Which of you have teh KTM Duke GT as well as the XR?

[Snatch]

Looking for thoughts regarding the Duke GT from an XR owners perspective.
It's a bike that greatly intrigues me, but the thin dealer network and reliability issues I've heard about sort of scare me.

[Winger]

The person you need to talk to on here is Hobo he’s ridden many a mile with his mate who had one,I only rode a very short distance up against one and it’s a very strange sensation when you are revving the spuds off you X/R and you can hear the GT which sounds marginally off tickover.

Where it gets complicated the GT owner originally had a SuperDuke R bought the GT expecting more of the same and wasn’t happy and has gone back to another R Hobo has ridden long distance against both so hopefully he’ll turn up with his two peneeth.

But yes the same over here the GT is both expensive and i’ll Be kind and describe the dealer network as patchy.

[Mareng1]

I liked the concept, as it seemed to be everything I was looking for in a sports-tourer.

Against it, was the Dealer network, and the price!   I couldn't find a GT with a decent (pre Euro-4) discount, so went with the XR.   

It will be interesting to see the prices - further down the line.

[bazzer]

I like the idea of the GT, the XR lacks a little character for me. Its a great bike and very confident but does not have that certain something some other bikes have.

However I use it for touring and when my mates bike broke down this year in Germany you realise dealer network is quite important.

[Snatch]

Thanks I'll have to reach out to this Hobo.

I commute on my XR and knowing that Max BMW, which is one of the best dealers in the States, will come pick it up if anything goes wrong is a huge plus. The nearest KTM dealer is 50 miles away and I have not heard that they provide service anywhere near what the BMW dealers offer.

I sound some 2016 leftovers when I was looking at the XR, and they were discounted 10%, so the cost was relatively close to the XR but I couldn't get myself to do it. No confidence in the dealer network or in KTMs warranty honoring.  That said, I still think about the Duke allot. I'm a Blackbird, VFR, Sprint type of guy and the Duke GT is the closest thing to those in today's world.

[Mareng1]

Not aligned to the original question of the thread, but when looking at the KTM GT - and what niche it fills - I also look at the BMW R1200R, which despite not having the same weather protection as the GT or the XR - appears to be a blinding bike for 'real' riding.
Tons of torque, great handling, carries luggage, and tramps on, when stoked.

I sometimes look at it and wonder if it might have sated my desire for a perfect do-it-all bike?

[Winger]

Originally Posted by Snatch

Thanks I'll have to reach out to this Hobo.

His name is Simon I know both he and the KTM owner very well 

[Snatch]

Okay Kip (1980's hair band reference) who you working for?!?! 

[Artful]

When I got the XR it was actually between that and the KTM 1290 GT.

It came down to a few things.

Only 1 dealership in Scotland (albeit they are pretty good)

The KTM is basically still unproven. Not many high miles ones going around. This is KTM's first attempt at a sports tourer as well.

The XR is physically way bigger (that's a personal thing though). The KTM is pretty small.

Great bike to ride and if they'd had a few more dealers and upgraded the GT at the same time as the Duke R (TFT dash and better front light) it might have been closer.

The XR really takes some beating though. It ticked every box for me.

1 last little point. KTM mechanics are the only ones you will see working the weekends. Take that however you want lol.

Dave

[rmh999]

Having previously had a KTM 950 Supermoto - I too looked at the GT after a Ducati Multi and before the XR conversion

I loved the 950SM - it was BONKERS - I`m not a hooligan but that bike was...and it was catching 

unfortunately - it got to over ten years old - and although a basically simple bike it was starting to have issues (mostly electrical) and I did not have time to give it the care it needed - so found it a willing new home in Cornwall

Dealer was not interested in giving me a test ride on the new GT
- felt lucky to be able to even sit on one.
also would not consider my Ducati Multi 2014 as trade in
no ex demo - and no discounts - sell your bike and come back with cash..

Also not all got the best reputation in dealers for aftercare / service - I never used the dealers as I had a good independent locally who looked after a few KTM race bikes with the same engine

- although the 950SM was really pretty good other than
the carbs getting gunked
rear brake completely useless as the reservoir was next to exhaust and just cooked
and the dash electrics getting a bit flaky with age
- not sure I would trust another one with all the electrics  - but would have the 950 again like a shot ....


so never actually tried a KTM GT - shame as I love the TWINS......

Rob