Cool alternatives to the SD

Hi guys

I know that we all love the Superduke... but I just got a magazine that had all the bikes available (in DK) here in 2011 and after flipping through it, I must say that I'm a bit surprised how many cool naked bikes there are.

I dont know why I'm doing this tread.. maybe you could comment on bikes if you've ridden them, and give a short comparisson to the Superduke?

I'm not listing the typical japaneese bikes like the Z-1000 etc.. Only the ones I find a bit cool

Aprilia Dorsoduro 1200 ABS. 130hp and lots of torques.. 117 of them.


I'll definately try to get a test ride in the summar... but it's difficult to get test rides in this country :-/

Benelli TNT R160


inline 3 cylinder producing 158hp and weighing 225KG with liquids.. a bit heavy, but it's also a lot of power..

Benelli also makes a Century Racer 899ccm and 1130ccm, producing 120 and 129hp, still with the three cylinder engines.

Bimota Tesi 3D



Couldnt find a price, but it must be expensive...
but just look at it. Looks quite unique.
Tom Cruise should have one, I think... not that it's a good thing

F. Kleemann V-Charger

A danish guy named Kleemann, known for his compressors for Mercedes cars, took a swing at modding a Harley Davidson V-Rod.
Unique look, I'm not sure I like it.. still too much Harley, and it's heavy at 250KG DRY!



Everything else than the frame and engine has been drilled from solid blocks of aluminium, and kleemann also fitted a compressor on the engine... So you have 200HP on the rearwheel.

In terms of competition for the Superduke's ethos and target market, I've come across:

Bikes that actually work:

Aprilia Tuono (old or new versions) - Nice and powerful, but handling isn't as good. Old Tuono is too long. New one is too tiny.
Ducati Streetfighter - Nice bike, and one I would consider. Not quite as pretty as the Superduke.
Triumph Speed Triple - Lovely engine, Great brand, not quite got the chassis parts, but a real contender.
...and maybe the Ducati Monster 1100S (full Ohlins, yum) - Better than you'd think from the originator of this class.

I'll ignore the Honda CB1000R (yawn) & Z1000 (yawn wider)

These are a nice idea, assuming they don't break down:

Moto Morini Corsaro 1200
Benelli Tornado (as you mentioned)

Not sure I'd include the Aprilia Dorsoduro, as it's more like a Supermoto or Big Trailie, competing with KTM's 990SM and SMR...

Moto Morini Corsaro 1200
I really wish I could try this bike!
140hp to 198KG (dry) is pretty good, and you can buy the Veloce version that features Termignoni cans and another chip, making 160hp!


Moto Morini also makes a 9½ bike that looks a bit more normal.

MV Agusta Brutale 1090 RR. 144hp/190kg dry
Also comes in 990 R with 139hp.

Pretty rear swingarm and nice rims.. also like the exhaust, fist two pipe side-mounted exhaust I've liked

Just found this photo...



Hard not to like it... Looks like a Buell had sex with a Superduke and they had a love-child.

Triumph Speed Tripple ABS
New 2011 with better suspension, more power, and an option to buy abs brakes.

I want to try one some time!

They all have a lot to live up to though

I had thought that Morini had gone belly up,, once again I for one really thought that they had missed the mark with the large capacity bikes and think they should have continued with the small bore bikes ,, interchangeable parts from the origional designed 350-500 made them most desirable in my mind 70 mpg, and the motor could be reved to the absolute limit, made a better rider out of ya keeping it on the pipe,, I owned two, a sport and a strada, and I must say two of the most desireable bikes I've ever owned,,, the things handled like nothing else, albiet underpowered,,which meant WFO everywhere,updated model with new suspension and brakes, fuel injection ,would have been a charm,,,,more fun than a barrel of monkeys,,, ,if only KTM made a 600 twin,,,,,,,,,,,,

But yours hasn't got an orange frame, Klinckster... heh heh

They always say the Devil has all the best tunes. I think the motorcycle media long ago sold its soul.

Triumph must be handing out some big incentives as their bikes always get good reviews. I have ridden most of them and wouldnt swap my Superduke for any of them. I have been on all but the very latest, (slitty eyed) speed triple (I used to be in the IAM so I know a lot of old bikers) it is a good bike but nothing to get the heart racing.

Funny that loads of journalists seem to have Triumphs as long term test bikes and later seem to buy them at favorable rates. Hmmmmmmmmmmmm.

Funny that they are all running around on Dunlops and Dunlops are winning all the tyre tests everywhere. Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.

Used to be the media got the red carpet treatment at a bike launch and a corporate reach around for all I know That doesnt seem to be enough for them anymore. Journalists were telling us the new ZX10 would be a fire breathing Moto GP bike on the road able to piss past S1000RR's with ease. Now in MCN they reveal it is just another Jap il4 1000cc with no midrange and all its power up at ridiculous rpm.

I wont be trading my SD for anything just yet. I wont be trading it for anything I dont get a decent test ride on, ever. Then if I like the bike, I wont give a deep fried shit what some motorbike journalist is paid to think about it.

I dont believe a word written in these new bike or new vs old bike reviews, in truth I often skip them in the magazines I read.

Anyway, batten down the hatches because the V4 Tuono is coming and every other naked bike will be crap. Except for the Speed Triple; that will still be best for pensioners and journalists

on balance I've seen nothing here to make me even want to switch from my lovely SDR. Not that I'm looking....but it's always nice to know what's out there

^^^ Again, I have to ask why this guy is called "Stupid" Luke. He's dead on. Here in the US, the bike rags don't even compare the SD, because its "dated."

And to AnderH, you should edit the topic to be "Alternatives to the SD," because very few of the challengers are "cool."

i would love one of those bimota's but purely for the wank factor... but hey it may be able to handle.

I really liked the red/silver Corsaro but not readily availabe here.

Isnt the Benelli TNT made in China?

damn you all... im am now considering this thanks to this thread



so i have up for sale my Hypermotard, Renault Clio Sport (Race clio cup spec, the racen series that you had in the UK), then I can go the stretch for this thing. BUT iw wont part with my Merc 300D (I restored it then dropped a 7.3L TD V8 from a ford pick up into it... was passed onto me by my grandfather so its a keeper)or SD for it.

There are two for sale in Australia... one is new... $54G aus dollars, the other 2nd hand for 33G with 5k on the clock.

The 4D is supposed to be coming out soon. I was looking at the 3D but ended up with the 1098R instead