KTM 1290 Super Duke GT and Michael Rutter in the folds of the Isle of Man

KTM 1290 Super Duke GT – To push the limits of perhaps the most sophisticated and high-performance sport tourer on the market today, KTM, he invited Michael Rutter, multiple winner of the TT Isle of Man, the Macau Grand Prix and the British Superbike Championship, to ride the new KTM 1290 Super Duke GT in the legendary Isle of Man.

KTM 1290 Super Duke GT conquers the Isle of Man

The TT Mountain Circuit where the famous Tourist Trophy takes place, thanks to its breathtaking landscapes, characterized by gentle slopes, winding roads and places of historical interest, the island is the ideal destination for a nice motorbike trip. This time the journey was made not by any pilot but by Michael Rutter. After a tour of the city and the coast, he detoured towards the Jurby Motodrome to lighten his panniers and increase his pace. The circuit on the northern coast of the island offers the possibility of completely opening the throttle and, thanks to its fast lines full of dips, it is often used as a testing ground by riders busy perfecting the setup of their bike during the fifteen days of the TT. Picking up their bags, Michael and the GT headed towards the town of Ramsey, where the road begins its climb towards Mount Snaefell. The exit of the famous Gooseneck curve and the mountain section are the ideal place to unleash the 175 HP of the LC8 engine of the KTM 1290 Super Duke GT, before a well-deserved stop at the Creg-ny-Baa Pub. “The GT is completely different from the bikes I usually ride, but I was amazed by its performance, especially the engine, whose torque and traction are phenomenal – said Rutter -. Comfort is another aspect that impressed me: the saddle and handlebar position are perfect for high speeds, both on the track and on the road. For a bike designed to adapt to various types of riding, the GT is at ease in any situation, even when you push it to the max on a fast and irregular circuit like Jurby. Furthermore, and this is not trivial, the heated grips represent an important element for those who use the motorbike all year round, or for the summer in England!".

In addition to being equipped with the latest version of the 8 cm³ LC1301 V-twin, the Super Duke GT is a pure concentration of technology, as it uses the complete package of KTM's best electronic and driver assistance systems. The Brembo braking system, as well as the traction control, are sensitive to the lean angle thanks to the inertial platform, while 4 different riding modes (to which the optional 'Track' mode is added) allow you to tailor the bike to yourself based on the your needs and driving conditions. All this allows expert drivers to discover the great potential of the GT. The 2019 version features important updates aimed at improving the already excellent level of comfort; in particular, the WP semi-active suspensions have been updated and are now more efficient and quicker in response, while the aerodynamics have been improved thanks to the new fairing equipped with a practical adjustment mechanism, which combined with the new hand guards, helps to better protect the pilot. Another important innovation is the adoption of the 6,5-inch color TFT display, capable of providing a substantial volume of information useful for driving. Furthermore, thanks to the optional KTM My Ride application which uses smartphone connectivity, the instrumentation is able to offer a navigation system with turn-by-turn indications and audio controls, as well as the possibility of managing phone calls and selecting songs from a music playlist. Other renewed details include the cruise control switch moved to the left side of the handlebar, two practical storage compartments with a USB charging socket positioned in one of the side panels and the very powerful full LED headlight derived from the 1290 Super Duke R.