KTM Super Duke: Initial Thoughts After First 11,000 Miles

[R Doug]

Now that I’ve finally had a chance to ride the SD for at least 1,000 miles now, here are some bullet point thoughts on her…

11,000 mile update found here:

http://www.sport-touring.net/forums/index.php/topic,16305.msg750655.html#msg750655

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•   Engine:  Solid.  I forgot how much I love twins.  It can be a little lackluster under 3k but it really comes to life at 4k.  I could do sweepers and twisties on it all day between 4 and 5K.  The mid range is incredible!  And, you can roll on throttle in any gear and find getty-up pretty quickly.

•   Tranny:  I like the hydraulic-assisted clutch.  Plus, it has the LC8s clutchless shifter thingie.  I don’t have to use the clutch lever on up shifts if I don’t want to.  Though all shifts have been positive for me, the some shifts can feel a little notchy.

•   Build quality:  Absolutely wonderful.  This is best made bike I have ever owned.  There’s nothing on it that feels cheap.

•   Chassis / Suspension:  Excellent.  The bike rails in corners with ease and it’s very forgiving.  It doesn’t feel like I’m on a razor’s edge like I did on the Daytona 675 (not that I totally minded that) and it’s not as akward as the FZ1 and ST3 (most likey a weight thing + the fact the SD has higher end suspenders).  Also, this sporty bike takes to bumps very well considering its short wheelbase.

•   Brakes:  Too good.  I’ll need to practice emergency stops w/ this bike some more.  I have a feeling I’ll end up doing a few stoppies on accident.  I just hope I never go over the bars.  

•   Seat.  It’s surprisingly comfortable.  It’s a little narrow, but I could easily spend all day on it w/o a complaint.  Granted, the best stock seat I’ve ever come across was the one on my 2005 Ducati ST3.  The KTM ranks second.

•   Ergos:  Near perfect.  It’s an upright position with a slight tilt forward which gives it a very sporty feel.  The rear sets are not that aggressive but they are high enough off the ground that I’ve not scrapped them despite the fact of not having any chicken strips left on the tires.  In contrast, I would scrape the pegs all the time on the FZ1 and would still have 1/4” chicken strips.  

•   Wind:  I’m not sure if I’ll change my mind on this going forward or not...  But, I’m REALLY digging not having a fairing or windscreen.  With the clean air hitting me first, I experience NO buffeting.  It actually seems more quite than riding something that creates wind buffeting at my helmet.  Also, with the slight forward tilt of the ergos, the wind blast isn’t really that noticeable until you’re between 75 and 80 MPH.  

So far, I believe I’ve confirmed my choice of selling the 675 Daytona and FZ1 for this one bike.  Let me ride it in the rain, in the cold, and on the track before I get back to you.    

[garry]

I only rode it for 30 minutes or so, but yeah, what he said!

[Rincewind]

Looking good.  I'm jealous.  KTM is really impressing me with their street bikes.  Thanks for the review and feel free to post more pics for us.  

What's the range and mileage like on it?  When does the fuel light come on?  And what is the redline?

[R Doug]

What's the range and mileage like on it?  When does the fuel light come on?  And what is the redline?

Great questions.  The darn thing has a 4.9 gal. tank on it and I've been getting about 39 MPG each time I check.  So, I could get upwards of 190 miles on a single tank.  The fuel light comes on a little early.  I've been noticing it coming on between 135 and 140 miles.  

The redline is just over 9k.  I think the highest I've ever had it to date was 7.5K when passing someone.  

Speaking of which, the bike rockets when rolling on to pass. Compared to the 675 and the FZ1, I think the SD gets more done in a shorter amount of distance.  When I get in front of a car that was just passed, I'm noticing my speed is typically between 75 and 90.  But on the Dayton and FZ1, my speeds were nearly always over 90 and sometimes over 100.  I believe they didn't accelerate out of the gate as quickly and I compensated with add'l velocity.  I know this sounds counterintuitive.  But, it's my theory.  

[Yamadog]

Vibration?
Saw an ugly orange one in Franklin NC two weeks ago. Got me interested.

[R Doug]

It has sweet spots where there's little to no buzziness (3-6k).  In the upper part of the revs (6.5 - 7+K), there's a little buzziness.  But, I like it.  

[xbud]

 I recently got a chance to demo the Superduke, I have to agree that the 990 Motor just has unbelievable torque and acceleration (And this is coming from a big guy 280+ Lbs). The suspension just plain works, somehwat firm but definately compliant through the bumps and rough patches. Handles well, very nimble and well balanced. Brembo monoblock brakes, probably about the best you could ask for on a bike.

   I noticed a lot of vibrations through the seat and the bars at a lot of different RPM's mostly above 5K, some were quite fierce especially above 7.5K, I did not like the seat, maybe this is because I have become acustomed to the hard corbin on my bike, but I know a couple of hours is all I could ride with the stock KTM seat. The instrument cluster was easy to read not a lot of confusion, I like the upright riding position and the reach to the bars for someone about 6' was perfect.

I think the angular body work and tapered rear body design and underseat exhaust made this bike look fantastic, I think this is one of the better looking naked bikes out there, but the price.....I scanned e-bay for some bargain prices, the best I found $11998.00  That is some serious dough for a naked bike.

I think I will keep looking, hopefully I will find a used Superduke with low miles that a little old lady used to ride on Sundays to and from Church.

[XLR8]

That bike is stunning.  

I wish I were bad ass enough to ride it but I'm not so I'll stick with the other LC8.  

Congrats again though. Even though the engine on the 990 is different I find many of the similarities you mention.

[R Doug]

I scanned e-bay for some bargain prices, the best I found $11998.00  That is some serious dough for a naked bike.

I think I will keep looking, hopefully I will find a used Superduke with low miles that a little old lady used to ride on Sundays to and from Church.

Since when do Ducati owners go cheap.  

Thanks for the feedback of your ride.

That bike is stunning.  

I wish I were bad ass enough to ride it but I'm not so I'll stick with the other LC8.  

Congrats again though. Even though the engine on the 990 is different I find many of the similarities you mention.

I think you have to be a pretty hard-core bad ass to ride the 990 Adventure.    The main differences in our two engines are cam timing and bore / stroke.

If only I had the inseam, I would love to test out an Adventure.  

[XLR8]

Question... Jeez I sound like Dwight on The Office.

Anyway, does your bike have front running lights? I Was surprised to find out that the 990 doesn't and at first it was a bit of a concern. I hear they aren't common in Europe.

[R Doug]

It has a proximity light that burns no matter what beam is on (high or low).  The proximity light is located at the top of the main headlight unit.  But, unlike my FZ1, the bike does not use the turn indicators (for example) as running lights.  

[Yamadog]

R Doug, I think the SD must be awesome, but it is just too naked for my taste and preferred riding. As I remember you formerly had a ST4 or was it a ST3? Could you make a quick comparo FZ1 to the Duc WRT handling and performance?

I've been wanting an ST3 for some time now, but as I live 200 miles from the nearest Duc store I've been reluctant to pull the trigger. However, with the model being discontinued I need to $h!t or get off the pot. Thx, Don

[R Doug]

R Doug, I think the SD must be awesome, but it is just too naked for my taste and preferred riding. As I remember you formerly had a ST4 or was it a ST3? Could you make a quick comparo FZ1 to the Duc WRT handling and performance?

I've been wanting an ST3 for some time now, but as I live 200 miles from the nearest Duc store I've been reluctant to pull the trigger. However, with the model being discontinued I need to $h!t or get off the pot. Thx, Don

Sure Don.

I had an ST3 w/ the standard Sachs suspension (i.e. the non "s" version).  The Duc was a very good handling bike... especially  for a sports-tourer.  This is not to say the FZ1 was a slouch.  It handled very well too.  But, using the same tires, the Duc had a better turn in, it absorbed bumps better, and provided a little more confidence mid corner than the FZ1.  Also, the Duc provided me with better ground clearance than the Fizzer.  I was constantly scraping pegs on the Fizzer.

I can appreciate the fact naked bikes aren't for everyone.  I'm sure I'll miss some of the fairings I've been used to when the weather gets a little cooler.  I suppose I'll see just how good Gerbings gear is.  

[Yamadog]

Thanks Doug!

[Mr. Whippy]

That bike is AWESOME in black.  I've only seen pics of the orange, which is sorta hideous.  Seriously beautiful piece of gothic type motorcycle art.

[maddjack]

Glad to hear you like your new SD,figured you would.Let us know how you like it on your first seriuos ST trip,without a flyscreen it will be different than my S3

[Flyer]

Random SD beauty:

[Bombauer]

That bike is AWESOME in black.  I've only seen pics of the orange, which is sorta hideous.  Seriously beautiful piece of gothic type motorcycle art.

  Yeah that bike is gorgeous in its ugliness, if ya know what I mean.  It looks so much like a hornet, there really should be a yellow/black striped option.  

[st2sam]

Hey Doug, how's bout a little update now that you've ridd'in in the cold? You must have about 8-10 thousand miles on her by now?
Any major farkles planned, is there anything you don't like???

[R Doug]

I don't quite have that many miles... yet.    There is 5k on the clock right now and I am into my second set of tires for her.

Regarding cold weather riding, it's not bad.  The wind blast is more noticeable at lower speeds due to the density of the air in cold temps.  The touring screen helps more than what it looks like it should.

I now have a complete system of Ventura luggage for it which I've used twice.  It works out very well, even if the bike does look like crap w/ the gear on it.  

The only other thing I've picked up is a set of frame sliders.  It's the best insurance you can buy for $100.  

I just posted a video of me riding it yesterday w/ temps in the low 30's...

http://www.sport-touring.net/forums/index.php/topic,20625.0.html