Need help the R or the standard 990

Hi guys I really need some help.I had been looking for a 990 duke for a while,I found several.One was a 08 990 R orange and black new 0 miles from a dealer out of state.Price $9999.00 plus 500 bucks to ship to my door.#2 was an 08 standard 990 black/white with 212 miles and 14 months of warranty. Out of state but only 4 hours away.Price$8900. I really wanted the R even if the seat sucks.So when I went to pull the trigger the R had a deposit on it.So I bought # 2 last sat I like the bike it is like new super clean.Not even broke in yet this bike is bone stock.This morining the dealer from deal #1 calls said the deal fell thru.I can get this 08 990R brand new shipped to my door for 10,300.So now my head is spinning.I just bought #2 I have the money to buy this bike too.but I don't need 2 dukes.My question is the R that much better than the standard ? Really what is the differance I know about the shock and the seat.Do you think I should get the R and try to sell the standard duke it now has 250 miles on it but it looks like new I would sell it for 9k and it still has the warranty for 14 months The R is what I really wanted in the first place.I settled for the standard because I thought the price was right 8900 cost me 200 dollars in gas to go get it and I got a Az plate on it already.Do you think I will have a problem selling my standard 990 duke for 9k I have seen others for cheap but they had several thousand miles and no warranty.Mine is like getting a new bike.If I decide to get the R I won't put any more miles on the standard.So this bike will have 250 miles be very clean and have a warranty for 9k please any input I don't know what to do.Is thr R worth the extra? thanks for the help guys.BTW I am 55 and have raced sportbikes ,mx for 40 years I am not as fast as I used to be but I can ride.So I am not some newbe thats gonna wad up because of the power.I love wheelies and I love to ride turns anybody can go fast in a straight line.I just don't know that much about the R differance from the standard Thanks again guys Vic

The question is are you going to take it on the track? If you are only going to do 1 maybe 2 (or even none) TD a year, then keep your standard SD, as it is comfier on the road and still capable on the track. If you frequent the track often then go test the R and see if it is worth swapping over, it is a more track focused bike after all.

But if you do go for it, Id be asking the dealer why the price has gone up.

The R has about 10-15 more HP. If I had the choice I would have went with an R myself, but I couldn't find one, and I got a smokein deal on my STD. It seems kind of risky if you were to buy both bikes, rather stupid I think. You'll lose money on the STD, as I don't think you'll get 9k for it. I would just chalk it up to fate, you were destined to have the STD. But if money is no issue and you have the time, buy both and sell the STD.

You could keep the std and spend some money on it... motobox, full titanium evo system (huge weight loss for the bike),...
And get it mapped on a dyno.

And if you really like the R looks, do a single seat conversion.
Looks like you are going to lose too much money if you buy the R and sell the std.
But thats just me....

The R only makes extra power on a dyno!

Here are 2 graphs made on the same dyno bench.

This is duffman's 09 SDR (with motobox) after optimizing fueling and ingnition


This is mine (06 SD with DNA Airfilter and full Ti system) after optimizing fueling (no ignition changes)


Not sure how much HP I would gain with a motobox and ignition changes...

Duke of Wrath,

One thing to remember that I didn't see you mention is that the R has a 12 mo/12000 mi warranty, while the standard is 24/24.

Getting what you paid for the std will be very unlikely, and with the extra money you'd put into the R combined with the loss you will take on the standard, you could probably get exhaust, motobox and at least an akra map if not a custom map. I don't know if the performance difference justifies the extra work necessary to get the R since you already have the standard.

But, the engine differences the R has (12.2 comp ratio vice 11.5, 51mm intake valves vice 48mm, titanium valves) would be expensive to do yourself unless you locate a wrecked R donor bike or get an R warranty replacement engine as someone else here has done. I think they are both great bikes, and I was also torn on which to get. The deciding factor for me was the fact that the R was only $1k more than the standard, and I loved the idea of the engine differences more than the actual performance difference. I also love how the R tail looks. And while both are uncommon, I would be less likely to see someone with the same bike if I had the R.

However, the increased comfort, better warranty, lower price, very small difference in performance and the fact you already have the standard would motivate me to keep it. You can adjust the suspension and add a steering damper if you want it to handle like the R, and you can still haul a passenger.

Aaron

Hey Vic,
you dont do easy do ya."marksim"
Ive the R and no regrets and like you know i did test ride a SD first.
Must admit the seat is hard but im used to the firm suspension.
Dont forget yours is new and with a few mods you will get more power and revs in the lower gears and your still running the standard exhaust.
Catch ya later nice to see youve joined this forum

Cant you chop the sd against the sdr and put it down to experience.

Thanks guys you helped me make the choice.I will keep the std.What I don't understand is why you think I could not sell it for 9k have been looking for a while.I never found a bike with such low miles and full warranty for 9k every thing I saw had 2500 miles or more and no warrranty.They sold for 9k .All the dealers that had new ones wanted 12k plus.The nada book has a used duke at 14k.So I thought $8900 out the door was a great price it was the best I have seen.You guys think I could have got it cheaper?Any way Thanks for the help.Now what should I do to get that low end lug gone.I want low end grunt I don't care about top end.I want to come out of a corner and have the power to wheelie out.On my duke the power starts at 4k.My aprilia first gear all I had to do was stab it and the front end came up.On my duke does not seem it's on the pipe unless the revs are higher.Seems like the gears are too tall.What are your thoughts on this is my duke normal? What should I do first.Can any KTM dealer remap with pipes or are there special shops.I can take it to LA to get it done or I have a dealer in Vegas.Thanks again vic

I know you have made your choice, but I would have gotten the SDR if that is what you were always looking for, not just settle on the standard.
I know that when I went to a KTM demo day, about 2 months after buying my SDR, I did not like the standard as much as my R, even on the road.

As far as the engine not pulling below 4k, what sort of corner are you wanting to wheelie out of that would have your revs below 4k coming out of anyway?
Just don't ride in the low rpm area, even though it is a twin these things are made to rev.

So what dealer is the SDR located at? You should post that info here so that someone esle on this forum could purchase if so desired.

Welcome: I think you will be happy with the STD Sd..(great choice) One thing you can do to help lift the front wheel is change your gearing. I would say 41t or 42t rear sprocket would make you happy.

Fate put you right where you need be. You have got you a wonderful bike that will make you giggle all the way to the next gas station. The R is splendid and has a more cutting edge in your face look but the SuperDuke still has an r in it, just happens to fall smack dab in the middle. R U crazy, ride the wheels off that sucker and never look back. I also believe that the standards will be the bike that street riders should own in that the suspension is more in line with everyday road going needs.

Hey Vic,
be honest with ya self,we all have our preferences but you get what you want.
They are both great bikes but if youve got the money get the one yours guts telling ya.

Check out motohooligan. That's the airbox setup.. It's a great addition.. If you buy the airbox also buy the secondary butterflies. They also make sliders, I prefer theirs because the mounting bracket is black. Others brands are silver. And you may want their tank brackets also.. The Sd tank can be a pain to line up the bolt hole, so the tank brackets allow the tank to move back to make it easier to line the hole. Some people don't need the brackets and some do. It's just one of those things.
Hope this helps.

I sold my old x battle bike 08 sd & got a 2010 sdr the sdr looks nicer but thats it
no im just starting to get my head around the sdr but the seat kills you its not as fast as my old battle bike but its only got 900 miles on the clocks ive got all the toys to put on it just waiting for my butterflies to turn up then moto box will be going on ive also got all the kit to do the tuneecu now so my pc111 is stuck in the draw
think if i had a choice again i would have a sd & put the sdr rear end on just for the looks

I've gotten around the seat issue by using a Corbin with the longest spacers and bolts provided, mounted in the front 2. Back of the seat is a bit above the stock set up at it's lowest . ( If you got bad knees and a 34" inseam this feels like heaven coming off a current crotch rocket , if you are elevationaly challenged it will be less so.)
Again, Track only-Yes.
Two or three bikes. Yep
Under 40 rider. 'Prolly OK
Old Bastard.Only bike. Not so good .(Just my opinion. )
Results vary.
IMO- Enjoy your ride. Remember the story of the dog looking at his reflection under the bridge.

Must-do mods....

1. Motohooligan Motobox. No better bang-for-the-buck than this.
2. At least the Akra KTM flash. Eliminates the 1st & 2nd gear limiter. TuneECU will take this even further, and it's free.
3. Any aftermarket cans.
4. 40 or 41 tooth rear sprocket.

After these mods, you will be posting questions asking how to keep the front end down.

I have a 41t sprocket.. And I suggest a 42t to bring the up easier..