KTM Unleashes the 190 HP 1390 Super Duke GT at EICMA With AMT Transmission

Part of Throttle Times’ live coverage of EICMA 2026 motorcycle reveals.

KTM has officially locked in the commercial rollout of the 2027 1390 Super Duke GT and flagship GT EVO at EICMA 2026, equipping the 190 hp sports-tourer with its revolutionary Automated Manual Transmission (AMT) for European showroom delivery in early 2027.

Following corporate restructuring delays that kept long-distance sports riders waiting, the Austrian manufacturer used its Milan presentation to confirm that the ultimate continental crosser is fully production-ready. The 1390 Super Duke GT takes the devastating 1,350cc LC8 V-twin from the Super Duke R hypernaked and wraps it in wind-deflecting touring bodywork, WP semi-active suspension, and an optional clutchless transmission that promises to redefine how fast riders cover 1,000 kilometres in a single day.

190 HP LC8 V-Twin With Shortened Ratios

The 2027 KTM 1390 Super Duke GT is powered by the latest 1,350cc 75-degree LC8 V-twin engine with Camshift variable valve timing, producing 190 hp (140 kW) at 10,000 rpm and 145 Nm of torque at 8,000 rpm.

The Camshift system integrates two distinct inlet valve profiles, automatically switching at high RPM to deliver relentless top-end charge while preserving velvet-smooth throttle pickup in urban zones. Crucially for touring acceleration, KTM engineers revised the 6-speed gearbox with shorter 5th and 6th gear ratios, delivering immediate overtaking roll-on drive from 100 km/h in top gear without requiring a double downshift.

“The 1390 Super Duke GT was never conceived as a soft tourer with tall bars,” stated KTM’s Street Product Management team in Milan. “It is an unadulterated 190 hp streetfighter engineered with the chassis rigidity, aerodynamic weather protection, and electronic automation required to conquer cross-continental mountain passes at blistering pace.”

A lightweight 19.5-litre steel fuel tank pairs with aerodynamically optimized side cowls and an easily adjustable touring windscreen, extending theoretical highway cruising range past 330 km between fuel stops.

Automated Manual Transmission: Clutchless Command

The mechanical headline of the 2027 lineup is the flagship 1390 Super Duke GT EVO, which debuts KTM’s Automated Manual Transmission (AMT).

The AMT architecture eliminates the physical handlebar clutch lever entirely. Operating via an electromechanical shift actuator and a centrifugal clutch, the system prevents engine stalls regardless of rider error. Riders can switch on the fly between full ‘Automatic’ mode—where gear shifts are mapped seamlessly against throttle velocity, lean angle, and ride mode—and ‘Manual’ mode, allowing instantaneous gear shifts either via the traditional foot lever or handlebar-mounted paddle shifters on the left switch cube.

Chassis hardware on the GT EVO features the newest generation of WP APEX Semi-Active Technology (SAT) suspension with magnetic valves providing millisecond-level damping adjustment. Braking is handled by premier Brembo Stylema radial monobloc calipers clamping 320 mm floating discs, managed by Bosch 9.3MP Cornering ABS with a specialized ‘Supermoto ABS’ mode.

The cockpit features a landscape-oriented 8.8-inch TFT touchscreen display capable of split-screen operation, featuring integrated offline vector map navigation that functions without cellular reception.

The Rider’s Trade-Off: Automated Comfort vs Clutch Control

The sacrifice of choosing KTM’s AMT-equipped GT EVO lies in the permanent surrender of the clutch lever for micro-control.

On unrestricted German autobahns and flowing Alpine sweepers, the AMT system is a revelation: full-throttle upshifts happen without interrupting chassis pitch, and braking down through the gearbox leaves your left hand completely relaxed after eight hours in the saddle. However, riders who rely on traditional clutch feathering to balance slow-speed U-turns on gravel switchbacks or pop the front wheel over roadway debris will find the automated centrifugal clutch disconcerting. You cannot pull the clutch in to coast silently into a sleepy village, nor can you slip the lever to modulate wheelies out of tight hairpins. For purists who demand mechanical engagement, KTM still offers the base 1390 Super Duke GT with a traditional manual hydraulic clutch alongside off-road stablemates like the KTM 690 Rally; for riders who prioritize continental pace over clutch games, the EVO represents the future.

Sports-Touring Spec Comparison

European Pricing and Delivery Schedule

KTM confirmed that official European deliveries of both the standard 1390 Super Duke GT and the AMT-equipped 1390 Super Duke GT EVO will commence in March 2027.

While individual market pricing will be finalized closer to launch, Austrian factory representatives at EICMA indicated an expected base price of approximately €21,990 for the standard manual GT, rising to roughly €23,990 for the AMT-equipped GT EVO (varying with national VAT). Both models feature integrated tire pressure monitoring (TPMS), cruise control, keyless ignition, and illuminated handlebar switch cubes as standard equipment.

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Official source: https://www.ktm.com/en-int/models/sports-tourer/1390-super-duke-gt.html

Reporting via: visordown.com, eicma.it