure but overpriced? hmm, if you compare a 1290 sdr to an aprilia tuono 1100 factory and streetfighter v4 the duke is significant cheaper than the others, the 890r will be a bit more expensive than a street triple rs when you upgrade it with pachages but god its a better bike (i own a 17 street triple rs, 890r is a far better road sports bike could ride it for a hole day loved it). anyway ktms are edgie bikes (is that the right word for it? not so pussy allround the are build for one purpose have a blast on a country road). the are from lunatics for lunatics, these guys dont care for bling bling nuts and bolts and paintwork, the build their bikes for havin a blast riding hard an mountainroad (on and offroad) if whant and softy allrounder go buy a bmw or a japanese brand and defently no ktm.

[@Cataclysm1]

When's the last time you've owned a KTM street bike?

[@dumbazz83]

@@Cataclysm1 still @ saving money, but not to sure if i go for a quiet new 890r or a used 1290sdr 2.0, i have two friends who ride ktms for years, duke 990 70.000 km on the engine no main issues, super adventure 1290 run as a clockwerk, iam sick of my triple with no torque .. i want to switch so badly ....

[@Steve-motorcycles]

@@Cataclysm1 I brought a 790 Duke new two years ago. It had oil and coolant leaks within a month of ownership. Spent more time at the dealers then I had it. Shame, it was great to ride.

[@-JSLAK]

Great review as always Dan!

[@pistolpete6321]

Great update, very informative and interesting. I’ve always been a tad concerned about KTM reliability which has held me back from purchasing one. If I ever do buy a KTM this would be the one for me!

[@MotorDanko]

Well KTM reliability is much like that Aprillia or BMW, if you have the one that will fail, it will fail... But, all of them are prom to fail... probably your Aprillia or you BMW never failed you, wel... probably a KTM will never fail to you neither...

[@pistolpete6321]

@@MotorDanko actually, I have put 33,000 total miles on 2 Tuono’s so far and have not had 1 mechanical problem or a warning light so guess I’ve been fortunate. Same goes for the BMW GS.

[@interceptordave]

I've owned three KTMs (990, 1190 and 1290) over ten years and thousands of miles and none of them has missed a beat. Unreal power delivery with utter reliability.

[@1teem]

For sure the young lad is not a yob!!!! And he does very in depth, unpretentious reviews. Well done.

[@paulpartridge2674]

I’ve had a couple of gremlins with my 790 but I would have another, the KTMs have character they grow on you, love them. I would love the SDGT perhaps in a year or two 😉👍

[@marksmith8663]

I heard the heated seat isn’t as comfortable. The standard SDR don’t have a heated seat option for rider only passenger. That is by buying a GT heated seat as direct replacement. What I did is buy a standard heat element remove the seat cover feed the wire through a drill hole to the heated seat plug . Once activated it works from the dashboard low mid hight level just like the heated grips . So could do the same with standard seat on the GT . Long as the element is around 9-10ohms will have to by a make plug to crimp the 2 wires to .

[@davidwinfield-bennett7071]

Enjoyed your review, this is one on my hit list to test ride. What’s next Dan?

[@ykdickybill]

Nice honest review. I nearly bought one , I had an RC8R a few years ago and that was epic. But the water in the tft is well known now and it’s putting people right off.

[@markpieterse2568]

Superb engaging presentation Dan - thanks. I have one and love it too.

[@michaelmellett2774]

The clutch on my duke went after 150 miles. TFT was replaced after 600 miles 😬😬😬😬

[@macsporran]

Well done Dan another Fantastic Review!!

[@martinharper4900]

Hi Dan, don’t feel so sad about giving the GT back, I’ve just bought it (3 weeks ago) unknowingly that it was a mcn test bike. I’m a bit ocd so it’ll still be spoiled (evotech tail tidy and bar end mirrors along with baffle removed from exhaust which now sounds like it should done already) I was stunned when I saw my bike in your reviews.

[@Pmason718]

Were you able to finish that 1000XR vs the SDGT video? I would love to see it. I own this bike and love it.

[@genna544]

Great review! I've enjoyed mine over the last year. It does give me the random false failure light, but a turn off/on fixes it. I've done lots of twisty stuff and as much as 600 miles in a day. It really fits the bill for me as I'm living farther away from the twisty stuff! It continues to make me giggle in my helmet!

[@wykittypreps5794]

All these comments about being over priced? Have you looked at a Harley lately? Outrageous.

[@KurtBaetens]

Very nice review. Done a testride onbir myself a couple of years ago. Reliability issues should not happen for such a premium product. I think KTM should improve here; I’ve heard similar stories on other models. The build great bikes but reliability not yet on ‘Japanese’ level I think.

[@onyekaonyia8395]

Couldn’t agree more... after owning and using the gen 2 Super Duke R for about 3 months over the winter, it had to be sent back to the dealer on a recovery truck on 3 separate occasions. Eventually got rid of it and replaced it with a Gen 1 SDR SE (without the new electronics). If KTM is watching/reading these comments, PLEASE DO SOMETHING ABOUT THE RELIABILITY OF THE ELECTRONICS ON YOUR OTHERWISE SUPERB BIKES... right, rant over

[@tomtraynor5384]

@@onyekaonyia8395 Agree. It's somewhat Bosch elctronics--right? Do Ducati and BMW suffer same?

[@onyekaonyia8395]

@@tomtraynor5384 Don’t know about Ducati’s, but I’ve owned a couple of BMW’s in the past (R1200R & S1000XR) both of which had the full fat electronic systems including semi-automatic suspension adjustment (I forget what BMW calls their system). I ran both bikes through the winter just like the gen 2 SDR, with no major niggles. I did have the auto rear dampener on the R1200R fail which was replaced under warranty, but other than that, it was all good. I guess KTM just isn’t on par with BMW when it comes to stability/reliability of their electronic systems. Dan’s experience as well as the Likeable rider’s with the KTMs seems to bear this out.

[@lpete531]

Well spoken with depth review of the bike capabilities. Awesome review 👍

[@bunshoft]

Great review! Thank you. As a Yank, I really appreciate your accent!

[@regbarber4259]

what a fantastic review well done that man

[@BrianFrichette]

The exhaust note / loudness change is absolutely not a placebo. Every exhaust I've ever purchased has been like this, and it's because the fiberglass packing breaks in over time. First, it starts to absorb a bit of carbon / soot, and second, it packs and becomes stiffer and less fluffy. Also, some of the fiberglass does get damaged and blown out over time. The rivets on these cans are there specifically so you can repack the exhaust. For some exhausts this is actually a relatively minor change, but for other it's massive. The Hindle exhaust on my GSXR-1000R has probably added a few db as it's broken in. It's louder, and pops more, but it's still reasonable. The Termignoni on my MT-09 on the other hand has completely transformed. When I first put it on, with the included street silencer, it was really disappointing, and I actually took the silencer out completely. But over time it started getting louder, and so I put the race silencer in. At this point, it's so loud that I'm back to the street silencer, and it's still the loudest bike I have. I'll probably have to repack it if it gets any louder.

[@rgthomson1]

If any of you guys get problems like described here the best thing to do is disconnect the battery for 5 or 10 mins, i have been caught out and the battery disconnect has fixed it

[@alphafiveone5044]

Been going between super nakeds. This sold me. Thanks

[@piumarider8090]

Hi Dan, thank you for a thorough review. Couple of questions for you: 1. How would you characterize the engine vibration on this bike? I’ve previously owned a Aprilia Tuono and although it was a fun bike the vibration was tiresome for long haul rides so wanted to see how this bike compares. 2. Of the following bikes which one would you choose for touring: this bike, Ninja 1000sx, GSX-S1000 GT, R1250 RS? Any feedback you may have will be very helpful and appreciated. Thank you. P.

[@JimmySlacksack]

"and when its all working its absolutely fantastic" hmmm

[@howardfreedman4289]

Great review, thanks! This is the bike I'm looking to own. Just hoping for a good condition used GT.

[@swchall]

Great vid Dan. I love KTM, so exciting to ride. Sadly I'm now riding a Kawasaki due to the KTM reliability issues both my wife and I experienced. It's very frustrating because I want to ride a KTM

[@tonebonetones]

Buy a Ducati. Simple.

[@rolsson4365]

Great review! But have you ever ridden a Moto Morini Corsaro 1200. Engine correctly mapped it is smooth and almost as powerful as this. No electronic gremlins because there is no ABS, traction control or anything like that. But mine is a Veloce 2010, bought it dirt cheap because of mapping ideosyncracys..... Took me a few hours with Tune-ECU and an hour on Dyno to fix....Fast as most Superbikes on trackdays, reasonably comfy, have done 1200 km in a day and I am almost 60! Likes only premium fuel and sometimes a little too much of it. But she is the bike that put most grins on my face, either blasting a track or "torque surfing " on a twisty roads. Sounds amazing too. Maybe you should make a comparison test with new versus old premium bikes. With a used bike you might even afford your dream tour around Europe. If you come to Sweden contact me and you could test her and my Benelli Tornado RS..... Thanks for the excellent video, Rolf. [e-mail]

[@markstrawbridge9133]

absolutely stunning engine,bought it with the comfort seat and soon had to go on ebay for a standard one! a week after selling it the guy text me saying the electronic suspension had seized!!!!! after 7000 mile- enuff said!!!

[@tonebonetones]

Wow. Maybe you could just buy the stunning engine and tootle around on that lol?

[@markstrawbridge9133]

@@tonebonetones?

[@iivaridark6850]

A very good presentation! Thanks!

[@yamyamyamaha]

Nice review , having these issues on a brand new bike not purchased with your own money and still in warranty is one thing .Plus having the dealer jumping through hoops because they know MCN have the bike being a bonus . Imagine the thing being privately owned by Jo Bloggs and out of warranty ? What a nightmare and very expensive.This would be the real world for most of us .

[@Captndarty]

For a sport with the emphasis on touring bike the GT vibrates far too much in the foot peg and handlebars than they should. Doesn’t feel much different from my RC8 and is a lot worse than my 1190 adventure which is buttery smooth in comparison

[@motorcyclenewsdotcom]

Interesting to hear that and thanks for watching. I was actually quite impressed by the smoothness of the big twin when up at motorway speeds. Ride safe, Dan MCN.

[@pjakpjak7000]

Proper review. Was shopping for one of these but reliability problems is a big NO for me. Going for a Ninja 1000sx instead i think.

[@1956colinb]

@@luko560 I bought a new Ninja 1000sx last year as a tour bike to sit alongside my 899 Panigale Great bike, does everything well, smooth,fast, comfortable, easy 170 miles before reserve light comes on, I’ve done 6,000 miles on it now and it’s done everything I’ve asked from it, easily! The Bridgestone S22s don’t last long ( 2,300 miles) so I’m running Michelin road 5s on it now, they will do 5,000 miles and still keep a good round profile. Buy the Ninja, you’ll love ❤️ it 👍

[@StefiMoto]

@@luko560 except for 1 exhaust pipe missing bro. For me, they ruined it's character, looks wise. Had 2012 Z1000SX and loved it completely. New one is improved in every aspect but they shouldn't have removed that exhaust and this redesign of remaining one is so casual. It lost spirit in my book.

[@alpergerson6951]

Excellent video Dan, can you make a video for super duke 1290 Adventure S?

[@arnofrom9350]

Hi Dan, thanks for the review. What is your opinion in terms of riding position compared to the 1290 R? Is it far more straight up??

[@mosca3289]

Yep, good review.

[@wanderlpnw]

My friend had the display issue, too. Less than a year old.

[@krzychaczu]

Great review, thank you mate!

[@andrewsammut9342]

Great review, thanks!

[@alexdb77]

This was a perfect review!

[@danlindberg4986]

I have owned two GT's both problem free. I prefer the heated seat profile as the edge is more rounded. If judged purely for sport riding on a warm day then the stock seat wins.

[@grenphelps7455]

Yeah, they are a great bike when they are firing on all cylinders, but it's the little things that spoil this bike, my key fob went nuts and would turn the bike off on its own, found out via the forum that if u insert a tiny bit of cardboard inside the key fob, on top of the battery, it pushes the battery down giving a better signal, I've done this and it's been spot on, but for me the biggest disappointment was my rear shock failing at 150 miles and on top of this ktm refusing to replace with a brand new shock, (bike was a brand new 2020 GT) and was only offering a rebuild kit, needless to say, I rejected this and it did get sorted out with a new shock in the end, the whole ktm experience, with both ktm and my dealership has left a lot to be desired...as for their powerparts, that's if u can get them, I'm still waiting on a carbon engine cover, 5 months so far....absolute disgrace...wish I'd stayed with bmw-motorrad....never again... 👎👎

[@KWAKAKAZZA93]

I've owned my gen 1 gt for over 2 years and it been faultess. I love it and i didnt upgrade from a cost and new tech failure point of view. The lcd dash tech maybe old but it works,compared to tft stuff. no other gremlims to report.

[@Fortis_1337]

Would this be too much of a bike to transition into from a 400cc inline 4 naked? This bike looks and sounds gorgeous 😍

[@Bornie205]

Excellent review, ive owned one for 2 years and agree with everything you say (maybe except the seat which I love) . Love it to bits but have had to buy a cheap commuter

[@glenntoulouse5710]

If that breakdown was on a once a year holiday in Europe it would pee me off intensely.

[@Patriot-Logic]

Excellent review and entertaining! Very likable young man and bright!

[@markkennedy2521]

Great review Dan and MCN as always! I hear you with the disappointment about its little niggles, my 2019 model has been back to KTM twice to get switchgear changes because of water ingress, my bike is garaged and beyond pampered also so I was disappointed to say the very least, have also had battery problems so fitted a new battery as I was told the keyless ignition can drain the battery if kill switch is not switched off (apparently the ECU searches for the key if its within proximity if kill switch not on?) All that said I do love it very much, does everything you ask of it with so much comfort and confidence!!

[@markreynolds8630]

Nice review, shame about electrical issues. Looking for your comparison of this bike with the BMW s1000xr. Is there a video, or article somewhere?

[@masterspin7796]

Do you still like it?...I am also looking at the 890 Adventure (standard model)

[@paulgentle6318]

Great honest detailed review. Havent really consideres ktm's road bikes until recently ( had some EXC'). The looks are growing on me but the electrical issues would be a concern on bikes out of warranty.

[@masterspin7796]

Fantastic job you just did!...I need to know how these will be holding up @50,000 miles..I want one for touring but not if it wont last...

[@masterspin7796]

I ordered a 2022 BMW 1250 G/T, should have it by December....My local KTM dealer cant get there hands on a Super Duke GT they do not seem to be any available in the U.S.A.

[@MrAlphadeltabravo]

The best tyres for this bike are the Metzeler Roadtec 01..ask Rich Newland who ran one. The RR9 are too soft for an ST. The Hill Control works ok once you get used to it and don't think, treat like a 2 stage clutch, it lets go once on the bite then off you go. No need to give revs. Probs makes more sense on fully loaded 2up Adventure though. Put 12k miles on mine in 18 months and it never let me down....

[@MicGil]

As an owner of this bike, I can tell that reliability IS a problem with that bike. It is pity because the bike is not cheap and rides amazing, so we expect that KTM would do more to ensure reliability!

[@lovelessissimo]

This is why they are called ATMs.

[@brianGreen-r6k]

Don’t understand the comments about the seat got the heated seat it’s very comfortable saying that iv done five straight hours on a gsxr1000 with no problems and I’m 6.1”.

[@fadetoblackMotorcycle]

Is it comfortable for long trip journey?

[@sdshawn29]

Very good review on the bike well done.

[@f1hotrod527]

Are they coming out with a new superduke GT that is based on the new superduke? I absolutely love the new super duke and a sport tourer that capitalizes on all the improvements made to the super duke would be an awesome option.

[@P6_7R_Nick]

I fully agree with you about the HHC, I have it on my 1290 SAS, used it for the first few rides and disabled it as it didnt seem to recognise when I wanted to go, I had to wait for it to decide when to go. What you say about warming to the bike, that's what KTM's do, they get under your skin and was you've let it happen, you will be hooked for ever 😂

[@semajohn]

Great vid. I think KTM is missing a bike in their range. Duke 890 GT would make a great (and more affordable) middle weight sports tourer/all rounder.

[@bjornv5287]

I would buy it

[@garethmayfield4014]

Proper review. Thanks fella

[@tompowell5358]

Interesting! I’ve got a 790 duke and thinking about this bike or a 1250GS. Which one would you get? Thanks

[@mototink1790]

When its working it's fantastic!

[@clashcityrocker2051]

THE best do it all bike on the market..

[@TheDefaultState]

Thanks Dan for the great review! I had a 2019 790 Duke and put 12000 miles with no issues. That bike was stolen so I upgraded to the 1290 SDGT. No issues so far (1200 miles) but sounds like some electrical issues could be in store. I’ll have to remember that fix for the key fob if mine stops working! Thanks for posting!

[@lucimoto2922]

Imagine it breaks down after it is out of warranty :)

[@dumbazz83]

like a street triple 765 rs when the engine eat their own valve? , i mean something like thist happen to the biggest german motorcycle magazine TWICE in a row, and i own an 17er 765 rs and triumph is not that polite -.-

[@leonbrad22]

Great review 👍

[@amico1357]

thank you very much Sir was so good review

[@maximussmirnoff]

Thanks for the review! I've been enjoying this lovely piece of machinery for the second year now on Mallorca, and luckily no serious technical issues or whatsoever. Couple of time the key was not recognised - solved by stepping away couple of meters from the bike and then approaching again. Dash didn't load once. It was just a white screen, but then all of a sudden loaded all the info. Usually wash the screen with Karcher, by the way :)) Don't you find quite small difference, almost unnoticeable between the settings of suspension. I can barely notice the difference between Sport or Comfort... My previous k1300s on Sport was riddent as it was a wooden chair though.

[@kylethompson2276]

Bought a brand new 2018 super duke R. Had a charging issues. Battery died several times while out leaving me stranded. I believe a regulator or rectifier, not sure which one. Sold it after a few thousand miles due to moving. Was disappointed by the frame and chassis. Not the best feel. Might get a new 2020. Heard it’s much better.

[@Szlejer]

Really great review, but until friends have multiple warranty issues with brand new KTM bikes, no thanks...

[@paul.vanhout57]

Huge fan of KTM performance and overall dynamics; the LC8 motor one of my favorites. That said the brand needs to up their game on reliability and cost of ownership - needs to be a top priority and focus. Interesting that the KTM enduro bikes I own and have owned are impeccably reliable. Nice in-depth review and laughed at “Agricultural mud”!

[@ThePalmatron]

Great and honest review....Thanks!

[@Nellyboy1971]

Love my sdr best bike so far