Super Duke

[Corwin]

I'm really drooling over the SD.  I know at least one member here has one for touring.  How is it?  
I'd be doing short day-to-day riding mostly city most of the time, but on the weekend when I can get away I do 800-1200 km daytrips.  On those trips I do as many twisties as I can, only going on the freeway when I have no choice.  

BTW, I currently ride a KLR, which is my first and only bike.  It now has 41 000 km on it over about 2.5 years.  
I am seriously starting to think about saving up for the SD, maybe getting one next winter.  

[Tyrroneous]

I test rode one last spring and really liked it, aside from a few small quibbles.  

http://www.sport-touring.net/forums/index.php/topic,24688.0.html

It certainly has a bit more giddy-up than your KLR!  

[Morgan]

Reliability may be my only question.  My buddy has one and it has had a few issues with leaking (like his other KTMs).  The current problem is self-induced (FI light after an exhaust/PCIII).  I've spent a few miles on the bike and it feels quite comfy.  The seat may bother some, but you get what it looks like you get:  Naked, decent comfort, lots of power, etc.  

[Corwin]

I didn't even know there was a KTM forum here!
Read the 11 000 mile report on the Duke and it sounds like the bike did well.  
I'll sit on one at the local motorcycle show in a couple of weekends.
I'm especially interested in the ergos, since I read that it fits someone my height (inseam 34") better than a lot of other bikes.

Plus, I'm Austrian, so I pretty much HAVE to get a KTM at some point. . .
Thanks for the info.

[DangerMoney]

Call your KTM dealer and inquire about a test ride. My dealer let me take out a brand new, 0 mile, 990 Adventure that didn't have a battery or oil in it when I came into the showroom. I inquired about the bike (the 990 had just been released) and they offered me a test ride. It worked just like the BMW dealer test rides: I had to wear boots, gloves, long pants, helmet, sign a release and and they let me take a new bike for an unescorted 1/2 hour test ride.

Of course, the bike first had to go into the service department to get oil/battery/gas and I had to keep the RPMs down since it was literally a 0 mile engine but they were happy to do it.

[Flyer]

You need to talk to R Doug.
http://www.sport-touring.net/forums/index.php?action=pm;sa=send;u=591

KTM held a test ride up here last spring, and I took the SD.
Fit me like I was born on it.
I really enjoyed it.  
I'm thinkin' with a custom saddle and a fly screen, 1200Km days are doable.
Cons:
-Entirely too easy to be teenagestupidfastandreckless on it, and my license means my job.
-Not all KTM dealers here are certified on the LC8 motor, and they're few and far between besides.

Might not be enough to dissuade me though  ...

[Corwin]

I'm going to test one.  Now, realistically, I would not be able to afford one this year anyway, but next winter may be a good time to buy.  If I like it, I guess I'll start saving.  

I was thinking about a fared bike as my second, but I can do over 1000 km on the KLR which is essentially a naked bike with a tiny windshield.  Shouldn't really be much different with respect to wind noise and turbulence.  

Funny, every time I look at pictures of the bike I start liking it more.

[twister]

I've had a Super Duke for a little over a year, and I've put almost 14,000mi. on it. I'vedone more than a few 600+mi. days on it. I've done a few trips on it, with my only complaint being a lack of good luggage. Try one, you'll like it.

[R Doug]

I've said it once and don't mind repeating it.  It's the most fun I've had on a motorcycle.  For touring, it suits me fine as long as the touring is on twisty back roads all day long.  I've only done one full day of slab on it and I could do w/o that again.  And, as twister said, there aren't many luggage options for it.

The seat and ergos are perfect for me, especially for commuting and day trips.  The longest trip I've done on the bike was 3,100 miles in 10 days.  Except for the one day of slab (all to spend 4 hours at the Barber Museum... worth it!), the bike was perfect for the entire trip.

I'm approaching 12,000 miles and the only issue I've had it is the instrument panel has died (speedo and tach).  I'm getting a new one under warranty.  

[kendenton]

I've demo'd a SD twice, hands-down the most fun bike I've ever ridden (and I've demo'd a LOT of bikes....)  Makes you want to do bad things