I had a ride on a SuperDuke GT demo bike today - this one:

I haven't ridden a 1290 SDR so can't compare it with that, but here are my impressions of the bike in general and in comparison with the 990.
It feels very civilised against the 990, clutch and throttle are nice and light, so it would be far easier to negotiate traffic with it (and it runs cooler in traffic than the 990 does too). This demo bike had 682 miles on the odometer when I set out, I did maybe 50 or 60 miles on it (the fuel warning was flashing for the final ten miles or so so I couldn't tell how much distance I'd covered).
Low down on small throttle openings it felt a bit woolly and gutless against the 990, but give it more throttle and it certainly clears off in rapido style. This bike was totally stock and something that I'd certainly look to do would be change the silencer for an audible soundtrack (but not anti-socially so) and get it re-mapped. I'd have to see what the dealer's stance was on an airbox swap before committing to such a task.
It was certainly comfortable and easy to fling around, feeling fairly sure-footed, and the screen certainly took the worst of the wind blast away, making 80mph (130km/h) achievable all day, which is more than I'd care to do on the 990.
Neutral was trickier to find than on mine, but the box still felt a bit new and tight so it will probably become easier with age and use.
The dealer set both the drive mode and damping to "street", and the preload to single rider, no luggage. It was certainly pliant, comfortably so, but felt slightly underdamped at times when pushing on a bit. I had a play and set both mode and damping to "sport" - instantly the bike felt tauter and more sporty, but on nadgery type small roads this soon manifested itself as too stiff so I reset the damping to "street". It'd be fine on smooth fast roads in "sport" but not where I was this afternoon.
There's just "more" of the GT than there is of a 990 or the 1290 SDR, and I love the 990 for its almost stripped-down simplicity, there's nothing there that doesn't have to be, no frills or concessions, plus it has the best hooligan attitude. I like the GT, and I've been looking forward to riding it for ages, but possibly the rough edges have been polished off just a bit too much, is it a bit too civilised? I'll have another go with my girlfriend on the back to see how she finds it, and the dealer also has a 1290 SDR which I'm starting to want a go on too - if I could find a way of saving myself from the wind blast on the SDR I could well be tempted to go that way.
The dealer did have this nice black 1290 ready for collection by its new owner - they chucked in the orange wheels at no extra cost, though I'm not sure whether there was a premium for the Akrapovic silencer - this one really appealed to me.

A summary of the GT then, bits that I liked: the easily adjustable suspension, perfect for encountering some roads that I know where a few seconds at the side of the road pressing the buttons can make certain roads enjoyed rather than tolerated, the wind protection and general comfort, plenty of go from the motor when asked for, likewise the brakes, plenty of stop when requested. Bits I liked less: a shade too civilised for a SuperDuke, too well polished (at times, with the muted exhaust and good manners I felt I could almost be on a BMW twin - at least until I gave it some beans), lacking a bit in the attitude department, which is what one expects of a SD - hooliganism! I guess it could be said that KTM have succeeded in building a credible distance bike that's on a par with the Multistrada and certain BMW twins as an alternative option.

Nice review Scotty. Thank you.

Interesting to see that it might be a little too civilized.

I'm keeping my 990 R for now. No complaints here.

Nice write up.

I'll be keeping my 990 for a long time or until used 1290 are showing up at the stealer for <$8k.

Hearing how civilized these 1290's are has me very worried for KTM's first foray into P twins taking on the stellar engine in the FZ/MT07.

civilized , not all 1290s are that way !! don't go thinking that the SDR is civilized because it's not . if by civilized you mean wheelies in 4th on acceleration with all the electronics on full I concede your point . I have owned a 990 SDR and traded it for , I know I know , a Honda cb1000r . that was civilized

I agree with Berno. the 1290 SDR is a beast. Ive owned 2 of them, and after riding my buddies 990 SD, there is no comparision

Have Seen a few of the gt about and they do look a bit bland and plain compared to a 1290r , plus are a lot of money at £16000 new , but local dealers have sold all they had ,

I wonder when the first GT's will make their way here to the US. My dad (also has a 1290 SDR) Has one on order.

The GT is out for me. I purchased a 2016 R1200GSW in triple black. I'm happy with it. My riding mostly consist of commuting so it makes sense. Can't complain. I miss my 990, but the bike wast being ridden.

Well, today I had a go on a 1290 SDR - that's a bit more like it! Considering that it was completely standard it felt considerably livelier than the GT I rode last week, lighter and more responsive and much more what I'd expected. I was also pleasantly surprised at the amount of wind protection that was provided by the instruments, they're mounted a fair bit higher than on the 990, so the wind blast wasn't as bad as I'd expected. The dealer is looking for a black one for me as they'll do a reasonable deal with and Akrapovic silencer and orange wheels...