If you want a sport tourer that can do a continent-crossing ride in the lap of luxury, the BMW RT series of tourers can be your pick. These models make great use of a powerful, torquey engine, shaft drive, and BMW’s Duolever and Paralever suspension. In the case of the R 1300 RT, you even get the option of an automated manual gearbox, and variable valve timing is standard. This makes it not just a tourer but a possible everyday machine if you get used to its weight and dimensions. It isn’t cheap, though.
There aren’t many true sport tourers remaining in the market today, and they all tend to play the value card. However, there is one sport tourer that can and does challenge the BMW RT series, and does it at a lower price. And it isn’t from Japan. Here is the comfortable long-distance bike that costs less than a BMW RT.
The KTM 1290 Super Duke GT Is The Comfortable Long-Distance Bike That Costs Less Than A BMW RT
The KTM 1290 Super Duke GT isn’t high on people’s lists of late, owing to the financial and quality troubles at KTM over the last year or so. However, now ownership has been figured out, and the finances were settled a few months ago. This means that quality and spares supply will go back to KTM’s original levels, which means you know what to expect.
The MSRP Is Set At $20,499
That said, the Super Duke GT is priced $2,000 cheaper than the BMW R 1300 RT. However, this doesn’t take into account the options that any BMW premium motorcycle inevitably gets specified with. This is also true of the KTM, but the BMW upgrades are quite pricey, and can easily drive the price to over $30,000. The 1290 Super Duke GT, even in base form, has everything you’d expect from a premium sport tourer – all you need to do is point it in a direction, and go on your trip.
KTM 1290 Super Duke GT Engine
At the heart of matters is the LC8 75-degree V-twin engine that powers the 1290 Super Duke GT. It is capable of more power, but KTM has detuned it a little to give it better rideability. But just a little bit – it still has a really high 175 horsepower, which is a full 30 more than the BMW. There’s also the fact that it is lighter. This engine is one of the older generation KTM engines, and is due for an upgrade to the 1390 engine that powers the 1390 Super Duke, but in its current form, you can be sure that it offers better reliability than a new engine.
Transmission And Final Drive
The six-speed gearbox is made by specialists Pankl and has a standard two-way quickshifter, so it retains some KTM DNA. The clutch has hydraulic assist to keep up with the engine’s torque, and it is a PASC anti-hopping clutch as well. There is a chain final drive as well. This driveline has all the tech you’d possibly want, from cruise control to a by-wire throttle with ride modes, and to a six-axis IMU, meaning cornering traction control.
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KTM 1290 Super Duke GT Chassis
The Super Duke GT has what KTM calls a tubular space frame, and what we know commonly as a trellis frame. The frame and bolted-on subframe are both made out of chrome-molybdenum steel with a powder-coated color. Its electronic suspension comes with semi-active control. You can set it for different loads at the touch of a button, and the anti-dive is a standard feature.
KTM has fitted the Super Duke GT with the alloy wheels from the 1290 Super Duke R Evo. These are lighter than the previous wheels, aiding handling at speed and ride quality. The Brembo brakes are up to the task of slowing down the Super Duke GT repeatedly, with four-piston radial fixed calipers at the front, and a two-piston fixed caliper – a rarity on tourers – at the rear.
Compact Dimensions Sweeten The Deal
The 1290 Super Duke GT isn’t a small bike by any measure, but its 461-pound dry weight compares favorably with the R 1300 RT’s 584-pound figure. It holds nearly as much fuel as the German, too – 6.1 gallons to 6.3 – so given the differences in power output and tech, they should have similar tank ranges. It does have a slightly higher seat height, by 0.6 inches, but that should be offset by the weight and ground clearance.
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Fuel Tank Capacity |
6.1 gallons |
|
Wheelbase |
58.3 inches |
|
Seat Height |
32.8 inches |
|
Ground Clearance |
5.5 inches |
|
Curb Weight |
461 LBs (dry) |
KTM 1290 Super Duke GT Features
The 1290 Super Duke GT has been around in its current form since 2022, which makes it a little long in the tooth by today’s yearly-update standards. As we’ve mentioned before, it is due for replacement soon as well, so it shouldn’t come as a surprise that the feature set is comprehensive but not class-leading. Of course, the price reflects it as well.
The 1290 Super Duke GT has a 7-inch TFT display, and unlike the newer large KTMs like the Super Adventure, it is a horizontal one. It is equipped with Bluetooth and turn-by-turn navigation, which is very useful while touring. The hard luggage you’ll see in most of the marketing images is an optional extra, and it will set you back by just under $900, which is a significant addition to the price. Other things on the options list include the Performance Pack and Tech Pack.
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KTM 1290 Super Duke GT Competition
We’ll get to the obvious product in a bit, but let’s quickly run through what other options are available in the market. If you don’t like the KTM or BMW, you’ll have to look to Japan, where the Kawasaki Ninja 1100 SX SE ($15,799) and Suzuki GSX-S1000GT ($14,399) offer a lot of value, but don’t quite match up to the feature set of the European models.
The BMW R 1300 RT is unquestionably the king of traditional sport tourers today, with its feature set and tech reflecting how much newer it is compared to the competition. However, it also commands an equally high premium – in this case, if you want the best, you’re going to have to pay for it proportionally.
KTM 1290 Super Duke GT Vs BMW R 1300 RT
|
Model |
KTM 1290 Super Duke GT |
BMW R 1300 RT |
|
Price |
$20,499 |
$22,495 |
|
Displacement |
1,301 cc |
1,300 cc |
|
Power |
173 HP @ 9,750 RPM |
145 HP @ 7,750 RPM |
|
Torque |
104 LB-FT @ 7,000 RPM |
110 LB-FT @ 6,500 RPM |
|
Curb Weight (dry) |
461 LBs |
584 LBs |