KTM 1290 Super Duke GT Top Speed, 0-60 Time & Specs Review

TL;DR

  • The 2024 KTM 1290 Super Duke GT is the current model sold in the US, priced at $20,499 MSRP plus $750 freight.
  • An in-house dyno test measured 150.8 rear-wheel horsepower and 91.5 lb-ft of torque on the 2019 GT; KTM’s own claimed crank figure for the current bike is 175 hp.
  • There’s no independently GPS-verified 0-60 or top speed test for the GT specifically. The only public 0-60 and top speed numbers come from an aggregator site, which are formula-derived estimates, not measured runs.
  • Dry weight is 461 lb (209 kg) without fuel; add roughly 30 lb of gas in the 6.1-gallon tank and you’re pushing 490+ lb wet.
  • This is a sport-tourer built on the Super Duke R’s engine, not a stripped-down naked bike, so treat any R-model acceleration numbers as a different animal entirely.

What’s the KTM 1290 Super Duke GT’s Top Speed?

credit: https://www.motorcyclenews.com/

Nobody’s published a real, GPS-instrumented top speed run for the GT specifically. The number you’ll see most often, 162 mph, comes from AccelerationTimes’ formula-derived database entry for the 2016-model-year GT (AccelerationTimes, 2026), not from an actual timed pass.

That figure is a calculation based on power, weight, and gearing, not a stopwatch or a radar gun. It’s a reasonable ballpark, but it shouldn’t be quoted as measured fact. KTM doesn’t publish an official top speed for the GT either, which is typical; manufacturers rarely put a number on the box for liability reasons.

What we can say with confidence: the GT shares its 1,301cc LC8 V-twin architecture with the naked 1290 Super Duke R, which has recorded a genuine 170 mph on GPS-based testing (MotoStatz, 2026). The GT is heavier, has a windscreen and fairing changing the aero picture, and runs a taller final-drive feel due to its touring focus, so expect the GT to land somewhat below the R’s number, not above it.

How Fast Is the KTM 1290 Super Duke GT 0-60?

The only published 0-60 time for the GT is 3.1 seconds, and again, that’s a formula-derived estimate based on the 2016 model, not a track-tested figure.

For context, the closely related 1290 Super Duke R has run genuine 0-60 times in the 2.6 to 2.75 second range depending on model year and testing conditions. The GT carries more weight in its frame, subframe, fairing, and standard equipment like cruise control and a larger fuel tank, so a realistic expectation is somewhere in the low-to-mid 3-second range for 0-60, not the R’s sub-2.8-second sprint.

If you’re cross-shopping and acceleration numbers matter to your decision, treat every published GT figure as an estimate until a magazine runs one with a Vbox or similar GPS unit.

What Does the KTM 1290 Super Duke GT Actually Make on the Dyno?

Cycle World strapped a 2019 GT to its in-house dynamometer and recorded 150.8 horsepower at 10,060 rpm and 91.5 lb-ft of torque at 7,180 rpm at the rear wheel (Cycle World, 2019). That’s the real-world number that matters, since it accounts for drivetrain loss instead of just quoting a crank figure.

KTM’s current spec sheet lists 175 hp as the claimed output for the 1,301cc V-twin (KTM, 2026), which is a crank figure measured under controlled lab conditions, not what reaches the rear tire. The gap between claimed and dyno-tested numbers is normal across the industry; expect roughly 12 to 15 percent loss through the gearbox, chain, and clutch on most liter-class bikes.

An earlier long-term test of a 2017 GT recorded a similar 150 hp and 95 lb-ft on a different dyno (Rider Magazine, 2023), which lines up well with the Cycle World number and suggests the engine’s real-world output has stayed fairly consistent across model years despite the newer bike’s higher claimed figure.

KTM 1290 Super Duke GT Specs

Spec2024 KTM 1290 Super Duke GT
Engine1,301cc, 75° V-twin, DOHC, 8-valve
Claimed power175 hp
Dyno-tested power150.8 hp / 91.5 lb-ft
Torque (claimed)104 lb-ft (141 Nm)
Weight (dry, no fuel)461 lb (209 kg)
Seat height32.9 in (835 mm)
Fuel capacity6.1 gal (23 L)
Front suspensionWP semi-active, 48mm USD fork
Front brakesBrembo 4-piston radial, dual 320mm discs
MSRP$20,499 + $750 freight

Source: KTM, 2026; Cycle World, 2019

Who Is the KTM 1290 Super Duke GT Built For?

This bike is for riders who want superbike-adjacent power without giving up a windscreen, cruise control, and hard luggage mounts. Think of it as a hooligan naked bike that put on a sport coat: same 1,301cc V-twin heart as the Super Duke R, but wrapped in touring comfort.

It’s not the right pick if outright acceleration numbers are your priority and you want documented, verified figures to back up a purchase decision. The naked Super Duke R gives you a lighter package with actual GPS-tested acceleration data available, at the cost of wind protection and a passenger-friendly subframe.

Riders doing two-up sport-touring, canyon carving with panniers, or long highway stints where comfort and a big fuel tank matter will get more out of the GT than someone chasing bragging rights on 0-60 times.

Frequently Asked Questions About the KTM 1290 Super Duke GT

What is the KTM 1290 Super Duke GT’s top speed?

There’s no verified GPS top speed test published for the GT. The commonly cited 162 mph figure is a formula-derived estimate based on the 2016 model, not a measured run.

How fast does the KTM 1290 Super Duke GT go 0-60?

The only published number is 3.1 seconds, and it’s an estimate, not a tested figure. Given the GT’s added weight over the related Super Duke R, a realistic range is low-to-mid 3 seconds.

How much horsepower does the KTM 1290 Super Duke GT have?

KTM claims 175 hp at the crank for the current model. A dyno test measured 150.8 hp at the rear wheel on a 2019 GT, which is the more useful real-world figure.

How much does the KTM 1290 Super Duke GT weigh?

209 kg (461 lb) dry, without fuel, per KTM’s official spec sheet. Add fuel and you’re looking at roughly 490 lb wet with a full 6.1-gallon tank.

What’s the price of a new KTM 1290 Super Duke GT?

The 2024 model, which is the current model year sold in the US, has a base MSRP of $20,499 plus $750 freight.

Is the KTM 1290 Super Duke GT the same as the Super Duke R?

No. They share the same 1,301cc LC8 V-twin engine, but the GT uses a different chassis with a more upright seating position, a larger 23-liter fuel tank, a windscreen, and mounts for lockable hard panniers. The R is the lighter, more track-focused naked bike.

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