Hello from Vermont

New to the forum I'm a 52 year old long time motorcycle lover, goes back to seeing the first Honda 50 as a little kid and knowing I had to have a motorcycle. Current fleet includes 2003 Yamaha FZ-1 with all the right mods (go fast smooth bike), 2014 KTM 690 Duke bone stock (back road blaster and all around fun bike), and 2012 KTM 450SXF (motocross race bike). Long story short it's time to end the motocross racing and replace that with a very low mileage <3000 miles very stock 2007 KTM Superduke 990. It's the perfect black and orange color scheme to match it's little brother 690.

Before I buy the SD I would like your input as to the overall reliability of the 07 990 SD. I only ask because I find lots of posts on the net complaining about issues both ride-ability and reliability. Nothing could be further from the truth based on my experience with my race bike 450SXF it's bulletproof and extremely well engineered and built. I appreciate any comments good or bad as long as they are based in reality.

If I get enough positive feedback I am going to buy the SD.

Thanks in advance,
Gary

Hi mate. Welcome to the forum.

I have an '07 SD which I bought new to replace an LC4 Supermoto which I'd run for five years after a lifetime of supersports bikes, mostly Ducatis of various age and mechanical fragility. KTM introduced me to performance and reliability and crashability. I've not looked back.

I don't think the '07 SD has any real weak points or niggles except the issues with fuelling which you will get a feel of if you scan the past forum threads on snatchy throttle response etc. All these issues are fixable with a combination of remapping, exhausts, SAS system removal etc. Weak points are clutch slave which is remedied by Oberon unit and maybe a propensity to wear out waterpumps but really the engines are bulletproof.

I've run mine on tracks and road, 18,000 miles and not had any major issues ever. Crashed at tracks many times, low sided and high sided, with nothing more than minor repairs needed. Some forum members racked up over 50,000mls with no major issues.

I'd not worry. Get one!

Welcome!

Comrade gomx: Welcome to the madness. Bic has got it right - a few things that can be fixed to give you a very good reliable grinner

Welcome. Might as well put the 690 up for sale now.

Thanks for the welcomes guys! Unfortunately the deal for the 990 fell through. But in every change is opportunity. The dealer I bought my 690 from has one SD1290 left and wants to move it as the riding season is over here in the northeast (except for the hardcore guys) it is supposed to snow Saturday

So I am thinking about trading in my Yamaha FZ1 and getting the 1290. Whats the general experience with the new SD here on the forum? The best part was it was my wife who mentioned getting the 1290 as a "why not" boy I am a lucky man!

Thanks again for the hospitality.

Oh and I love the 690 for what is it as a light weight fun bike to carve up the twisties near my home. Can't have too many black and orange bikes...

Comrade gomx: There is no uniform "general experience" with the 1290R. I've got one and am fairly happy but then I don't have a wobbly rear wheel. This has now apparently been solved by kevxt. You should really read all of the user experiences and make your own decision as experiences and dealer support vary wildly.

Thanks JMANN very sound advice. I spent most of last night on here and found mostly very scary information on the "wobbly back wheel" issues, no way am I buying one until that is totally cured. Bummer because my 1989 Honda RC31 (Hawk GT) had a single sided swing arm and no issues what so ever. It blows me away because my KTM mx bike is so solid, well built and durable. I am back to trying to find a good clean SD 990 now...

Good call.

Great news, I found and bought a 2007 SD 990 from a dealer in Chicago, IL (MCC Motor Cycle Center). Nice one owner bike, 3700 miles, all black and here the best part, Akro exhausts, Motohooligan airbox and SAS removal kit plus power commander and mapping. It arrives in about a week can't wait to fire it up and take it for a ride. This forum has been very helpful in educating me as to what to look for in a SD. Thanks everybody!

Welcome GOMX and congrats on your 990, sounds like the right stuff w/ very good mileage! I too have a 07 which I have done 15k miles over the last four years including a road trip from Arizona to Vermont a few years ago, I have family in Derbyline and Newport.