2008 SD R or keep 2008 SD Grocery Getter

Hey Guys,
Need a little help here.
A bud picked up a 08 SD R to flip with 20K miles there about's. Some deal with the clocks not working right with the mileage ??.
So I go look at it after work today, needed a flashlight, but it looks sweet.
Akro full pipe kit, better front rotors, did notice air box is ditched, block off plates installed..newish tyres..
My problem..if I have a problem...
I still have my 08 non R sd with 30 K miles..
I am thinking it's a no brainer to sell my 08 and buy this R.
I have other bikes so the R should be just right for a Sunday ride bike, me thinks.
Will have to confess...been shopping for a GSXR 1000 2005 or 2006..
Better half just got home...she said go get it...
So the bike is from Portland Oregon. Anyone on here just get rid of their R?
I seem to remember reading about the R model, steeper fork rake ?
More nervous than the standard?
I like my standard, but will I like a R more?
Feed back apprenticed from thos who have seat time on both.
Cheers !

Can you try before you buy Doug?

The R is harder and more focused than the base model, if doing trackdays it's a no-brainer, and maybe for sunny Sunday blasts it's ideal, but it's less well suited as a regular day-to-day bike. The seat is yet another product from KTM's department of medieval torture devices, so the Powerparts option is definitely worth having.

Can you have both bikes?

Yes, I can ride before I buy and am very much looking forward to it.
Hoping to have a window of dry pavement today or this weekend.

I have the same solo seat on my standard now.

I think I can stand an edge 'er bike as a Sunday bike.

I have a KTM 950 Adventure that I use for touring / pack mule.
Also a Honda CBR1100 XX, but want to trade off because of the static weight. It's ok when on the move but, man, it's a mass when moving by man power.

Like I mentioned, I have been shopping for a GSXR 1000....so maybe this SDR would fit my need.

Two SD's ? Na....to many bikes in the shed as is.

Thanks Scotty..

If you have other bikes I would get the R.

Standard SD's are a dime a dozen but well taken care of R's aren't.

It's still not gonna scratch that K5 itch though lol.

"It's still not gonna scratch that K5 itch though lol."

With you there.

Fix is to get them both, eh?



Thanks Aphex

Had my test ride this afternoon with semi dry pavement all tho cool fall day.

Road my SD to my Buds place with the SDR to get a comparison back to back

Have to say my bike is set for some love, need tyres bad, front fork seals, oil change.

The SDR has new tyres and is all cleaned up for the sale.

The SDR rode real nice, felt like a new bike.

It has a softer seat than the solo seat have on my modified standard, with the solo seat I installed.

It also has bar risers and rear set foot controls which were set to provide more leg room.

It did not feel a lot different than my bike, and I believe would not take much time to adjust

Hum...now to sleep on it.

Don't.

I recently wrote on my recent SDR purchase from the standard once owned. I haven’t noticed a difference in handling despite the clearly different geometry (I can’t get my feet flat on ground vs I could on the SD). I am still tweaking the suspension setup on the R but currently, I’m towards the softer end of all settings and it still rides “harsher” than my standard ever did even sorted specifically for intermediate group track day rides. I mostly noticed the extra horses the R has over my standard.

Otherwise, for me, every other part of the bike works the same as the standard IMO. I will miss being able to ride with my wife on the R from time to time as I did with the standard.

Ha...knowing DD as I do ...I read in ...don't sleep on it, buy it now.

Well, I do know he has had his misfortunes with KTM's, but he does not have my secret weapon, a bud who is a KTM specialist mechanic, living a few miles down the road.

Well, 9am rolled around today and I made the phone call and left a message to purchase the bike.

Bud must have been on the shitter 'cause he did not pick up, but 99% sure the bikes mine.


So...any one need my old standard in the PNW ? 2008 SD with 30K miles.

Well, sort of standard...w/ one off Hot Bodies race fairing, round akro exh, solo seat. Looks " The Business", as I was told.

You will not see another SD like this one if that appeals to you.

Cheers !

Would make a great "Fiy and Ride Vacation" for next summer to tour the PNW !

Just sayin'....

Don't as in the Superduke is a smashingly wonderful bike that will give you 99.9% of the experience of an SDR without doing anything other than heading to the gas station for a fill-up. I think you hold onto bikes well and your bike is custom one of a kind. Obviously you want to treat yourself to something new and new does not need an R unless it is preceded by an X. You are not gaining you R buying a question mark. I question this direction. But its your party so have at it but I request you fill us in on all the money and time spent at your good KTM buddies favorite watering hole prying answers on what he thinks is wrong with it now. A bird in the hand...


Good luck I hope she thrills

Hey DD.
Long time between chats. Hope all is well.
The only thing we don't like about the bike as it sit's is we both are in favor of the stock air box.
So, I know a lot of the air boxes are collecting dust and taking up space in the sheds and I will gladly take one off someones hands.
I will live with it the was it is now, but keep me in mind please.

I have always wanted the SDR model and this one fell into my grasp, so why the heck not.
We are not getting any younger, eh mate?

Have to say my return ride from the test ride on my SD, even with shot tyres was still a blast.
I have had great luck with my SD..still on my original set of chain and sprockets, at 30K miles!
And it does see spirited rides.

Cheers!

If you look at my avatar you will see that I'm quite fornd of the K5 Gixer as well.

Regarding the SD / SDR my opinion for whatever its worth is that the differences are mostly cosmetic. My first older SD had sharper throttle response and pulled at least as hard as a full fat SDR according to several R riders following me. Personally I like the look of the R but I doubt there is much detectable performance difference or lap time between them all other things being equal and if you use on the road then having had both the std saddle is way better then the single seat torture device.

Im with Dribble on this one. you already own a standard (which youve owned since new? if so you know the history of it) the R isnt light years ahead it.
id keep what i had. if i wanted something in addition, id opt for something newer with newer tech, better performance. its your money.

Rear springs: I've used Hypercoil rear springs for just about everything non-Ohlins, for many years. Color - is it really that important?

They manufacture 1050, 1100, 1150, 1200 ... You don't need a full 7" spring on the SD or SDR WP shock - 6" works perfectly, less mass, and makes swapping them out easier.

My go-to vendor for these is :

Also, re. the SDR shock, with some patience, IMO you can dial that thing in for your weight pretty well, when you've identified and installed the right spring. For street use, the valving in the SDR shock ain't bad as-is for a 200+ lb. rider.

Keep in mind that Racetech is a factory authorized WP service provider; and should be able to revalve as you might need.