KTM Super Duke 1290 GT Review 2019 4K

Review of the KTM Super Duke 1290 GT which was kindly lent to me by the guys at Laguna Motorcycles - www.laguna.co.uk/
Wow wow wow! What a difference I had on the Super Duke 1290 GT compared to the Super Duke 1290 R. The 1290 GT is an awesome bike and one I would love in my garage.
The main changes in looks on the KTM Duke 1290 GT compared to the 1290 R would be the screen and tft display. Apart from that they look very similar to me and would be hard to spot a difference. The look is a bit love or hate, I personally like it though have a strong preference for the bike in black as I think it looks much better than the white and orange.
Riding the KTM Super Duke 1290 GT is where the main differences come in. The bike, to me, just felt a lot better. It didn’t have the same feeling of intimidation that I felt from the 1290 R. Everything about the bike was a pleasure, the handling, the power deliver being incredibly confidence inspiring. The bike is very easy to ride. The 1290 R wasn’t difficult to ride, however it just felt too much.
It’s hard to work out what makes the Super Duke 1290 GT so different. It may have been slightly psychological, may have been the suspension, it’s hard to say but it is a bike I definitely want. Price point is high so I would be going for a pre registered 2018 model as I know there are deals to be had. The awesome TFT screen is new for the 2019 model though so that is something to miss out on.
KTM Super Duke 1290 R Specs -
1301CC
174BHP
143NM Torque
Seat height 835mm (32.9”)
Wet Weight 235kg
23Lt Fuel Tank
Quick shifter up and down
Products used in Making Vid
Helmet Cam - amzn.to/2W2dI6y
Helmet Mic - amzn.to/2AAs4CI
Walk Around Cam - amzn.to/2W4DmYx
Gimbal - amzn.to/2IcZDhx
Walk Around Mic - amzn.to/2VZGYej
Thank you for watching! Do you have a KTM Super Duke 1290 GT? How do you find it? I would love to hear your views on it. Hitting the Like button and subscribing is massively appreciated as it really helps my channel grow.
Stay safe, and happy riding
:D
Instagram @thetommybarnez - thetommybarnez
Tom
#KTMSuperDuke1290GT #SuperDuke1290GT #TommyBarnezTV

[@alasdairhill5166]

Hiya Tommy ,I ride a 2015 super Duke r and love it to bits and don't understand what's scary about it. I recently rode through south of France and up to Andorra absolutely lovely

[@LickyDischarge]

I’m awaiting a test ride on one of these still due to COVID and recent bad weather. My question is, how good is the down blipper? does it do a proper blip as you drop down through the gears for corners etc?

[@TommyBarnezTV]

Hi sorry I missed your comment. I remember it being pretty good, however I dont have great experience with down blippers so my judgement probably isn't worth much there. Nice the weather is picking up. Dealers are doing pre booked test rides I think

[@LickyDischarge]

@@TommyBarnezTV no worries fella, I can confirm it is indeed a fairly good down blip. So I bought the bike and collected it this past Wednesday morning from near Norwich. Happy days 😁😁😁👌🏼👍🏻

[@TommyBarnezTV]

@@LickyDischarge awesome! Happy riding!

[@saptarshisutradhar9379]

Love the looks of the old model....

[@iam_mono1892]

Alright Tom, I was in Laguna yesterday. So tempted by the 2018 offer they have, I’m test riding next week. 😊 can’t wait.

[@TommyBarnezTV]

Haha I have the same temptation! They are an absolute bargain! Everytime I see one of their ads pop up for one on facebook I'm surprised they still have any left. I think they had a few tucked away they are now getting rid of. Enjoy!

[@somegeorgedownthehall9392]

Fair play to you mate! Getting back on the beast in different clothing!

[@TommyBarnezTV]

Thanks!

[@clivebishop9656]

Hi really enjoyed this video i am in middle of thinking of buying one and after watching your video it convinced me .. really good 👍 thanks

[@TommyBarnezTV]

Sweet! Enjoy!

[@garytaylor7611]

Hi great review. I'm thinking about chopping my Duc 1260 enduro in for the Gt , my only concern is comfort in the legs im 5'10'' and wondered how you found it. Some great deals to be had at moment but unable to test ride cheers Gary

[@TommyBarnezTV]

Thanks! Think you'll be ok. The enduro is 860mm seat height so taller than this. I'm 6ft with a 33 inside leg and was able to flat foot both side comfortably. You're only slightly shorter than me. Obviously would be best to have a sit on one to know for sure, but tricky at the moment. Good deals will probably stay around for a bit I would think

[@garytaylor7611]

@@TommyBarnezTV fingers crossed. Thanks for the reply. I've subscribed to Channel some cracking content . 👍

[@TommyBarnezTV]

@@garytaylor7611 cheers pal, been a bit quiet last year with work and covid restrictions but I've been working on ways to bring more content regularly and hoping to get a lot more out this year. Hoping towards the end of the year I can get into the routine of weekly vids

[@DrStephenVerdon]

Q. How did you Shield the Seat from the Heat of the Engine.? It's a Pain in the Arrs after about an hour. Tried the Aluminum Heat 'Roofing' Insulation but that didn't work. Love the Bike but definitely not the Engine Heating up the Seat...

[@TommyBarnezTV]

Sorry your comment went into spam for some reason. Really didnt have a problem with the heat on my ride

[@shaxmarax6716]

Big difference to the 1290R ride, could feel your enjoyment with the GT - fab review!

[@TommyBarnezTV]

Thanks! Yeah loved it!

[@bobhill2057]

The differences from the R are ..... front fairing/panels/windscreen, headlight (LED from the R), Q shifter up & down, TFT dash, LED cornering lights, same HP but tuned for more mid-range, panniers (standard in the US), also has KTM My Ride bluetooth connection with your phone (nav, music, phone (the nav is turn by turn on the TFT dash)

[@TommyBarnezTV]

Thanks! I think the suspension makes a big difference to the overall feel of the bike too. I've been reading about it a little since riding trying to work out why the gt felt so much better to me.

[@rogerwilliams2902]

Why not use the higher gears more, you seem to leave it in 3rd most of the time ?.

[@TommyBarnezTV]

I tend to stay in lower gears when I'm riding as was taught that when I did my advanced riding training (road safety stuff, not track riding). In a lower gear your engine breaking has more effect. The speed I was travelling at certain points felt right for the road at the time and happened to be kinda between 3rd and 4th a fair bit.

[@bobhill2057]

The motor doesn't like to run smooth below 4,000 revs. 6th gear is useless below 70-75 mph, 80 mph is good.

[@traeucity6087]

KTM Super Duke 1290 GT: "Dr. Jekyll".

[@whittlad]

Picked up my SDGT 2019 model from Laguna at the start of Summer and I absolutely love the bike - it’s just brutal in every way🤘😎👍

[@TommyBarnezTV]

Sweet!

[@MotoGoato]

KTM Super Duke 1290 GT ... "The Roundy-gerflenken-hooper" 😉

[@TommyBarnezTV]

Haha I'm presuming Gerflenken is a lager I've not heard of?

[@bartjaspers240]

Granturismo Hooligan Bike= Hooligran-Turismo?

[@theresonly1truth138]

Try to get your hands on an aprilia tuono asap.

[@TommyBarnezTV]

Yeah I want to! High up on list!

[@allmotors2248]

HI my friend I love your videos. Maybe I can get permission to post some of the video you are filming on my channel? I thank you

[@TommyBarnezTV]

No

[@andy_xtr3861]

Hit the big time now tommy🤙.

[@TommyBarnezTV]

Cheers buddy!

[@Davidlouis3]

Beautiful

[@andreipop8313]

I am in the market for the KTM super duke gt but I am a little worried about wind protection. Is it better then on the Bmw R 1200 Rs. Also, regarding seat height. I am 1,73 cm (32 inseam). The 82 seat height on the Rs felt perfect for me. What do you think?

[@TommyBarnezTV]

Wind protection seemed good though I cant compare to the 1200rs as not ridden one. Seat height should be ok i think

[@karlosh9286]

Is it really that different to the 1290R ? Are you sure it wasn't that you were more ready for such an insane amount of power ? :-D :-D It sounds and looks like a 1290R with a few more "toys" on. A quick shifter is always good. As for a name the "GT Beast" ? If it was a 1000 cc , I guess "The Litre Lout" could work ( "The 1.3 Litre Lout". doesn't have quite the same ring ) Although I'd call it "The Wasp" , because it has insecty eyes, orange and black is almost yellow and black, and a sharp sting in the tail :)

[@TommyBarnezTV]

Nice! I like the wasp! Yeah I think a lot of factors contributed to enjoying the bike more, one of which being a bit more mentally prepared for it. Suspension might have had a bit of an impact and the engine being tuned a bit differently which someone commented.

[@brunanburh937AD]

“Pouncing Rhino”...(hat tip to TMF)👍👍😂

[@TommyBarnezTV]

The pros are better at coming up with phrasing on the spot, i just waffle and hope something comes out alright 😂

[@brunanburh937AD]

@@TommyBarnezTV I still think it has a Praying Mantis look about it 👍

[@smoke05s]

On my 2017 the quickshifter is really slow. This one sounds about the same. It should be nearly seamless with no perceptible decel during the shift. The quick shifter on my 2017 feels like someone rolled off the throttle pulled in the clutch shifted for you and let the clutch back out. I can manually quickshift much smoother and faster using the old blip the throttle with pressure on the shifter method . Has anyone found a way to tune the quickshifter on the SuperDuke GT?

[@TommyBarnezTV]

Cant compare to the 2017. Might be worth having a ride as felt quite good to me. Hoping someone with more experience with it can comment with their feedback.

[@22995555]

You will find that your colour choice will be different on a 2018 model. I have this bike and colour and absolutely love it 😍

[@TommyBarnezTV]

Good point!

[@marksmith8663]

Lucky you and thanks for sharing that Super duke and the GT the 2 bikes I want to choice between I’ve a 28” inside leg so can’t deal with tall heavy bikes For me it be used Mostly for weekends and the odd touring So either fit the bill in different ways

[@TommyBarnezTV]

You'll have great fun on either I'm sure. My votes definitely on the side of GT but try them both out I'd say.

[@marksmith8663]

Hopefully the nearest ktm dealer is friendly enough . Yes I was looking at last years model GT part from the old style bash and cruise control on the wrong side the right Could save a lot of money

[@TommyBarnezTV]

@@marksmith8663 yeah was in the dealer today looking at last years and they have them for just under 12k so around 4 and half grand saving! Dont get me wrong, the TFT is very nice, one of the best I've seen, but that's a lot to be paying for it

[@smoke05s]

The Superduke GT is not heavy. It is physically large like an adventure bike but it is very light on its feet at parking lot speeds. They are unflappable at any speed. Bumpy roads? bring it on! You can use one hand in a bumpy corner with no wallow (in comfort mode). Cross breeze? it tracks straight. Amazing bike just like he says.

[@marksmith8663]

Christopher Young I tried the mt09gt that was to tall for me 850mm seat height on lowest setting the ktm gt & super duke is 835mm none adjustable so should be ok Thanks I give it ago .

[@SPEEDRAPTOR2013]

Top video! Like !

[@julianmccoy-daly3934]

I call my 2016 "thug"

[@johnmcnamara8417]

Weapon !

[@jamest5149]

Stella.

[@thorhansen5462]

Replace the tiger with the 1290 Super Adventure. BAM!!!

[@TommyBarnezTV]

Haha, the tiger 800 is for a daily 100 mile day machine in and out of London. Superduke adventure might be too much bike for that job 😎

[@iTheShirt]

Who else is glances at the screen and back at the road at 10:30

[@tehNewbie]

Yeah, could not focus at all lol

[@sciencetroll6304]

" Journeyman " ?.

[@boormoboormo9701]

Looks and sounds like a Tiger. Hooligan Tiger?

[@Davidlouis3]

They’re not twisties Tommy come up to Scotland you’ll get twisties mate 👍

[@TommyBarnezTV]

I'd love to mate! I only have the bikes for a couple of hours so a little limited 😂

[@Davidlouis3]

@@TommyBarnezTV nice one Tommy 👍

[@jason27995]

That was painful

[@t2rew]

It is a licence looser. I'm banned in Germany for 2 months now after a little tour with the misses

[@TommyBarnezTV]

I loved your comment cause I giggled, but also sorry to hear that 😎