Yes i know this isn't a KTM forum but, I'd imagine a few of you have owned/ridden a KTM 1290 GT, I'd be interested in your experiences please.
I had a gen1, for six months and 6500 miles. Following is a rather long winded appraisal! Lots of potential but various issues. Quick, not that quick. Electronic suspension. Never right, regardless of settings, too hard, too soft and bouncy, dangerous if you hit a bump on a corner when going hard. Supposedly improved later with a software update, which imo, can only help a little bit but not cure. Suspension travel is different length back and front, also without being able to physically set sag, it will always be a compromise. Very limited electronic adjustment, with no physical adjustment. Gearbox had several extra neutrals. Also a bit dodgy when you hit one on an overtake. IF you are a very steady rider you may like it, if you push on you will find issues. Standard seat terrible, KTM comfort seat… in name only, lol, designed and built by a masochist ! Bar risers (Wunderlich) are a big help. Late versions have decent dash, much improved switch gear. Gen 3 Superduke R is in a different league for handling (with fully adjustable suspension) but has a completely different chassis. Rumoured that the new GT will use the R chassis, for good reason I think. I have owned two GS since the GT and would take a 1250 gs (not gsa) over the gt any day of the week, as the suspension actually does its job, making it quicker down bumpy roads, they also have limited adjustment, but are set up right! If you dont need/want luggage, then the gen 3 Superduke R is a much better option. Mentioning luggage, that was the first failure, the locks disintegrated on one of the panniers at first use. Luckily had time to fix before a tour.. More..as is KTM tradition, buy new, get rinsed with depreciation. You have been warned. Personally, if looking used, search out a mint 2016-17 PP with Ohlins, or buy one the many 1250gs with warranty from a Motorrad dealer…or 1290 R superduke.. Having read lots about the GT written by other owners on forums, there seems to be experiences matching my own.
I have run a Gen 3 Super Duke along with a riding mate as we decided to share one , now given my half away . The Gen 3 does have its issues , no waterproof switch gear , chassis is okay but needed to have the rear jacked up with a new rear link plate and a gearing changed to give us the extra rear height via the wheel adjustment cam , it could still do with the adjustable rake yolks ( similar to the one I ran on the R1 track bike) to get it to turn better when pushing . Motor awesome but the rear 200 tyre does create issues on tighter roads as its not that nimble or smooth. Great bike on fast opens as its a bloody missile . Oh the front master cylinder we changed for the Brembo RCS Corstcorta , wow what a change from the average brakes . I still prefere the Multi as its a great bike , rode the GT and agree with J Biker 100%
Cheers all, I’m undecided what my next bike will be. A 1260 GT or PP would be my first choice but a bit out of my reach to be honest, i could wait another year and they’ll drop into my budget. The 1290 does look a bargain, heavy depreciation as suggested above, I could get a 21/22 plate. GS’s seem to have been hit hard too with 2020/21 1250 Raylle TE’s going for around £10k. The KTM name/reputation does worry me but, no more than Ducati did before I owned a few, you hear horror stories about all makes, maybe a few more about KTM though
At the end of the day ride what makes you happy , we all have different opinions, I still love , and wish I still had my 500 XT
I have taken a big chance with reliability, with the 1290 R. Already been off the road for a few months when the engine dropped a valve..luckily I was not booked on the cannonball this year. Other stuff was going on which meant a load of biking was missed anyway. Last years event, the only bike that nearly missed the start…was a 1290gt. It would not start. That said, there were loads of KTMs there last year. None broke down… Electronics are normally the weakness. Battery needs to be tiptop. Electronic suspension, general gremlins and the exhaust servo. I will be fitting an exhaust servo eliminator to mine over the winter. Manual suspension, so one less thing to bugger up.. Skip to about 17 minutes..
Just back from 2 days on the gen3 R touring in France. Awesome. But..dont buy a KTM First it would not start yesterday morning, well it started, pulled out of garage and would not start again! Thought, ok, charge battery. Seat stuck. Seat lock started to fall apart, then key (fob) fell apart turning lock ! Fek it, cancel trip. Pull back in garage, for laughs and giggles, try again…the bas…d started! Ok, Im going. Two days of sublime biking. Fast, handles brilliant, reasonable comfort too on this version. Late today, another stop for fuel. Bit difficult getting the KTM powerparts tankbag off. Hmm. Fuelled up. Tank bag would not lock back on. Seized. The few tools that may have helped….stuck under the broken seat…tank bag left in car park, no use, no way of transporting it. So, my friends, you have been warned.
