Read-only archiveOriginal forum posts · 2005–2020

KTM Superduke, 5-6 months in... Report and write up.

13 posts · Started by weeksy · 09 Jul 2008

Archived topic · Replies closedJump to last post ↓
Well i think i'm coming up to 6 months now with the Superduke.

IT's been an amazing transformation of riding style, riding roads and riding enjoyment.

I've gone from a man who only likes sportsbikes, to a man who's now sat on a 1000K3 and found it exceptionally alien and actually HORRIBLE to ride and sit on.

THe wide bar position and the high seating position means the changes of direction are instant. flik flak type corners are a joy to ride and so enjoyable on the bike.
Riding on roads i've never wanted to ride on before or even contemplated when i've found them is superb, my commutes to and from work on the SD are 5x as many over a given month as when on the R1. Quite simply because i love riding this thing.

I'm now used to how it feels not moving about so much, but could be argued i still do it too much at times. Just sit your arse on the seat and ride it.

The handling has helped with my confidence in many many ways. Cornering is better, wheelies are coming along OK and my overall riding is improved.

ALTHOUGH, my overtakes, timing of overtakes and cautiousness are apparently turning to shit. This bike does just make you ride like a tool.

Best thing about it, you can enjoy yourself and not see the wrong side of 80mph on the right roads. I rarely top the 100 unless out with the boys these days.

OK, so it struggles on high speed riding, over 130mph and your head is getting a pasting... over 140 and it's falling off, but hey, it's a non-faired bike, what else can you expect.

I've had 1 mechanical issue, which was hydraulic clutch slave cylinder failure... common to be honest, sharing a component with some Ducatis, which is also known to fail. Usually replaced under warranty, but mine is out of that so needed a new part.

Other than that, it's sweet as a nut.

Gear changes are the smoothest and slickest of any bike i've sat on.

Brakes are not as exceptional as the Tuono, even though same calipers, i might bleed after TD on Saturday and throw some new pads in to get the last bit out of them

Rear brake, might as well not exist, so i'll work on that too

Funny though, all i wanna do is ride it, not tinker with it.

This weekend i'm riding it through the whole of Wales in the rain/showers/wet and doing a trackday at Anglesey on Sat...

i honestly can't wait !!!!
Post missing

This post could not be recovered from the original forum.

Post missing

This post could not be recovered from the original forum.

Post missing

This post could not be recovered from the original forum.

Post missing

This post could not be recovered from the original forum.

Except for me not experiencing any mechanical problems (touch wood ), agree with everything you said, and well summed up (my version would be around 3 pages ).

You forgot to add the amount of interest this bike generates; it's actually amazing that I see superbike riders sneer at cruisers, adv. riders sneer at superbikes and cruisers sneer at everyone - But noone sneers at the SD.

It genuinely seems that every type of bike rider laughs with me when I describe it, and the riding experience.
Superbikers respect it because it keeps up or beats them in in the twisties.
The Adventure guys like us because... because we're not superbikes , and still has (if slightly) an offroad history.
Cruiser admire it cos it's different and cool.

They might never buy one, but they all like it.

PS Weeksy, don't you dare forget sticking the camera on the bike for your track day!

PSagain - Don't know about the rest of you, but I never T I R E of rider reports and feedbacks like this - Keep em coming all!
Post missing

This post could not be recovered from the original forum.

Post missing

This post could not be recovered from the original forum.

Post missing

This post could not be recovered from the original forum.

I'm 2 months into my ownership and I had many plans to change things, but my bike is still pretty much stock.
I love it the way it is at the moment.
I'm use to the fueling (right hand makes the biggest difference ) and although more power would be nice; I don't think its necessary.
Having finally taken it out for a proper ride with other SD riders I now know what it can do and it can do a lot more than those superbike riders like.

I love my bike and would only consider an upgrade to an SDR at this stage.
Post missing

This post could not be recovered from the original forum.

Grendel has had a number of bikes and he can say that the SD is the first bike that he just rode. No farkles, no long hours polishing. Just rode.
Post missing

This post could not be recovered from the original forum.

End of archived topic · Posting is closedBack to top ↑
← Back to Hooliganism