I barely felt any feedbac

I barely felt any feedback through the

seat or the bars and she remained

perfectly planted, stable and

comfortable no matter what.

Engine and power delivery, another

point I was prepared to take the big

KTM tourer to task on. Previous

incarnations of the big 1290cc

V-twin power plant in the Super

Duke had me shying away from

them – just too much for an average

Joe like me. Until I came across

them in KTM’s legendary Super

Adventure R, where they really

made that horsepower friendlier.

The power delivery on the GT is as

explosive as a V-Twin of that size

should be but the new mapping

keeps it linear and predictable

and always useable. And if it does

happen to catch you sleeping, the

traction control quickly comes to your

rescue and gives you a brief moment

to gather yourself.

However, for the moderately insane,

(like our Kyle), you can mess with

the mapping, power delivery, traction

control, ABS and wheelie control

in the mode and various other

electronic settings. Kyle seemed to

enjoy the ‘SuperMoto’ mode quite a

lot as you will be able to tell from the

pictures.

Sadly we only had the big DUKE GT

for a day or two, but we would really

like to borrow it over a weekend and

head down to Clarens or E.T. or

even further to test out its GT (Grand

Tourer) abilities.

We do think this is the ideal bike for

such a trip to such a destination,

comfortable kilometer eater couch on

the freeways and byways and then a

corner carving scalpel along the tight

and twisty mountain passes….

Key Features

• 1,301cc LC8 V-Twin thunderbox

with titanium valves and revised

intake resonator chambers.

• 6.5” Multifunctional TFT

Dashboard with KTM MY RIDE

Navigation displays all important

information in a clear and bright

display.

• Windscreen and height adjuster

offers easy adjustment and better

wind and weather protection.

• Handguards provide excellent

rider comfort.

• LED Headlight.

• Cruise Control design features

switches on the left side of the

handlebar and a display in the TFT

dashboard to intuitively set and

change the requested speed.

• KTM MY RIDE comes as standard

and features a Bluetooth connection

to the rider’s smart phone to control

audio playback and to accept phone

calls.

• WP Semi-Active Suspension with

three settings: Comfort, Street and

Sport.

• Pirelli Angel GTs.

• MSC (Motorcycle Stability

Control) with Cornering ABS

by Bosch incl. Supermoto

mode, Ride mode

technology and multistage,

lean angle

sensitive Motorcycle

Traction Control

(MTC).

• Standard

Quickshifter

allows

clutchless

up and

down shifts. The

shift action is

fast and

smooth.

• KTM keyless system. We

personally don’t like Keyless but it is

the way of the future.

• Optional dealer-installed

competition closed course only

Track Pack with ‘Track’ ride mode

which allows 3 Drive Modes, Antiwheelie

off, TC slip adjust and

Launch control.

• Heated grips for cold riding

weather comfort.

• Colour-matched panniers are

available with enough storage to fit

most full-faced helmets.

This one from

Rad Moto KTM:

www.radmoto.co.za

(011) 234-5007

WHAT TO LOOK FOR WHEN

BUYING USED TYRES..........

WE NOW HAVE TWO CASES WHERE

CLIENTS HAVE BOUGHT USED

TYRES FROM TYRE DEALERS

AND FITTED THEM ONLY TO

DISCOVER THAT THE BEADS

HAVE BEEN CUT.

The bead is what holds your tyre on the rim. Dealers are cutting

the beads on used tyres that are deemed unsafe so that they are

not re-sold.

This is a “Must Read” it is for your own good:

It is not a debate about whether to buy a new or used tyre it is

about people who buy and sell used tyres making sure that the

tyres are SAFE.

Times are tough - we get that. We have also bought used tyres

and most times they have been OK.

Earlier this month we received a call about a gent who bought a

used tyre for his GS from a dealer on the East Rand. No problem -

we have all been there, it is a saving, not everyone can afford new

tyres, especially in our current economic climate.

The tyre looked OK, the tread was decent, no obvious cracks etc

- but the gent failed to notice that the bead had been cut - which

means that the tyre is KAPUT and not good for use. He had the

tyre fitted and headed out - and promptly got a huge tank slapper...

Luckily he controlled it and managed to get the bike through to the

Bike Tyre Warehouse outfit.

Upon closer inspection, the cut bead was discovered. Please guys,

be very careful.

Tyres are one of the most critical safety components on your bike.

New is always best - but if you do buy used do not only look at the

tread. It might look great but there is more to it:

Inspect the sidewalls for cuts, cracks, ballooning and structural

strength.

Inspect the beading to make sure it is not damaged, cut or

pulling out of the rubber.

Check the inside of the tyre for hidden patches, gators, cuts and

objects piercing through and the like as well as for something

that looks similar in texture to elephant skin, this is indicative of

the tyre having been run flat for extended periods.

Look for cracks between and in the treads, this can show

perishing from age as well as a further indicator of the tyre

having been abused or run flat.

Any used tyre has generally been replaced for a reason. What

is that reason? Did it run flat? Is there a hole?

Too many patches? Is it old? - look for the date of manufacture

on the side if the tyre wall.

As we said earlier, new is always better and there are always

some very affordable options and great specials from most of

the major tyre brands… ask your local dealer about them.

Dealers, We cannot tell you how to do your job, but - If you sell

a used tyre please inspect it properly...

We are very glad that there was no serious injury...

Panniers are available as a

optional extra.

I barely felt any feedback through the seat or the bars and she remained perfectly planted, stable and comfortable no matter what. Engine and power delivery, another point I was prepared to take the big KTM tourer to task on. Previous incarnations of the big 1290cc V-twin power plant in the Super Duke had me shying away from them – just too much for an average Joe like me. Until I came across them in KTM’s legendary Super Adventure R, where they really made that horsepower friendlier. The power delivery on the GT is as explosive as a V-Twin of that size should be but the new mapping keeps it linear and predictable and always useable. And if it does happen to catch you sleeping, the traction control quickly comes to your rescue and gives you a brief moment to gather yourself. However, for the moderately insane, (like our Kyle), you can mess with the mapping, power delivery, traction control, ABS and wheelie control in the mode and various other electronic settings. Kyle seemed to enjoy the ‘SuperMoto’ mode quite a lot as you will be able to tell from the pictures. Sadly we only had the big DUKE GT for a day or two, but we would really like to borrow it over a weekend and head down to Clarens or E.T. or even further to test out its GT (Grand Tourer) abilities. We do think this is the ideal bike for such a trip to such a destination, comfortable kilometer eater couch on the freeways and byways and then a corner carving scalpel along the tight and twisty mountain passes…. Key Features • 1,301cc LC8 V-Twin thunderbox with titanium valves and revised intake resonator chambers. • 6.5” Multifunctional TFT Dashboard with KTM MY RIDE Navigation displays all important information in a clear and bright display. • Windscreen and height adjuster offers easy adjustment and better wind and weather protection. • Handguards provide excellent rider comfort. • LED Headlight. • Cruise Control design features switches on the left side of the handlebar and a display in the TFT dashboard to intuitively set and change the requested speed. • KTM MY RIDE comes as standard and features a Bluetooth connection to the rider’s smart phone to control audio playback and to accept phone calls. • WP Semi-Active Suspension with three settings: Comfort, Street and Sport. • Pirelli Angel GTs. • MSC (Motorcycle Stability Control) with Cornering ABS by Bosch incl. Supermoto mode, Ride mode technology and multistage, lean angle sensitive Motorcycle Traction Control (MTC). • Standard Quickshifter allows clutchless up and down shifts. The shift action is fast and smooth. • KTM keyless system. We personally don’t like Keyless but it is the way of the future. • Optional dealer-installed competition closed course only Track Pack with ‘Track’ ride mode which allows 3 Drive Modes, Antiwheelie off, TC slip adjust and Launch control. • Heated grips for cold riding weather comfort. • Colour-matched panniers are available with enough storage to fit most full-faced helmets. This one from Rad Moto KTM: www.radmoto.co.za (011) 234-5007 WHAT TO LOOK FOR WHEN BUYING USED TYRES.......... WE NOW HAVE TWO CASES WHERE CLIENTS HAVE BOUGHT USED TYRES FROM TYRE DEALERS AND FITTED THEM ONLY TO DISCOVER THAT THE BEADS HAVE BEEN CUT. The bead is what holds your tyre on the rim. Dealers are cutting the beads on used tyres that are deemed unsafe so that they are not re-sold. This is a “Must Read” it is for your own good: It is not a debate about whether to buy a new or used tyre it is about people who buy and sell used tyres making sure that the tyres are SAFE. Times are tough - we get that. We have also bought used tyres and most times they have been OK. Earlier this month we received a call about a gent who bought a used tyre for his GS from a dealer on the East Rand. No problem - we have all been there, it is a saving, not everyone can afford new tyres, especially in our current economic climate. The tyre looked OK, the tread was decent, no obvious cracks etc - but the gent failed to notice that the bead had been cut - which means that the tyre is KAPUT and not good for use. He had the tyre fitted and headed out - and promptly got a huge tank slapper... Luckily he controlled it and managed to get the bike through to the Bike Tyre Warehouse outfit. Upon closer inspection, the cut bead was discovered. Please guys, be very careful. Tyres are one of the most critical safety components on your bike. New is always best - but if you do buy used do not only look at the tread. It might look great but there is more to it: Inspect the sidewalls for cuts, cracks, ballooning and structural strength. Inspect the beading to make sure it is not damaged, cut or pulling out of the rubber. Check the inside of the tyre for hidden patches, gators, cuts and objects piercing through and the like as well as for something that looks similar in texture to elephant skin, this is indicative of the tyre having been run flat for extended periods. Look for cracks between and in the treads, this can show perishing from age as well as a further indicator of the tyre having been abused or run flat. Any used tyre has generally been replaced for a reason. What is that reason? Did it run flat? Is there a hole? Too many patches? Is it old? - look for the date of manufacture on the side if the tyre wall. As we said earlier, new is always better and there are always some very affordable options and great specials from most of the major tyre brands… ask your local dealer about them. Dealers, We cannot tell you how to do your job, but - If you sell a used tyre please inspect it properly... We are very glad that there was no serious injury... Panniers are available as a optional extra.