MCN Fleet: KTM Super Duke GT springs a leak

Published: 01 August 2016

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That’s weird, I thought. My left boot looks a lot dirtier than my right boot. And it’s oily, too. Bugger.

After a few moments on my knees staring up at the engine, the source of the problem was clear to see. A fairly hefty drip of the GT’s lifeblood was seeping from the large camchain tensioner nut, then splatting onto the engine. And while in motion, that was then getting atomized down the side of the bike, covering the engine, frame, my left leg and boot, and even reaching as far as the back wheel and panniers. Double bugger.

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The rate of loss was increasing rapidly, so I cleaned my boots up, popped an MCN carrier bag over my boot and headed for KTM HQ at Silverstone, who identified the problem as a cracked nut – and no-one likes that. The cause is less certain though. There’s a chance it had an unlucky stone strike full in the face, causing the hairline crack, or it could simply be a stress fracture or faulty part. Either way, KTM say they’ve had no similar cases, and it appears to be fixed now. If you’ve had a similar issue – I’d be interested to hear about it.

See more updates about the KTM 1290 Super Duke GT.

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By Richard Newland

Group Editor - With over 40 years of riding experience and 21 years as a bike journalist, Rich has ridden nearly every new bike of the past two decades and many historical models dating back to the 1930s. He is particularly passionate about sportsbikes from the 1990s and early 2000s, and he loves big bikes that handle well and are suited for long-distance travel. Rich enjoys challenging rides, such as a non-stop 1703.5-mile trip from Land’s End to John O’Groats and back. In his personal collection, Rich owns a 2007 Honda VTR1000 SP-2, a 1998 Ducati 996, a 1986 Suzuki GSX-R750 ‘Slabby’, a 1998 VFR800FiW, and a 1975 Honda CB750 SOHC Dunstall.