Big Promise, Or Big Let Down?
Performance Bikes|October 2017

Speed, laughs and touring ability? We’ll see. KTM Super Duke GT joins the PB fleet.

Big Promise, Or Big Let Down?

2017 KTM 1290 SUPER DUKE GT AUSTIN SMITH

SPORTS TOURER used to mean bikes like the Honda VFR750F-V in my garage. Capable, worthy, flexible... But let’s face it, a bit bland and not that exciting. KTM’s take on the sports tourer concept is to add a fairing and big tank to the mental Super Duke: suddenly the idea of having a sports tourer in the shed sounds a lot more appealing.

When I first got my grubby mitts on the bike, the adjustable footpegs were at their furthest extension, so riding home I realised the brake lever wasn’t under the ball of my foot, as I usually like – it was closer to the toes (same with the gearlever; I twice hit a false neutral on the first ride home).

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