Suggestion on getting my 2nd Sportsbike.

Hi All,

My 2009 Honda CBR600RR got stolen last week (12th Jan 2011). From online reviews I found out that the chances of recovering/getting back a stolen motorcycle is very slim

I am waiting for Insurance settlement since I had comprehensive.

I have realised that I cannot be without a bike, I am going crazy. Thus I am back in the market. I visited a local dealer and that’s when I saw this Beauty "KTM SUPERDUKE", it looks marvelous, its a little tall for me, dealer did not give me a test ride. Thus went on to do online research.

Dont ask me how I arrived at these bikes as they may not fall in the same class/category.
1) KTM superduke 2007 or 20008
2) Triumph Speedtriple 675
3) Ducati Monster 796

Planning to get one of the above by End of this month.

All comments and feedback welcome.

Thanks,
Sri.

well you're going to get a biased opinion here, it is a superduke forum after all. having said that, i'm not a fan of small revvy bikes so the triumph isn't my thing but you've just
come off a cbr600rr so if you liked how that rode the triumph may be a good choice for you.

the 796 ducati is probably a little underpowered, a little overpriced and a little expensive to service, premium prices and service costs are ok, if the bike is a premium bike, and
the 2 valve range are just not exciting enough, i suspect you might get bored with it quickly.

If you like big V-Twins the KTM is a good choice, it makes good power, is relatively fair with service costs and is a little bit different, whether you can live with a big lumpy twin
after the silky smooth honda in line four? ride one and see.

paul.

Well, um....Grendel is thinking.....um about, well maybe a Superduke?!

Duh!

In fact Grendel is pretty sure the order you have them listed is the order you should buy in. However, you must be strong of heart. Having owned a CBR600 before you will have to prove to be worthy. If you have not, eat lots of spinach. You will need forarms of iron to be able to hold on to in as the arm wrenching torque kicks in.

Buy it, forget the others and never, never look back.

As said above, this is a SD forum, so we're obviously biased, however, many, like myself, have owned lots of different bikes and I have ridden many more, thanks to friends and demo rides, etc. The SD is the most fun bike you will ever ride. Most recently I had two Ducs, a 749S, which I loved, and a Multistrada 1000DS, which was a do anything (on pavement) bike. I rode my friend's SD and sold both Ducs and bought an '07 SD. Love it.

Same bias here.
The only other bike i would consider is the street trip. It is an amazing bike for the money and very competent.
That model Ducati doesn't give me much value for money power wise, only if you are a duc enthousiast.
I

Funny when I got back in the market I looked at pretty much the same bikes, exept the Duc which was a SR2 monster,,fit me very well, but the price just wasn't there ,no hagling,, the Triumph seemed a little funky to me , small , and the same with price,,,,but the bike I "could have ended up with" then I traveled to see the KTM Duke, always wanted one, but they wanted full MSRP, and at the time they had 5 SD's, got a price quote 5 grand off MSRP the sale was "NO BRAINER" and with the money I saved, bling city

@ LOONY888, GRENDEL, GOOD2BKING, KTMGUY: Thanks for all your reply!

That was easy, I have ruled out Ducati Monster 796.

I will test ride both KTM SD and TRIUMPH SPEEDTRIPLE and try to decide.

Now this is where I need your real help. If I am going for KTM, which Year should I consider. Dealer has both 2007 and 2008 KTM SD with 0 miles.
KTM 2008 is retailing at a little premium price, I am fine with this as long as there are significant chances from 2007 model. Specs wise I do not see any difference.

Thankyou folks.
~Sri

I have had Monsters, Aprilia Tuonos, Superdukes, and have ridden the Speed Triple. I've also owned Supermotos, the KTM 690SMC and Husky 510 (a real SM). My SD made me forget them all.

My first ride on the SD disappointed me in 2 ways, top heavy at slow speeds and lurchy. But, a return a year later when Akra slip ons had been added showed that both problems were due to pipes (stockers weigh a ton, and it's high up, and with Akras you use the Akra map) convinced me that this is the best naked package. This is the first time in over a decade that my favorite ride will be the same for the third summer in a row. Neutrality of handling, torque, great response top to bottom, comfort, there is simply nothing else that temps me. Well, loving the SD as much as I do I have been tempted to get an RC8R, but then I realise I never wish for more power from the SD, when revved out it still puts a smile on my face, I love the ergos.

Well if your dealer wont let you demo the SD, you should be able to demo the Speed triple without a problem. Of course I love my SD, but previously owned a 2005 Speed triple, and to be honest, the engine is the best "Road" engine I have ever had the pleasure of riding. It has a more or less flat curve and you just open the throttle and it pulls like a train and does not seem to run out of puff or pull any stronger at some stupid rev range.From 2008 it got Brembo brakes and I would if I had the money have another one in the garage. The thing is,the SD is more fun per mile than the Speed triple and for me, it has to be smiles per mile. Plus side of the Triumph is it's service intervals are 6k miles where as the SD is 4.5K miles and the resale of the Triumph will be better than the SD specially If you trade in a Triumph for another Triumph.And dont buy a Ducati as the people who ride them are normally NOBS and bought the bike because of the heritage or some crap and think their shit dont smell. And monsters are for women of around 5ft tall who cant ride and will topple off at the first opportunity Any hoo just get an SD, and stand out from the rest of the weenies

I've had many a bike from race reps to choppers. The SD is the best thing out there. Mine has been on multi day touring trips covering 1000's of miles, weekend backroad blasting, and a few trackdays that it effortlessly laid the competition to waste. I was even able to do the same laptimes as my 1000RR despite the 50hp disadvantage. It's got wonderful suspension out of the box, a well balanced chassis, and a smooth motor. The quirks are negligible and I have been able to fix all myself. A little more topend is about all I could ask for but that is only a matter of pipes and a Power Commander, possibly a slight gearing change too.

As stated before, Monsters are slow and underpowered. Maintenance is much more involved as is the cost of services. Suspension is nowhere near top of the line either.

I can't speak for the Street Triple but I imagine it is as close as any non KTM can get to the SD. If it were me the deciding factor would be OTD price and proximity to the respective dealership.

Thanks Gents,

hmm, I have totally rulled out Ducati Monster

Still to test ride Speedtriple.

Now if KTM SD, which year should I go for 07/08.

07/08---don't see any difference in Tech SPECS, does anyone know the differences if any.

08 KTM SD will hole my pocket by $1500